Road positioning

[dn38416]

Hi

I just went out for my first longish ride since CBT, it was just after a day or so of light rain and the road (rural A road) was sort of mixed - the middle still looked dry, but maybe just because of all the grit there*, and the sides were wet and slippy. The road also had quite a heavy camber.

I felt like i nearly slid out of control on corners at least twice, both in places with high cross winds from the open fields, where i was almost right in the gutter. There's lots i don't understand yet, including counter-steering. As far as I understand cornering, that would necessitate moving over these different road surfaces in the wet, then turning with very little contact between the tyre and the road surface.

I'll elaborate, lets say i'm on a 60mph rural road, heavy negative camber, shiny wet road where car wheels go, and a dry gritty bit in the middle. Going straight, I'd be positioned in the right most of these 3 tracks, then approaching a right turn wouldn't i need to move over to the left most, then lean the bike right. When you pair this last part with the negative camber wouldn't that mean that the bottom part of the tyre is facing away from the road?

Seriously knocked my confidence yesterday, especially with the cars up my arse, it was just as i hit about 55 the wind pushed me to the side of the road and i thought i was gonner-come-a-cropper.

*Also, on the road where i live, whenever it rains it is guaranteed to wash all kinds of debris including quite large rocks into the middle of the lane and the sides turn into streams, is it even advisable to try crossing these.

[bren_9311]

Confidence comes with practice, just keep at it and you will improve and your confidence will grow.

As for cornering i would position myself on the very left of a right hand corner, that way i can see more of what is coming around the corner. Also remember to leave the power on going round the corner because it's what give you traction.

The first time i ever fell off my bike i was going around a corner with no throttle on a wet road.

Also remember to look where you want to go not the kerb/gutter.
____________________
My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked. If you like, I'll trade for one of yours.
Currently bikeless.
Ps4- bren_9311

[doggone]

You don't always want to ride in the outer car tyre mark, if there's a right hander with limited forward vision coming, get into the left one in good time.

I would often stay in the left track anyway unless it's a generously wide road - possible exception being if I wanted a split second more time easily visible approaching junctions.
You're wise to minimise time on the gravelly bits inbetween.
Bits of metal which can damage tyres often lurk there too.

[unluckyluke]

It sounds like you're over thinking things a bit. Try to get some more time on the road in the dry and concentrate on looking where you want to go and not worrying about road position/counter steering. I can guarantee you are already counter steering without even knowing it, it's not as extreme as how you described it, it's simply a small nudge on the bars in the opposite direction first before taking a turn in the other direction.
But when you're starting out just concentrate on riding smoothly, braking before corners and accelerating gently through an out of them. This along with looking ahead and round the bend will get you round a corner nice and smoothly.

[Christoffee]

[unluckyluke]

[-Matt-]

I'd say adjust the speed so its suitable for the corner prior to entering it, if youre finding youre breaking too much mid corner youre probably either going too fast or are poorly positioned.

This books definately worth a read for general knowledge
https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FlXxNppFL._SY600_.jpg

[Christoffee]

[-Matt-]

Its certainly no biker bible but its a good read, especially for people newer to biking

Buy used and flog it back after

[bren_9311]

[dn38416]

I think there's a new edition of the police roadcraft book due out in the next week or so. The last bike one was from 1996, no idea if they will make any big changes.

[maph3rs]

Hey dn38416,
Ive just passed my CBT about 4 weeks ago. I had my first wet ride yesterday and was pretty nervous about turning. BUT the best thing to do is watch Twist of the wrist 2 on youtube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVWNinsmkAw
Makes loads of sense. , - Its corny tho so stick with it
Also just make sure to have the right speed going into the turn so you can maintain the speed throughout and a nice 'throttle on' when exiting (will make sense after the vid).

Ive also found that even doing the speed limit cars wanna be up your arse. As soon as they see a L plate they think they need to overtake. Just remember to distance the gap between you and the car in front if there is someone up your arse.

