I did my motorcycle license 3 years ago (I'm 54). Initially, I had a hard time doing smooth cornering, and had no idea why. Then I did a training course, and the coach said this one sentence that I remember before each corner until today and that changed my driving. He said "The professional rider has everything ready before he goes into the corner." - with everything meaning things like braking down to the right speed for the corner and having the right gear selected. After the course, I immediately noticed that I was simply doing all this stuff too late, leading to having too much speed within the corner and trying to brake while cornering to reduce that speed - spending valuable grip for breaking, which I would need for cornering instead. After changing my habits, cornering feels much better, and I lost my fear for corners.
Leaning is one of the sensations that has always made riding so enjoyable to me. I'm no "knee-dragger" or "peg scraper" but I love leaning into corners and straightening up coming out of them. Give me twisties where I lean one way then transition to leaning the other way and I'm in bliss.
Fear of Leaning: I had that (and still rarely scrape pegs). What changed to allow me to lean lots more was buying new tires. Told myself, “If I can’t lean enough with these new tires, I’ll never be able to.” Also realized that many, many other riders of Goldwings lean a lot without going down, and that reality check bolstered my confidence to lean as required. Also, couldn’t agree more with the ‘turn your head’ advice, because it not only gets you directed to where you need to be but has the related effect of getting your eyes off of any fixation point. Good video. TY.
It's interesting, bordering on humourus, that you said new tires would help give you the confidence to lean. Why? Because if you had previously been concerned about the integrity of the tread on the outer edges of your tires... those portions of your old tire were in fact probably still "like new"... from lack of use! Using just Kevin's advice (rather than buying new tires) would have helped you "get your money's worth (out of the unused portion) of the old ones. Regardless, good to hear you're no longer fearful of "heeling" it over. Oh, and don't ever be ashamed of not peg draggingn; that's just one step away from becoming a human pinwheel!
We need to remember that trail braking is a fine motor skill and should only be approached when skill and confidence with basic braking skills have been accomplished. Entry speed is a fundamental cornering skill- enter at a safe speed and only commit to the corner when you can see your exit. Add that to a delayed entry and cornering can be safe.
Another excellent video. I wanted to personally thank you, Kevin. I've been licensed since late 2006 but have only been riding since I bought our bikes early this January 2022. It's great UA-cam moto vloggers such as yourself that have properly taught me and my wife beyond what our sorry MSF class failed to offer. Your simple, calm and assuring tone coupled with your own experiences really lend to add value to our own riding skills as we strive to continue to improve with each and every ride. Keep up the great work and THANK YOU again for being such an asset to the motorcycle community and not being a clown as so many others aim to be these days. Be Safe & God Bless.
@@bigdaddyjoe2819 I am so glad that there’s someone like MCRider helping us be safer - I absolutely love riding and I feel so blessed to be doing so in a safer manner; all thanks to good guys like Kevin.
My biggest epiphany the moment I finally became comfortable with leaning through the turns at constant speed and allowing the bike to smoothly go through it's natural motion.
Good job, dude. Dumb#@$#'s with high visibility on social media have been promoting "trail braking" for all corners (most of them being the wrong time and place) for many years, now.
Great video Kevin! Spot on! Early in my riding education after the MSF Basic course, I signed up for and took the advanced riders course in which one of the instructors was over the top on turning one's head. I thank him to this day (that was early in the 1980's). That experience was like a light bulb going on for me as the fear of leaning went away (no longer focused on seeing that angle), and it got me away from fixating on potential crash targets. I even got to the point where I was scraping pegs before I realized it, so I was using more of the motorcycle's capability. I now remind myself - head and eyes up, turn, look through the corner, and when I do that, my riding in the twisty curves gets much much smoother and easier to negotiate.
Think the reason they say to turn the head and look down the road is so you can't fixate on trying to negotiate something you see ten feet in front, where it's too late to do anything about that anyway. Wish I was better at it.
LOOK where you want to go! Works in motorcycling, snowboarding and life for that matter. LOOK where you want to go and you can see where you'll end up. Thank you, Kevin, great instruction every week!
In August I crashed in a corner. I didn't turn my head in the direction I needed to go and fixated on the ditch. I counter steered but the motorcycle was delayed in the response, wouldn't have been if I would have turned my head to where I needed to go instead of fixating on the the ditch. Very painful learning experience. This video covers everything I did wrong. 18 rib fractures on the left side definitely taught me a lesson. I am finally able to go back to work with a lot of discomfort but I am still alive. Deliberately practicing the cornering techniques in this video is a must.
My MSF course instructors could not stress enough about turning and looking through the corners. It works, I’ve seen it and done it! Another great video Kevin!
I have been riding for 4.5 years now. I have to say, watching your videos when I first got into motorcycles, you have taught me alot and have kept me safe for these years. Thank you for putting these videos on UA-cam. Looking where I want the motorcycle to go keeps me safe, in all situations. It effects the bikes balance so much. Watch thoes intersections.
3:10, riding with training wheels is completely different to riding without, once they're off the child basically has to re-learn to ride a bicycle: leaning, balance, steering.
Doesn't sound like you installed the kid's training wheels correctly or read the instructions. 🤔 Training wheels are designed to be raised over time, and you start off with them raised just a little so only 1 training wheel makes contact with the ground at a time (so the bike can lean a little). As the kid gets accustomed to that, you raise the training wheels a little more (allowing more lean). Eventually the training wheels get raised so high that they never make contact with the ground and can just be removed. The kid isn't "relearning" anything.
Another advantage to entering the corner late is that you can come out of the corner high or low (inside or outside). So if you are coming around at appropriate speed and suddenly there is a hazard to avoid, you can go to the inside or outside of the lane. If you enter the corner early, you are going to go outside.
