Triumphrat

Jomac · 03-02-2009, 01:06 AM

I've only recently started learning about shifting my whole body to go faster while cornering . (Before I just went slow, counter steered and leaned a bit).
Noticed that sometimes when I am going around a snaking corner and moving my bum from one side to the other, that the bike feels like it's wobbling for a bit.
Hoping others might be ablle to shed some light
1. Is this ok?
2. If it's not ok why is it happening?
3. What can I do to fix it?
Thanks in advance.

amanger · 03-02-2009, 02:06 AM

1. Check your tyre pressures, if you have tubes it s not unusual to lose 2 lbs per week.
2. Increase the preload on your rear shocks.
3. Check your steering head bearings.

Haggis · 03-02-2009, 02:20 AM

Suspension, suspension, suspension!

Check tires - see above.

If you're not technically inclined I wouldn't worry too much. You're not at the bike's limits.

I find the harder you ride these bikes the more confident you feel.

Final thought - don't grip the handlebars too hard, 'cos if you do you might be adding inputs that make the bike wobble a bit.

johnny black · 03-02-2009, 02:22 AM

Tyre pressure 38 rear,around 33 front-you gotta check it once a week,and don't get me started on rain grooves

J.B.

Sheepdog · 03-02-2009, 04:13 AM

Concentrate on smooth, subtle inputs. Keep your arms bent. Try to move your vision's focal point further ahead and do not fixate on the turn's apex.

Sal Paradise · 03-02-2009, 06:55 AM

"when I am going around a snaking corner and moving my bum from one side to the other"

STOP DOING THIS.

If you are talking about stringing together s turns and moving from one side of the bike to the other while turning- don't do that. Coming into a turn you need your body already set.This has to do with the center of gravity and the lean angle. it sounds to me like you are disrupting your CG. You might be able to lean a bit with your arms and shoulders in the esses but it sounds like moving your butt is really thowing some strange inputs into the bike while its cornering.

Check out Lee Parks book "Total Control". Until you better understand the science of it, just ride with your body centered on the bike and do not hang off.

Jomac · 03-02-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

"when I am going around a snaking corner and moving my bum from one side to the other"

STOP DOING THIS.

If you are talking about stringing together s turns and moving from one side of the bike to the other while turning- don't do that. Coming into a turn you need your body already set.This has to do with the center of gravity and the lean angle. it sounds to me like you are disrupting your CG. You might be able to lean a bit with your arms and shoulders in the esses but it sounds like moving your butt is really thowing some strange inputs into the bike while its cornering.

Check out Lee Parks book "Total Control". Until you better understand the science of it, just ride with your body centered on the bike and do not hang off.

I'm confused, that's exactly what I am doing because that is what they taught us at the trackday.
By us..that is 19 sportsbikes and me on the T100.

propforward · 03-02-2009, 08:50 AM

There's really no need to shift your arse around while road riding. That's a track technique, which is fine when your pushing the envelope - on the road think smooth and easy. Your bike has all the lean capability it needs. A lot of road riding courses teach you to grip the tank with your knees to help keep you still. Then just do the steering bit, make sure you are on the smoothest line.

Track days are great for building up some confidence, what with lack of cages around - but racing track tips are not necessarily the right techniques for the road.

NOTE: ultimately this thread will be moved to riding and survival skills forum, but let's have some discussion first.

Sal Paradise · 03-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Jomac,

You didn't say you were trained to do this at a track. I thought you were just doing it.

I don't want to contradict what expert riders taught you.

My concern is with moving around and changing the center of gravity and/or inadvertantly moving the bars as you move your butt. There are times where the added stability of staying put on the seat is more important. Also if you are riding slower than you were at the track the moving around and hanging off can make you wobble.

My only training is one lecture from Lee Parks and surviving a wildly mis spent youth riding like a Ton-Up boy so we should wait for someone with more training and expertise to comment.

Haggis · 03-02-2009, 09:35 AM

Move your arse before you hit the curve, not when you hit it.

Going through the curve don't change he direction of your inputs, unless you have to lean further.

Your head is actually the heaviest, densest part of your body, and it's furthest from the ground. Head position is more important than bum position! Be like a pointer dog, and point through the apex of the curve with your head. Move your head to the side you are leaning.

Loading up your left foot peg when approaching a left turn also helps (same for the right).

And really until your are doing 2 times the posted speed limit, plus ten going through curves you probably don't have to hang off like a monkey. (I'm not suggesting you speed of course

)

Smooth inputs are most important.