Cornering Confidence

[switzplaysguitar]

Hi guys, have been thinking about writing this for a while but kept chickening out
I have a major lack of confidence when it comes to tighter cornering, although I am perfectly comfortable at high speeds upright and in long sweeping corners. I feel very unstable when leaning the bike over, but cannot pinpoint the cause(s).
I'm thinking my main problem is body position, but I'm also unsure on gear selection and where in the rev range I should be, quarter or half throttle etc. Because of instability issues I have experienced in corners, I have on numerous occasions jumped on the brake through instinct and scared the living sh*t out of myself.
At the track day at Llandow I found it virtually impossible to lean over anywhere near the edge of the tyre (though I was riding an unfamiliar bike), in full knowledge that the tyres were scoldingly hot and capable of going much further than I was pushing them.
I've spent the last 3 years riding bikes mainly for commuting and in all weathers - including snow! Leaning over even in the hottest conditions just doesn't feel natural for me because of this and I really need to learn how to corner effectively now before it becomes a lifetime habit! Please, please, please can some of you guys give me some tips.
Ps. sorry for unbelievably long post

[billinom8s]

Not a problem on post length.

Although not the world's best taker of corners, I have found, by following others that road position counts for a lot when it comes to negotiating the tight, twisty stuff.
Body position, I know where it should be but I ain't gonna be getting there anytime soon.

It's hard to say what gear to be in as every corner is different but I have heard that lower gear selection is better than higher as it will pull you through and out of the bend.
Throttle position, again, how tight is the bend ??? Keeping the revs up so the bike reacts more to throttle adjustment will make it more steady when leant over.
Practice is the key ingredient, find a twisty road you know, not a fast one and just ride it, of course not using your brakes. Just remember your road position, revs, gears and the lean angle will come.

It does help if you can follow someone who can take corners correctly, stick to their lines and then before you know it you will be leaning further than you thought possible.

[DevonBlue]

Just wanted to say your not on your own. I am finding the exact same thing. On the roads that I know well i don't have a problem taking the bends at a good speed although I'm still not really leaning that much. I have though just like yourself gone into unfamiliar bends, sh*t myself and reached out for the brake!!I know the bike is capable of far more than i am and also know that if i go into the bends quicker and lean more it will not go over but its just a confidence thing i guess

[scorcher]

I did follow you last year on one of the runs, might of been the Summer BBQ, and I noticed that you didn't look too comfortable through the corners. You looked as if you were fighting to get your bike through the bends sometimes, and to me it looked like the bike was leaning in one direction but you were leaning in the opposite direction or trying to stay upright, so your self analysis might well be right.
Might be a good idea to get out and do some 1-1 training for a few hours with someone who knows what they are on about and give you some good pointers and constructive criticism.
Theres lots to consider including speed, braking, road positioning, counter steering, limit points ,body positioning, throttle etc etc blah blah , so you probably need to sort one out and then move onto the next and then it'll probably start to click to a certain degree and all come together. I'm still working on it as are no doubt a lot of other people. A google ought to throw up plenty of self help videos to help with most of it.
I don't mind giving you some limited help if you want it (I'm just down the road in Shepton)as we're blessed with plenty of good roads to practice on around here.

Good luck

[jackn89]

As scorcher stated, there will be a lot of videos etc on google, I did however download a bike video based on the books called 'twist of the wrist' it has a real cheesey intro but when it gets started the tips and pointers he gives covers pretty much all aspects of riding which apply to both road and track. If you decide to watch it, it's quite long so either skip to the cornering part or watch it up to where you feel is relevant, go out and practice then once satisfied with that part, watch the next part and tips then try that out next time.
As you ride every day it shouldn't take long to boost your confidence especially with some good quality help.

[goatpants]

When I bought my VTR back in 98 Honda were doing free courses. It was basically the same as the IAM thingy. It taught a lot about cornering techniques though it seems with my track record it never quite sunk in but it was a brilliant course. Like whats been said, might be an idea to get some training if you are not confident. IMHO overconfidence is as dangerous as under confidence.

[switzplaysguitar]

Thanks for input guys, found Twist of the Wrist on youtube and will be giving that a look when work allows.
Think you were spot on Scorcher with leaning away from the corner, my lower half is happy to go with the bike but my torso and head....not so much. Feels like I'm sat twisted!
Will be going for ride with Smiler in the next few days to see what we can iron out, the rest of you I'll see at the campout/BBQ?

[Stikley]

Thanks for input guys, found Twist of the Wrist on youtube and will be giving that a look when work allows.
Think you were spot on Scorcher with leaning away from the corner, my lower half is happy to go with the bike but my torso and head....not so much. Feels like I'm sat twisted!
Will be going for ride with Smiler in the next few days to see what we can iron out, the rest of you I'll see at the campout/BBQ?

Found it did you? Was that when I sent you the link?

[switzplaysguitar]

Found it did you? Was that when I sent you the link?

Certainly was, was a difficult find