New Rider

Hello
Hi I have just passed my cbt. Although not a youngster anymore, I'm
struggling with slowing down approaching corners.
The problem is, as I approach I start to slow down and change down the
gears. There's where the problem starts, what gear am I in, if the junction
is clear and I don't have to stop. I would like to be in second and continue
around the bend. Usually I find myself in first and the bike slows to much.
Apart from counting gears which I didn't think was a good idea, what is the
proper way to do this?
I'm sure all you experienced bikers out there, will have a wealth of
information you can pass on to me, just be nice please.

Thank you

 

Over time you'll understand what gear you're in just by listening to
the sound of the engine. As long as the engine is in its power range
you'll be fine.

I think what you're doing is approaching the corner in 4th gear or
suchlike, pulling in the clutch and kicking down a few gears and then
releasing the clutch. Instead of doing that try this:

Upon approaching a corner pull in the clutch, change down a gear,
release the clutch. As you slow down a bit more, change down to the
next gear, release clutch. Slow down a bit more, change down, release
clutch... It might feel a bit odd at first but it's a good way to
change down as you're always going to be in a gear with some oomph and
if the junction is clear then you can just zoom off. The same is good
when approaching roundabouts and in many other situations.

After you've got used to doing that you could try opening the throttle
a little bit as you release the clutch which will make the bite
smoother.

DFC.

 

Are you letting out the clutch between each down change? This would
help you get a feel for which gear you were in and stop you from being
in the wrong gear as often. You shouldn't worry about whether you're
in 1st, 2nd or 3rd as long as the bike feels right and you're neither
revving **** out of it or letting it bog down due to not enough revs.

Things will be easier when the roads aren't as greasy and it isn't as
cold and miserable.

 

Hello
Thanks you guys, for your help, I must admit I'm not letting the clutch out
through dropping down the gears. The corner seems to come up so fast and
there seems so much else to do at the same time. I've been driving cars and
vans for years, but this is so much different. I think I'll try slowing well
before the junction, but on the same hand I don't want to hold people up.

Thanks again

 

I suppose you're just approaching junctions in a speedy fashion. This
isn't always a bad thing, but do try to slow it down a bit at first,
especially as you're a bit new to it. Start to pull in the front
brake and gradually increase the pressure as you slow down, do
something similar with the rear brake to in a way that feels
comfortable.

Also: Who cares if you delay the journey of a car behind by five
seconds? You're new to this bike lark - you've got L-Plates - ****
the cars behind for now. While you're getting worried about those
behind at junctions you're being distracted from pushing pulling
twisting and turning controls on the bike. I'm sure they'll overtake
you if they're in that much of a hurry. Just remember to Defend Your
Space.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Big Dov

Heh, it is that. You definitely want to be changing down only one gear
at a time, using the engine braking to help the bike slow down. Aim to
be entering the corner with the revs about halfway though their usable
range (not bogging down, not screaming the nuts off it).

I *guess* that your cornering speeds are probably too low at this stage.
Believe it or not, that makes it harder. Cornering speeds being to high
makes it hurtier. Decisions, decisions...

Whereabouts are you? Maybe someone from here can ride a few miles with
you to offer advice.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Big Dov emerged from their own little world to say

I found this a pain too when learning on a riding school 2 stroke NS125R
many years ago.

I decided I needed more practice before my 2nd attempt at the test. I
bought a nice 4 stroke Suzuki GS125ES which had a nice LCD display to tell
you what gear you were in. I'm sure this hastened my learning.

 

UKRM Grooming Service?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, BGN

I suspect he's more your type, ducky.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

[snip sensible answers]

WTF is wrong with you lot today? Where's the piss takes? Where's the the
get your knee down you fucking poof answers?

Cunts, you've all gone soft.

 

Hello

Thanks again guys. I'm in Scotland, no jokes please. I'm going on Monday to
sit my Das all day Monday on a 125cc. Then Tuesday on 500cc, anyone I've
spoken to seems to think that the 500's are so much easier to control. I'm
going to slow it down on approach to junctions, corners. I just seem to get
into a bit of a panic. I think I'll take yoga before Monday to try and
relax, he he.

Thanks for all your advice

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, muddy

<stares at feet>

Yes Mr Muddy, sir. S*rry Mr Muddy, sir.

<thinks>

**** you, you Septic ****! Who the **** do you think you are? Barging in
here with your M16, shouting "Hut, hut, hut!"? You probably hit the
wrong newsfroup anyway!

FYYFFFFFFF.

Note to OP:

Apparently you're a fucking poof, piss off until you can get your knee
down.

HTH.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

BGN emerged from their own little world to say

He's doing DAS & in Scotland. Over 21 then. Butter him up for your JOGLE
trip just in case the other one doesn't pass his test....

 

Unless you're 3'6" tall.

Ooh, drama.

Replace "yoga" with "chain smoking"

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Big Dov

Being in Scotland is never a joke.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

More tut, tut than hut, hut okay? While I hold a merkan passport, Sir
Walter claimed my bit of CA for the Queen and she's not given it back as
far as I know. So, ya boo sucks and all that.

You can get a ball cap with that embroidered on it you know.

Too right dammit! Get a ZX10-R too.

 

Personally, though I have a pretty good feel of what gear I'm in, I still
tend to count down the box.

You might want to read the FAQ as well, particularly the parts about posting
style.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 OMF#22
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Wot he said, with bells on
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 OMF#22
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

IME they *are*

It'll pass, don't worry. I'm no riding god, and I still sometimes worry.

NAHAY?
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 OMF#22
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Catman

I disagree. The OP clearly recognises that he has a problem. He should
practice away from traffic until the problem is resolved.

I mean, if the **** was fannying around in front of me, I'd probably get
quite shouty.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000