Cornering the R3

14124 Views 30 Replies 21 Participants Last post by AesonVirus, May 10, 2016

Corporal Canada

Discussion Starter · Apr 12, 2016

Hey everyone, I'm 20 years old and just got my first bike, a 2015 R3. I've got 269km on it now. Leaving my house to go to work everyday I ride through a bunch of twistys. I can ride them slightly above the speed limit. The problem I'm having is I'm scared to lean it over more than I am because I'm worried the back tire is gonna let go. How can I tell ahead of time when the back tire is about to let go. Thanks

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

rito

· #2 · Apr 12, 2016

Corporal Canada said:
How can I tell ahead of time when the back tire is about to let go. Thanks

Really? If I knew this, I would make Bill Gates my gardener.

But seriously, too many variables for anyone other that your own self to know. You just have to work you way up and hopefully stay behind the breaking point.

I don't even try to get close to that point. I have felt the rear tire "roll" a couple of times and that's as far as I have pushed it. By roll I mean travel sideways yet maintaining grip, much like a flat tire would. I'm sure this is due to being bias ply instead of a radial. Can someone else confirm or counter this?

Randy

Reactions: 1

Rossco

· #3 · Apr 12, 2016

hey Corp. Im in Van BC.. after 150kph cornering becomes.. umm interesting.

We will be coming down to Kelowna this weekend to do a ride and then back home. PM maybe we can meet up

Stirz

· #4 · Apr 12, 2016 (Edited)

Take a look at some of the "Tech Section - Tire" threads, especially the Michelin Pilot thread - the consensus seems to be that the stock tires are not as "grippy" as some other offerings. There have also been some reports of high pressure 'as delivered'. For an average rider (150-175 lb), pressures around 30F/32R will improve cornering grip, but the stock tires have limitations - they seem to have been intended as more of a commuter tire than a canyon carver tire. Experiences vary quite a bit, depending on how hard they are pushed. FWIW - I used them initially at a local track known for good grip and could feel the rear getting loose on corner exits - not enough to scare me, but enough to decide to swap them out for 'better' tires for cornering grip.

Reactions: 2

lather

· #5 · Apr 12, 2016

As a new rider you have a lot to learn, it is going to take a lot of seat time before you develop a good feel for available traction and reach the stage where you need to worry about how grippy tour tires are. If you are running the twisties at only slightly above the speed limit the tires are not close to their limit but you may be at yours. Most of us are born with a sense of balance that scares us way before the bike or tires are at their limit. When I was learning to ride it was something I had to overcome. Don't push it, enjoy your riding and it will come. If you haven't read any books I recommend Kieth Code and Nick Ienatsch.

Reactions: 3

Rossco

· #6 · Apr 12, 2016

yes higher pressure delivered. mine was almost 10PSI to high in both tires!

Kojiiro

· #7 · Apr 12, 2016

lather said:
As a new rider you have a lot to learn, it is going to take a lot of seat time before you develop a good feel for available traction and reach the stage where you need to worry about how grippy tour tires are. If you are running the twisties at only slightly above the speed limit the tires are not close to their limit but you may be at yours. Most of us are born with a sense of balance that scares us way before the bike or tires are at their limit. When I was learning to ride it was something I had to overcome. Don't push it, enjoy your riding and it will come. If you haven't read any books I recommend Kieth Code and Nick Ienatsch.

This. Most new riders will also probably feel they are really leaning the bike over, then see a few photos of themselves or look at their tire wear and realize they are still a long ways to go getting to the limits of the tire.

TexasRider

· #8 · Apr 12, 2016 (Edited)

Kojiiro said:
This. Most new riders will also probably feel they are really leaning the bike over, then see a few photos of themselves or look at their tire wear and realize they are still a long ways to go getting to the limits of the tire.

