How to use entry speed for consistent corners on your motorcycle

[@MCrider]

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[@esa062]

Also, on public roads you must assume that the road surface you don't see is covered with cow poo and blocked by a harvester. You can't enter a corner in maximum lean if you don't see all of it well. You can always accelerate when you see that the road is clear, within grip limits. Especially a blind corner you have ridden 1000 times is dangerous, because on 1001th time there is a sports car cutting the corner.

[@brozobmwmex]

I'm 100 % agree with you. Hope many many others think like you do. Best regards.

[@Ark1j]

Cow poop & combines!?- I can tell You must live wayy out in the farmland! One of the really sneaky things I've found to just 'assume' waiting in corners is pea-gravel/loose road surface. The stuff is like ball bearings, itll sure git ya and seems to just naturally accumulate like debris. Over in this corner of the state, TxDot is good about putting fresh top mix down on the FM roads, which can mess up some good riding for a spell. While some of the roads need the attention, others roads make us folks say 'I didn't know there was a issue?'...must be the tax dollar thing-Its in the budget so those dollars HAVE to be spent! (ok, near subject hijack over with-that's a topic for another forum) It boils down to exercising extreme caution in places where there is a potential for a wipe-out. Fresh gravel= avoid Corners- hawkeye on it and still never assume anything.

[@esa062]

I just picked two things that might be on road and would be nasty to hit :-) But I like to ride on small roads. The smaller the better, as long as it's paved. Yep, gravel on asphalt can be nasty. Sometimes they add gravel to roadsides and then cars move it on the road.

[@timmasonguitar]

Absolutely. I was half way round a blind bend last year when I came across an old guy executing a 3-point turn! Luckily, I was following the old "make sure you can stop within the distance you can see" rule, and it saved me.

[@ImOddTodd]

@@esa062 it' called bit tar I believe, and fresh oil and gravel over it is the worst; they do it in the heat of the summer around my country house -and the dust gets on everything but I suppose gravel roads all year would be worse.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Kevin, while I don't disagree with what you said in general, it only applies to constant radius corners. If you get into a decreasing radius corner you may find yourself having to slow once you're in the corner. Maybe you could talk about that. Many freeway off ramps are decreasing radius corners to slow folks coming off of the freeway to local road speeds. The other thing that new riders need to do is to lean their motorcycle. I once bounce a Norton off of a curb because I didn't lean far enough. Fortunately I stayed upright and there was no damage to me or the motorcycle but it taught me a lesson I still remember. Thanks again for what you do.

[@williamwintemberg]

Good point! I have run into decreasing radius turns on both on and off freeway ramps way too many times. Can't figure why they build them like that!

[@pacopetepnw3434]

Johnny, Yes...I might add two more technical things >>> off camber and multi-apex. Ride safe!

[@DTMFJeff]

It's called "Trail Braking" until you can roll on the throttle.

[@The333]

Great point - freeway offramps are on my list of difficult riding situations to conquer in 2019 (I started riding in 2018)

[@StacySimpkinsSharePoint]

Agree, would be nice to hear about the effect of what happens to the bike path if you have to roll off, or mistakenly think you need to roll off, which is really bad idea in corner, at least it seems from what I've read, seen, and experienced. Seems like once the throttle is cracked open, it is rolled on evenly, smoothly, and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn. Which means, same speed or increasing speed through the corner, but no choppy chop on throttle, no roll off, unless you want to overload the front tire and go wide or worse

[@rocketrollsvlogs7625]

Oh the timing. I just made a comment this week about a time I came in hot on a corner. Kevin, the work you do is the work of God. Even greater than a first responder because you prevent accidents from ever happening. We appreciate all that you do.

[@BrianEllefritz]

I just did a five day ride down through Big Sur and over to Yosemite and the Sierra foothills. One morning I was on a continuously curvaceous road, beautiful riding, and was managing very well when suddenly I completely messed up a corner - too slow, lousy line, etc. I immediately thought "wow that was a sh*tty effort" and diagnosed immediately what the problem was: I was thinking about something other than the ride. I'd simply lost focus, assumed the bike would find it's way without me and hence the lousy result. From then on I focused and did fine. So all of your tips are great, they just need to be applied to every. single. corner.

[@The63chicky]

Yep, always need to be focused. I still "talk myself through corners" so I don't lose my focus. Works every time :)

[@Old-n-slo-locked-n-leaned]

Great reinforcement of the cornering setup. Thanks for what you do on MC Rider.

[@als5864]

Great advice Kevin. Many have commented on the curve entry speed signs. I want to offer a caution in using them to gauge performance. Realize that as rider's get comfortable with cornering, the rider should look at the percentage above/below the recommended speed that they corner and not an absolute speed above the limit. 10 MPH over a 50 MPH curve (taking it at 60 MPH) is 20% over. So it is the equivalent of 2 MPH on a 10 MPH curve (taking it at 12 MPH). Even thought this should be obvious, I almost fell victim to not doing the math in my head by taking a sharp 10 MPH corner at 20 MPH over the summer on a very twisty road (100% over). Fortunately, I stayed off the brakes and on the throttle enough that I was able to lean over until I practically scraped the panniers on the Tiger to get around. Since then I have added a bit of rear trail braking to hedge when I hit twistier roads, not to mention that I have more caution for lower limit curves, especially right handed ones in the USA. Have a Happy 2019.

[@xxkalevalaxx]

I think for myself besides all the techniques I need to do, there is another critical thing is “don’t panic” at any time. Just lean with the bike, turn the head more, and counter-steer even more if running hot in the corner. Thank you Kevin, I’ve learnt a lot in this channel

[@corujariousa]

That technique always works. The problems usually start when folks believe they are Valentino Rossi and can try pro-racer techniques on the road... Of course, overestimating their skills and underestimating road conditions. Thanks for another good video!