I just started riding (motorcycles). For 30 years I have logged thousands of miles road biking and I will tell you that has served me well in my ability now to maneuver my 500 LB. Kawasaki Versys 650 in a turn. Hands down, the culprit in mishaps is poor planning and preparation approaching the turn. Namely….SPEED. Bleeding off the energy of the machine prior to turn entry vice while in the turn is key. ENERGY MANAGEMENT!!!! It also helps being a commercial pilot where threat and error management and energy management go hand in hand. Motorcycling and the airline environment go hand in hand as well as it pertains to safety and preparations and planning ahead. Thanks for all the great videos Kevin. They have served me well for a green rider such as myself. From local DFW resident.
This channel opened my eyes about riding. In recently took my A(Unrestricted) license. I'm a totally inexperienced rider although I have riden some bikes before. I'm currently saving some money to buy my first bike and I'm doing my research on what to lookout for. You sir gave me the confidence I need. Calm collective and direct. Thank for doing all you can informing new riders and giving tips how to ride safely. Remember your helmet folks and push to turn not the opposite.
"It Goes where you Look" applies to more than motorcycles. Very new General Aviation pilots, who are instructed to fly the plane straight and level, will BANK (and lose altitude) in the direction that they look. Pilots are always scanning left and right for traffic and new pilots then find themselves banking left and right without being aware they are doing it. So turning your whole head does work on a bike. You have to unlearn it in a plane. Your videos provide me with that needed recurrent training. Thanks.
Recently re-entered riding at the age of 67. It’s been about a decade since i’ve rode. While I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner I’m certainly not sharp as i once was. Watching your videos and having access to true advice is very helpful. After just a few hundred miles the comfort level is returning and I’m reminded why i loved riding in the 1st place. Spending time at our church parking lot helped regain my starting and stopping skills and sharpened confidence. 2011 Suzuki c50t is a perfect re-entry bike imho.
The delayed hot entry is why I hear so many new riders talk about decreasing radius curves. I live at the top of backwoods switchbacks...but NONE of them are decreasing radius. However fast and too early make every corner into a decreasing radius curve as you are slung outside long before the curve straightens out.
I made the mistake of following another rider vs looking at the road and surface and speed and almost drove into a tree. your points are well taken and employed you have to be on guard all the time.
Solid Advice! when i was practicing for my motorcycle skills test, the most important lesson you must practice in the figure 8 box, was turn your head back toward the center of that box! its nearly impossible to do that figure 8 without turning your head completely toward the direction you need to go! that lesson teaches us the same thing on the road! turn your head in the direction you need that Bike to go! Thanks for the Video!
There's a lot of good things to say for Slow, Look, Press & Roll when your not riding in your home territory. The 1st time I barreled into a unfamiliar cloverleaf a thousand miles from home only to find myself in a seriously diminishing circle at twice the speed I should have been was the last time I did that. Counter balancing and peg dragging will only get you so far. It cost me a new set of soles on my riding boots. SLP&R are my friend in unfamiliar corners.😁
Thank you for all your work. Even tho I have been riding for many years I still learn much from the videos! I need to turn my head in turns more. I know that when I look at things off the road my bike tends to wander that way!
MCRider, at the 1:30-1:45 mark you just caused the light bulb to go "on" in my head. I've not understood the "slow, look, press & roll" statement, because no one ever gave visuals with it! Now you have and with practice, o will try to master it, so I don't look like a "newbie" or a "squid". Thank-you so much for the visuals! Doug🏍️👍⭐⭐⭐🐻🧸🤓
While I'm waiting to take my msf course I've been applying these techniques to my electric scooter riding and the looking where you want to go has really helped me when taking a corner at higher speeds. I used to slow down because i was focused on the ground in front of me now i can take the corners at full speed. I've noticed when you look through the turn my body will automatically make the adjustments without me having to think.
Thanks Kevin. When I took the MSF course, I was shocked at the effect that turning my head where I wanted to go had on my skills. It was the best advice 'Sonny', who I'm sure you know, gave us. It seems like I knew this when I was a kid riding my bicycle and later as an adolescent motorcycle rider, but had simply forgotten after a 35 year hiatus from riding. Delayed entry is another important concept that rattles many riders and is counterintuitive.
On entry, it can help to ride near the outside of the corner in question on approach... That means even a gentle swerve to the appropriate lane position, near the painted line. Note that I said NEAR the painted line, not edged right against it and NOT on top of the thing... Around a foot (give or take) between the line and your front tire should suffice just fine... Using your peripheral vision, wait for the line to start approaching the tire, as you slow to entry speed, and THEN "tip in". Point your nose where you want to go, and you'll likely find it not only "do-able" but comfortable leaning in to approach the inside and through apexing to the exit. Keep in mind, that "apexing" is a verb, and YOU CHOOSE where any "apex" is in any turn. It's JUST whereabouts you are closest to the inside boundaries of the turn... Whether you're within inches of the drop-off from hard-shoulder to dirt or ditchline, or you're a foot or more away from the line(s) on that side of the lane... The same personal judgment also governs how long you spend "apexing", whether you're comfortable just barely brushing past "the apex" you've chosen... OR you let the bike coast or engine brake further, allowing you to stick to the inside line as you exit, probably setting yourself up for the outside track on approaching the next turn the opposite direction... Once you're pointed out to the next straight-away, and lean angle is becoming upright, you're relatively free to roll on the throttle and power out of the turn. Maybe you're familiar with this style, and maybe I'm just giving an elaborate description for others to see and think about... I hope it helps when I put what you're thinking about into language and description. I hope it's adequate to advance and grow skill (for anybody). ;o)
Hi Kev, just need some guidance as I ride the real hairpin bends we have here in the Black Forest region of Germany. When I say hair pin I really mean spin on a dime corners. Any advice you can offer dragging the front brakes is a definite no no because of the acuteness of the bend. So I have sort of been experimenting to find the right cornering method. Going downhill not the curve is straight forward as you really look at where you want to go and let the momentum of the bike and the downhill ratio takes care of the speed side, but on the ascent you really need to balance the clutch, throttle and of course look where your going. Any tips you can offer ? Btw will plan on doing a BMW safety class soon as I am an experienced rider but no my how experience you are always learning
Corners are my biggest problem, especially if it's been a while. The first few I encounter, I'm cautious and slow down so that I don't have enough speed to run wide. But even after riding a while on a curvy road and picking up more confidence, I do these short correcting moves throughout the corner, instead of keeping the handlebar steady. Maybe inch, 1 1/2" of back and forth with the hands. It's a fear of leaning too much, fear of running across a rock or some other debris while leaning, or overshooting and ending up left of center because of too much speed, or thinking the pavement is going to do something weird before I exit. Just something I'll have to get over.
