RIDING TIP: Establishing Good Corner Entry Speed
Last Updated: February 5th, 2021
RIDING TIP: Establishing Good Corner Entry Speed
For most beginning riders, entering a corner can be nerve wracking. To help reduce our anxiety, one of the best things we can do is establish a good entry speed.
If our entry speed is too high for our skill level, often times riders will freeze which prevents them from steering properly into the curve. By entering the corner slow enough for our skill level, we give ourselves bandwidth to easily negotiate the curve both mentally and physically.
How can you tell your entry speed is too high for your skill level?
• You feel an increase in stress/anxiety when entering the corner
• Your vision goes from wide open to tunneled
• Your arms and hands tense up on the handlebars; the steering feels “locked up”
• The bike is taking a wider path of travel than you desire
• You’re unable to apply throttle on or near the apex of the corner
Therefore, a good entry speed for your skill level is a speed that allows you to easily negotiate a curve with total control of your vehicle without increased fear or anxiety and within the bounds of the law. So do yourself a favor; when you go out to carve the twisties next time, focus on slowing to an appropriate entry speed for each and every corner.
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Bill Seltzer has been a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach since 2003 and a Total Control Advanced Riding Instructor since 2011. He currently serves as the Marketing Director for TEAM Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Planning committee. Have questions or comments about the article? Email him: Bill@MotorcycleTraining.com
My husband corners to wide and I would like to know the best course for him do he can learn turning tighter?
You ask a great question Wendy. For higher speed corner training, we recommend starting with the Advanced Riding Techniques course. It is a great introduction to some techniques that would help your husband when cornering. https://motorcycletraining.com/courses/advanced-riding-techniques/
Hi,
Any advice on/for those who pack on back regarding etiquette, curves, etc? Also riding tips on/for trike passengers, or sport passengers, especially those who are use to riding Harleys.
Thanks!
Kathryn, you ask some very good questions, but we seek some clarification. It is not clear if you specifically want 3 wheel information or two wheel information. Can you help with some additional insight?