Newbie question

[alajeu]

Looking throug curves

I've had my motorcycle license 2 weeks tomorrow and my Spyder about 10 days. I passed my MSF course with a 2 wheeler. I have a question about entering curves.

My MSF course instructs to look through the curve. Is it the same with a Spyder?

I know - dumb question. Any tips?

"Look where you are going because you will go where you are looking"

 

[vondalyn]

I try to track through the curve staying as centered in the lane as possible. My reasoning is around here in Colorado there's usually a) rocks that have fallen from above into the lane, or b) part of the road has fallen off down the mountainside, and c) the oncoming cage is usually over the centerline and taking up space in my lane.

 

[Rar]

"Look where you are going because you will go where you are looking"

This is pretty much what I've been doing- trying to look through the turn, keeping my arms and shoulders relaxed. All these tips have been a tremendous help - not only in curving, but in giving me more confidence. I've learned it's okay to not exceed my comfort level. I'm so grateful to all of you. :bowdown:

 

[VenusAnn]

Thank you.

Rar, if the posted limit for the corner is 55 the Spyder could take it at 60 easy. Chin to knuckle and hang half a butt off the seat in what ever direction the curve is. Just lowering your head 10-12 inches, leaning over and shifting your weight makes a huge difference.

Try it on some slow curves and you will soon get the feel of when you need to lean and shift weight harder. Take it slow and gain confidence. IGNORE THE TRAFFIC PRESSERS! Everyone is in too much of a hurry nowadays anyway.

Also, anytime I have had an issue with a certain turn or situation , I will go out at the crack of dawn on a Saturday and ride through it many times with no one else around. That way I know what I can do and can't do in traffic.

CAC

I too am a new rider on the spyder at 63 it takes a little longer to learn new skills. This has helped me quite a bit. And thanks Rar for asking the question.
Thanks, Venus

 

[donec]

I think the original comment would have applied for someone on the illustration you provided going the other direction (other lane) from your red line. That would allow you to further look through the turn at what is coming at you in the lane you put the red line on.

From the other direction the inside and out side would be the same and wouldn't you need to still track from the outside to the inside? Unless the inside means the center of the lane as the inside and not the inside of the curve.:dontknow:

 

[SilverFox1]

Hi Rar. Just a thought here. Is it possible that your front shocks are not properly adjusted for your style of riding?
Does your Spyder seem to want to roll over towards the outside of your curve? Perhaps some of the more experienced
ryders could chime in and help you with this suggestion. I cranked up my shocks just one notch on my Spyder
and it made a world of difference, especially when cornering. Don't worry though, it will come soon enough.
Oh by the way,,, your whole life is going to change from here on!!! Good luck.

SilverFox :2thumbs:

 

[Yazz]

Lots of good advice given here. There are a couple things that haven't been mentioned yet.

- Relax and enjoy the ride. Once your body and mind loosen up, things get easier.

- Don't look at your speedo. Especially in curves.

 

[Rar]

I too am a new rider on the spyder at 63 it takes a little longer to learn new skills. This has helped me quite a bit. And thanks Rar for asking the question.
Thanks, Venus

You're right Venus. It does take a bit longer to learn new 'physical' skills if our bodies haven't done it before. BUT....it can be done. I'll be 63 next month. I'm so glad I'm doing this, aren't you?

 

[Rar]

Lots of good advice given here. There are a couple things that haven't been mentioned yet.

- Relax and enjoy the ride. Once your body and mind loosen up, things get easier.

- Don't look at your speedo. Especially in curves.

You are SOOO right Yazz. I've been so tense since I started this motorcycle journey in mid July - permit, course, etc. I've done nothing but live motorcycle stuff, foregoing my daily routine. Today I went to my water aerobics. The physical activity helped my tenseness and today's ride was much better.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am not a mathematician but I think you get a longer straight line fron the inside to the outside than from the outside to the inside. I don't follow a straight line but work my way through the curve from the inside to the outside. I will try it the other way and see how it feels.

I forgot to mention: When watching NASCAR, if a driver has an option, they usually enter the turns from the inside.

 

[CMA Cowboy]

Again, lots of good advise here. In riding horses there is a saying to ride with a loose rein. That means don't grip hard and stay relaxed. Above all else ryde your ryde to your comfort level. Take curves and corners at a speed you are comfortable with and as time and dare I say modifications happen you will be enjoying your ryde like the rest of this crazy bunch of syder ryders out there.

 

[ThreeWheels]

There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Only stupid answers.

Ask all the questions you want. That's the only way to learn short of hard knocks.