I use a combination of turning my head and looking through the turn as well as scanning the road right in front of me. I do this to look for any type of debris such as gravel or sand or whatever that could be there to ruin my day if I don’t see it . If you just focus on where you want the bike to go, there is a lot of road that is not being seen and especially when in a turn, you want to know what’s right in front of you and not just the final destination at the end of your turn.
Thanks Kevin! Avoiding target fixation is the same street, and dirt. It's something we all need to practice, and hear it in our heads always. 57? years of riding, and I still need to tell myself not to look at what I don't want to hit. 🤣
I agree that looking where you want to wind up will cover up most other sins in cornering. When I was relearning to ride a few years back, that was what 'fixed' my cornering. Great video!
Another excellent reminder that should benefit new and seasoned riders. I have found turning my shoulders/upper body helps with turning my head and looking through the corner. Especially helpful with slow speed U-turns. Counter balance also helps let the bike lean without me feeling the sensation of the lean at slow or higher speeds.
Slow, look,press, and roll great way to build confidence. It's all baby steps at first spend the time in the saddle work your way up to trail braking. Have fun and be patient.
I don't apex on the street. I stay in the center of the lane throughout the corner. I feel apex is dangerous on the street by dangers of head on traffic or obstacles on the shoulder.
While motorcycles are exciting, there's also a LOT to be said for not letting yourself get TOO excited on the saddle. Yes, it's fun as hell, and all... At the same time, there's only so much adrenaline any of us can take AND still be capable of thinking and making sound decisions and judgments... In the beginning, EVERYTHING about riding is a little bit scary, unnerving, and even anxiety inducing. It's easy to get overwhelmed. Even just being able to make yourself pull off to a shoulder or "look-out spot" or into a parking lot conveniently for a breather and to stretch your legs (and back?) can be the difference between "slipping behind your own bike" and "having the bandwidth to keep planning AHEAD". Taking a breather is NOT quitting the ride, and if friends aren't willing to let you return some sanctity to your mind then they aren't the best choice of riding coaches for you... Whether that means you're just better off to ride alone a while for practical applications on the road, or you can go on your own to FIND a better coach and riding buddy, that's up to you and your circumstances. Just remember that adrenaline doesn't instantly go away when we no longer need it. That residual builds up over time, and at your body's limit to dealing with the stuff, there comes a break-down of mental faculties, where instincts take over and you CAN NOT THINK... at least, not straight. It takes time to build up your tolerance to adrenaline and anxieties on the road, so breaking a lengthy riding session into smaller or shorter "manageable chunks" is important in the beginning. It's NOT always speed beyond your skill that is "riding past your limits", so take note of your personal ability to handle both ordinary excitement and outright horrific FEAR, because your body CAN NOT TELL the difference between adrenaline from excitement or sex (even) and adrenaline from TERROR. It's ALL "adrenaline" as far as your brain and body is concerned. ;o)
Grip is finite, radius = MPH, look where you want to go. Don’t accelerate until you see your exit. Great distinction between new riders and more experienced ones. Trail braking for the later.
I typically find a good rider on correctly maintained motorcycle can normally go through a curve 20 to 25 mph above posted corner speed. That is fine but we have lots of logging and agriculture in this area. Around any curves you are likely to fine wet blocks of mud as big as a five gallon bucket or a slick 40 yards long. A few bark slabs and small limbs now and then. Of course this is on the nice back roads with curves. We also have a high number of deer and older rural people subject to be easing along way under the speed limit. So corner burning in this area is like playing Russian Rollet with a semi automatic.
I ride two up 99% on an 18 Indian chieftain and we aren't small people. I find myself really working on curves and slow speed maneuvering. I've noticed that in curves I am more confident counter steering with my torso leaning but my hips swiveling opposite of the curve. It feels like it would help traction if the bulk of my weight is on the seat or pushing opposite the curve versus counter steering AND leaning while pulling my lower body over. Thoughts ?
One easy way as a beginner and I do too, is watch the speed limit on the road usually speed limit on the road you can do a tight curve with no problem if the speed limit is 30 mph don’t go at higher speed and you will do it safely 🤔 if you go at 60 mph on the road that got the yellow sign that says 30 or 40 speed limit before the curve FALLOW the signs is you best guide 👍
Your graphic 5 minutes in shows the difference in attitude that I see between instructors here in New Zealand and UA-camrs from the US. The orange line is definitely going to get a rider into trouble, but the green line would also be considered an early tip in based on the training I have received. The green line still sees the rider end up to the outside of the lane, the instruction I have received would see tip in delayed until the inner black line can be seen, the appeals perhaps further around and the rider leaves the corner parallel to the lane not drifting from inside to out. This technique is prescribed irrespective of whether the rider is using slow look press and roll or trail braking. I went for a one on one lesson the morning after buying my first bike, and after doing some suburban riding we went out on a twisty back road to get experience of riding at 100kmph on this type of road.
I think newer riders are afraid the motorcycle will slide if they lean. (Me 15 years ago) Maybe you could come up with a diagram or example that would be more reassuring about how far you can safely lean? I enjoy your videos! Thanks!
@@MCrider So you see this video link? Your cruiser can't lean far enough to use all the traction simply through turning. You have traction leftover for braking, no matter how far you lean. So you can continue to hold some level of brake until you're happy, without any further clarification of what "happy" means. If you entered a corner too fast for your cruiser, you won't make it. But holding as much brake as you dare while leaned so far the sparks start flying, that's the best you can do. So it's the right response. If you're on a sport bike, you might still make it. You can take corners at higher speeds than on a cruiser. But you need to lean deeper. And to do that, you need to let off the brakes. So you can't simply "hold brake until you're happy with your speed and direction." This becomes bad advice. It's not advisable to take corners that fast on the street. But it can happen whether on purpose or because you missed a sign or two. You didn't teach people how to trail brake incorrectly. Champ School did. But you're endorsing it by telling people you always trail brake on the street, now. You should, because you ride a cruiser. Anyone riding a sport bike slow as a cruiser, they can do that, too. But if you ride a sport bike at ill-advised speeds through the corner, you can't trail brakes deep. Not the way that everyone is trying to teach it, today.