[@pilotdane1]

Reading comments below, 99% of the time, I am in second gear when I enter the turn. Speed is quite the variable, depending on how busy the road is that I am coming off of, as well as going into (as well as their relative speed limits) - that said, there are area's I regularly ride, in which I know there is a lot of dirt right at the corner, and I feel much safer "almost" coasting through those areas (where it is very easy to lose traction) and then power through the remainder of the corner once clear... Kevin, Been riding for about 50 years and pay very close attention to your instructions. Love it, and keep up the great work !

[@philiphennings5167]

As always, great content! Thanks, Kevin.

[@SweetartistacademyAuPerth]

You mentioned in an earlier video that keeping your knees tight against the tank and pressing where you want to turn ,just like when we rode a push bike handless in our earlier time will get the bike where we want to go. I always remember it and always use my knees a lot when ridding a curve. You should mention it more often ,this is one of the best advice I got from you, and it will help all the new ridders or subscribers. Sometime, instead of making a new video, go back to the older one and we don't mind getting another reminder, once only is easy forgotten and will also give you a well deserved break. You are doing a great job keeping us safe on the road, and as a Christmas present to myself, I will become a patreon . I have freeloading enough, I think you helped me becoming a better ridder and $ 5 a month wont hurt my pocket. I hope everyone else will follow. Just haven't been able to access the web site to register, can't seems to log in, but I will persevere. Thank you Kev.

[@mikebuchanan6164]

Glad you still have the spunk to post with all the know it all's in the crowd. I've watched a ton of your videos after getting back on the road just to reprogram my reflexes. Good stuff. I admit I had to retrain. And have had several ah ha moments while employing you and several others tactics.

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

I stick with "always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear on your side of the road" rule. So coming to tight a corner I'm looking at limiting point and drop speed as it moves closer. On the road usually use late apex line if there's no obstacles or say big incoming vehicles on narrow road. That line gives better view and so more time to react. So when I see that limiting point began moving further there's lean and roll. Since speed was dropped so that I would be able to stop in the distance I see, and now corner start opening up and I see more there's always opportunity to roll. The only exception is double apex bends which on the road I prefer to negotiate as two separate corners, so brake and wait for corner to start opening, then lean and roll. Different on a track where you know that corner and that there's no say car accident behind it, so that you can roll into blind corner. So entry speed for me actually depends on visibility and on being able to stop. Ability to roll naturally comes with it. Only exception is going on underpowered vehicle being able to go 90 into 100 km/h corner. There I'd drop a little speed to be able to accelerate out of a corner and keep chassis more balanced.

[@johnmadsen37]

You can say you always do this every time?

[@thomassmith9346]

You have helped me a lot with corners and especially with unlearning old/bad habits about corners. However, I still have issues with target fixation. I even talk to myself in corners to try to re-train my brain and keep my vision active. Your videos help remind me that I'm still in need of practice. BTW, I am 70yrs young and ride a cruiser. Blessings

[@zascars]

I didn’t get it at first...... bet the more I watch you the more I think you are brilliant...... it slowly sinks in ... keep it safe..👍

[@kirk7227]

First, thank you for putting these videos up. I started watching them after my accident, which is one of the things I now realized I should have done before the accident. I have a feeling the entry speed was one of the causes of my accident, but not the only one. I know I was tired from the all day ride (happend at 4 PM and my wife and I started at 7 AM, yes, she was on the bike also), as well as not knowing the road very well, and the killer was that the road was not in good maintence. The speed limit was 55, but we were going ~45mph when I knew I wasn't going to make the turn (not sure if there was not enough lean, my wife was counter balancing my lean, or just sand on the road, or all three for that matter). I had slowed to ~25 mph when we hit shoulder and was slowing further when we hit the washout on the shoulder, which flipped the bike over on it's side, slamming me down with it and throwing my wife over top of me. We were lukcy, some internal dammage, but the good gear prevented any sever topical or brain injuries (a concussion for the wife, I was just out of sorts). I have been spreadding the word about this channel ever since I found it ~ 2 weeks after the accident when I took my mentors advise and started searching KZbin videos on riding. Thank you again and look forward to watching more and helping out on patreon when I get a new bike (when I can really take advanage of field guide).

[@ericdoswell8115]

Hey Kevin, I love your videos. I got my first motorcycle a couple of months ago and I'm signed up for the MSF course next week. I hear your voice in my head every time I squeeze the brake or set up for a turn.

[@MCrider]

LOL, hearing voices can be sign of other things as well. 😜

[@ronanrogers4127]

I think Valentino Rossi’s corner entry speed and mine are pretty close, but Márquez is on another planet. Seriously though, this is good advice from Kevin. One of the problems is too many people take track day techniques and try to use them on the street. There’s thousands of terrible videos on KZbin about very questionable techniques, and unfortunately common sense is quite uncommon, and too many young and inexperienced riders accept bad advice.

[@RadoRadimir]

Hi Kevin.Thanks for video.I had situation by cornering on my chopper.Fortunately nobody was injured.But ..my entry speed was higher and I rode for a few seconds on other side of street..Am happy it's nothing happen but from that time I ride very slowly and both respect.

