Our advice for taking a bend on a motorcycle

Posted on by admin

September 6, 2018

If you just passed the motorcycle license exam, the memories of driving school to take a curve should still be fresh. But at first, negotiating a turn can be scary. Here are some tips for maneuvering as well as possible avoiding slipping and skidding and reducing the risk of an accident.

Our advice for taking a turn on a motorcycle

Precautions to be taken before the turn

It is essential to observe the environment. You will adapt your driving depending on traffic more or less fluid. Watch out for other users. On the road, you are never alone. Even in the open country, beware of a agricultural machine that may encroach on your way; but also the presence of animals.

Observe the road surfacing. With experience, young riders will learn to detect white stripes, bumps in the asphalt, potholes, leaves, chippings, as well as sand and salt in winter, which can prove to be real dangers for bikers. . Be careful when the road is wet: the road becomes slippery and you risk losing control and falling.

The look is essential, not only to anticipate risks but also to take its best course. The brain must be able to imagine the road as a drawing to be analyzed. Anxious beginners tend to focus on the route itself. Try to detach yourself from this behavior looking towards the farthest exit point.

Your gaze will accompany your movement. The same thing happens when you want to overtake: look straight ahead and not the car, otherwise your brain will subconsciously pull your body towards the vehicle. !

All these elements taken into account, you just have to prepare your maneuver by adapting your speed.

Take a turn

Right turn

Be sure to adopt a good posture. The whole body plays a role: stay supported on your legs and not on the buttocks, keep your back straight. Your feet should remain parallel while resting on the footrests.

Unlike the cliches, your thighs and knees stay tight on the tank. They will help you keep your balance on your bike and help you feel it when you need to look away, such as checking blind spots. Keep your hands on the handlebars without tensing too much to maintain the flexibility of your motorcycle and better handling.

Refocus on the lane, moving slightly closer to the passing line side. Be sure to stay on your side! Keep the motorcycle straight and slow down. Take a look at the road conditions, then ahead and around to assess the dangers.

If everything is clear, start tilting your motorcycle and refocus slightly towards the shoulder..

When you turn right, step on the right foot and tilt the left knee inside the turn, towards the frame of the two-wheeler.

Upon exiting the turn, you will find yourself in the center of your lane. You can straighten up gradually release the brake and slowly pick up speed.

Left turn

Perform the same movements in mirror. Approach the passing lines while keeping your distance: vyour head may end up in the opposite lane during a sharp left or hairpin bend !

So pay attention to your inclination! This involves adapting your trajectory by staying far enough from the inside edge.

When you bend over you should feel your center of gravity. Step on the left foot and then tilt the right knee towards the frame. Then resume the outside of the turn by accelerating on the straight line.

Precautions in a bend

Pay attention to do not brake suddenly ! Modulate your braking fluidly or play with the engine brake. Use your front brake as little as possible in the turn, and the rear brake sparingly. Do not accelerate too fast so as not to cause the rear wheel to skid. Avoid steering sharply.

Usually, the experienced motorcyclist will tend to take turns without reducing speed. Be careful, however, of speeding, which can expose you to a withdrawal or suspension of your driving license !

Always keep road safety rules in mind and never forget your motorcycle equipment. Certain rider postures are not recommended on the road. There is no one technique for negotiating a turning point.

All motorcycles are different. You will not have the same behavior on a Harley Davidson or on a sports bike like a Suzuki GSXR or a Ducati Panigale, on a superbike or even less on a scooter.

In general, avoid the "sway". When the rider leans the body more than the motorcycle, the head is completely inside the turn; the rider suffers from an obvious lack of visibility and it is difficult for him to change course if a vehicle arrives in the opposite direction.

The public highway is not a circuit. For fun, opt for a motorcycle riding course.

If you are not yet confident, consider following a practical training during a motorcycle refresher course in driving school.

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