Questions about entering a corner

[Lope]

My Current Method:
One thing I'm practising is: before the corner, applying front brake, pulling the clutch, dropping 1 (or more) gears, blipping the throttle (while still holding the front brake) and releasing the clutch carefully, then tipping in for the corner, with neutral throttle (or more if I've entered the corner a bit slow) then after the apex, rolling on the throttle.

Questions:
* How far before tip in do you engage the lower gear?
At the moment I'm engaging the lower gear 1-2 seconds before tip in. I'm giving a healthy amount of space because in the past when I didn't get it right in time, I'd simply go round the corner with the clutch pulled in, for fear of upsetting the balance with a bad rev matched shift, mid corner. So I'm giving a bit of space...

* How much throttle do you give when you blip?
In order to feel like I'm blipping enough, I give a healthy amount of throttle and feel the bike pull forward a bit as I release the clutch. This helps me know I've blipped enough.
It seems with the VFR400's strong engine braking and no slipper clutch that too much blip is better than too little blip?

[Cammo]

It seems with the VFR400's strong engine braking and no slipper clutch that too much blip is better than too little blip?

There's no need to rev it if you don't want to, it does have a slipper clutch that works well on downshifts.

Edit: Not sure about nc24's but I imagine they would also.

[Cammo]

One thing I'm practising is: before the corner, applying front brake, pulling the clutch, dropping 1 (or more) gears, blipping the throttle (while still holding the front brake) and releasing the clutch carefully, then tipping in for the corner, with neutral throttle (or more if I've entered the corner a bit slow) then after the apex, rolling on the throttle.

Sounds like a good start.

However you should never be rolling around any part of the corner (e.g. closed throttle). Cracking some throttle on throughout the corner will make the bike a lot more stable. After the apex you can open the throttle more, but it should never be closed at any stage.

[Spike16]

when you get to the apex you want to make one fluid movement from 0 throttle to full wack, this dosnt mean wack it on (ul highside) but roll it slowly

also you dont need to blip it that much, you simple need to blip it enough to reduce the engine braking as you let the clutch out, if your feeing it surge forward again this will be upsetting the bike a lot (think forks like pogo sticks)

[Biff]

All as above!!

But practice really does make perfection.....so get booked onto all the cheap trackdays and learn the cornering technique for yourself!!
like spike and dataracer said you should never have neutral throttle, get set up b4 the corner and on the gas b4 you take to the apex to settle the bikes suspenders!!
But most importantly get out there and keep doing it, always think ahead to how you want to exit to set up for your next corner (if its close)......

Happy cornering..

[Neosophist]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twist-Wrist-Mot ... 0965045013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twist-Wrist-Bas ... 0965045021" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These two books are a must read. Practice a lot, do a few track days and make sure you have somebody experienced (preferrably an instructor) with you who can follow you around and teach you how to correct any mistakes your making.

Theres nothing worse than practicsing bad technique, it only makes the habbit harder to break.

You'll be a better road rider too afterwards ^_^

[CMSMJ1]

PM me dude..I have a pdf of TOTW2..

Let me know and I'll send it to you (and anyone else)


Stop worrying about it too much as well. Relax!

[Landy63]

good advise lads, mine wold be to get all your gearshifts and braking done before you enter the point at which you turn in and always maintain a postive throttle (i.e. some throttle) set your body postion and then turn towards your apex. with good throttle control and body position it will help massivley with cornering and once your in the habit of going through the same drill before every corner you will be able to move onto trail braking.

PM me dude..I have a pdf of TOTW2..

Let me know and I'll send it to you (and anyone else)


Stop worrying about it too much as well. Relax!

mate can you send me a copy?? ive never bothered to read any of the california stuff due to andy ibbot reckoning he could teach rossi a few pointers lol (his words) but it must be worth a read

Damien

[Cammo]

ive never bothered to read any of the california stuff due to andy ibbot reckoning he could teach rossi a few pointers lol (his words) but it must be worth a read

I don't think Andy is being conceited when he says that, he points out some very good theory that actually would make Rossi a better rider. But that would just be scary, and old habits are hard to break.

TOTW2 is a good read, so also is 'Performance Riding Techniques' (often on ebay).

[Simon_Ed]

when i go into edwinas for instance at mallory i go from full throttle to hard on the brakes, down 3 gears, still on the brakes, then as i start to tip in down another gear, still on the brakes, as the bike leans over im off the brakes and then a bit of gas then over to the right, then full throttle out of the corner, obviously u need to be careful coming out but if you slowly roll the throttle on your losing time, so whack it open! use a bit of caution, if your a bit concerned just slightly dab the back brake or hover on it to prevent it spitting you off.