Rider Choices on Novice Cornering Techniques

What the Professionals Say:

Peter Clifford, the author of Motor Cycle Road Racing (1982), discusses in-depth how the motor cycle in motion, at speed, turns itself in the direction of the lean “to stop itself from falling on its side.” There are several interesting aspects covered in Clifford’s book, not fully relayed in other writings including torque forces around the front and rear sprocket that should also be considered in any technical outlay of braking in a corner. But the most revealing comment is on page 193 stating “a few short sessions cannot relay the years of concentrated learning.” Truly feeling how the motorcycle reacts to input in a few short Basic Rider Course sessions can’t possibly relay the comfortable, smooth, and precise movements necessary for all novice-level riders.

Keith Code, states that being “Off-the-gas makes the rear suspension compress along with the front suspension. If you come off the gas mid-turn, you lose cornering ground clearance at both ends instantly.” One of the main rules Code emphasizes, is once you apply the throttle, it should be rolled on smoothly throughout the turn. The rule then implies, that slowing and braking for the turn is accomplished before entry, – conceivably to help stabilize the motorcycle and establish down-force by using throttle. When Keith describes throttle control for the ideal line, it is a line allowing the throttle to be applied through the curve, whereas if a line does not allow the throttle to be applied, it is not a good line. How would you take this inference?

One of the main messages in this book is having to correct speed, braking or lean during a curve is generally a sign of rider error, beginning with rider judgements before entry.

John DelVecchio, whose YouTube video titled ‘The Term “Trail Braking” Sucks’ Does a great job of explaining what he calls his “secret weapon.” He suggests that nothing controls speed and direction more than his “precise technique” for cornering using brake and throttle transitions. Although he does not use both at the same time, he shows the technique where having the throttle and brake hand equally prepared for use, can be beneficial. However, a constant remains: the rider absolutely must be smooth and precise on the controls. Typically, a novice-level rider or basic course student has yet to master the precision necessary for his techniques.

David Hough, “More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride” provides some more insight on how to brake and corner. Much like the many other authors in this list, good judgment and the proper management of the controls are highly recommended. One of his key recommendations is to monitor the performance of your last curve. Noticing a snapping of the throttle or dabbing of the brakes in the turn is the best clue that changes need to be made.

The primary takeaway from Mr. Hough is mastering the throttle actually works and is what he calls the ideal technique. His hesitance to accept the throttle mastery theory, meaning having an entry speed allowing the application or maintenance or increasing throttle through a corner, allowed him to achieve a smoother more predictable cornering line by practicing its use. When something is predictable – it also stands as safer.

Nick Ienatsch, “Sport Riding Techniques: How to Develop Real-World Skills for Speed Safety and Confidence on the Street and Track” is a treatise on trail braking and braking in general. The text stands as a must-read for every motorcyclist. It is necessary; however, to fully understand why it is a treatise and where the knowledge comes from. The experience comes from massive amounts of practice to learn how brakes work when to use them, and how to apply the smooth hands and feet necessary to accomplish the task safely.

Moreover, the discussion of speed again promotes excessive on-road speed where setting the top speed at the apex is promoted. If a motorcyclist follows posted speed limits, the speed at the apex is already set, even on some of the most spirited roads. Nick states that trail braking’s bottom line is safety, allowing the rider to adjust for “mid-corner surprises.” For novice level riders, maybe more experience and slower speeds on the public roadway would be a more conservative method of practice.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation mostly advocates for more conservative approaches that, with practice, will ensure a safety margin in most circumstances. In their Motorcycling Excellence 2^nd edition, the discussion of entry speed and techniques emphasizes the complex decision-making processes necessary for curves. This includes not overriding motorcyclist abilities. Riders should select an appropriate entry speed that allows all the forces interacting on the motorcycle to be prepared for the curve(s). Ideally, the throttle will be rolled on slightly to a maintenance speed that is at least constant through the curve but ideally allows gradual throttle roll-on near the exit, most likely after the Apex.

A few pointers include 1: recognizing it takes time to refine cornering skills. 2: The rider should pick a line to maximize visibility and appropriate safety margins. 3: Riders should recognize the value of conservative entry speeds. And 4: Continued practice helps to make cornering smooth and precise.

The Motorcycle Task Analysis (1982) specifically brought together a Technical Advisory Panel to document a comprehensive analysis of motorcycle operator tasks for novice, advanced, and returning riders. In the analysis, the content was divided into the following areas: 1: Basic Control; 2: Roadway Characteristics; 3: Traffic Characteristics; 4: Environmental Characteristics; 5: Off-Road Characteristics; and 6: Operator Characteristics. The criticality of each task was further measured by behavior frequency, error probability, accident likelihood, and accident severity.

Without going too deep into each task, it is important to note under skill: “the operator must (be able to) identify the cues associated with the maximum speed at which a turn of a particular radius may be initiated, given the operator’s level of ability.” And, “The operator must be able to relate the visual and bodily cues of vehicle motion to the tactile and muscular cues of handgrip pressure to maintain an appropriate steering angle.”

