Cornering since my off

[Tracer1234]

So, ive put this in the newb section as it feels like such a basic question.

I binned the bike the other day due to some rookie mistakes cornering on a new road. (didnt lean enough, then looked straight at the trench on the side of the road and therefore went straight in.)

So my question is, when approaching the bend, both a bit of a blind one, and wide open, where to do you position your bike going; in - halfway round - and on the exit?

e.g. do you go in wide, and come out tight?

tl;dr - what position should i take when cornering.


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Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[Aceslock]

Go in as wide as you can to open the bend up as much as possible. Once you see the vanishing point going away from you accelerate in to the middle of the lane.........
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Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

[duhawkz]

might i suggest you acquire a copy of Motorcycle Roadcraft

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0117081884/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/279-3368986-8145962?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=1614T19VYP985ZJ59YN8&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=0117021687

i found it very useful when doing my IAM. It covers all aspects of road riding and is definitely worth £12
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[bugeye_bob]

https://www.roadcraft.co.uk/uploads/pdf/motorcycle-roadcraft-chapter7.pdf

[NJD]

I don't mean to sound like a keyboard expert.. I'd take it easy on roads that are unknown, during my day of license training I remember saying to the trainer that taking a sweeping bend at 50mph was quite the experience, I didn't want to slow down and show I wasn't confident but it sure took some concentration, was a sweeping left of which as I was in lane 1 I stayed in the center of the lane, could of moved towards the outside closer to position 3 to get a better look if required.

Trainer reckoned I took sweeping bends mostly in position 3 or 1 (outside of the bend opposite to direction of bend), of which bikers who drive cars apparently do, so found it strange when I said I don't drive, it's what I feel comfortable with went with it, survived, honestly don't think about it to much, get out there and slowly rebuild your confidence, there's always further training available from schools if you feel like getting some tuition and having a blast in what remains of the sunshine, each one of us is always learning.

I've learnt not to criticize myself to much, even taking the same route 99.999% of the time for me brings new challenges, go back to the place you dumped it and show that bend who's boss.

I locked the back wheel of my bike during my CBT on a downhill that I know commute on every time I go out, first few times I was nervous but learnt how to overcome it, I called it throwing myself in at the deep end, best way.

[Teflon-Mike]

DON'T turn your corner before you reach it.
Sounds daft but its every-ones natural tendancy.
So hold your 'straight' for as long as you can; give yourself the time, while upright to get the best sight line through it you can and as much time to slow as much as you need.
Which inclines you to head to the out-side of the bend on the approach; so erring closer to kerb for a right hander, the white-line, for a left.
The extra time spent upright, means you can slow down more for the corner...... following the mantra "Slow In - Fast OUT".... (or with more confidence, hold road speed longer before you brake for bend)
extra sight means you can better pick your line and possibly see the exit before you commit to the turn.. but slower entry speed gives you more time to pick or even change line if you have to.
Principle is to get it all done 'up-front' before you go tip-in.. or as much as you can.
Mid & exit should pretty much sort themselves from there, as you will have seen where you want the bike to go when you picked your entry line... would be 'tending' to put the bike back to center of the lane on exit... but depends what's coming up....
But, it's that 'don't turn until you have to' that's the key, and trying not to use 'lazy' lines. Again, natural tendancy to try and 'straighten' bends out; keeps the bike more upright, and makes you 'feel' like you are riding smoother with less braking in or acceleration out... BUT.. makes the corner longer... and in that, often has perverse effect, you spend longer tipped over, and any 'change' will de-stabilise the bike, so you spend more time with less control, and more time not going 'as' fast. So on all but the widest most open bends where I can clearly see entrance and exit before I get to them, I go in slow and deep, to get as much info on whats coming up as possible, then I'll make a tighter turn than the actual radius of the bend, when I 'almost' run out of road to carry going straight; then get it over and done with, and back upright, and back on the power to come out 'fast' lining up for 'normal' road position, if its straight, or lining up for the next bend if that's coming up soon after.
It's the entry that's the key, and NOT turning before you have to.
Slow IN - Fast-OUT.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Taught2BCauti...]

Try watching This Video for some good tips on how to assess, approach, and exit corners.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[UncleFester]

Nerves and confidence - you've misplaced the former and the latter has taken a battering. I think i agree with Tef ...... and the others. Practice and patience and you'll come back better.

I dropped mine yesterday, rode like a n00b to work after doing it but once i'd shaken my head and told myself to sort it out, on the way home it was all better again.
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2017 Z1000SX

[Val]

[Tracer1234]

Thank you all for your advice, very much appreciated and some fantastic advice. Lots to practice. Look forward to getting back on the bike. Think I am going to go out of a new rides myself before going out in a group ride out again.

But yeah, lots of gerat advice and tips, Thank you very much indeed.


____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[talkToTheHat]

Just a thought, but are you thinking about steering?

When I was first riding i got into a mess or two because i'd go from instinctive riding to panic mode, which resulted in the wrong inputs and going straight on. Somehow I failed to crash.

Work on push the right bar away from you to turn right (and similarly push left bar to go left) until this is both a concious, unconscious and panic action.

There is no point becoming the master of road positioning if you can't change lines in a hurry. Advanced positioning as described roadcraft requires good control. Take curve to the left: you can approach that all the way over onto the centreline for best visibility, but if you see a hazard, like an approaching car that could encroach into your lane, you need to be able to change your line to deal with that.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Tracer1234]

Went out for a ride again today and did what NJD said and went on the same road and did the corner right

Lots of your advice was brilliant, from the limit points to going in slow and fast out, positioning myself in a way to see round as much as possible and turning in late so I can get it all done before the turn. (thank you tef)

So yeah, thank you all very much.
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[MCN.]

Sling it in, pray it sticks.

[Slacker24seve...]

Short version:

Slow in, fast out.

Long version:

Buy roadcraft. Be smooth. Get better at reading the road. Ride with someone who is good.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[P.addy]

Once I'm all MOT'd ill happily meet you at Crawley or similar and head out on a ride. Similar bikes and similar cornering skillz

Aiming for end of next month ride to IoW also.

[Tracer1234]