Tightening up a turn

[User Name]

Just wondering what the proper way to tighten up a turn is. I've never done it (yet) but should I find myself in a turn and drifting towards the outside, what would I do? I've experimented going around turns towards the outside of my lane and 1/2 way through trying to tighten it up and end at the inside. It seems slightly counter-steering works really well to lean the bike over a bit more, in fact, that's how I seem to naturally maintain a line through cloverleaf exits/entrances between highways - counter-steer to tighten up, straighten steering to loosen. Is this correct?

Thanks.

[firefighter81]

Countersteering is the best way for someone still learning. Once you get up the skill and confidence to use your rear brake mid-corner, you can use it to tighten up a turn very effectively. But I URGE you to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL doing this, if you give it just a little too much pressure you will lock up the rear brake, panic, and high side.

[sonix]

I think he is referring to normal street riding, not track style agressive riding, so, yeah, just add a bit more lean, or if you are already over a bit to far for comfort, shift your weight gently towards the inside of the turn, (try sliding your ass into the turn a bit) I am assuming all of this is new to you since it is being posted in the new riders forum.

[Twinsen]

Also, try and look where you want to go. It makes a difference.

[User Name]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give them a try as soon as I can (although rain is forecast for the next 7 days straight...). Firefighter, the brake thing is probably a little more aggressive than I'm willing to try at the moment. I'll have to save up and buy a beater bike and try that kind of stuff on a track somewhere...

As far as braking goes, what's the best way to slow down in a turn then? I understand if either wheel locks in a turn, you're in for some excitement. Would downshifting and letting the engine slow the bike down work while avoiding potential locked tires? I assume I'll learn all this in the MSF course, but the riding season here in New York is all but over, and I didn't want to take it now and not be able to put it into practice for 6 months... I plan to take it 1st thing in the spring though.

One more question - assuming clear, dry roads and warmed up tires (essentially the rare ideal conditions) at what point would the back tire start to slide and/or what would contribute to it sliding out as you're leaned over in a turn? I just checked my rear tire (190/50 17), and after 1400 miles, I have a nice set of 1 inch wide chicken strips, maybe slightly less. I don't think I've been at all aggressive in my cornering, but I have been leaned over about as far as I'm comfortable doing so. I'm just trying to get a general idea of how close my comfort level is to potential trouble...

Thanks again, you guys are great...

[sonix]

the best way to slow/stop in a turn, (I am thinking emergency stop here) is to straighten up, then get on the brakes, you cannot, cannot, cannot grab a big handful of brake while leaned over, you will lean over more, like, all the way. There is only a tiny contact patch, and most of it is being used to turn, and we all know what happens when you over use the grip available, gravity will assert itself in a very unsubtle manner.

[spawnx66]

2 ways to tighten up a turn I know of is either lean more and/or reduce throttle. When I mean reduce throttle, I don't mean shut it off, just ease off slightly. Practice with the throttle control, keep the same lean angle and increase throttle and you will find your circle will widen, do the opposite and the circle with get smaller...hope this helps?

[RACER X]

take the MSF class, and ask your instructor, and experience it in a controlled enviro.