Also if you know anyone who rides and has passed there test then try and get out with them. I went out with a couple of lads and watched what they did and even led them for a while (funny a 125 leading a ninja and a r6!!). Gives you a big confidence boost.
James

[Christoffee]

[Rogerborg]

[Ribenapigeon]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO don't mention "countersteering"!!!!!!!!

If your negotiating a bend in the wet and feel its too slippy to lean over much then try sliding your arse slightly off the seat on the inside of the turn and angle the bike upright with your hands on the bars. This will keep tyre on the road surface and allow you a bit more speed.

As others have said, keep off the crap in the centre and out of the gutter. Also don't let drivers force you to go faster than you're comfortable with, go at your own pace.

[dn38416]

Thanks for the replies guys, i put in about 80 miles today while it was quiet, and have made great progress on the corners following your combined advice. Twist of the wrist is great, there are segments with an english voice over, i have that guy shouting at me in my head now!

Went part way down the A40 where its three lanes, very windy, still not great at dealing with the wind at all, sidewind, front wind , any wind.

Roundabouts are a bit iffy too, i instictively slow down by tapping the rear brake, and promptly lose stability. Wobble a bit, and leave a huge gap open for any prick that wants to undertake. One silver lining from being this crap, is that a lot of the car drivers up my arse back off when they see me wobbling around.

[unluckyluke]

To be honest mate I found side winds and passing lorries a real pain as well on a 125. As soon as you jump on a bigger, heavier bike you don't notice it so much. Just stay calm when it happens, if you panic and tighten your grip you'll only make it worse and effect your road position/balance more. I know it's easy to say but try to stay calm and a light grip on the bars and try to anticipate when you're going to get hit by a side wind (ie when passing a large vehicle or a gap in the hedges either side). This will help reduce the effect of the side wind as you wont move the bike around so much as you are buffeted by the wind.

[finniee]

I know I'm still very much a pup, all I can do is offer my advice.

Winds - Pain in the backside, I usually slow down just a wee bit when there is cross winds when no one is behind me 9/10 usually solves it for me.

Lorries - same again, stay more over to the left hand side as the back draft caused my the "aerodynamic" trailer has to go somewhere.
If you stand at the side of a road and a lorry goes past you can sometimes feel it.

Distance - If you feel comfortable at leaving that big of a gap it is up to you, as you said some plonker could just wizz into it. I usually give the car in front maybe 2 white line lengths. Not really a standard measurement but it does the trick.

[-Matt-]

[Dave70]

Try to get some practice in when the roads are quiet, that way you'll have less chance of having some asshole pressuring you you from the rear.

Also, if it's raining, you need to ride to the conditions of the road ie; don't go around bends too fast and don't lean the bike too much. I had to ride home (approx. 30 miles) through mainly country lanes last "summer" at night, in torrential rain and gale force winds with all sorts of debris in the road, including the occasional tree. Rode with a maximum speed of 20mph and took forever but, I got me and the bike home safe and sound.

Pretty much else has been posted already.

And yeah...a +1 for Twist of the Wrist 2 on cornering technique. Helped me out loads, even though I thought I was doing okay beforehand.

[finniee]

[-Matt-]

It all varies so greatly in many cases its best to throw it all aside anyway to be honest and judge each situation by itself

[maph3rs]

[dn38416]

Thanks

Slightly off topic, but many of you sound like you have the same type of commute (a roads and dual carriageways). I'm on a CBF 125, only started commuting yesterday, for about 10 miles on the A40 i was pushing 7/8k rpm, then coming back into the A-roads continued at about 6k rpm for 20 miles. Is this bad for the engine? It doesn't purr like it did at the lower revs, it sounds like its in pain at these levels.

[-Matt-]

So long as youre a decent way off redline it wont do much damage directly, keep up with maintenance particularly oil changes and i wouldnt say its something to worry about at all in the time period youre likely to own the bike