GPTECHMAN
07-22-2005, 11:38 AM
"RIGHT" turns vs. "LEFT" turns: Golden Rule for Staying Alive!
Hopefully this topic of "RIGHT" turns vs. "LEFT" turns: Golden Rule for Staying Alive!" will be of value to new-to-group-riding folks (and seasoned vets too) to read, and re-read, before each weekend heading out to hit the backroads.
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- GOLDEN RULE: -
ALWAYS limit yourself to taking "RIGHTHAND" corners, up in the twisties on two-lane backroads, at a MAXIMUM of 80% of the speed that you'd take an identical corner .... if it was a "LEFTHANDER".
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What's the logic?
Blow a "LEFTHAND" corner, and run 12" wide, and in most cases you'll find yourself running out to the shoulder of the road, or perhaps off into the dirt, etc. (excluding of course turns with Armco barriers immediately at the side of the pavement). A scare, maybe some scratched plastic, but often that's the extent of the punishment for your error.
Blow a "RIGHTHAND" corner and run wide by a mere 12", and you'll find 12" of you and your bike over the centerline of the road, and in the path of the approach of a 50MPH+, 3,000lb. (or more), cage. The fate of whether you live or die, at the moment you've crossed over that "LIFE-LINE" in the center of the road in a turn ....... is no longer in your hands. It's a roll of the dice at that point. If you lose ........... a lot of others lose with you (family, friends, others). The punishment for this seemingly "minor" (only running 12" wide, right?) error in a "RIGHTHAND" turn? ........ the ultimate penalty .... lights out!
So bottom line, the key to maximizing the odds of our survival while participating in the world of performance sportbike riding on the twisty backroads of the street, is to always maintain a solid cushion between what one "could' do (as far as corrnering speeds, etc.) and what one "actually does". Adding an additional 20% cushion on top of that already cardinal rule, for all "RIGHTHAND" turns, serves to stack the odds even higher in our favor.
As a final note, please take this "Right vs. Left" concept along with you on your next ride up tele, palomar, or whatever backroad that you may frequent. You, and everyone that cares about you, will be glad you did.
A little tip that Gary told me a while back.
Hopefully this topic of "RIGHT" turns vs. "LEFT" turns: Golden Rule for Staying Alive!" will be of value to new-to-group-riding folks (and seasoned vets too) to read, and re-read, before each weekend heading out to hit the backroads.
**************************************************
- GOLDEN RULE: -
ALWAYS limit yourself to taking "RIGHTHAND" corners, up in the twisties on two-lane backroads, at a MAXIMUM of 80% of the speed that you'd take an identical corner .... if it was a "LEFTHANDER".
**************************************************
What's the logic?
Blow a "LEFTHAND" corner, and run 12" wide, and in most cases you'll find yourself running out to the shoulder of the road, or perhaps off into the dirt, etc. (excluding of course turns with Armco barriers immediately at the side of the pavement). A scare, maybe some scratched plastic, but often that's the extent of the punishment for your error.
Blow a "RIGHTHAND" corner and run wide by a mere 12", and you'll find 12" of you and your bike over the centerline of the road, and in the path of the approach of a 50MPH+, 3,000lb. (or more), cage. The fate of whether you live or die, at the moment you've crossed over that "LIFE-LINE" in the center of the road in a turn ....... is no longer in your hands. It's a roll of the dice at that point. If you lose ........... a lot of others lose with you (family, friends, others). The punishment for this seemingly "minor" (only running 12" wide, right?) error in a "RIGHTHAND" turn? ........ the ultimate penalty .... lights out!
So bottom line, the key to maximizing the odds of our survival while participating in the world of performance sportbike riding on the twisty backroads of the street, is to always maintain a solid cushion between what one "could' do (as far as corrnering speeds, etc.) and what one "actually does". Adding an additional 20% cushion on top of that already cardinal rule, for all "RIGHTHAND" turns, serves to stack the odds even higher in our favor.
As a final note, please take this "Right vs. Left" concept along with you on your next ride up tele, palomar, or whatever backroad that you may frequent. You, and everyone that cares about you, will be glad you did.
A little tip that Gary told me a while back.