Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Tips on Safe Turns When Driving a Motorcycle

Driving a motorcycle at high speed along busy roads isn’t a good idea. The presence of other vehicles which may not be geared to speed driving as a bike makes speeding unsafe. However, driving on two wheels below 20 mph can also prove to be quite a challenge. Unlike cars, motorcycles don't retain their stability when slowing down.

Countersteering
One of the most popular methods of maintaining stability at slow speeds, countersteering directs the front wheel to the left just before leaning to turn to the right, and vice versa. Once the motorcycle has leaned toward the turn, the front wheel re-centers and stabilizes as it makes the turn.

Throttle Control
Throttle control is another skill to master during low-speed riding, especially when making sharp U-turns. It is important to throttle smoothly while transitioning from cruising to turning, and back to cruising. Abrupt throttling can result in constant lurching and a more difficult turn; excessive throttling, meanwhile, can throw you off your bike.

Trail Braking
Maintaining a safe speed while turning requires a skill known as trail braking. This technique is commonly used in motorcycle races to help riders stay fast while turning safely. To pull this off, apply brakes prior to entering a turn and smoothly apply throttle while in the turn. Trail braking helps maintain stability during a turn by keeping enough inertia.

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