[@justmyself1000]

Great advice as you always give! Been riding for a long time...but never totally understood the concept of counter-steering. Saw a video that demonstrates and explains counter-steering then it made sense! I knew I did it naturally but almost didn't believe. When I understood the concept and how it works in my mind.....My cornering improved. Even with my many years of experience I'm still cautious around corners I've never ridden. Especially blind corners. Annoys me to ride with someone taking too many risks around blind corners! Also, have to keep discipline on not target fixating and look through the turn. Thank You again! ALWAYS looking for different ways to improve my riding!

[@kingfisherphil]

Brilliant video Kevin. I wish I had seen this when I first got a bike, riding close to home I totally misjudged a 100 degree bend and.....ended up on opposite side of road! I was lucky that there were no other vehicles around, but a valuable lesson on entry speed and looking......thanks Kevin.

[@ttjbiggunner2025]

If definitely had this problem it's my main problem going in to fast and crossing the line of been blessed that each time No one was on the other side and if made adjustments to my riding and hope it dosnt happened again thanks for all of the help you pervid here on mc rider God bless you

[@Steve-kt3qo]

Yeah Kevin I've got one about cornering I was leaving work about 11 at night one night and I was riding my 2016 1200 Sportster custom Harley-Davidson and I took a sharp corner way too fast and swing way too wide and hit the curb does totaling my bike and breaking my leg and now I have a titanium tibia that's why any video you do on cornering has my attention and I want to thank you very much for what you do with him searider God bless

[@tombeckett4340]

Hi Kevin conditions sure change after dark while cornering. Gravel on the road is a major problem here in corners on country roads . ATVs throw stones out on the pavement a lot . And it very difficult to see after dark . Even road kill is a problem. I’m not a fan riding after dark because of wild game on the road here in Ontario Canada. Cheers ride safe . Tom

[@allenhuling598]

Yeah that gravel on the road is a problem for us too, and keeps me pretty honest at night, that and the deer and rabbits...even during the day! But back in Oct I was well-leaned into a long corner at about 45 mph when a Brown Bear sow and two second year cubs jumped the guard rail and sprinted to beat me to the inside of the corner. Back and front, hard braking kept me upright and able to swerve around the second cub (rather than ride between them), but had I not been looking well into that corner...could a been ugly! Ride safe, and Merry Christmas!

[@garya3056]

Great video, Kevin. For several years I had both a Ducati and a Fatboy. I’d ride both very hard but there’s huge differences in the mechanics of high speed turn execution on the 2 bikes. Didn’t take me long to remember which bike I was riding especially on roads like the Dragon’s Tail ! Have a great weekend, Kevin! 🏍👍🏍

[@AlastairT00]

I had an accident recently and I have gone over my actions several times to understand what I did wrong. I am still not 100% sure what I failed at but this is what happened. It started to drizzle ever so slightly, not the first rains because it has rained a little earlier on that day. I approached a traffic circle and as I was going around I could feel my rear wheel loosing traction, very little but just enough to make me aware of it. I exited the circle to the right and the road dips a little before straightening out and as it dipped I lost complete traction and I was high sided. I was going about 24miles per hour. I remember clearly how it felt like I hit oil as the back wheel came around so quickly and smootly and the bike threw me over as it started to grip. I ride a 2017 Harley Streetglide Special and I have always felt nervous with these tyres, Dunlops. I have ridden many times in heavy rain before with my previos bikes, Harley 883 and Breakout and never felt nervous. I am getting my bike back soon from being repaired and have bought a new set of tyres, Pirelli Night Dragons. I am assuming my accident is a combinatin of faults, but mainly I think my lack of trust in the tyres made my tense up, which affected my handling and control of the throttle. Sorry for essay but wanted to share and get your view. Thanks again

[@rolftraupe9058]

Here in Namibia there are many accidents during and after the first rain of the season This is because tire abrasive deposit and a little water plays havoc with tire traction. My advice is to go into an offroad mentality as soon as you suspect less than optimal tarmac conditions. Shift your weight to the outside of the turn; this way you can handle sharper turns with less traction.

[@frankferreira9696]

Your lack of trust in the Dunlops was well founded. They are junk.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Sounds to me like your rear tire lost traction when your rear tire unweighted because of the dip. You were close to it's traction limit since you had already experienced slippage. Simply put, you didn't have any traction in reserve for contingencies and the dip was a contingency. Fortunately you made it though without a collision with anything else. Count your blessings and slow down. Personally I don't think the tires were the issue, but if you feel better with new tires then by all means get them.

[@beepbop6697]

I replaced my factory Dunlop rear tire after 8k miles (that is normal mileage for that tire, on that bike), with a high-mileage Michelin. The Michelin's traction is nowhere near as good as the Dunlop was... Granted the Michelin costs half as much as the Dunlop. I attribute it to the different rubber compounds used on the "sticky" Dunlop and the "hard high mileage" Michelin.

[@roadtripray]

I'll take a stab at what you can do differently. Make sure you steer in the direction of the skid. This way when your back tire regains traction, rather than throwing you over it will push you in the direction the front tire is aimed.

[@bruceh4226]

I think of of the most difficult things to learn to do when cornering is learning to trust the lean. Once you start realizing that proper speed management + trusting the lean = smoother turns/curves, your confidence goes way up.

[@MCrider]

Not sure if you saw this but it helps with that trust a lot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ_GlIZ3edeIqtk

[@bruceh4226]

Yes Kevin I did see that video back when it was published and it's been in the back of my mind ever since when riding... more great info! Thanks

[@crp9985]

You'll scrape before you skid.

