A Few Easy Tips for Safe Motorcycle Cornering
People in cars see winding roads as an obstacle. People on motorcycles see them as an opportunity. There’s nothing like riding your sportbike or cruiser on the backroads, but safely negotiating corners and effectively using your brakes takes some practice. You’ll need to learn how to shift your weight properly and use your gears and throttle at the right time. Be sure to also spend plenty of time practicing corners at lower speeds before you start opening up your throttle. The faster that you ride, the less time you’ll have to react. Here are a few tips to help you have as much fun as you want on the windiest of backroads. If you have any questions about motorcycle safety, visit Loewer Powersports & Equipment in Alexandria, Louisiana. We also serve riders in Rapides Parish and Lafayette, Louisiana.
Plan Your Line
Most cornering accidents happen when riders turn in too early, so you need to plan your line before you initiate a turn. You should have enough experience riding your bike at lower speeds to understand its turning radius, and remember that your turning radius changes significantly at higher speeds. Pay attention to road, weather and traffic conditions and consider your braking distances when you pick your line. Your instincts will make you want to drift toward the turn, but a wider arc gives you much more control through the turn and more time to react.
Learn to Lean
You should lean slightly forward with a secure grip on the handlebars. Keep your arms relaxed and be sure not to lock out your elbows. You won’t want to lean any weight on your handlebars, but you can squeeze your legs around your gas tank to keep your rear on your seat. Any time your center of gravity approaches the outside edge of your wheels, you’re giving up a certain amount of stability to lean into the turn. That’s why it’s important to also learn when to lean away from the turn to level off. No matter what direction that you lean, your should never take your eyes off the road.
Downshifting
Once you’ve planned your line and adjusted your entry speed, begin braking progressively. Tap the brakes gently without locking them out and finish braking before you countersteer or lean into the turn. Go down a gear, being careful not to open the throttle any more than you have to to maintain your rate of speed. Once you’ve initiated the turn, be sure not to accelerate.
For more information and to see our current inventory of new and pre-owned motorcycles for sale, visit Loewer Powersports & Equipment in Alexandria, Louisiana. We also serve riders in Rapides Parish and Lafayette, Louisiana.