This is so true. Me when I had my street triple r thinking I look like - when in reality I'm just hanging off a bike that's | with chicken stripes on the tires :crying: squidly

torrid_pace

· #9 · Apr 12, 2016 (Edited)

hello corporal canada have you looked into a track day? there is no better opportunity to practice and build your confidence in cornering and the best part is its a TON of fun, its a friendly environment there is always an expert level racer on hand to provide answers to your questions

since your in Kelowna it may be a bit of a hassle getting down to the lower mainland to ride one of the track days but I highly recommend you try it out! the dates for this seasons track days are already posted on provider websites so you may be able to plan a mini-vacation down and camp at the track, totally your call!

here are the websites for the track day providers near by:

www.pittmeadowstrackdays.ca -> this one is great for beginners as its a small cone course set up at the pitt meadows airport runway still tons of fun!

www.wmrc.ca -> this is the website for the club that races out at mission raceway, all of there track days are posted and they are even doing a new racer school in June with one on one instruction

let me know if you ever do end up coming down and you can pit with me!

edit: I forgot to mention that all skill levels at the track are welcome!

another edit: there is a new track going up in oliver BC (right in your back yard!) that I forgot to mention, its not open yet but there are some heavy hitters in the racing scene spreading rumours that it will be hosting its first motorcycle track day this summer! -> http://www.area27.ca/

See less See more

Corporal Canada

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 12, 2016

Thanks for all the replies guys. I am coming into these corners which are pretty sharp at speeds that feel decent. I look through and push on the inside bar while I lean but I feel like the bike is gonna slide out from underneath me. I guess it'll take a while. Thanks again

Aufitt

· #11 · Apr 13, 2016 (Edited)

Corporal Canada said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. I am coming into these corners which are pretty sharp at speeds that feel decent. I look through and push on the inside bar while I lean but I feel like the bike is gonna slide out from underneath me. I guess it'll take a while. Thanks again

By all means push on the bar to initiate the turn, but once cranked over have ZERO weight on the bars, with throttle slightly cracked open.
Try using your upper bodyweight instead or you'll force the front wheel out from under you and lowside.

Body position is key, std R3 can drag an elbow easy enough,
Do some coached track days before you drag more than an elbow.
The bike scrapes the exhaust, but my body is doing far more leaning.
Feels perfectly relaxed.

See less See more

Reactions: 3

rviator

· #12 · Apr 14, 2016

Body position is key, std R3 can drag an elbow easy enough,

[/QUOTE]

Are you confusing an elbow with a knee? What else is there to drag beyond an elbow?

See less See more

TexasRider

· #13 · Apr 14, 2016

Are you confusing an elbow with a knee? What else is there to drag beyond an elbow?[/QUOTE]

See less See more

Reactions: 4

Aufitt

· #14 · Apr 15, 2016

TexasRider said:
Are you confusing an elbow with a knee? What else is there to drag beyond an elbow?

[/QUOTE]

If you don't get the upper body off into the turn and just lean the bike, you'll drag more than an elbow.

Kojiiro

· #15 · Apr 15, 2016

rviator said:
Body position is key, std R3 can drag an elbow easy enough,

Are you confusing an elbow with a knee? What else is there to drag beyond an elbow?[/QUOTE]

Head?

http://youtu.be/T645xjxMxTc

Reactions: 1

Dumanji

· #16 · Apr 15, 2016 (Edited)

Draggin balls? Nope, just the inside ball.

>

Ildottore46

· #17 · Apr 15, 2016

lather said:
If you haven't read any books I recommend Kieth Code and Nick Ienatsch.

Those books are awesome. I really liked twist of the wrist I & II and sport riding techniques. I read them a few years ago and there is a lot of good info in them. Now that i have my bike, im going to re-read them again.

NazMo

· #18 · Apr 19, 2016

I am trying to lose 25 lbs just so I can shift my body correctly while cornering. In motorcycle school we learn on dummy sets how to shift our weight quickly from side to side, I cannot maintain for more than 8 seconds because of stupid weight i put eating out everynight with my girlfriend.

lather

· #19 · Apr 19, 2016

Maybe get Girlfriend to learn to cook healthy food

mikiee

· #20 · Apr 20, 2016

Kojiiro said:
Are you confusing an elbow with a knee? What else is there to drag beyond an elbow?

Head?

http://youtu.be/T645xjxMxTc[/QUOTE]

Interesting video, but why would you wear a ghillie suit on a track?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.