Proper Form

[donaldb]

I am not sure if this is the proper venue for this subject. Guess I will find out if my "warning meter" spikes. Looks like I may be headed to Deals Gap next weekend subject to weather conditions, either there or to Barbers Motorcycle museum located in Leeds AL. While I have been to Deals Gap in the past I have ridden the dragon only on cruisers. This may be my first dragon ride on a sport bike. I would like some opinions as to proper form, body position for the ess's/curves. Big difference between the sport and cruiser. I have taken rider safety courses, both the basic and advanced and have ridden for several years now, but this is my first sport/tourer bike, and I have only had it a month now. Want to keep it safe but have fun. So, any advice would be appreciated. Thanx-Bruce

 

[slapnpop]

Unless you're planning to try haul ass, stanard good riding form will get you through just fine. Break early, use slight positive throttle through the turns. Keep your shoulders square and above the bike, leaning with it. LOOK THROUGH THE TURN, and don't be surprised or target fixate with oncoming traffic (or anything else for that matter).

You'll be fine.

If you wanna mis-behave then lean way far off the bike, but remember to break early. The FJR doesn't give you warning before passing the limits of traction.

 

[FJRocket]

Unless you're planning to try haul ass, stanard good riding form will get you through just fine. Break early, use slight positive throttle through the turns. Keep your shoulders square and above the bike, leaning with it. LOOK THROUGH THE TURN, and don't be surprised or target fixate with oncoming traffic (or anything else for that matter).
You'll be fine.

If you wanna mis-behave then lean way far off the bike, but remember to break early. The FJR doesn't give you warning before passing the limits of traction.

Uh, Slap means BRAKE early. You don wanna break early. :haha:

He's right. Just chill and take it easy. Look ahead into/through the curve and keep your toes up. Stay between the paint and if you feel you're going wide, don't forget to lean a little. I found that just shifting my shoulders a bit made a heck of a difference on how the curves cut.

Highly recommend once through just for "familiarization". Practice technique, not speed. Use minimal brakes and more technique. You'll really enjoy it if you go through successfully at a brisk but measured pace.

And boy, he ain't a kiddin' about target fixation and surprises. That **** wil kill ya!

 

[slapnpop]

Uhm, yeah, what he said...

 

[Jetmaker737]

On the FJR, because of it's more upright seating position, I find that I have to consiously remember to shift my weight forward in the turns if it's getting sporty. Also, slide your butt cheeks into the turn when required.

 

[slapnpop]

And stay further away from the line that I was. That's bad form on my part.

 

[FJRocket]

And stay further away from the line that I was. That's bad form on my part.

Slap was trying to get a look in the side mirrors of the oncoming traffic. OUCH!

The KILLBOY and TOTD sites have some recommendations. Prolly a good idea to try and track the WHITE line, not the YELLOW line.

And do check your OWN mirrors. Chances are you'll want to hug the right and let those sport bikes and re.. I mean...motards pass by.

Less braking, more leaning, less braking, more leaning....

 

[twowheelnut]

A reminder of what not to do:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=2890&st=0

 

[slapnpop]

Slap was trying to get a look in the side mirrors of the oncoming traffic.  OUCH!

To be fair i could see that there was no traffic, and there was an even tighter right hander coming. Look at the harley we were stuck behind in the next turn.

Still no excuse to hug the line.

 

[Geezer]

I have been working on form myself lately. Discovered that I have gotten lazy from too many years of riding bikes that can't take the corners as well as the FJR. Anyway, I have been consciously 'leading with my shoulder'. What I mean is that I intentionally lean my right shoulder forward and down into a right hand turn, and the left shoulder for a left turn.

The faster you go the more important your timing is, but when you get it just right it is lots of fun. Mostly just takes a little experimentation and practice. Increase your speed and lean gradually as your skills increase.

 

[Claymore]

Something I have heard and practiced is to "get your chin into the corner' - with your head upright, sticking your chin into the corner gets your shoulder into the turn - with aggressive countersteering you can really carve some nice turns... :thumbup:

 

[zorkler]

use your knee . left turn right knee up against the tank . right turn left knee against the tank .

 

[FJRocket]

Slap was trying to get a look in the side mirrors of the oncoming traffic.  OUCH!

To be fair i could see that there was no traffic, and there was an even tighter right hander coming. Look at the harley we were stuck behind in the next turn.

Still no excuse to hug the line.

I was just kidding. If you can see through the curve and there isn't anyone on the other side, use the whole thing. I think you look pretty cool leaning in that one. Very nice.

HOWEVER, my sport bike buddy Billy did more than that on the Dragon, he used the whole right side and some of the left. Oops, he crossed over the yellow. He is OK, but it's going to be a painful recovery. Yes, the LEO got him. Gave him a BIG ASSED ticket and a LONG lecture.

 

[FJRocket]

Something I have heard and practiced is to "get your chin into the corner' - with your head upright, sticking your chin into the corner gets your shoulder into the turn - with aggressive countersteering you can really carve some nice turns... :thumbup:

I like that one!

 

[velvet fog]

Shoulders forward, arms loose, support your weight with your back not your arms. Shift your shoulders and ass slightly inside as well. Look through the turn, keep your head moving and don't get target fixated.

Ride within yourself, enjoy the ride at 8/10th or your pace and don't worry about what you look like. Most of all, come through the other end in one piece. :thumbup:

 

[zorkler]

plus one on that mr. fog

 

[FJRME]

Read this. It's amazing how much fun it is to ride this way. It's almost like stealth riding.

No one knows you're having this much fun.

The Pace

And yeah, stay off the line. There's somebody coming the other way that's not paying attention.

Ride Safe

 

[FJRME]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what is the warning meter. I notice I have it under my listing, but few others do. I only mention it here since it was mentioned in the original post. Thanks for your response.

 

[JaminBrown]

In addition to the great advise above, some advise about your feet...

Ride with the balls of your feet on the footpegs, not the arches. When cornering aggressively, it allows you to sift your weight more easily, and potentially most importantly, it means you won't get your toe stuck between the road and the peg while leaned over...

This does mean that you need to move your feet to shift and use the rear brake.