Motorcycle Cornering Tips
It’s easy to understand why we love motorcycles. The wind whipping around you, the roar of the road, the horizon beckoning, and the freedom to chase it all make these machines a thrilling ride. But even if you’re an expert rider, a bike can be a dangerous tool for you and those around you. One of the most important skills to master to stay safe is how to corner properly, both to retain speed and to remain in control. That lesson can mean the difference between a smooth turn and flying off your motorcycle entirely.
To help you out, we here at Peak Powersports have put together some tips for cornering correctly. If you want to learn more or you’re looking for a motorcycle for sale to try these out on, stop by our store in Sheridan, Wyoming! Our friendly and experienced staff will help you find what you’re looking for.
Counter-Steering
This is the most complex technique we’ve collected, but it’s also one of the most effective. Counter-steering can make cornering seem effortless even if it seems counterintuitive at first. Essentially, just before you enter the turn itself, turn your wheel just slightly in what might feel like the wrong direction. For example, if you’re about to turn left, you start that turn process by first steering just a bit to the right before falling into a more natural turn maneuver.
This utilizes some weird physics to help you make your turn earlier and tighter. The standard turn still works, but it takes some time to get the proper lean and angle for the cornering process. Counter-steering, on the other hand, forces your bike into a favorable angle early, giving you a more precise turn. As effective as this strategy is, we recommend you learn a bit more about it before attempting it, for your own safety.
Body Position
You probably know this, but keeping your body in the proper space on your bike is vital to handling it correctly. Your center of balance, lean, and position in the seat all affect where your bike goes, and in a turn it’s vital to make sure you’re in the right position at all times.
Entering The Turn
As you’re approaching the turn, make sure you lower your speed and then enter a slight standing position. As the turn begins, lean forward slightly to transfer your bodyweight to the front of the motorcycle, making sure your front wheel gets as much traction for steering as possible. Remember that your handlebars are for steering, not weight-transfer. Utilize the foot-pegs to leverage your legs and body.
Inside The Turn
As you lean into the turn, it can help to slightly raise your inside leg (left leg for left turns, right leg for right turns) and move it slightly forward with your toes pointed down. This leg dangle, as it’s sometimes called in the racing circuit, shifts your center of gravity inwards, lessening the amount of lean necessary while keeping your upper body in line with the bike to control the torque.
You’ll probably want to practice foot positioning on your bike so you can lift yourself up and from side to side with little effort. This will help keep you from disturbing your overall balance.
Stay Alert
The most basic advice we can give you is also the most important: stay aware of your surroundings. It may sound like common sense, but the tips you read above will only help you if you know exactly where you, your bike, and other drivers or obstacles are at all times. Keep a lookout for bumps and debris on the road. Avoid them when you can and drive slowly and carefully when you can’t.
You’ll naturally want to only watch a few meters ahead of your bike while you’re riding, but scanning further down your route will prepare you for any unexpected changes or strange traffic flow. Scan ahead regularly with your speed in mind. Your body will naturally follow your focus, and so will your bike.
We hope we helped you take your next corner a bit smoother and safer! If you’re looking for more tips or you’re ready for your next motorcycle, come see what’s on sale at Peak Powersports! We proudly serve Buffalo and Sheridan, Wyoming—let us serve you today!