Courtesy of the Founder Mario:
This is an e-mail about cornering:
QUESTION:
"I just got the f4i as my first bike and am looking for some advice for cornering on the track. Can you give me some advice on how to learn to corner. I currently can get the bike leaned over quite a bit....however not to the point where the pegs touch though. I suppose my problem is getting scared to lean the bike that little bit more. I suppose I brake too much going in to the corner and don't carry enough speed to neccessitate leaning the bike to the extent I would like to attain. Is there any visualizations I can practice, a focal point I should focus on going into the corner. Can you tell me what goes through your head and how you corner the bike. I see your posts on the board and obviously you have a good idea of what your doing. Thanks, Jay Hunter"
ANSWER:
"Hi Jason !
Wow, an F4i as a first bike.... be careful, it can bite you !
Ok, now for the cornering bit :-)
First, feel confortable on the bike. You shouldn't have any stressed muscles while stopped and seating correctly.
When aproaching a turn, we tend to leave braking for the last second and then lean as far as we can, right ? Well, it should not exactly be like that. Brake a bit earlier, but apply less pressure on the brake lever. And remember, DON'T USE YOUR REAR BRAKE ON THE TRACK. It took me a few laps on my first track day to believe that it's much better using only the front brake!
The entrance into a corner is probably the most important thing. It determines right away if you'll do the rest of it quickly or will be trying to catch up. I usually still outbreak myself, then release the brakes in a snap, while I suddenly notice I have to lean all the way if I want to make the curve. That is wrong. I am learning that the more smooth you are into the corner, the quicker you'll go, even if you don't feel as much "on the edge". It's true !
So, brake earlier, but not as hard, and don't panic if you're getting into the curve a couple of mph quicker than you expected. Current bikes can handle amazing angles of lean, with pegs and pipes scraping and sparks going ablaze. Just make sure you don't do sudden moves on the bike, and let it "flow" into the curve.
As for the position on the bike, on a track, I get myself ready while braking (i know, it unbalances a bit the bike, but it pays when begining to lean) and get half a cheek out. Then when I reach the entrance point and need to lean, I get myself OUT of the bike, supported by the inside foot and using my inner thigh to hold on to the bike. To "dive" into the corner quicker (when you get more experienced) try pushing a bit the handlebar opposite to where you want the bike to lean (counter steering). You may also try it while going straight on the road, just try pushing to the front the opposite handlebar to where you want to lean. Or, better yet, ride with one hand only and when you lean, think about how your arm is pushing/pulling the handlebar ;-)
In the middle of the turn, DON'T move on the bike or decide you need your foot more to the right, or your arm more open, or whatever. Ride it like you are. So try to get it right on the way in :-) Spread your legs, in order for your inside knee to start making a 90º angle with the bike. DO NOT lower your knee to touch the ground, just "open" it to the outside. Use it to "feel" the distance to the ground, not to support your weight. And remember, at first, you'll feel akward and unconfortable in these positions, but you'll end up never again being able to lean very far without coming out of the bike :-) You should apply like 5% of the throttle even before coming out of the turn, let's say at around 2/3 of the turn. It makes the bike feel much more planted, and not putting as much strain on the front tire.
As soon as you see the exit point, get the bike straight, keeping in mind that you can use the full width of the track, so aiming the bike to the outside white line (don't go over it !!!!!!!!!!!) to have it as straight as possible, give it gas (full gas, on a 600, usually) and then pull yourself onto the bike again (very hard on a 600, let alone on a 'thou !!!). Then off to the next corner, to do it all over again.
So basically:
1) Don't brake as hard, by braking earlier. The bike will be more "smooth" entering the corner.
2) Don't do any sudden changes to lean angle or your position on the bike. Give 5% throttle as soon as possible, usually even before the apex.
3) Get the bike straight, using all the track, and then pull yourself on top of the bike again.
Mawfaki #6
Nesba #819
I'm not Asian... I'm rice-enhanced