RELAX through the turns

[Termin8r]

On my way home on Friday, I was making a right hand turn shortly after leaving my work parking lot. As the traffic was clear on the cross street, I decided to make the turn a little more aggressive than normal (I know...stupid is as stupid does). In the middle of the turn, my bike all of a sudden dipped really hard like it was going to go down but then shot back up right after. It freaked me out enough that I said "oh shiet" as it happened although I'm certain only God and myself heard it.

Upon immediate reflection, I thought to myself that had I been stiff on the bars and/or had I been applying additional steering input and/or had I chopped the throttle, there's a greater probability that it could have been an ugly situation. Mostly though, allowing the suspension of the bike to do it's thing and work it's way out was probably the best thing I did.

I can't emphasize the importance of relax your arms through a turn as I did. In superbike school, the gesture to relax your arms while riding is when the instructor would flap his arms like a chicken. On occasion, I do this as well just to remind myself the importance of not being too stiff on the bars. Elbows should also be bent with the lower arm paralllel to the ground so as to allow for a fore/aft movement when applying pressure to countersteer the bike. For practice, get on your bike and pretend to sit as though you're riding. Then, have a friend try to turn the bike left or right via the mirrors or some part of the front of the bike and see how easy...or difficult...it is for him/her. If you're truly relaxed, it shouldn't be much of a battle at all. When the instructor did this to me, he made me realize that I was to eager to not allow the bike to do what it's supposed to do and fighting the design of the bike is a no-no. I loosened up after that (no pun intended).

Needless to say, this is something I'll continue to practice everytime I ride. :thumbsup:

[hypersport]

(I know...stupid is as stupid does).:thumbsup:

Cmon guys lets go all and take a turn very fast while there are no cars around and forget that our tires are COLD!! :squid:

[RRandawg]

:lol: you guys are the spy vs. spy of hycy. :lol: comedy...

[r1metalhead]

ha! ive had the same thing happen, and youre very right to let yourself flow with the bike. the laws of physics are far better at putting it back up than anything we could do. freaky though isnt it?

[Termin8r]

Cmon guys lets go all and take a turn very fast while there are no cars around and forget that our tires are COLD!! :squid:

You should know all about riding on cold tires, right Mr. Highside? I admit that it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but live and learn. Maybe you should do the same when it comes to overeating, huh fatty?

[Termin8r]

ha! ive had the same thing happen, and youre very right to let yourself flow with the bike. the laws of physics are far better at putting it back up than anything we could do. freaky though isnt it?

Totally freaky. I'm not sure it's really the laws of physics as much as it is the design of the motorcycle. Prolly both.

[teamgreenzx7r]

Glad the ducati is ok...j/k Glad your ok too Rich..

[hypersport]

Maybe you should stop trying to ride the streets pretending to be on a track and just go to the track already.

[Termin8r]

Glad the ducati is ok...j/k Glad your ok too Rich..

Thanks, Alan. The bike is fine. Personally, I would be better if I could get ride of this one mosquito on this board.

[shichyea]

great point and post on arm position and keeping them relaxed!

Thanks :thumbsup:

[remusR6]

Rich...I'm glad your baby is ok and you too! The last thing you need now is to have more headaches with your bike.You did the right thing! I'm glad it all worked out!

Rubber side down!~

[Arnold_R1]

I can't emphasize the importance of relax your arms through a turn as I did. In superbike school, the gesture to relax your arms while riding is when the instructor would flap his arms like a chicken. On occasion, I do this as well just to remind myself the importance of not being too stiff on the bars. Elbows should also be bent with the lower arm paralllel to the ground so as to allow for a fore/aft movement when applying pressure to countersteer the bike. For practice, get on your bike and pretend to sit as though you're riding. Then, have a friend try to turn the bike left or right via the mirrors or some part of the front of the bike and see how easy...or difficult...it is for him/her. If you're truly relaxed, it shouldn't be much of a battle at all. When the instructor did this to me, he made me realize that I was to eager to not allow the bike to do what it's supposed to do and fighting the design of the bike is a no-no. I loosened up after that (no pun intended).

Needless to say, this is something I'll continue to practice everytime I ride. :thumbsup:

Rich, I don't mean to pick on ya, but honestly, you're thinking waaaaaaayyyyyyy to hard and over exerting yourself too much when it comes to riding a motorcycle. You shouldn't have to think about how your body positioning nor plan what body languaged will dictate how you execute a left or right turn. Just remember the MSF tips; 'look left, lean left. . . look right, lean right.' Just relax and don't sweat the small stuff. :thumbsup:

[hypersport]

i thought it was just me that Rich likes to talk about himself and needs attention for himself.



Rich, I don't mean to pick on ya, but honestly, you're thinking waaaaaaayyyyyyy to hard and over exerting yourself too much when it comes to riding a motorcycle. You shouldn't have to think about how your body positioning nor plan what body languaged will dictate how you execute a left or right turn. Just remember the MSF tips; 'look left, lean left. . . look right, lean right.' Just relax and don't sweat the small stuff. :thumbsup:

[Termin8r]

Rich, I don't mean to pick on ya, but honestly, you're thinking waaaaaaayyyyyyy to hard and over exerting yourself too much when it comes to riding a motorcycle. You shouldn't have to think about how your body positioning nor plan what body languaged will dictate how you execute a left or right turn. Just remember the MSF tips; 'look left, lean left. . . look right, lean right.' Just relax and don't sweat the small stuff. :thumbsup:

Gee...that's funny. I thought it was because I WAS relaxed that nothing happened, so I wanted to emphasize to my fellow hypercyclers the importance of riding in a relaxed fashion. Hence, that's why it's in the riding techniques section, not the general or rider's story section. How many people know by default to have their arms loose when they ride, Arnold? I know I didn't until I was taught that in superbike school. That's what I was trying to convey, but my story just helped to support that fact.

We're not all naturals like you so maybe you should contribute vs. criticize. But hey...that's just my 2 cents.

[Arnold_R1]

so I wanted to emphasize to my fellow hypercyclers the importance of riding in a relaxed fashion. Hence, that's why it's in the riding techniques section, not the general or rider's story section. How many people know by default to have their arms loose when they ride, Arnold? I know I didn't until I was taught that in superbike school. That's what I was trying to convey, but my story just helped to support that fact.


I agree Rich, better techniques and more experience help prevent situations like the one you encountered. :thumbsup:

P.S-I ain't no natural when it comes to riding, I just make others look good! (checks sig!) :thumbsup: :roflmao:

[Termin8r]

P.S-I ain't no natural when it comes to riding, I just make others look good! (checks sig!) :thumbsup: :roflmao:

Well then I've got to ride with you more often then. Any chance you can make me look younger as well?

[MarcCBR]

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep it mind.

[Knightshade]

i remember somebody mentioning something about baby chicks...as in...pretend that you're holding baby chicks in your hands when gripping your bars, relaxed hands, typically leads to relaxed arms.