Follow nascar drivers going in n out of a corner. Left turns taking outside n turning to the inside. Right turns= inside to outside.Both instances you'll be able to see oncoming traffic.
Great advice, through watching your videos I am on my way to having to get new floor boards 🤣 I really never was afraid to lean just corrected some of my entry techniques into the curves and now I lean harder Scrapping alot but with "grace and smoothness " if I can say that .. the head I agree is so Important and I often find myself saying turn that head remembering what you have said countless times. Thanks again. God Bless
What is the solution to realizing you are going too fast? I approach corners in the ways you describe as best for new riders, but if i make an error, because i am human and make many, what do i do?
Sincerely, it's almost magical. Turn your head and the bike will follow.. Don't glance, TURN your head in a way that your chest follows the turn and the bike will sheepishly follow the turn.
Some people did not spend much time peddling a bike before going for a motorcycle. its the same thing only faster and the engine does all the work , easy
Even a Nascar racer slows entering a turn and accelerates out! Honda Goldwing riders cannot " trail brake" because the rear brake activates one disc on the front wheel with lesser force. As a rider of older kick start bikes I slow entering corners out of habit. I'm no " racer" and I know where my enjoyment is, getting to where I'm riding to! Thanks Kevin, riders with something to prove are just dangerous and alone or with my Lady prefer to live during my rides. You all are in my prayers Hoka Hey
Not according to the range cards used by Rider Coaches. This is directly from the MSF Rider Coach cards for the cornering exercise. "• On signal, you will ride the oval to the left in 2nd gear • Before passing each entry cone, brake to entry speed without squeezing the clutch • Look through turn and maintain or increase speed gradually through turn • Once completed to the left, the exercise will be reversed" It is impossible to "maintain or increase speed gradually through the turn" if you are still actively applying the front brakes.
New riders need slow look and lean because you need a buffer for when there is an unexpected obstacle in a corner. Trail braking gives you less buffer if not done well. New riders should really get on to practicing trail braking pretty quickly, we're not talking years or 1000s of miles of experience.
Road bikes with their road tires are much fun going off a hard surface road when it becomes a grassy down slopes along that road. You will be experiencing something that luck best be with you, Ha!
Why folks would want a new rider, a learner on a motorcycle to practice a more advance riding skill is beyond me. So many riders speed through corners and crash.
What happens when a slow-look-lean-roll rider arrives in a corner too hot? He runs wide, and there is no plan B. Trail braking says slow until you are satisfied with the direction of the bike. Seems like a safer plan for beginning riders, but we'll never know for sure unless MSF switches to trail braking in it's BRC and teaches it for ten years or so.
Thanks once again, Kevin. Your videos like this one benefit not only novice riders, but also experienced riders. Turning one's head in turns is one of those fundamentally excellent reminders for novice and experienced riders alike. One area that I continually must fight my natural instincts is turning my head enough in slow U-turns. I know what to do, but still struggle against my instinct to target-fix. I will commit to at least an hour of practice each week dedicated to practicing U-turns the right way. Keep up the excellent work! 😀
Egos exceed skills for most riders. Full stop. They want to look cool and look like they have mad skills. They are afraid of looking like the new guy. Sadly, you see a lot of unskilled veteran riders as well. They think that because they have been riding for x years they know everything and have all the skills. Mostly the opposite is true, they have out-dated knowledge and poor skills due to not practicing. That’s the unvarnished truth.
What about slow and trail as you look and maintain throttle until you have a clear exit. Then off trail breaking and accelerate out. It seems to me the two can be combined for street riding. Track riding is different.
I did my motorcycle license 3 years ago (I'm 54). Initially, I had a hard time doing smooth cornering, and had no idea why. Then I did a training course, and the coach said this one sentence that I remember before each corner until today and that changed my driving. He said "The professional rider has everything ready before he goes into the corner." - with everything meaning things like braking down to the right speed for the corner and having the right gear selected. After the course, I immediately noticed that I was simply doing all this stuff too late, leading to having too much speed within the corner and trying to brake while cornering to reduce that speed - spending valuable grip for breaking, which I would need for cornering instead. After changing my habits, cornering feels much better, and I lost my fear for corners.
Leaning is one of the sensations that has always made riding so enjoyable to me. I'm no "knee-dragger" or "peg scraper" but I love leaning into corners and straightening up coming out of them. Give me twisties where I lean one way then transition to leaning the other way and I'm in bliss.
Nice words.😊😊
Me too my g….
Point your nose, where ya want to goes!!! It works every time! A saying we came up with in our MSF class.
Fear of Leaning: I had that (and still rarely scrape pegs). What changed to allow me to lean lots more was buying new tires. Told myself, “If I can’t lean enough with these new tires, I’ll never be able to.” Also realized that many, many other riders of Goldwings lean a lot without going down, and that reality check bolstered my confidence to lean as required. Also, couldn’t agree more with the ‘turn your head’ advice, because it not only gets you directed to where you need to be but has the related effect of getting your eyes off of any fixation point. Good video. TY.
It's interesting, bordering on humourus, that you said new tires would help give you the confidence to lean.
Why? Because if you had previously been concerned about the integrity of the tread on the outer edges of your tires... those portions of your old tire were in fact probably still "like new"... from lack of use!
Using just Kevin's advice (rather than buying new tires) would have helped you "get your money's worth (out of the unused portion) of the old ones.
Regardless, good to hear you're no longer fearful of "heeling" it over. Oh, and don't ever be ashamed of not peg draggingn; that's just one step away from becoming a human pinwheel!
