Here’s a video of me commenting while following an average rider through a twisty road. I point out the rider’s body position, cornering lines and throttle timing, and comment on how he could do better. Notice his mid-corner adjustments. This is an indication of several cornering problems that are correctable. This is the sort of cornering detail we work on during on-street training where student hear my comments in real-time using Bluetooth communicators. If you’re in the Northeast, consider signing up for a private training day or a group training tour. I bet I can help you with your cornering.
-Ken-
I have a lot of other videos on my YouTube channel.
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Great breakdown of what he rider could do to improve his riding. As you said he is likely just “out for a cruise” but even when I’m doing the same, I’m always thinking about what I can work on during the ride. “Am I looking deep into my turns, am I being as smooth as I can as I use the brake and throttle, etc.
His body position is very upright to the point of counter-weighting like you stated. Bringing your upper body to the inside not only makes it easier to get your lean in, but it also reduces the amount of needed lean for the bike to complete the turn. This has the effect of giving you more ground clearance which in turn allows for more correction mid-turn (if needed) and is just safer overall when you have ample clearance. Cruisers and touring bikes often need all the clearance they can get on a twisty road.
You’ve called him an average rider, and I would agree. I’ve seen better, but I have unfortunately seen worse too.
-B
Ken,
I really appreciated this post; I would enjoy seeing another one in which the rider you’re following is moving along at a brisker clip on twistier roads.