[@philspaces7213]

This is great information. i wish i knew of your channel when i was getting started out. even now, i still learn from your sessions! Thank you i must admit, living where i do, most roads are 80 km/h, and for the most part, i cruise at 100kmh on the speedo, which means i am travelling at 92 kmh. SO, many times i have made a big sweeping corner, same corner daily. one time i was in the corner, doing same speed as normal, on dry conditions, but for some reason i felt uncomfortable, and instinctively, i went for the breaks. luckily, i realized my mistake before loosing friction, and corrected, but it did warrant a new change of pants. from that experience, i have learned that no matter the corner, no matter how many times i have rode it, even if conditions are the same, i treat every corner with "first time through it" caution. i cannot explain why this sensation went through my head, but it was one of the scariest times on my bike.

[@MattFellowswasHere]

There’s not really any such thing as “maintenance throttle”. I think it’s just a term invented by people who want to get stuck in corners for a very long time. The corner is the most dangerous place you’re going to be...right!?...so there’s no reason to spend any more time there than absolutely necessary. From a physics standpoint you should either have the front tire loaded or unloading but there should never be an “in between”-in between is VERY dangerous basically you’ve got the tire barely hovering on the road anything you hit-you’re gonna slide-maybe even fall. Maintenance throttle/Neutral Speed greatly increases the potential for disaster. You can always brake earlier (and gentler) and/or accelerate sooner (and less aggressively)-try adding “more neutral” or a “deeper maintenance”. I think there’s a myth that when the suspension is mostly unloaded and the bike is balanced 50-50 front-to-rear that’s the “safest” time. That’s a mistake we teach every day. You are safest when you’re in total control of the motorcycle and the only time you’re TRULY in control is when you’re either speeding up or slowing down. Now you don’t have to do spooling into the corners with the front tire nearly locked & the rear tire 4 1/2 inches off the ground-you’re not Marquez-BUT-for safety sake there should always be SOME positive load on the front through and until the apex-Otherwise you’re not “riding the motorcycle” you’re being taken for a ride-and--it might not be the one you planned on...

[@jamalzughayar5833]

This is very helpful for a new rider

[@karlreinke]

I really enjoy The Pace by Nick I. I have indeed crashed because of poor cornering technique so this subject is near and dear to me. I am const working to improve my cornering technique and The Pace is a good supplement to what was said in this video. Keep up the good work.

[@austina4189]

Went on a ride with a guy on his aprilia a couple months ago, and he took a 35mph highway onramp curve at 70mph with ease. Made me realize I have a long way to go

[@matts7123]

Kevin, back in 1995, I was riding on a very curvy road I was unfamiliar with and I made an almost fatal mistake in negotiating a very tight curve. As I approached the curve, I came in hot, not realizing the “super-elevation” (the bank) of the curve was in the opposite direction of what it should have been by design...before I knew it, I was in the on-coming lane going in the wrong direction! 😳 Scary, to say the least! Luckily, there was nobody traveling in the opposite direction as me, so I came out of it okay, BUT, I had to stop and get some new underwear!!🤣🤣 The only thing I can say to alleviate this for any rider is when you are traveling on a new road you are unfamiliar with, be cautious until you know that road like the back of your hand; and I also learned that the road doesn’t act the same going in the opposite direction! I hope I didn’t confuse anybody trying to explain this!! Comments? Questions? Thoughts? My question to the patrons and MC Rider, did I give the proper advice?

[@richardshilling2958]

Easy question to answer only go as fast as you can see to stop. Whether a straight or corner!!!

[@trevorellis1704]

Hmmm! Assumes you can see anything of the corner. Gets more challenging on a narrow but two lane road (in Devon, UK) where there are 10ft high vertical banks and hedges on either side starting at each edge of the road. Could be a 15 degree corner could be a 180.

[@alanegray]

This can get interesting - 2 riders/drivers going as fast as they can see to stop could meet at some speed in the middle - particularly in Trevor's type of roads? Easy answer needs a good bit of specific observation & analysis.

[@nonaubiz8939]

@gemini232003 potentially, so will driving slower, or even at a stop light, or broke down on the side of the rode, or so could walking across the street, or so could....

[@trevorellis1704]

@gemini232003 Which brings us full circle back to 20 mph :-)

[@trevorellis1704]

@gemini232003 I'm Taunton (Somerset) born and bred! Passed my bike test in 1976 (not that it was much of test back then) - but with a 20+ year break. Before I passed my test Taunton Police Motorcyclists came my collage to run a motorcycle training course (RAC/ACU) for those interested students. Its fascinating to compare a) what I remember of the training from back then, b) MCrider training, and c) the book "Motorcycle Roadcraft" (the approved UK police riders handbook) [ISBN 9780 11 708188 8]. The similarities are striking, the differences mostly occur over typical road conditions in the USA and UK, or over variations in the law. Also, I tend not to automatically equate number of years riding without killing oneself with rider skill. That is not a comment on anyone in particular.

[@dustindowning9384]

Started riding again this year after 30 years off two wheels, so ya a new rider. I had been practicing in parking lots, slow turns, figure eights just trying to increase my comfort level. At one point while following a friend we hit some “s” turns in dirt. (Dual sport bikes) needless to say the speed was to much for my abilities. I squeezed both brakes hard....Thankfully no one was coming the opposite direction. Since I’ve spent a lot of time working on counter steering and cornering in general. Even ran the Dragons Tail near Cherokee NC. a month or so ago.

