Random riding question:

When on the track or the random twisty road, whats the quickest way around the corner? The way I feel safest is to approach it kinda fast, give a little break when entering, clutch it all the way around (so i'm pretty much in neutral), and then let the clutch out and nail the gas when i'm almost upright out of the corner. Going around a corner with the clutch in almost ensures that i can't skid from either braking or too much throttle, so thats why I like that. However, I know that in a car you get on the brakes harder and accelerate hard out of the corner (slow in, fast out principle). Am I supposed to use this same principle on a bike? Any techniques would be good to hear. I've had the bike for about a year with 3200 miles under my belt so I want to start stepping it up a bit.

you need to take the MSF before you kill yourself or someone else.

might sound kinda harsh, but you couldnt be any more wrong with your "safe approach"...

Well put

you've got it all wrong man.. all wrong.

before you get on your bike again, I suggest reading this:

Proficient Motorcycling

by: David L. Houghes

yeah thats what people told me last year too. but after 3200+ miles and never dropping it I'm doing ok. If I'm wrong then tell me what to do, I'll take your advice. I'm pretty sure that you and several other people here know more about corning a GS at 60 mph than MSF instructor will.

well if that's your theory, I suggest quitting while you're ahead.


I gave you your advice. read the book. that should hold you off until you can get into the MSF.

PLEASE, PLEASE take the MSF!

You shouldn't be cornering fast until you're cornering right...  Proper procedure == RIGHT == SAFE...  After lots of SAFE practice, then worry about fast.


This reminds me of a guy I saw on the freeway totally  counter-leaning every turn.    I wanted to pull him over, take his bike away, and make him take the MSF before I gave it back.   

from what you said in your first post, you've already picked up a bunch of horrible habits that need to be cracked.

the only way to do it is to go back to the beginning & learn the basics, because you've got the basics all wrong.

this forum is NO substitute for the MSF. The Proficient Motorcycling book is none either, but it's the closest thing that' I've found, and you can pick it up TODAY and start reading it.


anyone who gives you advice on how to corner harder is putting you at serious risk, because you've got the basics all backwards.

that clutching all the way through idea just makes my head hurt thinking about the potential road rash

cheesy cover. AWESOME BOOK!

Wow   that is definitely cheesy

maybe i should have clarified that I'm talking about 90 degree corners and hairpins where you are down at like 20 mph or so. I'd never take a normal corner at high speeds in that manner. I just need a quick answer of how you do it, not a lecture on taking the MSF which i prolly won't be doing anyways. if someone wants to tell me an answer then great, but if everyone is just gonna give me the MSF speech then forget it.

having said that, thanks for the book recommendation, i'll definately pick it up.

The clutch idea is still not a good idea.  Try to just use it for the last 5-10 feet of a stop and shifting   So you're talking about like turning onto a road from another??
If there's no traffic I just corner it like any other corner a little hang off and a little throttle but you gotta do what works for you

Well I just finished with the MSF course...and the correct (textbook) way of taking a corner at speed is done in four steps...

1. Brake to cornering speed (i.e. the speed that you feel the corner can be safely iniated with).
2. Look ahead through the turn to where you want to go.
3. Press on the handlebar in the direction you want to go to initiate bike lean.
4. Roll on the throttle to keep constatn load on the suspension and carry you throughout the turn.

You method is a little off...When I first started riding, the hardest thing for me to remember was to keep the bike in gear on a corner. I drive a manual car and rarely have the car in gear on turns...Its just a habit. But after taking the MSF I realized you need the bike in gear to keep the bike "loaded" in turns. When you approach a corner downshift and brake to appropriate speed/gear for entering the corner. Also having the clutch in will not keep you from overbraking in a corner. You tires will be using their grip for the turn and if you apply brakes there is a very good chance they will lose traction. You should never brake while in a corner, you must first get the bike up and handlebars square before applying brakes in a turn.

As the others guys stated...you should really take the MSF. It may save your life. There are just some things you wouldnt think of until they teach you in the MSF...Sometimes little things you wouldnt have noticed or thought about.

Great post fender

Emphasis on #4!!!!!!!!  that seems to be what you have the biggest problem with

Wow. How have you not wrecked yet?

THROTTLE ON THROUGH A TURN. It keeps the front light and responsive. Seriously, sign up for an MSF course, ASAP.. read proficient motorcycling, read twist of the wrist one and two, and don't get back on the bike until you've done at least 2 of the previous four.

You get into the gear you want for the corner and you stay there...  Starting at the slow speed...  Rolling the corner in neutral or working the clutch is simply bad.

If you jam on the gas in the corner, you can spin the rear and lose it...  But, having no power through the corner can be just as bad...

seriously. I take it you've never had a squirrel run out in front of you while you were going through a turn. Having the ability to roll on while taking evasive maneuvers is essential.

Quote from: iv76erson03 on April 26, 2007, 11:48:39 AM
I just need a quick answer of how you do it, not a lecture on taking the MSF which i prolly won't be doing anyways.

Alright, alright.

Steps for taking a turn properly:

1. Slow to a stop.
2. Turn bike off.
3. Remove keys from bike.
4. Hand keys to someone who knows how to ride a motorcycle.
5. Sign up for the MSF course.
6. Attend the MSF course.
7. Pay attention during the MSF course.
8. Complete the MSF course successfully.
9. Return to person who has your motorcycle keys.
10. Place keys in bike.
11. Start motorcycle.
12. Take turn properly.

Go take the damn MSF course before you hurt yourself.

Quote from: iv76erson03 on April 26, 2007, 11:15:15 AM
Going around a corner with the clutch in almost ensures that i can't skid from either braking or too much throttle...

That will save you from engine braking, but not regular braking.  It is just as possible, and I'd say more likely, to lose it in a turn from entering too fast and braking while turning, as it is from accelerating too quickly during the turn. 

Haha, while I was writing this, I was wondering where Alpha was...  I click Preview, and his post magically appears, true to form.  I knew there'd be some instruction about removing the keys from the bike.  Should we start laying down bets of how he'll respond to posts?    Just messing with ya, Alpha.