Question concerning turns | GTAMotorcycle.com

Question concerning turns

Driskal

Driskal

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Whats up everyone! Passed the Motorcycle saftey course right before canada day and I loved it. Learned some great things and had fun! But I know I still have much more to learn. One of my main issues is turning. Im fine if im turning at a stop sign or a red light. The issue is turning while Im going, for example, making a right while light is green. I know I shouldnt be doing this but I have been slowing down and just coasting thru the turn, pulling in the clutch and not downshifting. I know thats wrong wrong wrong. Ive been trying to downshift before the turn but my bike always jerks when I do it. Soooo, can anyone offer any advice on correcting this mistake!

Thanks
 
why not practice downshifting while moving in a straight line, then when you're comfortable enough you can do it smoothly before turning. In the mean time just downshift well in advance, revving your bike's engine a bit won't hurt it
 
Apply constant throttle throughout a turn actually increases stability. Enter at the speed your instincts tell you to but do not decelerate. When you get good enough, you'll be increasing your throttle as you continue on through the turn.

Try downshifting WAAAAYYYYY before the turn too :)
 
This is something I need to work on too. Also, don't touch the front brake, if necessary gently use the back breaks, accelerate and lean. Remember to look through the turn (talk to yourself if necessary). Keep your hand off the clutch!!
 
Definitely do not coast thru your turn and make sure your braking is done prior to entering the corner(as in avoid being on your brake as you enter the corner). Sounds like you are downshifting too late and likely braking too late as well, don't down shift as you start to make your turn do it before you think you should. In other words make your shift and be off the clutch before you enter your turn. Using a blip of the throttle eases the transition between gears but it's a skill you will need to practice and will come with time.

As you are new to riding concentrate on entering the corner off the clutch(meaning you geared down before this point) with a speed that is comfortable for you(meaning you used your brakes before the corner to adjust your speed), safety is the priority right now. As you ride more you will become aware of what speed ranges suit which gears for your comfort level.

Good luck and ride safe
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone!! Im realizing that just gearing down in general may also be one of my problem areas.
 
stiletto said:
This is something I need to work on too. Also, don't touch the front brake, if necessary gently use the back breaks, accelerate and lean. Remember to look through the turn (talk to yourself if necessary). Keep your hand off the clutch!!
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Actually do use your front brakes(before entering the turn). At this level using both is a good idea, just get used to using the fronts primarily(75%). Correct use of your back brake is a great skill to have just do not stab at your brakes (as in 4 finger grabs, try using 2 fingers and be smooth), that's why doing these things early will allow you to anticipate and modulate the braking effort and allow you time to co-ordinate your downshift/s
 
I remember being scared of this too.. way back in the day!

Practice, practice, practice. Go to a parking lot and practice.

8 years later, I love coming in hot before the turn, downshifting, slamming on both brakes so my back tire skids a little.. weeeeeeeeee!

Slow in, fast out ;)
 
Step 1: Finish all the downshifting + braking BEFORE the turn
Step 2: Countersteer into the turn and look where you want to go

That's all there really is to it..
 
One of the things you should do as practise is something you can do in your car. Get in the habit of doing all of your braking before you make the turn in your car. If you get in that habit, it will be easier when you do it on your bike. Most people in cars have their brakes on thru most of any turn. parillaguy.
 
jay-d said:
Practice, practice, practice. Go to a parking lot and practice.
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GREAT ADVICE. Safe for you and for others.

e90 said:
Step 1: Finish all the downshifting + braking BEFORE the turn
Step 2: Countersteer into the turn and look where you want to go
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AL3RT said:
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The above posts are the basics.

A good video to watch is Twist of the Wrist 2. It is for both seasoned riders and new riders. I watched it several times this winter and I found it really helped me starting my second riding season.
 
^
I would actually advise against that. ToTW gives way too much information at once and explains it really well. Watching it will makes n00bs think they can do things that their mind cannot take yet (ie. a fast corner). Had a friend crash right after watching this when I went to ride with him, his survival reactions came on STRONG and overwrote logic.
 
Definitely slowly push yourself to fight your instinct to brake before entering a corner (when you don't need to). You don't even need to brake at all if you're doing the speed limit for any turn. Your bike can lean much farther than you think. Have a friend take a video of you leaning in a turn. You will realize that you aren't even close to what you THINK you are doing in your head.

Looking where you want to go is KEY. Have avoided mishaps just by doing this one thing when coming into a corner hot.

And as Stiletto said, never ever touch your front brakes in a turn. I pretty much ride without ever using the front brakes unless something unexpected happens.

Parking lots are OK to learn but it's different when there's a curb and sidewalk, median, etc. (mentally). Go out late at night with a buddy and practice lefts and rights without braking when there's not a lot of traffic. If you want to practise leaning, do highway ramps for leaning right, and find a roundabout to practise leaning left. Or just do circles in a parking lot (but isn't as fun).
 
The most helpful thing that anyone ever told me about downshifting is this:

Don't downshift to slow down; downshift because you've slowed down.

Your downshifts are jerky because you are trying to slow your bike down with it. Slow first, then change gears to match your new speed. Give it a try on a straight, empty street, and you'll see how smooth it feels and how much more control it gives you.

Gently roll off the throttle and slow with your brakes well before the turn. Shift to a lower gear to give yourself more precise control at your lower speed. Downshifting once you've already slowed down a bit will remove the jerks.
 
^Yes. Not a fan of engine braking. Not because of any effects on the bike, just like my ride smooth.
 
I looove engine braking. I do it all the time. I always tap my brake lights though if I need to give some warning behind me..
 
Thanks so much for all the input everyone!! I cant wait to test out all the tips. Havent been riding much lately cuz its been so damn hot. Me and the heat dont mix so well
 
NealT said:
Actually do use your front brakes(before entering the turn). At this level using both is a good idea, just get used to using the fronts primarily(75%). Correct use of your back brake is a great skill to have just do not stab at your brakes (as in 4 finger grabs, try using 2 fingers and be smooth), that's why doing these things early will allow you to anticipate and modulate the braking effort and allow you time to co-ordinate your downshift/s
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Ah... I'm a newb in riding so please correct me if I'm wrong.

PLEASE dont use your front brake liberally, you would havw the danger of stopping quicker then you hope, and have a backflip due to the rear tire still running.

Personally, I'd rear break and downshift before approaching the turn. The rear break is important because it lights up your brake light, thus giving notice to the guy behind you. (Unless you plan on tackling the turn at reguler speed).

Once you are at almost at the turn, only use the front breakif you think youre going too fast, other wise, look, then turn and rollthe throttle!

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
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