We need to remember that trail braking is a fine motor skill and should only be approached when skill and confidence with basic braking skills have been accomplished. Entry speed is a fundamental cornering skill- enter at a safe speed and only commit to the corner when you can see your exit. Add that to a delayed entry and cornering can be safe.
Another excellent video. I wanted to personally thank you, Kevin. I've been licensed since late 2006 but have only been riding since I bought our bikes early this January 2022. It's great UA-cam moto vloggers such as yourself that have properly taught me and my wife beyond what our sorry MSF class failed to offer. Your simple, calm and assuring tone coupled with your own experiences really lend to add value to our own riding skills as we strive to continue to improve with each and every ride. Keep up the great work and THANK YOU again for being such an asset to the motorcycle community and not being a clown as so many others aim to be these days. Be Safe & God Bless.
Same same with me!!! Licensed since 04 but got my bike and started riding this year! It's great, isn't it??? No doubt!
@@bigdaddyjoe2819 I am so glad that there’s someone like MCRider helping us be safer - I absolutely love riding and I feel so blessed to be doing so in a safer manner; all thanks to good guys like Kevin.
My biggest epiphany the moment I finally became comfortable with leaning through the turns at constant speed and allowing the bike to smoothly go through it's natural motion.
Good job, dude. Dumb#@$#'s with high visibility on social media have been promoting "trail braking" for all corners (most of them being the wrong time and place) for many years, now.
Great video Kevin! Spot on! Early in my riding education after the MSF Basic course, I signed up for and took the advanced riders course in which one of the instructors was over the top on turning one's head. I thank him to this day (that was early in the 1980's). That experience was like a light bulb going on for me as the fear of leaning went away (no longer focused on seeing that angle), and it got me away from fixating on potential crash targets. I even got to the point where I was scraping pegs before I realized it, so I was using more of the motorcycle's capability. I now remind myself - head and eyes up, turn, look through the corner, and when I do that, my riding in the twisty curves gets much much smoother and easier to negotiate.
Think the reason they say to turn the head and look down the road is so you can't fixate on trying to negotiate something you see ten feet in front, where it's too late to do anything about that anyway. Wish I was better at it.
LOOK where you want to go! Works in motorcycling, snowboarding and life for that matter. LOOK where you want to go and you can see where you'll end up.
Thank you, Kevin, great instruction every week!
In August I crashed in a corner. I didn't turn my head in the direction I needed to go and fixated on the ditch. I counter steered but the motorcycle was delayed in the response, wouldn't have been if I would have turned my head to where I needed to go instead of fixating on the the ditch. Very painful learning experience. This video covers everything I did wrong. 18 rib fractures on the left side definitely taught me a lesson. I am finally able to go back to work with a lot of discomfort but I am still alive. Deliberately practicing the cornering techniques in this video is a must.
My MSF course instructors could not stress enough about turning and looking through the corners. It works, I’ve seen it and done it! Another great video Kevin!
I have been riding for 4.5 years now. I have to say, watching your videos when I first got into motorcycles, you have taught me alot and have kept me safe for these years. Thank you for putting these videos on UA-cam. Looking where I want the motorcycle to go keeps me safe, in all situations. It effects the bikes balance so much. Watch thoes intersections.
3:10, riding with training wheels is completely different to riding without, once they're off the child basically has to re-learn to ride a bicycle: leaning, balance, steering.
Doesn't sound like you installed the kid's training wheels correctly or read the instructions. 🤔
Training wheels are designed to be raised over time, and you start off with them raised just a little so only 1 training wheel makes contact with the ground at a time (so the bike can lean a little). As the kid gets accustomed to that, you raise the training wheels a little more (allowing more lean). Eventually the training wheels get raised so high that they never make contact with the ground and can just be removed.
The kid isn't "relearning" anything.
@@beepbop6697 I never used training wheels, maybe that's why I was not aware of the entire process.
Another advantage to entering the corner late is that you can come out of the corner high or low (inside or outside). So if you are coming around at appropriate speed and suddenly there is a hazard to avoid, you can go to the inside or outside of the lane. If you enter the corner early, you are going to go outside.
I just started riding (motorcycles).
For 30 years I have logged thousands of miles road biking and I will tell you that has served me well in my ability now to maneuver my 500 LB. Kawasaki Versys 650 in a turn.
Hands down, the culprit in mishaps is poor planning and preparation approaching the turn. Namely….SPEED. Bleeding off the energy of the machine prior to turn entry vice while in the turn is key. ENERGY MANAGEMENT!!!!
It also helps being a commercial pilot where threat and error management and energy management go hand in hand. Motorcycling and the airline environment go hand in hand as well as it pertains to safety and preparations and planning ahead.
Thanks for all the great videos Kevin.
They have served me well for a green rider such as myself.
From local DFW resident.
This channel opened my eyes about riding. In recently took my A(Unrestricted) license. I'm a totally inexperienced rider although I have riden some bikes before. I'm currently saving some money to buy my first bike and I'm doing my research on what to lookout for. You sir gave me the confidence I need. Calm collective and direct. Thank for doing all you can informing new riders and giving tips how to ride safely. Remember your helmet folks and push to turn not the opposite.
That's great...thanks for the kind words.
"It Goes where you Look" applies to more than motorcycles. Very new General Aviation pilots, who are instructed to fly the plane straight and level, will BANK (and lose altitude) in the direction that they look. Pilots are always scanning left and right for traffic and new pilots then find themselves banking left and right without being aware they are doing it. So turning your whole head does work on a bike. You have to unlearn it in a plane. Your videos provide me with that needed recurrent training. Thanks.
Recently re-entered riding at the age of 67. It’s been about a decade since i’ve rode. While I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner I’m certainly not sharp as i once was. Watching your videos and having access to true advice is very helpful. After just a few hundred miles the comfort level is returning and I’m reminded why i loved riding in the 1st place. Spending time at our church parking lot helped regain my starting and stopping skills and sharpened confidence.
2011 Suzuki c50t is a perfect re-entry bike imho.
The delayed hot entry is why I hear so many new riders talk about decreasing radius curves. I live at the top of backwoods switchbacks...but NONE of them are decreasing radius.
