SuzukiSavage.com - Turns...how fast and which gear?

Dave Sisk

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Turns...how fast and which gear?
05/31/12 at 13:19:36

OK, so I've been thinking about what I do at turns. I don't mean curvy roads, I mean hard right or left turns at intersections, side streets, etc.

I know the right technique is slow down/down shift/etc. before the turn so that you're already in the right gear and at the right speed speed entering the turn, then gently accelerate out of the turn. (Same thing you do in a manual car.)

What's your typical speed taking a right-angle turn? What gear are you usually in? I seem to be around 15-20mph or so, and find myself in 2nd gear. I prob need to be in 1st gear, the engine revs are generally too low to gently but firmly accelerate out of the turn.

OR...am I just not pushing the bike (nor myself) to anywhere near the traction limits? Assuming stock tires, how quick can you safely take a right-angle turn?

Dave

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arteacher Serious Thumper Offline Ride as if your naked and invisable! Posts: 2581 London ontario Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #1 - 05/31/12 at 13:33:52 I never looked at the speedo (what's the point?) but I almost always am in 2nd gear. Exceptions are when pulling into a driveway or parking lot, or when the road surface is questionable.
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EJID

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Re: Turns...how fast and which gear?
Reply #2 - 05/31/12 at 13:35:37

It depends Grin

No, seriously, it does depend on if you are talking right hand turns from a 35mph road or a 20mph road... or left turns as well. I usually end up taking left turns faster because I can take a more sweeping turn in a larger arc going across an extra lane. My biggest worry in sharp turns is not seeing loose gravel or sand that might cause you to loose traction.

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Blinky-FSO

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Re: Turns...how fast and which gear?
Reply #3 - 05/31/12 at 13:44:22

It seems first is a rather tall gear so for right turns on residential streets, I am always in first and usually have the clutch in the friction zone. The biggest scare I have had in my first 800 miles of riding is drifting wide on a hard right and looking an oncoming mini-van in the grill. Thank goodness she was coming to a stop. I go slow and keep them tight as I can.
For what it is worth

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Dave Sisk

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Re: Turns...how fast and which gear?
Reply #4 - 05/31/12 at 14:08:34

OK, good points...a right turn is tighter than a left turn...so 2nd gear for a left turn, I'll try 1st gear for a right turn. I also drifted a little too far to the outside of a right turn once (with an oncoming car...I didn't end up in the oncoming lane, but I was a little too close for comfort). I also hit some gravel on a right turn about a week ago, and the rear wheel did slide to the outside of the turn...luckily, I was going slow enough to kinda bounce my right foot off the road and just keep going.

Regardless, I think I'll continue to take those right turns easy until I get my accuracy to 100%. Wink

Thanks,
Dave

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Arizuno Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 227 Prescott, AZ Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #5 - 05/31/12 at 14:17:39 The only answer that matters here is your own, which means absolutely NO faster than your comfort zone allows. That zone will expand organically with your experience, with no apologies to anyone.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #6 - 05/31/12 at 14:19:06 If you're on the superslab in 2nd gear... you'll be road pizza in seconds. appropriate gear for the speed. higher rpm's are better for speed control and smoother application of power pulses.
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Dave Sisk Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 163 Raleigh, NC Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #7 - 05/31/12 at 14:36:00 verslagen1 wrote on 05/31/12 at 14:19:06: If you're on the superslab in 2nd gear... Superslab? Yeah, agreed...slow and erect is much better than quick and flat for most things. Dave
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Dave Sisk Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 163 Raleigh, NC Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #8 - 05/31/12 at 14:37:38 Arizuno wrote on 05/31/12 at 14:17:39: That zone will expand organically with your experience... Agreed...just like anything else, practice makes perfect. Dave
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AlphaBarney Full Member Offline Were you born to resist, or be abused? Posts: 121 Raleigh, NC Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #9 - 05/31/12 at 14:45:51 Read "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough...I took the MSF last year and a they and a number of other people have recommended it to me for a beginner read. Great book that talks extensively on this point. Slow...Look...Lean/Press...Roll. And yes....practice makes perfect!
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Dj12midnit Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline If you'r here and I'm here isn't this our time? Posts: 1036 Lynden Wa. Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #10 - 05/31/12 at 15:54:50 I have a rule. Never look at the speedometer when the pegs are scraping.
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bess227 Full Member Offline Back in the saddle after 20 yrs Posts: 100 N. Wilkesboro, NC Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #11 - 05/31/12 at 18:20:53 Dj12midnit wrote on 05/31/12 at 15:54:50: I have a rule. Never look at the speedometer when the pegs are scraping. now that is funny........and words to live by.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28658 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #12 - 05/31/12 at 18:42:32 Corners collect 99% of the debris and juices of any street... .. so if you're going to slide out,.. it'll probably be on a 90' corner... So,.. as far a riding technique,... don't use any... ...save the technique for the twisty's... ...
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Dave Sisk Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 163 Raleigh, NC Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #13 - 05/31/12 at 19:19:17 Actually, that sounds like some awefully good wisdom. I've heard the "Proficient Motorcycling" book mentioned twice now...I've ordered a copy for me and a copy for my lady friend. Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers, Dave
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MarkHB Junior Member Offline Go for it! Posts: 88 Ottawa, Canada Gender:	Re: Turns...how fast and which gear? Reply #14 - 05/31/12 at 19:28:19 +1 for Proficient Motorcycling. Great tool to learn the stuff that isn't obvious.
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