RIDING TECHNIQUES: Steering No.3

Brouggy's Steering Bible: Part Three - Turning points

If you've been following this series you'll know that we have learnt that to get our entry into a corner right we require a turn point. Now we've established that, where do we put it?

Importantly, you should know that your turn point dictates where the turn starts for you, regardless of the curve of the road. Once located, it becomes the focal point at which you complete setting the speed and begin the control actions of riding the turn. In your sequence of actions to ride a corner from one end to the other, the turn point is the thing that breaks up the transition between speed and directional forces. After all, there are only two things you can change on a motorcycle. You can change it's speed, and you can change its direction.

The turn point tells us it's time to be finished with setting the speed for the turn (whether that means decelerating, accelerating or holding a constant speed), gives us the place in which to change the direction of the bike (steer) and then as soon as possible after that we will want to start rolling on the throttle and accelerating out onto the next straight section. It is therefore important that you understand what effect the position of this point will have on the outcome of the corner. There will be a difference on where you will place the turn point depending on what you want from the turn. If you want to go faster, your decision will be different than if you are two-up and trying to take in the scenery.

In the first example your priority is speed, in the second it is comfort. So before you can decide where you will do certain actions you must first decide what it is you want from the corner.

As a general rule, the wider and deeper the entry to the corner, the narrower the exit (wider relates to your position on the road in regard to the inside or outside of the turn, and deeper relates to your position in regard to how far into the turn you are) There is however a trade off between this and the speed you are able to carry through the turn, which will relate directly to your motorcycle and how it needs to be ridden to get the most from it. Sound easy? Here's something else to consider...

A lot of Keith Code's books deal with the whole 'survival instinct' reaction of your body when you place it in a potentially life threatening situation.

If you aren't used to being wide in a corner, then at least for the first time you'll probably experience the uncomfortable sensations that go along with this. We certainly see that at the schools. Most riders tend to want to get to the inside of a corner as quickly as possible. Perhaps you've noticed that the faster you go, the earlier you find yourself arriving on the inside of the turn, sometimes with disastrous results. Keith suggests a number of ways to overcome this, particularly in his book 'A Twist of the Wrist II' but it really boils down to education. If you know why you should consider entering a little wider and deeper into the turn, you're more likely to try it. Do it a few times and get a good result and you're more likely to want to keep doing it.

Lets assume two riders are travelling at the same speed and steering with the same force. Rider A chooses to turn early and narrow and as a result, this leaves him wide and still leant over late in the exit of the turn. Rider B chooses to steer later and deeper into the turn.

This allows him to be more upright earlier and use more power exiting the turn, giving the capability of actually being faster and in more control.

I personally have two goals from any corner:

Bearing this in mind I suggest as you try moving your turn point deeper and wider into the turn, but do it in small steps and carry less speed as you do. Once you're comfortable being out there you'll begin to see the benefits...

Good luck with your riding.

Steve Brouggy is the owner of the

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