Hey bike fans, Rossey here once again to talk to you about Riding curves, or cornering.
Cornering is not just turning the handlebars and going around a corner, there is a lot more you should consider way before the curve. This is where the 12 second planning comes in. you should always be riding with your head up and eyes level, looking 12 seconds down the road planning each phase of your journey. When you see a corner ahead, you have that 12 seconds to visualize the corner, work out which direction it goes, and prepare.
Ok, so you’ve just detected a corner up ahead, it’s a right-hand turn, it’s now time to plan how you’re going to tackle the corner. Firstly, check your mirrors to see if there’s anyone close behind you, you don’t want to start slowing down with someone fair up your ginger. Then commence your ‘Roadcraft’ tactics… ‘Look’ ‘Slowdown’ ‘Move Away’. Make sure you get your speed right, your gear right, and your braking done before the corner. You don’t want to be on the brakes in a corner, as this is risky on a motorcycle. Now… Move to the left of the road to open up your vision of the corner (Start Wide), then as you’re looking through the corner, buffer away from the ‘Head on crash zone’. This is the part of the corner where vehicles are most likely to move into your lane around a corner. Then… finish tight so you can be ready for the next corner in the opposite direction if there is one.
Whilst in the corner, watch for the vanishing point. This is the point where both side of the road come together. When these points opens up, the corner is ending, and you can prepare your exit.
Camber is also something you need to consider when approaching a corner. Positive camber can help you around a corner, as the road is angled to help you lean further and provides more grip on the road. Negative camber however can cause you all sorts of dramas, as the road angles away from the corner, causing you to have less lean, less grip and less ground clearance.
And remember, watch out for debris, roadkill, and other hazards that may be around that corner. Ride every corner as if it’s the first time you’ve ridden it, be prepared, be safe! And if its raining, just simply slow down. And if you can’t maintain at least six seconds of vision, once again slow down.
Thanks everyone for reading, and as I always say, stay shiny side up, and ride your own ride. This is Rossey, and I’m going to get you ‘Geared to Ride’.
