Rounding Curves - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

jkersh · 09-01-2006, 08:12 AM

I havent been riding for a long time but I am learning a little bit. I have no problem scraping pegs at 45 mph but yesterday I scraped at 70 and it scared the stuff out of me. I really didnt feel confortable leaning that much at that speed. Is there more of a chance of breaking traction at 70 rather than 40 or am I just being a chicken?

**intimid8er** · 09-01-2006, 08:46 AM

Nah....just kiddin' man!!!

Seriously. At the risk of sounding like some abstract Jedi Master. Only you know the answer to your question.

Yes there are physical limits of adhesion.
Yes there are forces of physics at work.
Yes things could go wrong.

The biggest problem you have though is worring about that peg mount catching the ground and levering the front tire off the ground.

If your slinging a cruiser around corners that fast, try moving your weight to the inside of the seat in the corner.

blackie1491 · 09-01-2006, 11:18 AM

Timmy
I am proud of you, several Thursday's have passed and no poop threads.

Cool nights but Sunny days, foot is better, hitting the road.

Work hard, long weekend for us up in the frozen North, time to ride.

Rickster · 09-01-2006, 03:36 PM

Not only is there more danger, but if you do lose traction, you are going to slide a lot further, or if you hit something, stop a lot faster, as in sudden impact. Same lean angle at higher speed means more G forces.
Sport bike tires have a different rubber compuond, and will grip better, but you put enough force on anything, and it will slip, slide, move, whatever.

**Clint** · 09-02-2006, 09:58 AM

You won't break traction with your limited lean angle unless you're doing something stupid such as braking or "pushing the bike down", meaning you have backward riding position. Like Inspiron said, you should shift your butt inside and lean slightly, as if trying to kiss your inside mirror. This is not the same as "hanging off" a racebike, so don't feel like you're being wreckless. It's just good riding technique.

blackie1491 · 09-02-2006, 04:19 PM

Taking a curve reduces the contact patch of your tires, abrout changes such as chaging gears or slamming on the brakes can cause sever problems.
Set your self up with shifting and or braking before the curve.
Slow in, power out.

A gentle braking in the curve will work if at the same time you increase the lean angle. Applying brakes, even gently will stand the bike upright increasing the radius of the turn, not good in most cases.

A steep lean angle leaves you with little room for correction.
A race track has a surface that is clean, better corner visability.
A curve/corner on a road may have hidden hazzard.
The idiot making a u-turn, the rider on a horse, the rider on a bike on the wrong side of the road, a semi taking the turn in your lane. The ladies walking their dogs taking up most of your lane. The farm tractor travelling at 10 kms an hour.

I have had each of these in the past couple of months.
The gravel truck, backing into a driveway, on a blind curve, taking up both lanes, was the one that had me shaking.

**intimid8er** · 09-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

You won't break traction with your limited lean angle unless you're doing something stupid such as braking or "pushing the bike down", meaning you have backward riding position. Like Inspiron said, you should shift your butt inside and lean slightly, as if trying to kiss your inside mirror. This is not the same as "hanging off" a racebike, so don't feel like you're being wreckless. It's just good riding technique.

Hey! When the eff did Jim comment in this thread!!!

ChicsterMG · 09-03-2006, 06:52 PM

I'm surprised nobody touch on this before.
Not to judge, but maybe, and I say maybe 'cause I don't have all the facts, but...
Scraping pegs on a Rebel or any other type cruiser tells you may be taking the corner a bit too aggressively. I would say that you might want to consider slowing down and staying within your abilities.

But like others said if you're gonna do it (it happens), stay with it. Don't let off or hit the brakes. Roll the throttle a little to keep you suspension stiff, and you will tke it through to the end.

Sorry if I sound condesending. Just want you to stay safe.

**drgibson** · 09-03-2006, 09:32 PM

Jim / Tim eh what's the diff.

blackie1491 · 09-03-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

Jim / Tim eh what's the diff.

I thought one was the Swiss verson of the other.

**Clint** · 09-04-2006, 06:04 AM

Sorry! Skimming past, your usernames look similar.

**inspiron** · 09-05-2006, 01:14 AM

I think I know the difference...

