WALK THE WALK....UH, TURN

by SPEEDSLUG

Find a empty, quiet street with both left and right turns that you can practice on. Now, before you do anything, take a walk through the turn and turn on the motorcycle section of your brain.<G> On a right turn you can bring your car right up to the edge of the curb, crank that wheel (with power steering no less) and motor on down the lane closest to the curb. Now how come that's so hard to do on a bike?
Among the many, many, turning things to do, here is another way to understand what's happening and how to make corrections.

Stop looking at the curb as your 'point of turning'. When you dive towards the inside corner near that curb, you shorten the time to do all the things you just learned to complete the turn. That is, all the mechanics involved to do the turn. Second, you really aren't looking where you want to go as the old saying goes. You're looking at the line in the middle or maybe even the center of the road. It has to do with the angle, the road, the distractions, you name it.

Now, getting back to walking. Walk up to the right hand turn and stand in the middle of the lane. (I know, its oily there). If look to the right, you'll see the corner of the curb, maybe the stop sign post or light. Now, take one or two steps forward-what a view! You look right and you can see waaaay down the road. Why if you looked where you want to go, I'd bet you could put the front wheel right where you....

Technically, its referred to as the apex, but turning point is easier to understand.<G> At first it will make you nervous going out one or two feet more into the lane, but what you gain is a extra second to put your turning motions into gear. You can clearly see where you want that bike to go and it will follow.

Now go walk the left turn. Instead of heading for the closest corner of the lane, then swing out widely, walk out just a few feet more until you can get a breath taking view of the street. See the center line, the entire empty lane, the sidewalk with kids on it? Now initiate your turn, again, looking down the road. You'll be well within your lane, WITH, room to make any adjustments on each side.

While we're on the 'look where you want to go' thing. Use your car driving time to start training your brain. It's not a natural thing to avoid looking at a hazard that's going to dump you and your bike on it's taillight. A big reason why your first year of riding is so dangerous. Ever drive down the road and see, maybe a smashed can, or chunk of tire on the road ahead of you? You fixate on it till you can identify it, out of curiosity, then with out a second thought run over it with your car. Uh-uh. Cant do that on a bike.

When you see that little pot hole, or piece of chain, or chunk of tire, FORCE, FORCE, FORCE, your eyes to the open spot next to it. The exit, the escape slot, the life saver. Did I say FORCE, yet?

The importance of developing this until it becomes second nature cant be emphasized enough. Work on it, then 'practice' it often. It is one important skill you will always need, every time you take your bike on the road.

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