Entrance speeds

[thatguyx]

well, i have my usual close by practice loop that i take often (about 2-3 times a week). one turn is a constant radius left hander that switches over to a right hander. there's more to this loop, so i try to make sure my tires are warmed up on both sides.
however, every time i hit left hander, right before the turn in i'll slow down. usually i'll get to it at about 70mph and then get nervous and slow down to about 60-65mph. going through the turn i'll keep speed constant or increase speed depending on how i'm feeling. Entering the right after, i don't have this problem... but does anyone have any tips or ideas to get over the entrance speed sticking point?

i try looking through the turn and a later turn in point, but i'm stuck at this mental block.

[kevin_stevens]

Upshift.

KeS

[TheSollyLama]

practice is all. Better to go in slow and come out fast than go in over your head and crash.
Just take your time, add a few more rpm (I only look at the speedo when cops are about, engine rpm is a much better way to gauge yourself) each time you hit it.

[kevin_stevens]

That's why I said upshift - most people judge their comfort level on a familiar turn by engine sound/rpm, not speed.

KeS

[RayOSV]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

That's why I said upshift - most people judge their comfort level on a familiar turn by engine sound/rpm, not speed.

KeS

That's funny because whenever I want to increase my speed through a turn, I'm often more comfortable one gear lower than usual. The higher engine speed seems to equate to more control or something.

To OP: agree that practice/repetition is the key. Is there something about the turn that puts you off?

[thatguyx]

i can't really think of anything else. it's just a mental block i have, my approach into the turn is getting faster, I usually approach the turn around 8-10krpm 75-80mph. but right before i turn in, i scrub off some speed. brake down to about 60-65mph then turn in. through the turn i've glanced down once in a while and i'm accelerating through the turn from 60's to mid 60's then exit around mid 70's.

i take this turn all the time, and by now i figured it wouldn't phase me. it's a bit frustrating. everywhere else i'm going a little faster, but here i'm just stuck.

[UberGoober]

Unless you are racing it doesn't really matter.

Most people favor one side over the other, Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist talks about it too. You might get a copy and see what he says.

[Ivan_markII]

Most people in the USA take left hand turns just a bit slower than righters.

--Road is crowned therefore there is negative camber; you may not lean more but traction is less.
--Visibility around lefters is usually greater than righters so you always think you're going a lot slower around lefters.