[@josea5949]

As always, an excellent and informative video. Thanks Kevin

[@robertphelps573]

I started riding motorcycles in 1958 In 1983 i bought new Yamaha 900 Seca and got 1 day super bike school instruction thrown in on deal Since then i tell everybody i learned how to ride a motorcycle in 1983

[@scott.H1100]

Hey Kevin I just want to say hi & thanks for the content I've seen in the last 12 months on MCrider , i really appreciate it & i hope you have a Merry Christmas and above all a safe New Year. Looking forward to catching your videos in 19 cheers Kev 🍻😎👍

[@wadeblake3451]

Soooo many factors to take into consideration when discussing what seems to be a basic function of riding a motorcycle aka cornering. I very much appreciate what Kevin is saying in this video and of course it makes perfect sense. Unfortunately everything changes with speed and the short comings of the slow, look, press, and roll-on approach quickly come to the surface. My two cents worth is that we as riders need to have experience and most importantly training in negotiating corners at a wide variety of speeds which includes higher speeds on dedicated tracks. What works at 80km/hour may be totally inappropriate and inadequate when negotiating that same corner at 120km/hour.

[@afterburner2869]

You should do a video on tips for riding intoxicated at night speeding in a rainstorm on a poorly maintained motorcycle without a helmet!

[@MrSamdabeast]

Cornering is my favorite part of riding a motorcycle. Low speed maneuvers however seem to be the most challenging for me

[@TheXena]

I asked a friend why you didn't mention downshifting, only braking. He said it's because everyone already knows that. Well...I didn't. I was doing all you mentioned, and struggling to keep up with the group in the curves. A great ride leader told me about downshifting 1 or 2 before entering a corner. It works like magic, keeps the bike planted. As everyone already knows. lol

[@mikebuchanan6164]

Harleys don't need a lot of down shifting. Smaller bikes and road rockets do. And bikes with passengers.

[@BigMoeFo]

Also on drive shaft bikes engine braking is amazing...I hardly use my brakes

[@DTMFJeff]

research "Trail Braking" and practice it until it is natural.

[@The333]

I have also been reading that applying the rear break has a similar effect as engine braking before entering a curve.

[@julianopificius6910]

​@@The333 Yes and no. Rear braking (not breaking, hopefully !) can help your stability when you're in a tight corner by holding the center of mass further back, keeping it away from the front wheel, minimizing compression. Engine braking has the same effect, but It's easier to be more precise in the braking effect when you drag the brake rather than using the engine, and is preferred while cornering. Engine braking is useful before you make the lean, but not so much while you're in it. Having said that, I agree with Jeff Lovell above, who advised you to study and practice Trail Braking. It will feel strange at first: it will be a little challenging to coordinate maintaining gentle power into a corner also while braking with the front brake, but as you get better at it your corners will be smoother. Combining my first and second paragraph, trail braking compresses the front suspension before you get into the lean, and keeps it compressed, meaning that steering geometry doesn't change as much in the curve, keeping your lean stable throughout the curve and dependent predominantly on radial (cornering) speed, not on acceleration or deceleration in the corner. That allows you to brake into a tight corner and smoothly accelerate out of it. Kevin has a great video episode on this.

[@akalilbit08]

I needed this!

[@yurikhromov2905]

It's important to remember that slowing down in corner usually straightens your bike and actually makes you run wider rather than sharper. So when negotiating an unknown and blind curve it's a good idea to start a bit slower than usual and not to lean to the limit. In that case if the turn becomes sharper midway you can press more and roll on more of the throttle to guide the bike through the curve. Slowing down in the curve is almost always a bad idea, unless it's an emergency stop, but then you straighten the bike anyway and squeeze the brakes.

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

Slowing in a corner straightens the bike up only if you let it straighten. If slowing down you simultaneously countersteer bike into the corner then you end up with tighter radius since there's same lean and less speed. Given you had enough traction to brake and steer in a corner. Otherwise it'll end in lowside.

[@krytenLister]

Slowing down in a corner does not straighten the bike - you straighten the bike

[@austina4189]

I had my first instance of target fixation the other day. I was coming up on a left hand turn (not at a traffic light), and just before turning I looked to my left to make sure the guy on his motorcycle behind me wasn't too close because I could hear him really loudly, and when I looked back to the outside corner of the turn, that's where i went. Right in the grass

[@moto_jojo]

Kevin, do you have a video on picking a line in a corner? If not, I would love to hear your advice. Thanks as always!

[@renevanoyen3817]

At what speed I enter a corner, depends mainly on the road surface, road condition, urban area or not and traffic density. The signs for maximum or adviced speed are good indicators, I usually ride 10 mph above that when riding conditions are good. In blind corners I usually keep in the middle of my lane, providing me some space to dodge if I encounter obstacles in my lane (dirt, stones/rocks, broken down car etcetera). I never cut any corner. Further, I use my own 3-seconds rule, as I want to see the end of my lane 3 seconds from now. If I can't see it, then it means the corner is tighter than I anticipated and therefor need to reduce the throttle a bit until I can look into the corner 3 seconds from where I am. This takes some time (experience) to get used to, but for me it works great and never failed me yet (I ride for >20 years).

[@ricbarnett3475]

Think you missed an important hint on this one especially for newer riders. The yellow "suggested recommended" speed signs provide an excellent hint on most roads and curves. They are based on an engineers assessment of an automobile's ability to safely negotiate both the degree of curve and bank (or lack there of) of the road surface assuming "perfect" conditions. Generally speaking even when I was just getting started riding again I found the recommended speeds to be very safe. As my skill and confidence improved I learned that I could add a percentage to recommend speed without undue risk. In this weeks video you talked about speed. That may be the critical issue on a closed track but braking line of sight is super critical on the public roads. What you can't see can and will kill you if you are unable to stop.

