My perfect corner

Started by roadracer162, May 18, 2005, 01:45:44 PM

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roadracer162

My perfect corner
There are many different styles of corners and riding then is so dynamic. Here goes.
 
Approaching a corner hard on the gas down the straight watching to see the optimum RPM. I use sound of the motor, depth perception of the approaching corner and visual brake markers (#2 board, ripple on the pavement). I also set my feet on the pegs and ready my feel of the hand controls. I catch a glimpse of my turn in point.
 
Braking: I time the approaching brake marker close the throttle squeeze the brake lever usually with two fingers and accomplish most of the braking while vertical. Toes on the pegs I adjust my weight being halfway on the seat, upper body catching wind. Clutch depressed and gear selector being played upon with my left foot I am transitioning into the acceleration mode. I am still braking only it has dramatically tapered, still while vertical, allowing the suspension to load and recover for when I turn in. I sight my turn in point which is clear now, I sight my apex and I connect those two points in my head drawing an imaginery line through the two. I also decide where on the pavement my knee will be placed on the ground.
 
Turn in: I have begun my turn which might look quick and uncontrolled but in my mind has been slowed to a graceful motion. I am at full lean angle now and I know this as my other senses tell me, toes dragging, knee dragging I move them up off the tarmac but maintain the same lean angle. My upper body moving forward in relation to my lower body, up towards the front wheel I lean in anticipation of getting on the gas. I am charging head first through the corner and not just hanging on for dear life. I sight the apex and compare it to the exit of the corner. I join those two points in my mind. I am off the brake by now and already on the gas holding and maintaining speed, the chassis is neutral.
 
Mid Corner: I am where I envisioned and the sound of the motor tells me so, my visual perception confirms it, and the tactical senses approves. My throttle hand maintains this through a slight input of throttle. (If you're off the gas you're slowing). I watch the front for a slide and adjust speed or body positioning to compensate. If something feels different I am either going too fast or going too slow. Just before the apex I am starting to build on the throttle input and I begin to accelerate.
 
On the gas: Once turned I pick the bike up and to a more vertical position and pick the throttle up simultaneously to the point where when I reach the exit of the corner and I am at full throttle input. I gauge the throttle through this portion feeling the rear for traction.
 
Out of the corner: By now I am taking a breather and setting up for the next corner and hopefully ahead of my competition. I wait for them to pass on the straight only to do it all over again the next corner.

Mark

P.S. I am sure you have your own. I would love to hear it.
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.

Jeff

Here's what I previously wrote on my forum on the same question....


So now we're delving into "what is a corner/turn".

By my definition, and for the purpose of discussion on this thread, a corner/turn is the MANUEVER which puts the bike to the lean angle required to make the turn.  

That ONE steering input is the turn.

Granted, you can be at that lean angle forever, going in circles, but if you do not make another input to the bars, you've only made the one turn.

So to recap....

Do your braking
Position your body
Downshift or whatever you need to do
Release brakes (or loosen them a touch)
Push bar
Feed gas

That simple...

Here's the steps I wrote which I personally go through on a track corner.. Say, a turn 1 situation after a long straight (mind you, this is about 2 - 3 seconds)...

See the turn
Stay tucked and on the gas
Wait for your braking point
You have more than enough time
Slide into position
Pop up as little as possible
Hold the bike with your knees
Squeeze the brakes. 2 fingers
Drop down through the gears quickly
Stay at the edge of the track
Move your upper body out
Drop your chest to the tank
Find the apex leading with your chin
Remain at the edge of the track
Do not drift in
Wait for your reference point to turn in
Do not turn in early
Release the brakes
Push the bar with one quick, concise movement
Fall over with the bike, as one happy little mushroom
Roll back on the gas
Focus your vision down the track
Hard on the gas at the apex
Pick up the bike while remaining off the side
Wide open throttle
Slide back onto the seat in a full tuck
Bucket List:
[X] Get banned from Wera forum
[  ] Walk the Great Wall of China
[X] Visit Mt. Everest

Super Dave

I just have to add how I do it... a bit.

Going fast, slow down in my "area" to begin my braking by getting off the gas.  Use the brake very hard, down shifting.  My body position is basically set before I get on the brakes.  

I approach the point where I go from straight up and down to beginning to turn.  

As I turn, I am still on the brakes pretty hard.  

I let off the brakes a little more, and my knee is on the ground, and I'm still pulling the bike over.  I want to be tight to the inside of the track.  When I get there, I want to be completely done with my braking, and I now want to leave.  Open up the gas.  I'd prefer to be wide open.  If I'm new tires, I'll probably go to nearly wide open.  I'll pick the bike up as the rear tire begins to loose just a little traction to point it down the track.

Some corners and conditions require different techniques...

Super Dave

Sunny

Sounds like a typical point-and-shoot riding style to me.    ;D

roadracer162

Depends on where you point.
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.

Super Dave

There are reasons why it works better that I won't elaborate on here.

Point and shoot isn't really exactly the reason why, but it has to do with the line that one follows.  

The general "trackday line" that is perpetuated by many is not the fastest way around, nor is it the way that a professional racer would necessarily get around the track.

Set up, set up, set up is still extremely important.  

http://www.team-visionsports.com/pages/621782/index.htm
Super Dave

Sunny

I believe it depends on what kind of bikes/engines also.  There is no way that a "point and shoot" type style working better for a relatively low output engines, because those bike can't afford to lose any unnecessary momentum (affects lap time big time).


"Point and shoot" definitely works pretty good on liter bikes, especailly with Dave's description of how he brakes (maintains higher speed longer before tipping over, and minimizes time doing braking)!

Super Dave

It's all similar.

Did I mention that I won two races at Daytona on an old 125 GP bike?

I would elaborate on the line and the relevance to power output, etc., but that's for a private opportunity...
Super Dave

roadracer162

I think what "Sunny" is trying to say is, it is similar yes, but it's not the same. You can't be telling me that the input for riding a GSXR1000 is the same as the 125GP bike?

The similarities lie in the fact that you have hand controls and footpegs. The input in riding each are slightly different.  I also know that your input in riding is very different than mine however I am the slower rider. I just haven't learned to be fast yet.

Did I tell you, I won a Daytona race on a 14 year old bike, which has 60,000 miles, a bum shock with no rebound damping(broke) and a stock front fork, against bigger faster bikes(BMW, Buell). I even got into the experts of my class and the other class that started in the first wave.

I believe each person has a different way of doing it which is evident in this forum and I like it. :)

Mark
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.

roadracer162

#9
Dave,
After rereading some of the posts, you have many good and relevant points which I agree with. It appears you make a good rider and an effective instructor.  All I want to say is that each rider is different and bikes are different. I just wanted to hear the differences.

I wish I could ride like the way you described your riding style is, but I am a chicken. I don't have the skill as of yet. I am gaining knowledge of what to do but just as important I am gaining the wisdom through experiencing it for myself.

Thanks for your input.

Mark
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.

Super Dave

No problem, Mark.

Experience can be expensive.  

I won a race or two at Daytona on a, at the time, 33 year old bike.

Some riders are outright gifted.  They just need decent opportunities to go fast.  Most riders, however, are mortal, and they need shortcuts to understand and recognize how things should feel, why they feel that way, and what they really should be doing.

Enjoy the ride!
Super Dave

roadracer162

Absolutely feel what you say.. ;)

Mark
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.