What to do after going wide

RIQUE · 03-14-2011, 10:45 PM

Hey folks, I took my recently acquired SRR on my second spirited ride on some uphill twistees. This is one fast bike that I ride with utmost respect.
On my way down hill I was doing pretty good while engine brakeing in 5th n 4th, I then reached a complicated S curve took the first curve fine but when I hit the second left turn I ran wide and nearly crapped my pants. I know riding twistees up or down hill is far more complicated than doing this on a flat surface. My question is what is one supposed to do when you run wide other than keeping your cool in order to correct your line.

**1000RR** · 03-14-2011, 10:53 PM

My suggestion as the #1 thing to do is: Look (refocus) on where you want the bike to go. This sounds easy, but takes some practice training your mind to QUIT looking at what ever danger has presented itself (if you run wider and wider, then go off the road). You'll be surprised just how much the bike can do. You'll also be pleasantly surprised just how quick the bike will go where you're looking. This is good and bad. As I alluded to above... if you're looking at the danger (guard rail, tree, cliff, gravel, etc.), it can work against you, because you'll end up going right for what ever you're looking at. But if you talk yourself out of looking at that crap, but rather looking where you NEED the bike to go... just the same it'll go there too! Have faith!! Trust the bike.

Best thing to do is go to the track and work on some technique there. There's a lot of great people at the track that are more than willing to help you out. You're likely to learn more in a couple days of track days than you have in 10+ years of street riding.

That's my $.02...

kanankeban · 03-14-2011, 11:09 PM

Well...The first thing to do is not run wide

...well if you are already inside that problem...well, first thing to do dont hit the break or chop the throttle, lean more and you can do a technique called hook turn to rapidly go inside...Ill just lean more, trust my tires and keep the throttle going...you´ll have plenty of time afterward to panic and freek out! If you hit the breaks the bike will stand up running wider or if you hit it to much youll loose the front...same thing if you chop the throttle the weight transfers to the front (same thing as breaking) got it?
Some times when if have runed wide i have done a controled break and getting off the throttle slowly and going off the road...well thats because it was obious that there was space to do some motocross...if not im sure i will do the first recomendation...trust tires, lean more, and keep the throttle going smoothly after the more leaning is done...

RIQUE · 03-14-2011, 11:12 PM

I totally agree. Looking is paramount. I look in, apex, exit. This works 100% of the time but this particular episode I was in too fast and I had to either brake or lean the bike. If I had braked chances the bike would have stood up and sent me out even wider. I gave the brake a snap and leaned the bike over hopeing not to max out and slide.

Quarantine · 03-15-2011, 01:44 AM

like whats being stated above, look where you want to go and the bike will go there. let go of the throttle, but don't use the brake, or if you do no heavy braking.

Stang10189 · 03-15-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quarantine

like whats being stated above, look where you want to go and the bike will go there. let go of the throttle, but don't use the brake, or if you do no heavy braking.

part of your advice is good but telling someone to let go of the throttle is very bad advice. letting go of the throttle (chopping it) in a heavy lean will cause the front tire to become over loaded and wash out. better advice would be to maintain or slowly increase throttle to transfer the weight of the bike to the back tire and increase your lean and counter steer the bike will turn and lean a lot more then you think

FIDO · 03-15-2011, 08:01 AM

Grab Keith Code's book(s) and/or video(s).

https://secure.echoalley.com/superbikeschool/store/

If you can arrange it, take the classes. I can't tell you how much I've improved my street and track riding - this will be my third year in a row.

RIQUE · 03-15-2011, 08:25 AM

Fido, do you need to have experience to take the course. e.i. having raced o done track. I have never been on a race track although I have many miles from travelling.

**chopt** · 03-15-2011, 08:36 AM

As stated above, look where you want to go. Then drop your inside arm and T U R N. Sounds simple but, turn the bike. You'll be surprised that's all it takes. PS: don't chop the throttle, continue using maintenance throttle. You're going to build confidence once your comfortable with the bike's ability.

poiteau · 03-15-2011, 08:40 AM

This kind of topic is interesting because it shows the riding skills are not pure science. One issue and many how to solve ways regarding personal experiences.
About mine, and for low speed corners (in 1st or 2nd gear) I use the here under tricks, up to you to you to test them :
- before apex and at the all end of the brake phase I shut down the throttle => it helps the front end of the bike to go to the apex. If you want to appreciate this, you can stop braking a lit bit too early then to shut down throttle, the bike goes to the apex in a natural way.
- after the apex, I start to throttle just at the apex in a progressive maner=> it avoids to go too wide as a "free" bike does. Despte of that and in case of too widing lane, I use the rear brake in the same time I throttle : it makes use the "chain effect" (sorry, I did not know the english words) as a counter part.