[@jackshaw2318]

When you chop the throttle in a turn, the back tire loses traction. Rolling on the throttle gets the back tire down. I like what your doing here. Stay safe

[@ThatBeardedGuy39]

Great vid dude, heres my story...It was a quick night time ride across a bit of country side near my house and I was hitting the twisties it was going good till i went through a corner way to fast, i unfortunately made a rookie mistake and pulled my front brake in a blind panic so the bike straitened up, i nearly made it but my front wheel clipped a curb and made me lowside. I slid for what felt like ages, rolled a few times before smashing into a stone wall luckily the bike was ok-ish, cosmetic damage only but I had to go to hospital with road rash and lacerations to my hands and leg, I wasn't wearing my gloves at the time coz it was a quick ride and didn't own any riding pants and I firmly believe in all the gear all the time (ATGATT) now after it happened. Just glad about one thing though, and this killed someone I know of because he didn't do it... I fastened my helmet properly!... If I hadn't of I wouldn't be here commenting today so ride safe people :)

[@beepbop6697]

There's a decreasing radius reversed banked blind corner in my area. Woke me up real fast the first time I encountered it. Now I expect all unfamiliar corners to be like that, and adjust my entry speed accordingly. If it turns out it is not "the corner of doom", roll on the throttle.

[@johne5854]

Very good advice, slow in fast out.

[@STho205]

The caution curve speed signs are typically gauged for a motorcycle safe speed in good (dry daylight) conditions, not a car. They account for the sight vector length allowed from the stripe side of the lane, the tightness and duration of the curve and if it is up, level or down grade. As your skills improve you can cheat that a bit, as it is a gross engineering formula, but if you come in twice or three times the speed of a 25mph curve caution, you are likely in for a high risk ride. There are actually very few decreasing radius curves in the US or Canada, even on mountain ridge roads. However if the curve is longer than you expected or you came in too hot, physics will make you think it is decreasing. Remember banking the curve is ideal, but a switchback, even if banked, is going to have a point where the banking reverses on you. So your own eyes are the best judge, but your heads up is that caution sign if it notes a speed below the roads normal speed. You can see that LONG BEFORE you can see the actual curve.

[@stephenbecker1463]

I don't see why the Department of Transportation would post signs that were for/based on , motorcycles. So many more cars than motorcycles. JMHO 😁

[@STho205]

@@stephenbecker1463 the engineers figure it on the most burdened vehicle. Because motorcycles and large trucks are the most unstable in such curves. Nearly identical in burden of physics as bikes can lean and therefore have less tractive force downward (slip potential rises), and if they don't lean they will go wide. Cargo trucks can't lean into a curve, but lean outward, are top heavy and will therefore tip or go widevwith too much speed. Cars are incredibly stable even with the relative low skill of the average car driver.

[@mercedeswieger554]

I would love for there to be more videos with passengers.

[@StevePotgieter]

New rider, just getting going on the road. Cornering is scary because cars don't need to slow down as much on corners so they tend to close the gap behind me and cars coming from the front tend to get very close and sometimes into my lane. I have spent a lot of time speaking to my maker since I started riding and its in corners I get most chatty.

[@andreasstoegner4613]

Cornering speed is also determined by the type of bike you ride. I have a H/D Sportster. That’s a chopper. I have limited lean-angle. So I have to reduce more now than with my earlier bikes

[@happiestbean]

Thank you for all your very helpful videos. You spoke about all things needed for safely riding curves on a flat road and uphill, but what are your safety pointers for cornering when coming down a steep hill? Thank you :)

[@MarioHernandez-ed2de]

Great video just signed up after meeting you at best buy! Enjoy your osmo!

[@MCrider]

Awesome, thanks for the subscription! Loving it so far, you will start to see some videos on here with it in the future.

[@barbholub2398]

And if you're new at all, I can't stress too much how important it is to look as far around the corner as possible, while still taking a glance at the road surface in case of bumps, sand, oil, etc. Stay alert, and practice, practice. Then with more experience, think about learning about trail braking, something I'm working on- another tool for adjusting speed in a corner if it becomes necessary.

[@djohnson3678]

awesome video !!

[@pedrofeliciano6211]

Great Advice

[@DFWKen]

Descending corners are much harder than ascending. I think it's because the "roll" on the throttle will increase speed too much. Even the slightest roll will increase speed, even if the entry speed was correct. I just don't know how racers can descend the corkscrew. One other thing, if the corner starts feeling too tight, DON'T GIVE UP! DON'T START PICKING A LINE THROUGH THE TREES WHILE YOUR TIRES ARE STILL ON PAVEMENT! Instead, relax your shoulders, drop your elbows, and push harder on the inside handlebar. It is almost always better to stay; on the road.

[@gorillaau]

An instructor told us: A bike can be ridden better than you (and myself) can ride. This goes for all riders, even the pro riders.

[@nbt3663]

I'm constantly looking at signage first. If it says 15mph I'm thinking less than 25 max. Sometimes this will leave you a little "board" but it's better than peeing yourself. So signage is the first thing I do.

[@davidparsons4654]

Bored. Agree.

[@oklahomahank2378]

In eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas most of the twisties have brush and trees right up to the right of way, so visibility is limited. You have to go in pretty slowly. Also our road surfaces are unpredictable, as we are poor states with limited road funds.

[@islamabdalla3838]

Thanks for the video What about the blind corners that really tricky that u can't see ur exit? Like here in the Philippines And some corners had sand or water or.stons... or..... And body position is an important fact in cornering. Thats why we have some practice in the track with pro. Riders and trainers but it expensive to a lot of riders to have it. What do u think we can do to fix this problem. Thanks and keep making videos that is really a big help for me and everyone watching it🏍😁

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

"Always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear on your side of the road" worked fine for me. Coming to a corner limiting point is getting closer - you see less of a road - you break. And you don't accelerate till limiting point start to move from you giving you more view. Getting wider and later entry helps getting better view before actually starting to turn but getting too close to centerline might get tricky in Philippines cause having an oncoming traffic in you lane coming to a blind turn is a not so rare thing as far as I remember. So it might be safer to drop more speed sometimes and keep closer to a curb. Anyway I'd stick with choosing you speed based on the part of the road you can actually see. Can't know what is after that turn. Should be able to stop in time if there's a bus lying on it's side blocking whole road.

