Riding better?

[redneckj]

OK, so I"m not really sure how to put this into words, so please bear with me. I just did an approx 3600 mile ride from Denver to the West coast and back. Some great riding on freeways and mountain roads. So I'm realizing I having issues riding the curves and I'm not sure what to do about it. Hoping someone can give me some advise. When running the tighter mountain twisties, I seem to do ok. I"m talking the 35-50 MPH curves. And no, I"m not hanging off the bike or anything, but I can keep up pretty well. When we were out on the highways where our speeds were QUITE a bit higher, I just froze up. I mean, the guys on the Harleys were just walking away from me. I"m just not sure how to explain it. Wondering if anyone has any advice? I've been riding for a long time, but I've never considered myself the "Ricky Racer" type. This is probably the best handling bike I've ever ridden and I just feel like I'm not doing it justice. HELP!
Burns1

Burns,

I would recommend taking a motorcycle track day school. There is an excellent school here in the NW that I took several times back in 01 and 02. Best money I ever spent learning how to ride a motorcycle. I don't know the track day schools in your area but I am sure that the local cycle shops in your area could help recommend one. Good luck!

Here is a link to the school that I took here in the pacific NW.

https://2-fast.org/

 

[JamesW]

Ride looking where you are going, not where you are.

 

[eflyguy]

Pick up Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch (Former racer and instructor at Yamaha Champions Riding School)

https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Riding-Techniques-Develop-Confidence/dp/1893618072

 

[NTXFJR]

Great advice in here. Advanced rider's course, it'll help you out tremendously. You already have a great start, the FJR is a very capable machine.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Burns1 posted: <snipped a bunch> When we were out on the highways where our speeds were QUITE a bit higher, I just froze up.

Ride your own ride, and don't worry about the weight of your testicles. Heavy testicles are worthless in a coffin.

That said, a lot of people -- me included -- have concerns about tires, suspension, and pavement conditions when operating at the edge of our (personal) performance curve.

Interstates and big highways are designed for high-speeds: gentle slopes, long-radius curves, few or no intersections, wide lanes, and plenty of sight distance. Like Spud said, the FJR has a sweet spot around 80 mph that extends to 90 mph and perhaps faster. Riding at that speed on the big highways does not bring one close to the bike's limits as dictated by physics.

But who cares, really? If you're uncomfortable in those situations, slow down and get to a comfortable speed. If you really want to ride faster in big highway curves, set your cruise control 5 mph faster than your comfort zone (you have a clamp, right?) and try not to touch it. As you get more experience outside your current comfort zone, you'll expand your comfort zone.

In the meantime, find new riding partners if the current ones give you ****. And find a good shrink if you continue to feel inferior to H-D riders.

 

[mcatrophy]

Ride in a group of good (not necessarily fast) riders. Follow them, see what they do, work out why they do it. If you can't work it out, ask them at the next stop. A good rider will tell you (even if it's simply "I was bored with riding on my side of the road"). If he laughs at you, he's not a good rider.

Biggest thing is to relax, particularly your arms. You should be able to flap your elbows easily. If your arms are tense, you are tense, your riding doesn't feel right. Relax, let the bike do its thing, only hold the bars sufficiently tightly that you can control the direction or find a switch or lever. Unless you're braking hard, then holding on a bit tighter is advisory. Riding no hands should not require any body weight change. Not that I would advocate doing such a thing except perhaps on a closed course, but it's a good test of your riding position.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

Mcatrophy's point about riding with relaxed arms and not squeezing the grips too tight is a good one. A few weeks ago, I started getting a mental block when making high speed left turns. I got it straightened out recently while riding with Bob (intech) last Saturday. It wasn't anything that Bob did, it's just when I had my revelation.

I made a few poor left turns weeks ago and the mental block was created. So every time I approached a left turn, I tightened up a bit and it affected my turning ability. Even though I was looking through the turn correctly, the stiffness in my arms definitely affected my turn. Right turns were not an issue at all. It seemed like right turns just happened easily at any speed.

I understand counter steering, looking through the turn, etc. I've ridden with many members of this forum at aggressive speeds. The fear of making a mistake during a left turn is what caused the mental block. I'm now back to being very relaxed and riding as I always did. No problems with turns at any speed in either direction. My confidence is now back. Sometimes it just takes a full stomach and more riding. If you're not riding with confidence, please keep your speed down.

My best to you in overcoming your mental block through education and repetition.

 

[DaJudge]

OK, so I"m not really sure how to put this into words, so please bear with me. I just did an approx 3600 mile ride from Denver to the West coast and back. Some great riding on freeways and mountain roads. So I'm realizing I having issues riding the curves and I'm not sure what to do about it. Hoping someone can give me some advise. When running the tighter mountain twisties, I seem to do ok. I"m talking the 35-50 MPH curves. And no, I"m not hanging off the bike or anything, but I can keep up pretty well. When we were out on the highways where our speeds were QUITE a bit higher, I just froze up. I mean, the guys on the Harleys were just walking away from me. I"m just not sure how to explain it. Wondering if anyone has any advice? I've been riding for a long time, but I've never considered myself the "Ricky Racer" type. This is probably the best handling bike I've ever ridden and I just feel like I'm not doing it justice. HELP!
Burns1

Burns,

I would recommend taking a motorcycle track day school. There is an excellent school here in the NW that I took several times back in 01 and 02. Best money I ever spent learning how to ride a motorcycle. I don't know the track day schools in your area but I am sure that the local cycle shops in your area could help recommend one. Good luck!

Here is a link to the school that I took here in the pacific NW.

https://2-fast.org/

This ^^^^^. I did a couple days of track school with RideSmart last month (rode the FZ1). In that sort of controlled environment (with expert instructors), you get to focus on and practice skills without concern about animals, cars/trucks, gravel, etc.

It's time and money well spent.