However fast and too early make every corner into a decreasing radius curve as you are slung outside long before the curve straightens out.
Outstanding-video Kevin. Simply turning my head to look where I want to go has revolutionized my U-turns and cornering. Keep up the great work:)
I made the mistake of following another rider vs looking at the road and surface and speed and almost drove into a tree. your points are well taken and employed you have to be on guard all the time.
Thanks Kevin!
Another great video! Not only do I recommend your channel to new riders in the class but I watch to help me be a better rider coach. Thanks Kevin!
Solid Advice! when i was practicing for my motorcycle skills test, the most important lesson you must practice in the figure 8 box, was turn your head back toward the center of that box! its nearly impossible to do that figure 8 without turning your head completely toward the direction you need to go! that lesson teaches us the same thing on the road! turn your head in the direction you need that Bike to go! Thanks for the Video!
This is the best motorcycle channel on the internet. I visualize these lessons every time I get on the bike. Thanks!
There's a lot of good things to say for Slow, Look, Press & Roll when your not riding in your home territory. The 1st time I barreled into a unfamiliar cloverleaf a thousand miles from home only to find myself in a seriously diminishing circle at twice the speed I should have been was the last time I did that. Counter balancing and peg dragging will only get you so far. It cost me a new set of soles on my riding boots.
SLP&R are my friend in unfamiliar corners.😁
Trail braking is for unfamiliar corners.
It's not the fear of leaning - it's the fear of gravel in the corner.
grael also got you a few times and hurt like heck?
Thank you for all your work. Even tho I have been riding for many years I still learn much from the videos! I need to turn my head in turns more. I know that when I look at things off the road my bike tends to wander that way!
MCRider, at the 1:30-1:45 mark you just caused the light bulb to go "on" in my head. I've not understood the "slow, look, press & roll" statement, because no one ever gave visuals with it! Now you have and with practice, o will try to master it, so I don't look like a "newbie" or a "squid". Thank-you so much for the visuals! Doug🏍️👍⭐⭐⭐🐻🧸🤓
Good video Craig safe riding hope no wet leaves are in the corner now with fall weather coming on stay safe this weekend my friend god bless
A good time in the north to review the lessons for next spring.
I totally agree with you, Kevin. Thanks for doing what you do!
You are a wise teacher, thank you for your videos. If you're ever in southern England I would love to buy you a pint.
Thanks, Kevin. Another great video!
Some awesome riding tips. Thanks for sharing!
While I'm waiting to take my msf course I've been applying these techniques to my electric scooter riding and the looking where you want to go has really helped me when taking a corner at higher speeds. I used to slow down because i was focused on the ground in front of me now i can take the corners at full speed. I've noticed when you look through the turn my body will automatically make the adjustments without me having to think.
Thanks Kevin. When I took the MSF course, I was shocked at the effect that turning my head where I wanted to go had on my skills. It was the best advice 'Sonny', who I'm sure you know, gave us. It seems like I knew this when I was a kid riding my bicycle and later as an adolescent motorcycle rider, but had simply forgotten after a 35 year hiatus from riding. Delayed entry is another important concept that rattles many riders and is counterintuitive.
On entry, it can help to ride near the outside of the corner in question on approach... That means even a gentle swerve to the appropriate lane position, near the painted line. Note that I said NEAR the painted line, not edged right against it and NOT on top of the thing... Around a foot (give or take) between the line and your front tire should suffice just fine...
Using your peripheral vision, wait for the line to start approaching the tire, as you slow to entry speed, and THEN "tip in". Point your nose where you want to go, and you'll likely find it not only "do-able" but comfortable leaning in to approach the inside and through apexing to the exit.
Keep in mind, that "apexing" is a verb, and YOU CHOOSE where any "apex" is in any turn. It's JUST whereabouts you are closest to the inside boundaries of the turn... Whether you're within inches of the drop-off from hard-shoulder to dirt or ditchline, or you're a foot or more away from the line(s) on that side of the lane... The same personal judgment also governs how long you spend "apexing", whether you're comfortable just barely brushing past "the apex" you've chosen... OR you let the bike coast or engine brake further, allowing you to stick to the inside line as you exit, probably setting yourself up for the outside track on approaching the next turn the opposite direction...
Once you're pointed out to the next straight-away, and lean angle is becoming upright, you're relatively free to roll on the throttle and power out of the turn.
Maybe you're familiar with this style, and maybe I'm just giving an elaborate description for others to see and think about... I hope it helps when I put what you're thinking about into language and description. I hope it's adequate to advance and grow skill (for anybody). ;o)
Hi Kev, just need some guidance as I ride the real hairpin bends we have here in the Black Forest region of Germany. When I say hair pin I really mean spin on a dime corners. Any advice you can offer dragging the front brakes is a definite no no because of the acuteness of the bend. So I have sort of been experimenting to find the right cornering method. Going downhill not the curve is straight forward as you really look at where you want to go and let the momentum of the bike and the downhill ratio takes care of the speed side, but on the ascent you really need to balance the clutch, throttle and of course look where your going. Any tips you can offer ? Btw will plan on doing a BMW safety class soon as I am an experienced rider but no my how experience you are always learning
Corners are my biggest problem, especially if it's been a while. The first few I encounter, I'm cautious and slow down so that I don't have enough speed to run wide. But even after riding a while on a curvy road and picking up more confidence, I do these short correcting moves throughout the corner, instead of keeping the handlebar steady. Maybe inch, 1 1/2" of back and forth with the hands. It's a fear of leaning too much, fear of running across a rock or some other debris while leaning, or overshooting and ending up left of center because of too much speed, or thinking the pavement is going to do something weird before I exit. Just something I'll have to get over.
Great advice and well stated sir!
Thanks for the knowledge big boss……..
Thanks again!
I use a combination of turning my head and looking through the turn as well as scanning the road right in front of me. I do this to look for any type of debris such as gravel or sand or whatever that could be there to ruin my day if I don’t see it . If you just focus on where you want the bike to go, there is a lot of road that is not being seen and especially when in a turn, you want to know what’s right in front of you and not just the final destination at the end of your turn.