[@DA-pn4rz]

@@adrianalexandrov7730 yes exactly, there could be anything in the roadway so not slowing enough is just like gambling

[@islamabdalla3838]

@@adrianalexandrov7730 thanks for the advice U know in the Philippines the safest way is to drive slow as u could in corners . Many time i found some one just stop his car in the middle of the roud just to enjoy the view and dont care about who is coming from the other side of the corner and i had a frind had a big accident because of that. Rid safe everyone and enjoy ur life . Thanks again

[@grahampegley1705]

Advanced riders here in the UK also use a technique called "Limit Point of Vision" to help judge the severity of a bend as you approach it, and thus get the speed right as you ride through it. Is this something you're familiar with in the US Kevin?

[@MCrider]

Yep! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWnKqISVnMRqftU

[@MCrider]

Here is another helpful video on the subject of cornering and entry speed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWnKqISVnMRqftU

[@SweetartistacademyAuPerth]

Hello Kev, Tried again to become patreon, cant log in, any other way to do it ?

[@cmdr.sypher1820]

Make yourself an imaginary line every time you turn and "try to" follow it. This forces you to look down the road where you want to go to get the far end of the line. After a little while you do it automatically and the next challenge is being able to update the line quickly as road conditions change. The line should allow for things not seen around the bend like aholes in your lane coming the other way. The more you can see down the turn the closer you can ride to the inside of it leaving safety margin at the outside. The less you can see around it you have to move that margin to the inside and keep your line to the outside. Look ahead plan ahead and the faster you go the farther ahead you better plan. Rossi has no worries about oncoming traffic and for the most part no crap in the road!

[@Bluespower1792]

Hello, I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for posting them. I have been watching videos published by Ducati NYC Vlog. As I am a new rider, I'm curious to know what you make of his riding style. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks again.

[@cameron8253]

Kevin, I was supporting through Patreon. I deleted my account in solidarity with content creators whom Patreon has rejected and demonetized.

[@Grim_Beard]

"A lot of problems occur before the rider ever reaches the corner" Yes, right back in the Harley dealership! ;-)

[@larrywatkins992]

I'm a fan of the Pace and trailbraking.

[@diffmiss]

Hey Kevin, I like your advice on this video but when you use the term "corner" I wonder why you aren't talking about an intersection. My MSF instructors were the same but I still get confused trying to visualize the method. What you are describing here seems like curve technique, not cornering. There are similar actions in intersection cornering depending on your right-of-way status, but it is largely different from riding curves on the open road. What am I missing here?

[@BigMoeFo]

My bike has a drive shaft so rolling of the throttle actually gives me a ton of engine braking...it's amazing how little braking I do before turns.

[@MCrider]

What gear you are in makes a huge difference as well.

[@VideoInformation]

Philippines, forget about leans, just pray that no bus, jeepney or other rider is hogging your lane. So many counter flow issues on the curves here. I honk, blink lights and maintain a safe area when leaning. I would rather go slow than fast. It's Versys 650, this bike can lean but I avoid going into far because I know, the on coming traffic may just kill me. So yeah, be cautious, especially if you're in Countries like Philippines, the rule book is different here, it's wild wild west.

[@stimpyueediot]

got a couple of questions. im a noob and i feel that i am steering the bike when going through big sweeping turns how can i fix this. i also want to know when going in a corner do you keep your head level with the horizon or lean with the corner. also how much body lean should you use compared to how much the bike is leaning. 2016 vstrom 1000

[@MattFellowswasHere]

Physics-wise I've NEVER gotten a straight answer on WHY you would EVER want to roll-on "through" (while still in) a corner? I've picked my entry speed, correctly or not, and in the midst of a corner I'm being told it's safe to either add or "maintain" a certain level of throttle. Did any of you guys ever play that game as a kid where you smack a bicycle rim with a stick to make it roll in a perfectly stable manner...all the way down the street? Did you ever hold a rapidly spinning wheel on an axle in your hand and then try and rotate your hand to the left or to the right? What happens when we do these basic kind of physics experiments? The gyroscopic forces make it exceedingly difficult to alter the direction of the axis of the spinning object. We all learn this by age 10 or so. The rear wheel of your motorcycle is a significant gyroscopically rotating mass. Adding throttle at ANY point in a turn is going to make turning (or ANY remainder thereof) very very hard to do well. Why does the MSF still teach this? It's plain WRONG. It doesn't apply to any type of rider or any type of situation...NONE. Eventually, if you want to go more than 25-30 MPH or so through corners, you are going to HAVE TO UNLEARN ALL OF IT.

[@woudt61]

Bedankt

[@lazartsaprev2580]

the type of bike is important too

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Yup absolutely!!! It is very different for my cruiser versus the VFR & Goldwing.

[@krytenLister]

The bike makes no difference to cornering, only lean angle

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

@@krytenLister Exactly the lean angle. And that was the meaning to my post, as cruisers are lower with pegs but mostly floor boards that lock up after about a 1 inch deflection and lift the bikes wheels off the road. Therefore since a cruiser can't be leaned as much as a sport bike without these impediments or even my Goldwing for instance, the speed on the curve needs to be slower. I can navigate curves at a much higher speed and therefore lean angle, with a sport bike and the Goldwing than I can on the cruiser for this reason.

