I took a 90 degree semi hairpin bend tonight, and the power was coming on quite a bit more than I was expecting, because I decided to go for it, but gave it too much. started running wide, got a bit of a fright, counter-steered while the bike was leaned over quite a bit, I over reacted, then had to counter-steer again to get into the line I wanted. Quite messy. I thought to myself, "if that was 40-60% more messy I might have come off"
I need time on the track.
Aside from tonight I'm getting quite a natural feel on the bike. I've overcome one of my biggest fears, heading fast into a corner while braking on the front, rev matching and gearing down.
(NC24 has no slipper clutch) Its still slightly scary, but I'm getting there. If I ever fuck it up though it could be bad.

Is it better to corner with your ass planted on the seat or ass lifted up slightly, next to the seat? I find it works well for bumpy roads otherwise handling is very messy.
That style tends to carry through to my regular cornering technique (on smooth corners) and I find myself not knowing whether to plant my ass firmly on the seat or elevate a bit.
I might be moving my body too much during cornering. Adding unnecessary variables into the dynamic.

I think you are over-thinking your riding style and paying more attention to your 'style' rather than relaxing into a corner and letting the bike do the work. There is no 'correct' way to ride. My riding style changes depending on what bike I'm on. I feel more involved when I'm going quickly on the 'Blade (I mean proper quick, 160mph or more, on closed road obviously) than I do on the VFR. For my, the VFR is all about keeping up the corner speed, but I worry less about that on the CBR as I come into a corner quicker and leave it quicker than the VFR. A 50mph corner is still a 50mph corner regardless of the bike.

My thoughts on good cornering it to have your speed scrubeed off before you get into the corner, have yourself positioned comfortably on the bike and have the bike settled, once you kiss the apex then lift your head, stand the bike up and accelerate out as hard as you choose to.

My method isn't the best method for everyone but it works for me. Sometimes I hang off the bike, other times I don't. Just depends on my mood.

I know I have sent you a copy of Twist of the Wrist 2..

So, what do you think in the terms that book uses?

The bottom line is to stop worrying about it - if you want to go fast enough that you find you don't know what you are doing then slow down - to go faster.

A relaxed and concentrated 90% effort ride will see you better served than an erratic, worried and sketchy attempt to push yourself on the roads (which in Saffa are just dodgy).

chill man....you have years ahead of you of motorbiking...your '24 wants respect and dedication...not cheap thrills..

You get me?

Lope wrote: I need time on the track.

Yes.


A few days on the track will teach you more than you can learn in years on the road IMO.

Mark, can you ping my those books over please. Would be an interesting read.

Coming your way Sir

can i have a gander at them books, my cornering is pants , plus my crummy rear shock and gay forks dont help

PM me your details dude..

Deviant400 wrote:my crummy rear shock and gay forks dont help

This will alter anyones ability to corner. Even a re-fresh will do the bike a world of good. As does you tyres and the pressures you run.

Thanks for the replies guys :)

Very right there CMSMJ1. Feels much better doing a 90% effort than a erratic pushing yourself beyond your limits attempt. Most importantly, it keeps you safe with the sticky side down to ride another day :)

I'm sure it was down to lack of practice, opening the throttle that wide and getting more power than I was expecting. I've never really opened up much in a corner at low speeds/high revs like that.

Traaaaaaack is calling me. So swamped with work lately. Hopefully will do one next month.