Thanks Kevin! Avoiding target fixation is the same street, and dirt. It's something we all need to practice, and hear it in our heads always. 57? years of riding, and I still need to tell myself not to look at what I don't want to hit. 🤣
I agree that looking where you want to wind up will cover up most other sins in cornering. When I was relearning to ride a few years back, that was what 'fixed' my cornering. Great video!
You have very good content. Thanks
Another excellent reminder that should benefit new and seasoned riders. I have found turning my shoulders/upper body helps with turning my head and looking through the corner. Especially helpful with slow speed U-turns. Counter balance also helps let the bike lean without me feeling the sensation of the lean at slow or higher speeds.
Slow, look,press, and roll great way to build confidence. It's all baby steps at first spend the time in the saddle work your way up to trail braking. Have fun and be patient.
Greetings from the pprc great video as usual thanks for doing it for us.🇺🇸🏍
Happy Friday Kevin thank you for all your information as usual very informative praying you and your family have a blessed weekend
thank you for the information.
Trail braking is not a beginner technique. It’s another tool to add to the toolbox later on when the rider is ready for new skills.
Another good vid! Thanks
Could you do a segment on motorcycles values and prices?
I don't apex on the street. I stay in the center of the lane throughout the corner. I feel apex is dangerous on the street by dangers of head on traffic or obstacles on the shoulder.
Thanks again for helping out us new riders. 👍
No problem 👍
Another great video.
While motorcycles are exciting, there's also a LOT to be said for not letting yourself get TOO excited on the saddle. Yes, it's fun as hell, and all... At the same time, there's only so much adrenaline any of us can take AND still be capable of thinking and making sound decisions and judgments... In the beginning, EVERYTHING about riding is a little bit scary, unnerving, and even anxiety inducing. It's easy to get overwhelmed.
Even just being able to make yourself pull off to a shoulder or "look-out spot" or into a parking lot conveniently for a breather and to stretch your legs (and back?) can be the difference between "slipping behind your own bike" and "having the bandwidth to keep planning AHEAD". Taking a breather is NOT quitting the ride, and if friends aren't willing to let you return some sanctity to your mind then they aren't the best choice of riding coaches for you... Whether that means you're just better off to ride alone a while for practical applications on the road, or you can go on your own to FIND a better coach and riding buddy, that's up to you and your circumstances.
Just remember that adrenaline doesn't instantly go away when we no longer need it. That residual builds up over time, and at your body's limit to dealing with the stuff, there comes a break-down of mental faculties, where instincts take over and you CAN NOT THINK... at least, not straight. It takes time to build up your tolerance to adrenaline and anxieties on the road, so breaking a lengthy riding session into smaller or shorter "manageable chunks" is important in the beginning.
It's NOT always speed beyond your skill that is "riding past your limits", so take note of your personal ability to handle both ordinary excitement and outright horrific FEAR, because your body CAN NOT TELL the difference between adrenaline from excitement or sex (even) and adrenaline from TERROR. It's ALL "adrenaline" as far as your brain and body is concerned. ;o)
Grip is finite, radius = MPH, look where you want to go. Don’t accelerate until you see your exit. Great distinction between new riders and more experienced ones. Trail braking for the later.
Since I'm one that watched this video, I better practice turning my head more. Great tip. Thank you.
DO NOT speed.
OBEY the law.
Do NOT enter a bend/curve TOO Fast.
Use Common Sense.
Be Accountable, be Responsible.
NOT hard.
Entry speed, lean angle, counter steering. The best method is the one that works for you.
Wise words. !!!!
Mr MCR you where talking tire patch look at the MC rider decal in the bottom right corner looks like a motorcycle tire patch, what do you think?
I typically find a good rider on correctly maintained motorcycle can normally go through a curve 20 to 25 mph above posted corner speed. That is fine but we have lots of logging and agriculture in this area. Around any curves you are likely to fine wet blocks of mud as big as a five gallon bucket or a slick 40 yards long. A few bark slabs and small limbs now and then. Of course this is on the nice back roads with curves. We also have a high number of deer and older rural people subject to be easing along way under the speed limit. So corner burning in this area is like playing Russian Rollet with a semi automatic.
I ride two up 99% on an 18 Indian chieftain and we aren't small people. I find myself really working on curves and slow speed maneuvering. I've noticed that in curves I am more confident counter steering with my torso leaning but my hips swiveling opposite of the curve. It feels like it would help traction if the bulk of my weight is on the seat or pushing opposite the curve versus counter steering AND leaning while pulling my lower body over. Thoughts ?
Outside, inside, outside, lean that machine, smooth, no jerks or abrupt motions. All the gear all the time.
Great advice matey 😝👍 Respect from steve in Bundaberg Australia 🇦🇺🕺🥤
One easy way as a beginner and I do too, is watch the speed limit on the road usually speed limit on the road you can do a tight curve with no problem if the speed limit is 30 mph don’t go at higher speed and you will do it safely 🤔 if you go at 60 mph on the road that got the yellow sign that says 30 or 40 speed limit before the curve FALLOW the signs is you best guide 👍
Your graphic 5 minutes in shows the difference in attitude that I see between instructors here in New Zealand and UA-camrs from the US. The orange line is definitely going to get a rider into trouble, but the green line would also be considered an early tip in based on the training I have received. The green line still sees the rider end up to the outside of the lane, the instruction I have received would see tip in delayed until the inner black line can be seen, the appeals perhaps further around and the rider leaves the corner parallel to the lane not drifting from inside to out. This technique is prescribed irrespective of whether the rider is using slow look press and roll or trail braking.
I went for a one on one lesson the morning after buying my first bike, and after doing some suburban riding we went out on a twisty back road to get experience of riding at 100kmph on this type of road.
I think newer riders are afraid the motorcycle will slide if they lean. (Me 15 years ago) Maybe you could come up with a diagram or example that would be more reassuring about how far you can safely lean? I enjoy your videos! Thanks!
