What is it about right hand curves?
I have been training motorcycle riders cornering techniques for quite a few years now and have been pondering the subtleties of the Right Hand Curve.
The basic concept is really quite simple. We approach the start of the curve in as wide a position as we can, this maximises our field of vision through the curve, and we also have to maintain a constant road speed and then finish the curve in tight, which for a right hand curve, is about at the right hand wheel track.
Riders do not seem to be able to resist the desire to come to the right hand wheel track well before the end of the curve, resulting in poor road positioning and the necessity to frequently realign the bike which not only looks untidy, it is also unstabilising, decreasing your safety buffer. The same riders have less of an issue with a left hand curve.
Is it the relationship that we have with the right hand wheel track as a car driver? In a car we are stuck in the right hand wheel track and never really move away.
I am thinking that it is being in the “passenger seat” whilst in the left hand wheel track that makes it psychologically uncomfortable when negotiating a right hand curve, the rider really wants to be in the “driver’s seat’ and makes every effort to get there. Thoughts please.
Anyway have a great 2015 and by adopting one of the fundamentals of motorbike riding “eyes up and look well ahead” for hazards of all types both on the road and in your everyday life, your chances of mishaps are greatly diminished.
Safe riding in 2015 and beyond from Brad and the InBalance team.
