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KEEPING IT UP: Handling Curves Anybody can ride a motorcycle in a straight line. Here you learn how to ride in a curve. Taking curves is rather a personal choice in terms of selecon of entry and exit points as well as speed, it seems to me. For example, the typical advice I have heard from others is to choose an entry point that allows you to make the curve using the smoothest line through it so that you always have the least lean demand. This, of course, gives you the most ability to compensate your path through the curve should you find a need to do so. It also means that you hit the apex of the curve at about its middle. That is, you enter from the outside edge of the curve, then move towards the inside unl you reach its apex, then connue from there outwards unl you are once again at the outside of the curve just as you exit it. I, on the other hand, do not normally do this. I prefer to delay my entry into the curve. That is, I stay to the outside edge well past the normal entry point, then turn much more sharply into it and hit the inside much beyond the normal apex. This gives me two significant (to me) advantages over the ‘smoothest’ course: • I get the lean that I enjoy in the beginning of the curve where I have seen all that I need to see in terms of potenal trouble. • When I exit the turn I am traveling at a much reduced angle relave to the path of the road. That is, since I am closer to the end of the curve when I reach the inside than is the normal apex, I have fewer degrees of the arc le to go before I am again going in a straight line. Said differently, if the road changes direcons by a maer of 90 degrees through a curve, no maer what path you select through it you will have totalled 90 degrees when you are out of it. Since I turn more into the curve at my delayed entry point, I have less le to go to complete the turn when I am near the exit. This last advantage is of profound importance, in my opinion. This gives me far more ability to handle unexpected problems as I get closer to the end of the curve. For example, what if it turns out to be a decreasing radius curve aer all, or if there is gravel in the road that was not visible at its entry? By the way, when I said that 'I stay to the outside edge' above; I in no way meant to imply that I get close to the line. Far too many people seem to think that they have performed a safe manoeuvre through a curve so long as their wheels do not touch or cross the centre line. WRONG! If any part of your motorcycle crosses that line, including just a grip, you are in the path of oncoming traffic, and are in THEIR lane. In any event, I try to overshoot my entry to a curve. Then I aggressively counter-steer into it, and delay reaching the inside of the curve well past its apex. This also, incidentally, allows me to start an aggressive rollon of my throle sooner than when I am at the inside of the curve which gives me a beer handling bike through the majority of it. I should add that this delayed entry approach requires that you get in the habit of not entering the curve too fast. Further, the right approach speed is one which requires NO BRAKING at entry. You should use MODEST throle roll-on all the way through any curve. If you find that you cross the outside line, ever, then it is me to reassess what you are doing. Approaching the curve too fast? Insufficient confidence to aggressively counter-steer when you need to? Insufficient experience to pick a good line? Acng like riding with friends is a compeve sport? Whatever it is, if you ever cross that centre-line you are riding above your abilies; everyone around you will know it so you’ll need to change something soon. Otherwise, make sure your relaves know your intenons relave to the donaon of your organs.
WHAT’S ON CALENDAR DATE EVENT DESCRIPTION 26-30 APR AFRICA BIKE WEEK 12 MAY HONDA OFFROAD COURSE 14 MAY WICKED WILLY BASH 26 MAY ADVANCED RIDER COURSE 16 JUN WILD FIRE BLANKET RUN 29 JUN-1 JUL PONGOLA CANE RALLY 30 JUN PERRY YAMAHA TRACKDAY 1 JUL NAPPY RUN 26-29 JUL DRAGON RALLY 9-12 AUG HIPPO RALLY 25 AUG IRON MAIDEN STREET PARTY 31 AUG-2 SEP FAITH RALLY 28-20 OCT BMW ECO CHALLENGE 11 NOV NATIONAL MEMORIAL RUN 25 NOV NATIONAL TOY RUN www.facebook.com/BIKETALK.SA Hosted in Margate, a week-end not to be missed. Visit www.africabikeweek.co.za or email Carl on info@africabikeweek.com Hosted by Honda Adventure Academy at Mid-Illovo Contact Hein on 083 7937975 or book on-line at www.biketalk.co.za Hosted by Highway Dragons MC Contact Les on 083 4876846 or visit www.highwaydragonsmc.co.za Hosted by <strong>Bike</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> MRA at Toyota Test Circuit, Eston Contact Hein on 083 7937975 or book on-line at www.biketalk.co.za Hosted by Highway Dragons MC Contact Les on 083 4876846 or visit www.highwaydragonsmc.co.za Hosted by Pongola Cane Rider on the Pongola Academy School Grounds. Visit www.caneriders.co.za or Contact Johan on 082 8970635 Hosted by Perry Yamaha at Red Star Raceway, Delmas Contact Henry on 031 5667411 or email him on henryv@perryyamaha.co.za Hosted by CMA at Lords & Legends in Amanzimto Contact Kobie on 082 7716643 Hosted by Highway Dragons MC Contact Les on 083 4876846 or visit www.highwaydragonsmc.co.za Hosted in Richards Bay at the ZCBF Showgrounds Contact Gian on 082 5652013 or visit www.hipporally.co.za Hosted at Golden Knights Pub Ashburton at 12:00pm. Pre-paids welcome. Live music etc. Contact Gary on 084 5181968 or Carl on 079 6990526 Hosted by CMA KZN at Skogheim, Port Shepstone Visit www.cmasa.org.za Hosted by BMW SA in Clocolan for the BMW Adventure Rider at heart. Visit www.bmwgseco.co.za Hosted by CMA on a naonal level and support by your local Federaons and Councils. Contact Kobie on 082 7716643 This is a day of giving to the children in our community, come and be rewarded through giving. EMAIL US YOUR EVENT DETAILS AND WE’LL PUBLISH IT HERE FREE OF CHARGE - admin@biketalk.co.za 7
Page 1 and 2: NATAL • MAY 2012
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