Done... www.mcrider.com/how-far-can-you-lean-before-you-lose-traction/
;)
@@MCrider Thanks! Good info! 👍
@@MCrider
So you see this video link? Your cruiser can't lean far enough to use all the traction simply through turning. You have traction leftover for braking, no matter how far you lean. So you can continue to hold some level of brake until you're happy, without any further clarification of what "happy" means.
If you entered a corner too fast for your cruiser, you won't make it. But holding as much brake as you dare while leaned so far the sparks start flying, that's the best you can do. So it's the right response.
If you're on a sport bike, you might still make it. You can take corners at higher speeds than on a cruiser. But you need to lean deeper. And to do that, you need to let off the brakes. So you can't simply "hold brake until you're happy with your speed and direction." This becomes bad advice. It's not advisable to take corners that fast on the street. But it can happen whether on purpose or because you missed a sign or two.
You didn't teach people how to trail brake incorrectly. Champ School did. But you're endorsing it by telling people you always trail brake on the street, now. You should, because you ride a cruiser. Anyone riding a sport bike slow as a cruiser, they can do that, too. But if you ride a sport bike at ill-advised speeds through the corner, you can't trail brakes deep. Not the way that everyone is trying to teach it, today.
Follow nascar drivers going in n out of a corner. Left turns taking outside n turning to the inside. Right turns= inside to outside.Both instances you'll be able to see oncoming traffic.
I lean rather hard which is why after 35 years of riding I finally got smart and bought a BMW. No scraping anymore.
Great advice, through watching your videos I am on my way to having to get new floor boards 🤣 I really never was afraid to lean just corrected some of my entry techniques into the curves and now I lean harder Scrapping alot but with "grace and smoothness " if I can say that .. the head I agree is so Important and I often find myself saying turn that head remembering what you have said countless times. Thanks again. God Bless
What is the solution to realizing you are going too fast? I approach corners in the ways you describe as best for new riders, but if i make an error, because i am human and make many, what do i do?
Trail braking
Sincerely, it's almost magical. Turn your head and the bike will follow.. Don't glance, TURN your head in a way that your chest follows the turn and the bike will sheepishly follow the turn.
If you want an example when I say a hair pin bend just look up Stelvio Pass,
Much of this reminds me of surfing or skiing. Look where you want to go. If you look at the ground that's where you'll end up.
Constructive Feedback: If u move outdoors and make videos demonstrating with a motorcycle. That would improve the views and subscribers rapidly
Some people did not spend much time peddling a bike before going for a motorcycle. its the same thing only faster and the engine does all the work , easy
Even a Nascar racer slows entering a turn and accelerates out!
Honda Goldwing riders cannot " trail brake" because the rear brake activates one disc on the front wheel with lesser force.
As a rider of older kick start bikes I slow entering corners out of habit. I'm no " racer" and I know where my enjoyment is, getting to where I'm riding to!
Thanks Kevin, riders with something to prove are just dangerous and alone or with my Lady prefer to live during my rides.
You all are in my prayers
Hoka Hey
? You use both brakes when you trail brake , so Goldwings just do some of it for you.
Slow look press and roll can still include trail breaking. It says nothing about coming off the breaks.
Not according to the range cards used by Rider Coaches. This is directly from the MSF Rider Coach cards for the cornering exercise.
"• On signal, you will ride the oval to the left in 2nd gear
• Before passing each entry cone, brake to entry speed without squeezing the clutch
• Look through turn and maintain or increase speed gradually through turn
• Once completed to the left, the exercise will be reversed"
It is impossible to "maintain or increase speed gradually through the turn" if you are still actively applying the front brakes.
New riders need slow look and lean because you need a buffer for when there is an unexpected obstacle in a corner. Trail braking gives you less buffer if not done well. New riders should really get on to practicing trail braking pretty quickly, we're not talking years or 1000s of miles of experience.
Miscalculation of the speed into the corner.
First wreck was because I didn’t know how to counter steer. Never made that mistake again.
Road bikes with their road tires are much fun going off a hard surface road when it becomes a grassy down slopes along that road. You will be experiencing something that luck best be with you, Ha!
Why folks would want a new rider, a learner on a motorcycle to practice a more advance riding skill is beyond me. So many riders speed through corners and crash.
Never go straight , always Forward , never straight
Nice Royal Enfield in your miniature
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can keep up with.
What happens when a slow-look-lean-roll rider arrives in a corner too hot? He runs wide, and there is no plan B. Trail braking says slow until you are satisfied with the direction of the bike. Seems like a safer plan for beginning riders, but we'll never know for sure unless MSF switches to trail braking in it's BRC and teaches it for ten years or so.
Thanks once again, Kevin. Your videos like this one benefit not only novice riders, but also experienced riders. Turning one's head in turns is one of those fundamentally excellent reminders for novice and experienced riders alike. One area that I continually must fight my natural instincts is turning my head enough in slow U-turns. I know what to do, but still struggle against my instinct to target-fix. I will commit to at least an hour of practice each week dedicated to practicing U-turns the right way. Keep up the excellent work! 😀
Trail breaking is important, but next level. It’s too overwhelming for novices, plus their corner entry speed is not fast enough yet
In the immortal words of Tucan Sam , " follow your nose wherever it goes!"
Slow in , fast out
Don't kids ride bicycles for 10 years solid before getting a motor vehicle license. Two wheels is the same physics despite weight and horsepower.
"4 common reasons why riders crash in corners" - #5: Alcohol
Yes. It's all in the head
Egos exceed skills for most riders. Full stop.
They want to look cool and look like they have mad skills. They are afraid of looking like the new guy.
Sadly, you see a lot of unskilled veteran riders as well. They think that because they have been riding for x years they know everything and have all the skills. Mostly the opposite is true, they have out-dated knowledge and poor skills due to not practicing.
That’s the unvarnished truth.
What about slow and trail as you look and maintain throttle until you have a clear exit. Then off trail breaking and accelerate out. It seems to me the two can be combined for street riding. Track riding is different.