Learning to trust your tires.

[brightbuell]

I have a fear of leaning into the turn. I have had to lay down a few bikes in my time to avoid collisions or because of cinders. I dont want to lay my Buell down. I am having a hard time trusting my bike to grip the road. I am not a puss, im concerned about destroying my bike, but I want to get down with it, and ride it like its ment to be ridden. I want to ride like a man! But my lack of trust has me riding like a mouse. Any suggestions?

I have thought about tring to find an empty parking lot to do figure eights, over, and over.

 

[dave_xb12r]

I like to call this "the fear" I don't have a problem with keeping the fear when riding around in the city. You really don't know what kind of crap is in the intersections. But twisties are a good place to start, or even better, the track.

First, get some good track/twisties tires like corsa III's or PP2ct's, then air down your tires to track pressure 29/30 and go hit some twisties. Take it easy on your first run to make sure the road is safe and clear of debris. Find a good section a few miles long and do it several times. You'll get faster as you get more comfortable with it. Soon your fear will be gone.

Another thing to consider is finding your riding style. Some people like to lean their body a lot which leans the bike less. This is what I do. Others like to lean their body just as much as they lean their bike. Both styles are good, it's all personal preference.

 

[Kidder]

Go do a track day with instruction. You will learn some invaluable skills that will help you on the street. And, you'll get more comfortable with the bike/tires, too.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the above due to all the changing factors on public roads.

 

[Midnight82]

No matter if you go to the track, or get lessons, or just practice on local streets, the only way to feel comfortable is saddle time.

Just like weight loss, there isn't a magic pill, or a 'trick' to make it better. Practice, practice and practice more.

Also, wear gear all the time.

 

[Macbuell]

I would suggest something safe.

My first time ever pushing my bike and tires was when I caught a glance of a Jap bike in my mirror on a curvy mountain road in Colorado. I had only had the bike 2 months, and it is my first bike. Regardless, I went for it. Triple digit speeds on shorts and triple the posted speed for the turns. Couldn't see him in the corners, only the straights. Made a couple illegal passes of cars also...I just figured since he was behind me he should be the one to pull over for the cops.

 

[funnythebunny]

What you're telling us is that you're more afraid of scraping your bike than leaning it. Get frame pucks and axle sliders. I got my axle sliders from Darkhorsemoto. There's a company out there (I can't recall who) that makes excellent frame sliders that attach to your engine case, protecting the pipes and shifter...

Once you got all angles covered, you won't worry as much and actually learn to lean more... also adjust your suspension to your proper weight.

 

[GatorBuell]

In most cases your bike will lean farther than you will ever care to. With the right tires.

 

[Builtdesign]

... also adjust your suspension to your proper weight.

Second that. Download the pdf from buells website to do it yourself.
And yeah, practice...

 

[bttrfngrz]

yeah i have a more advance fear of my tires. i race and still dont know the limits of my power pilot2ct's i almost bought a second bike so i wouldn't have to worry about totalling my race bike. i wonder if there is a safe way to do this figure out how hard i can push my tires. my suspension is set up right.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

take a MSF experienced riders course , you use your own bike , or the MSF basics course, you'll learn from both , or track day instructions like the others suggested, or find an instructor for one on one instruction on turning and leaning . on the plus side of takeing certified instruction classes with on bike training instruction you should be able to get a discount on your motorcycle insurance. do a search for MSF classes in your area most only cost $150 to $200 for basics or less for the MSF experienced riders course . dont take HD riders riders course they charge $300 to $450 for thier courses last i checked. most baiscs classes are on small 250 cruiser type bikes. rider edge on buell blast.

http://www.msf-usa.org/

http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cf...3D5-64FEBDC6C7B0B42F&referer=MSF RiderCourses

 

[delta one]

All of the advice so far is spot on in my opinion.

now with that said this is my Zen approach.

AFTER following the above advice.

Log as many miles as you can and get to where you can ride the bike without thinking, to where the shifts come naturally and you can feather the clutch and throttle out of instinct.

At this point you should learn to let your mind go, you will know the bike as an extension of your own body.

When you can truly let your mind go and just ride your bike you will find the confidence all on your own.

Find an open parking lot that you can (legally) use to practice. If you can sweep it all the better. lay out cones in a circle and ride around it. start with a fairly large circle 3-4 bike lengths in diameter. gradually pick up the pace as you circle. After some time doing this you should be able to get a knee down if you try.

Next work on turn in. with the same circle aproach it it half or even less of your last comfortable speed for circles. come at it on one side and turn into the circle as you pass it.

Again free your mind and relax, the bike and the ride will become part of your very being, it will all come of reflex and instinct. watching traffic will also become natural, but you should work on this too. After some time you will find the quiet place in your mind.

And good luck!

 

[Baal]

Confidence will come with time, but I absolutely agree with the OPs who recommend instruction. The two levels of the MSF course are great places to start. If you want to accelerate your learning curve, get the proper gear and get thyself to the track. Don't go to an open trackday. The competitive atmosphere can be pretty daunting. Something like Reg Pridmore's CLASS or Keith Code's California Superbike School are performance oriented street schools. Controlled environment, no debris, no traffic. I did the first half of the first school I went to in a pounding rain. Lemme tellya: I trusted the tires pretty good by lunch, and that certainly wasn't with something like a Pilot 2CT on the bike.

 

[brightbuell]

Cool, thanks for everyones input. Got tons of very good advice. Now I must wait untill spring to practice all that ive learned. I bought my firebolt in Nov. I just started getting comfortable and the temp dropped to freezing. I envy you guys that can ride all year round.

 

[Stevenc150]

Baal said it, "Confidence will come in time..." Any classes or track time you can get will accelerate this, but taking you're time is the main thing. The possible consequences of pushing it too fast too early aren't worth it until you have a solid "base" established.
Here's a good read also: - Cornering -

 

[marko138]

Posting to remind myself to sign up for ERC this spring.