Stay Upright - What makes a good corner?

Perfect entry. . . smooth mid-corner speed. . . . ideal lean angle. . . . and a spot-on exit. But what makes a good corner?

Define a good corner. Is it one you come out the other end of with body & bike still as one? The next question you should ask yourself is 'How did I get through that corner?' Did you make it on luck? Did you scare yourself? Did you almost run another bike or road user off the road and scare them?

Recently, I spent a weekend in the Alpine area on the VIC/NSW border. The roads in the area are festooned with signs indicating 'Motorcycle High Risk Area' or 'Motorcycle Black Spots'. As you'd expect, these same areas feature some great and challenging corners, from 15kph first gear hairpins, to flowing, decreasing radius turns and blind left & right hand bends. Each variation is also marked with an ever-changing array of yellow speed recommendation signs on the approach.

Contrary to popular belief, these advisory signs are not for 1960-type cars fitted with crossply tyres.

The advisory speed (not enforceable, remember), is suggested for average cars in good road conditions. These signs also take into consideration the vision available, width of the road, placement of driveways or upcoming side roads, and the proximity of roadside hazards.

Made for cars, but motorcycles corner faster than cars, right? Its one of those old myths that continues to persist to this day. One that is also quickly dispelled when you take into account the marginal differences between the fastest lap times for the Superbikes and V8 Supercars at Phillip island. Don't forget, too, that the SuperKarts lap times are faster than both!

Putting aside engine power, aerodynamics and so-on, the major technique difference between cornering on two wheels and four is that on all cars, brakes can still be applied mid-corner while steering input is adjusted.

Think about it. How well can you apply your motorcycle's front brake mid-corner, at speed, while leaning through a bend, and not upsetting your cornering line?

Having pointed out this difference doesn't mean you cannot negotiate twisties at a speed higher than suggested. A well trained, thinking rider - with suspension, brakes and tyres that are up to the mark - may well be able to safely take a bend at higher speeds. BUT, how far can you see?

Without good vision THROUGH the corner, you're relying on luck and other road users' ability to avoid you - not a good position to be in! entry speed, position and lean angle should all be adjusted before you get into the corner in order so you - body & bike - stay on the correct side of the road.

Are you confident in tightening up your line through a corner? Happy to do an emergency stop from any speed, part way through any corner? If the answer is 'No' or 'Not sure' to any of these, it's time you considered doing a course, or at least a refresher.

All corners have a potential "head-on zone" which we all must be aware of and ensure our motorcycle stays away from.

At Stay Upright, we teach "enter wide - stay wide - exit tight (away from oncoming other vehicles - motorcycle, car, truck, bike, etc.)"

This means that, on left hand bends, you need to stay near the centre line for a lot longer than most other road users do. This will open up your field of vision to the left. If you see an oncoming vehicle, you can then turn your motorcycle in towards the left, thus creating space away from the other vehicle.

Many riders tell us they feel uneasy on right hand bends. But, really, the technique, and ability to take a corner smoothly remains the same as for a left hand bend. Again, ENTER WIDE and stay in the left wheel track for longer. Remember, at this point, the camber of most Aussie roads will drop away to the left from the central crown of the road. This requires more steering (counter steer pressure) from the rider, to then turn the motorcycle across the turn for a later apex.

The technique takes some practice, but as mentioned above, it's a satisfying feeling when you get it right.

The bottom line is, that none of us want to damage ourself or our bike.

Every time a fellow rider comes to grief, we all pay with higher insurance premiums, higher registration and third party costs, more pressure from Police and road governing bodies and, finally, negative media coverage which doesn't do us or the riding we enjoy any favours.

All this leads to less enjoyment both on and off our motorcycles.

So, do yourself a favour - if you haven't already done an "Advanced" or "Cornering & Braking" course, book in now. We won't necessarily tell you to ride slower - we will show and encourage you to ride smarter.

Until next time - stay smooth and safe through the corners!

Ross Wright

State Manager/Senior Instructor - Victoria

Stay Upright

Motorcycle Techniques