The Analysis further discusses curve approaches by stating: Adjust to posted speed (25-111-1), verify speed with speedometer (25-111-2), Determine a safe speed from the characteristics of the curve (25-112), complete speed reduction prior to entering the curve (25-113-1). The factorial detail of what happens in a curve and possible adjustments could take us a few hours to go over; but, suffice to say entering a curve at a speed where the throttle is stable or slightly increasing in preparation to roll on at or after the apex is a pretty good practice.

Lee Parks, In the 2^nd Addition of “Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques,” advocates for High-Speed turns using trail braking (Figure 9.1) and discusses in-depth the effects of throttle, brake, and lean angles on traction, rake, and trail, including how to push the motorcycle, and the rider to risk limits by utilizing a riding style used in racing, as its primary example. On page 103, Parks goes so far as to say that using the technique “above posted speed limits” makes the front brake more effective.

Being exposed to this very demanding technique requires simultaneous throttle and front brake use, a combination that contradicts most conservative approaches. Freddie Spencer and Nick Inatsche have adamantly recommended against the simultaneous application of the controls, which can “Confuse” the motorcycle with control commands to stop and go simultaneously. You can see the You Tube Videos in the reference sections.

Reg Pridmore, Author of “Smooth Riding: The Pridmore way,” goes into to some really great detail about throttle management and the suspension worthy of exploring. His treatise on keeping the suspension active with maintaining the throttle at the appropriate speed is reflected in most educational curriculum as the appropriate a way to enter into a curve. By slowing to an appropriate entry speed where you can maintain or increase the throttle, the suspension is set and “Primed” (By Pridmore’s words) and ready to do business. Furthermore, Pridmore advocates that a Rider “Slow Down.” The Most important first step to cornering is to set your bike, your body, and your speed before entering the turn.”

Kenny Roberts, discusses on pg. 60 of his book “Techniques of Motor Cycle Road Racing” there are times when you are forced to use the front brake in a corner. He explains, if you are late putting the brake on in the corner it can stand you up and make you run wide. Throughout this page, the conservative approach of slowing down before entering a turn while using a maintenance throttle or increasing the throttle throughout the turn. His inferences could support the reasoning for many of the mistakes causing riders to ride off the road in curves. Having too much speed and/or late or inadequate braking before the apex became overwhelming at the last decision point.

Brent Spiegel, in his “The Upper Half of the Motorcycle: The Unity of Rider and Machine,” describes the Roll movement of the motorcycle on its longitudinal axis to initiate a corner. While he explains the combination of steering input and the addition of throttle as a common method, he also describes using the throttle or ”gas” as the primary way to maintain stability through a corner. The practice requires setting an appropriate entry speed by slowing in advance to a speed where the throttle can be used to maintain stability. Brent goes into great detail about lines through a corner including an Ideal line, a fighting line, and a racing line. Of note here, he suggests an ideal line is not the fastest but rather a foundational line to be mastered first for safety margins. Then with experience, there is always a safer line to fall back to.

Freddie Spencer, in the Motorcycling Safety Foundations: Motorcycling Excellence 2^nd edition, Freddie specifically states Novices should not try this technique (Trail-Braking) until they have perfected their basic riding and braking skills over many miles in a wide variety of traffic conditions.

John Surtees, one of the earliest racers to document his own exploits, shared very poignant advice where “on the racetrack everybody is going the same way, and if you run out of road it’s your business.” He also states going around corners faster than others (on the roadway) is thrilling, but that cars and buses are usually coming the other direction. His best advice is to never ride with the spirit of competition on the road. Riding in a spirited manner, not only gives motorcyclists a bad name, but also creates a situation where we are only one small error away, from a tragic circumstance.

References:

Clifford, P. (1982). Motor cycle road racing. Richmond, Surrey; Hazelton Publishing. Pg. 37, 42, 46, 193.

Code, K., Ulrich, J. (ed)(1993). A twist of the wrist II. Glendale, California; California Superbike School. Pg.16-18.

Ienatsch, N. (2003). Sport riding techniques: How to develop real world skills for speed, safety, and confidence on the street and track. Pheonix AZ, David Bull Publishing.

Hough, D. L. (2003). More proficient motorcycling: mastering the ride. Irvine, California; BowTie Press.

Motorcycle Dynamics: https://amzn.to/2MCuYvK

Motorcycle Safety Foundation (1974-1982). Motorcycle task analysis. Linthicum, Maryland; Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation (2005). Motorcycling Excellence 2^nd ed. Center Conway, New Hampshire; Whitehorse Press. Pg.155,-156, 158.

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (September 25 Version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

Pridmore, R., Drake, G. (2004). Smooth riding: The pridmore way. Center Conway, New Hampshire; Whitehorse Press. Pg. 56-63, 84

Roberts, K., Clifford, P. (ed)(1988). Techniques of motor cycle road racing. Richmond, Surrey; Hazelton Publishing. Pg. 60

Select Risk Factors Associated with Causes of Motorcycle Crashes (ntsb.gov)

Sport Riding Techniques: https://amzn.to/2I421VL

Surtees, J. (1961). Motor-cycling book. Great Britain; Frederick Muller Limited. pg. 120.

Trail Braking for new riders? It is more complicated than the best method. – YouTube

The term “TRAIL BRAKING” SUCKS – YouTube