Left-handers

Now that Lozzo's fixed my clutch lever settings for me, turning right
isn't quite the same drama as it was [1]. Thanks again, Lozzo!

However, turning left seems to have become a bit of an issue. Esp from
major roads into minor roads. So much so that I brought the bike to a
stop whilst turning left a couple of days ago, as I felt the bike to
be so unstable. Thankfully there was no-one behind me at the time.

I've put the nervousness of turning left down to actually having
dropped it on the left whilst doing slow (1-2mph) speeds and losing
the front whilst manouevering in driveways.

But what is actually causing the bike to feel so unstable? Am I going
too fast (for my level of experience) into the turn? Braking too late?
Not in the right gear, so not enough torque [1]? If any of you can
cast your minds back to when you weren't confident, and can offer
suggestions for improvement, I would be most grateful. (esp as I'd be
less likely to get rear-ended on the way up to EOSM on Saturday).

[1] The biting point was a *long* way from the handlebars, so i was
struggling to control it, as my arm and fingers were extended to the
max.
[2] insert relevant word here, I think it's torque but I could be
wrong...

 

Your increasing fear of left-handers is probably not helping.

My guess is that you're relying more on the outside handlebar for support
when cornering.
On right handers the left hand is playing more of a supporting role and the
throttle hand is able to control the throttle better and gives you a sense
of stability.
On left handers your right hand (throttle hand) is operating the throttle
AND playing the supporting role - hence the competing forces/roles cause the
instability.

Ideally you only want to be applying pressure to the handlebars when
actually counter-steering. The rest of the time the hands should be relaxed
and the throttle gradually winding open to 'drive' you through the bend.

 

Difficult to say, from your description, but I'd guess it're more
likely that you're going too slowly. At the speeds you suggest you're
doing (1-2mph) it's much more difficult to keep a bike upright than at
10-15.

Other hints might include slipping the clutch and keeping some revs
on, as you were taught to for your U-Turn practise, and making sure
you look in the direction you want to end up in. Seriuously, this can
really help make it smooth and natural, honest.

 

I had a similar problem with right handers after an enormous crash on a
right hand bend. I eventually solved it by having a not quite so enormous
crash on a left hand bend. This has led me to conclude that your most
comfortable cornering direction is the one you've not crashed on recently.

 

Starting to square off slightly...

 

VBG

 

Too right.

But in a 90 degree turn, in 2nd gear, say, are you actually
countersteering? Is it maybe that I have heard of "this thing called
countersteering" and I vaguely know how it works when on the nice
twisties, but I try and use it when the bike's not actually creating
the gyro effect coz it's going too slowly?

 

Sounds sensible. I think I may have been looking at the wall on the
far side of the turning and thinking "don't hit that or the cars
coming out of the turn!"

 

Heh. True.

 

There are two elements to counter-steering - one is the gyro effectm
the other is the basic geometry of the bike. So yes, at low speeds
pushing the opposite bar will result in the bike dropping towards the
corner, at whcih point the wheel will naturally turn in the direction
you want to go. Don't get hung up on this though - it's more important
to just practise until it feels right than work out the precise
dynamics of the thing.

Oh, and above all else, _relax_. If you're tense you'll be fighting
the bike's natural tendency to stabilise itself.

 

Ah - I didn't read your initial post closely enough - soz.

If it's slow speed corners/turns that you have a problem with then the
instability you're experiencing probably comes mostly from the lack of
speed/gyroscopic effect (as you mentioned).

You still need to be positive with the throttle and drive through/out of the
turn confidently.

If you're feathering the clutch too much when pulling out of a junction to
join a main road you might be sapping much needed power and the bike isn't
getting enough forward drive?

Difficult to assess without seeing you in action (Fnnaar!)

Get yourself down to Dr. Gower's pronto.

 

...and I've touched those pants

--
cane [at] ukrm.org ¦ fireblade, r30
botafo t#50 f#03 YTC #15 bbb #6 apostle [kotl]
New? http://www.ukrm.net/faq/ukrmscbt.html
Rideout? http://www.horrible.demon.co.uk/botafof/
"Brace yourselves ladies, I'm coming in dry"

 

Power Grainger wrote:

[snip left hand worries]


try giving it a bit more gas and more counter steering, it sounds like
the bike is falling into the corner as the forces pushing it out are too
low.

I have heard it mentioned by a number of bikers that they prefer/feel
more comfortable with left hand bends over right hand bends.

 

I'd recommend this option.

--
cane [at] ukrm.org ¦ fireblade, r30
botafo t#50 f#03 YTC #15 bbb #6 apostle [kotl]
New? http://www.ukrm.net/faq/ukrmscbt.html
Rideout? http://www.horrible.demon.co.uk/botafof/
"Brace yourselves ladies, I'm coming in dry"

 

That's v kind. Though no doubt I will get a lot of 'advice' on
Saturday, given the amount of poeple who have said they want to HAG.

Will's ridden it, but all he seems to notice is how small it is, so it
feels a bit awkward for him anyway.

 

heh, "yesterday I couldn't even *do* corners, today I can get my knee
down and wheelie round em!"

sounds good to me...

 

emailed, ta.

 

I'll come. We can do, one behind, one in front.... IYSWIM

--
cane [at] ukrm.org ¦ fireblade, r30
botafo t#50 f#03 YTC #15 bbb #6 apostle [kotl]
New? http://www.ukrm.net/faq/ukrmscbt.html
Rideout? http://www.horrible.demon.co.uk/botafof/
"Brace yourselves ladies, I'm coming in dry"

 

"Power Grainger" <> schreef in bericht

So many feedlines, so little time ;-)

 

err let's see

1. bike goes where you look so make sure you're looking at the
right place
2. get yourself and t'other half to an empty car park one evening
or sunday and practice slow speed manoeuvres - essential on any new
bike. Take some old tin cans or cut some tennis balls in half to act as
"cones" so you can learn how to do zig zags, slalom, full turns etc. I
generally do this with each bike I buy just to help me "bed in" how the
controls work and also to prove the bike and I can do those moves if
necessary.
3. you're still in the learning phase where your brake, throttle,
steering control is taking more of your brain power than it will do in
future. If you accept that and concentrate on clocking up the miles it
will click faster than if you worry about it.
4. as others have said - relax, don't use a death grip on the
controls.
5. If you've got other things on your mind then you may be losing
concentration.

You'll get there - no panic. We all make mistakes - I was on the Beemer
last Saturday and my riding was awful. I put it down to tiredness, being
tense and having virtually no concentration.

Do you or Will buy Bike magazine? The last issue (Sept) had some
articles about confidence which were very good. Unfortunately it's no
longer on the stands as the new one's just come out but I'm sure you
could get hold of a copy to read.