[@TJRohyans]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I often initially coast into a corner (city/residential streets) and use the friction zone with my clutch as I lean into it with a little trail braking added. Second gear on my bike (Yamaha Eluder) can be a bit sensitive/touchy when cornering on city streets, so using the friction zone helps to smooth it out. On larger, sweeping curves I do as you suggest though.

[@krytenLister]

Why are you using the clutch in the corner???

[@TJRohyans]

@@krytenLister - I guess it's just what I do. It makes the acceleration smoother for me when I add in the throttle through the turn. But I'm talking city/residential right or left turns, not sweeping turns.

[@benjamincs1]

I'm a new rider and am still trying to figure out wet corners. I just don't know how fast / how much to lean in the wet. Any ideas??

[@peterfabricius662]

Kevin, thank you for great videos. I am looking for some advice on making a street corner turn either just onto a side street or from a stop light/sign. I seem to be uncertain and not holding a good track through the turn... Not sure if it improper gear selection or improper speed/acceleration? I tend to select track three so on a right turn it is a wide turn into track three of the side street. Thanks

[@MCrider]

See if this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn_XgnSgYtCNmKc

[@rogerpankau1350]

Thanks, good advice. Slow is the key if you don’t know the corner. I was on a rural road coming up on a “corner” which was a 90 degree left turn. 20 mph is fast shooting off the road in gravel heading towards a good old barbed wire fence, fortunately was able to get the bike stopped and not take a fall so slow and then go is the rule the road.😎

[@junkiejonesandthepicogang6598]

Lol! Another great video kevin thank you

[@clintparker82]

Entry speed will have to be less than or more depending on the turn as the legal speed limit allows in that area

[@DA-pn4rz]

I sometimes get caught out by corners that sharpen as you progress through especially those I assumed to be safe at like 60mph, specifically on wet English roads

[@alanegray]

Hi DA - check out 'Grum P' post below and Kevins reply & video - that might help :-)

[@krytenLister]

As you're in the UK, sign up for some advanced riding - that'll easily sort you cornering out. Bikesafe is a good first step and you'll learn loads.

[@vancemarin8022]

I am SURE that you can't buy Rossi's tires for street or track. I have been on racing rubber and i have noticed a 100% improvement in my cornering speed !!!

[@krytenLister]

ROFL - you don't need "racing rubber" - normal road rubber by well known manufacturers are more than sufficient for everyday road use.

[@jerrybisbo3824]

What’s tricky is a corner that has a stop shortly after the corner, you can’t roll on the throttle much.

[@crp9985]

Good try with this video but it's a difficult subject to explain to new riders. Road conditions always come into play, how far you can see, a blind corner somewhere you have never been can be scary. I always pay attention to the speed limit signs, if I see a big drop in the speed limit going into a corner assume it's going to be tight. There aren't always good road signs but new riders you should pay close attention to them. If you're coming up on yellow and black arrows on a sign it means there is a surprise coming up and someone has probably wrecked there. Any corner that has directional signs is tight for one reason or another. I know this is a beginners video channel but I always do a rev match downshift into a corner and trail brake to load the weight forward giving me traction and control in a corner, once at the apex seeing a straight line out of there I hit the gas again. It's the fast way through corners also the fun way. If you don't overdo it also the safest way because cars don't expect you to slow right down into every corner so they very well can hit you from behind if you slow down too much. You will scrape before you skid. A good thing to understand.

[@nealfeikema5161]

Do you find that entry speeds might possibly need to be lower while with a passenger.

[@MrSamdabeast]

Duh

[@tobyh3681]

This can be a little tricky as the passenger makes for a top heavy, less agile combination. I pretty much use the same method as Kevin has described here only squeezing the bike with my legs more than normal for better low speed control. Your passenger needs to lean with you as well. Definitely a good idea to practice 2 up riding in a parking lot before venturing out on the road.

[@beefyoso]

Hey Kevin I just saw a post on the Patreon Facebook page featuring you. You going to stick with them now that they've been exposed?

[@MCrider]

Not sure what you are talking about???

[@beefyoso]

@@MCrider short version, patreon bans accounts because of politics and now there's a boycott and mass exodus going on. google it, you'll see. patreon controversy

[@JOHN51977]

There is nothing worse than riding behind another rider who is terrified of corners. They will go in at a reasonable speed and then for some reason panic, and put the other motorcycles behind them who think they are going to go through normal, in danger.

[@russellhorn6372]

Also, if you go into a corner too hot, don't use the front brake. Rear brake only. Reference your trail braking video.

[@krytenLister]

Not true - perfectly fine to use the front brake

[@benjamincs1]

@@krytenLister well, with significant moderation.

[@thomaslenzmeier183]

Being a relatively new rider, I am generally pretty conservative with my entry speed. I have noticed that I can kind of gauge it when I see the traffic sign that posts the speed limit through the corner. In a car, I tend to ignore it, but on my bike, I kind of use it as a reference point. Does anyone else think this is a good technique?

[@pmdinaz]

Tough subject with a potentially steep learning curve. It's all about practice in a controlled environment. People often wonder why they crash and blame invisible obstacles or wet roads or whatever excuse 'fits'. Get somewhere safe and practice. Get to a class and learn to ride! And wear the gear that's designed to protect. It's not a fashion show people!

[@Sportybob]

Slow look press roll thanks didnt pay attention but thats what We do on instinct

[@ajmf-hy8qt]

RIDE LIKE A CAR .... PROBLEM SOLVE.