Riding Tips?

Well, I picked up twist the wrist and read the whole thing yesterday.
What a great book. Everything is explained well and is easy to understand.
I started applying some of what I read last night. One thing I'm having trouble with is downhill turns.. As long as I'm going uphill I have no problem cracking the throttle and rolling it on through the turn.. On steep down hill turns I feel like I can't throttle through the turn and I have alot of weight on the front of the bike upsetting the 60/40 rule.
Any suggestions??
Thanks

 

Yeah, go slower...

Really, there is not much you can do on "steep" downhill turns other than take into consideration that gravity will increase your speed without changing the suspension weight distribution.

I would give just enough throttle to keep the bike settled. Your distribution will be 50/50 - close to the ideal 60/40. Because you won't be "accelerating" through the turn like normal, you should be able to start your acceleration out of the turn sooner than on a flat turn.

Hopefully, one of the experienced racer's will chime in. I only slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

 

Basically that's it.

Keep the throttle 'cracked' slightly through the turn.
Visualize just keeping the chain taut; not so much "accelerating' or applying power, as just keeping the slack out of the chain.

The reason for this is to shift the Cg/weight-balance back onto the rear tire slightly.
The weight is more evenly distributed between the contact patches for more grip.
The front tire has a smaller contact patch and therefore less potential available grip.
In a steep downhill tight turn the front tire is reaching its maximum available grip by both braking (linear loading) and turning (lateral loading).
(I believe Keith Code talks about that).
By shifting some of the weight onto the much larger rear contact patch you're obtaining more overall grip, but more importantly reducing the loading on the front contact patch and bringing it further back from the brink/limit of adhesion, so you have more grip available for the crucial jobs of both slowing and turning.
Think "traction pie" graph.
The idea is to lessen the load on the front, and take advantage of the grip available out back.

You will find that keeping a slight acceleration (taut chain) through all corners will help the bike to behave more neutrally and steer more lightly (fork not compressed), and have more overall available grip.
"Slow, Look, Lean, and Roll"
Brake before the corner, accelerate through and out.

I would say my 3 biggest Tips would be:
1) Vision - Raise your eyes and look where you want to go - Slows everything down and minimizes Target Fixation, and you see hazards sooner.
2) Countersteer - Push right to go right; Push left to go left. This is how single-track vehicles turn. Learn it, know it, do it. When things get hairy, push the inside bar.
3) Accelerate - The sooner you get on the gas in a corner the better - More grip, neutral handling and better suspension action. Motorcycles just work better on the gas.

 

Maybe I should sleep at a Holiday inn??? haha
I'm going to read the book again as I'm sure I missed alot. However I never saw anything about countersteering mentioned in his book. Maybe I just missed it. I have hwy 193 about 2 miles from my house which has alot of corners like the one in the picture posted above.. I'm just going to keep going up and down it after work.

 

The MSF will teach you Countersteering, as well as other basics of moto-physics and "How to Make a Motorcycle do Exactly What You Want" (my description).

MSF.
MSF.
MSF.

The MSF is single most important thing you can do to enhance and enjoy (& survive) a lifetime of riding a motorcycle.
TAKE YOUR SOONEST POSSIBLE MSF BRC.

Also, there are other books out there better suited to newer riders and motorcycling basics, although I've forgotten the names.
Twist of the Wrist is somewhat advanced, although I also strongly recommend Code's "TOTW 2", and "Soft Science" books.
Knowledge is power, but actual training and practice are critical.
TAKE YOUR SOONEST POSSIBLE MSF BRC.


I remember having ridden 193 like a gazillion times (I lived in Sacratomato for 10 years), but can't quite visualize the road.
I remember really liking it however.
You live in a great location for motorcycling.


I re-read your previous question re: downhill turns.
It is difficult to apply throttle in such situations, although you really should do so asap in the corner.
In anticipation of the corner, knowing the front end will load up, shift your weight back in the saddle and consciously keep as much weight on the rear tire as possible.

Also, in any corner, but especially corners as described where the front end is loaded, keep your elbows bent.
When you're hard on the brakes it's normal to lock your elbows to prevent sliding forward in the saddle.
Break yourself of this habit and consciously remind yourself to relax and keep your elbows bent.

This does a couple of things:
- When the front end is carrying a lot of weight/load, the fork is compressed, which limits its ability to absorb bumps - bent elbows allow the bars to rise and help absorb the bump.
- Stiff arms translate into stiff steering & control inputs. Bent elbows and relaxed posture = fluidity.
When the contact patches and suspension are nearing their limits, smooth, fluid inputs are crucial to prevent overcoming available grip and resulting slide (crash).

Become "one with the machine" - work with the bike and allow it to do what it needs to do.
The best racing drivers are relaxed and smooth, never tense and fighting the machine.
Same idea.

Lastly: TAKE YOUR SOONEST POSSIBLE MSF BRC.

 

Try this safety school http://www.msf-usa.org/ or your local D.M.V. web site. I took this class many years ago I've been riding for over 12yrs. But the most important thing is safety.
Try this web site it gives a great Introduction to Motorcycles http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/
Lots of info for you......

 

i'm not very experienced, but the one thing i'd have to add to all this good advice is to NOT read books like this once and then put them back on the shelf. read each section thoroughly, go out and practice it, then go on to the next section. i read 'Sport Riding Techniques', went out and applied a lot of what i read, then forgot about the book. i picked it up again a few months later, and was amazed at all the stuff i had forgotten to practice and make habit of.

Mike

 

look here

___________________________________________________________________________


---------------------------- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .o---------------
________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ________x__________________
The picture above represents a street that you about to turn right onto. Let your eyes and head look "through" the turn. Meaning, focus on the "X" and not on the "O". At first you can exagerate this technique because since its new to you, even when you exagerate it, it'll just be enough. As it becomes second nature, those 180 degree hair pins in the twisties will start to be real fun instead of oohh s*#t.
JTC