Smurf · 09-05-2006, 10:53 AM

I don't think you have anything to worry about with just the pegs scraping. Start worrying when the pipes scrape the ground (BTDT).
That's when you know you have gone toooo far.

Ext1jdh · 09-05-2006, 02:08 PM

Just take a hammer and flatten out the side of the pipes so you can lean farther. Or just cut em off before they widen out. Yeah baby.

09-01-2006, 08:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
jkersh TurtleWax Taster Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: '02 750 ACE Location: 34 59.613n 094 30.852w Posts: 567	Rounding Curves I havent been riding for a long time but I am learning a little bit. I have no problem scraping pegs at 45 mph but yesterday I scraped at 70 and it scared the stuff out of me. I really didnt feel confortable leaning that much at that speed. Is there more of a chance of breaking traction at 70 rather than 40 or am I just being a chicken? __________________ There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

09-01-2006, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 9,795	Nah....just kiddin' man!!! Seriously. At the risk of sounding like some abstract Jedi Master. Only you know the answer to your question. Yes there are physical limits of adhesion. Yes there are forces of physics at work. Yes things could go wrong. The biggest problem you have though is worring about that peg mount catching the ground and levering the front tire off the ground. If your slinging a cruiser around corners that fast, try moving your weight to the inside of the seat in the corner. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 10/08 The Butthole Surfer's - Who Was In My Room Last Night? <Insert nothing original in this space>

09-01-2006, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,984	Not only is there more danger, but if you do lose traction, you are going to slide a lot further, or if you hit something, stop a lot faster, as in *sudden impact*. Same lean angle at higher speed means more G forces. Sport bike tires have a different rubber compuond, and will grip better, but you put enough force on anything, and it will slip, slide, move, whatever. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

09-02-2006, 04:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,247	Taking a curve reduces the contact patch of your tires, abrout changes such as chaging gears or slamming on the brakes can cause sever problems. Set your self up with shifting and or braking before the curve. Slow in, power out. A gentle braking in the curve will work if at the same time you increase the lean angle. Applying brakes, even gently will stand the bike upright increasing the radius of the turn, not good in most cases. A steep lean angle leaves you with little room for correction. A race track has a surface that is clean, better corner visability. A curve/corner on a road may have hidden hazzard. The idiot making a u-turn, the rider on a horse, the rider on a bike on the wrong side of the road, a semi taking the turn in your lane. The ladies walking their dogs taking up most of your lane. The farm tractor travelling at 10 kms an hour. I have had each of these in the past couple of months. The gravel truck, backing into a driveway, on a blind curve, taking up both lanes, was the one that had me shaking. Last edited by blackie1491; 09-04-2006 at 01:11 PM.

09-03-2006, 06:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
ChicsterMG Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: May 2005 Bike: Boulevard C50 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 3,506	I'm surprised nobody touch on this before. Not to judge, but maybe, and I say maybe 'cause I don't have all the facts, but... Scraping pegs on a Rebel or any other type cruiser tells you may be taking the corner a bit too aggressively. I would say that you might want to consider slowing down and staying within your abilities. But like others said if you're gonna do it (it happens), stay with it. Don't let off or hit the brakes. Roll the throttle a little to keep you suspension stiff, and you will tke it through to the end. Sorry if I sound condesending. Just want you to stay safe. __________________ Sometimes you need to ask yourself, "WWGD?"...Just be awesome, that's all! GUT-CUT 2007: 177 LBS. 160 LBS.

09-01-2006, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,247	Timmy I am proud of you, several Thursday's have passed and no poop threads. Cool nights but Sunny days, foot is better, hitting the road. Work hard, long weekend for us up in the frozen North, time to ride.

09-03-2006, 09:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,683	Jim / Tim eh what's the diff. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

09-05-2006, 01:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,947	I think I know the difference... __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

09-05-2006, 10:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,287	I don't think you have anything to worry about with just the pegs scraping. Start worrying when the pipes scrape the ground (BTDT). That's when you know you have gone toooo far. __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

09-05-2006, 02:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ext1jdh Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Sold Location: Elgin, IL, US Posts: 5,252	Just take a hammer and flatten out the side of the pipes so you can lean farther. Or just cut em off before they widen out. Yeah baby. __________________ I am lurking. I am likely to be eaten by a grue.

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