Page 1 of 3

new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 6:40 pm
by kiwi-jono
hi there jono here new to the club and presume my topic should go here
got a couple of things i want to find out
topic 1 when im cornering open road speed say medium corner at say 70kph or so i adjust speed before entering corner move out wide lean in which is fine but sometimes as im going through the corner feels like the front is wollowing kinda like a snake moves through the sand if that makes sense and not sure why

topic 2 being a noob in the same situation i sometimes choose a bad line through the corner to start with and have to adjust my lean angle to suit i understand riding to my limits and all but in the interest of getting better is there such a thing as too much lean as i dont want to lowside havnt yet and not wanting to find the limits of tire grip in these early stages am i beter to be also adjusting my rider position aswell or a combo if both
sorry if this is a bit hard to follow

and finally in wet weather i find myself to scared to lean the bike for fear of a slide so in 60/80km zones commuting round abouts ect i tend to go quite slow using minimal lean am i being over cautious will the bike still grip using an amount of lean

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:45 pm
by z900/zx9
Hi jonno
Firstly check tyre pressures,secondly maybe that the tyres themselfs or condition of tyres are the problem.suspension set up could also be an issue
As for point 2 try to go for a run with some experienced riders and get them to follow you and listen to there advise,then follow them into some corners and take note.Or get some tuition on the track.
As for wet roundabouts always treat them with caution.
Hope this helps ;)

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:48 pm
by 6maniac
Hey Mal - aren't you on your honeymoon ?

Get back to bed .... 8)

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:55 pm
by z900/zx9
6maniac wrote:Hey Mal - aren't you on your honeymoon ?

Get back to bed .... 8)

yeah i was but my girlfreind keeps coming around :shock: Nah as we recently went to fiji for a couple of weeks we just did a couple of dirtry nights at a hotel ;) Plus we have to go and pick up the new baby tommorow.

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:58 pm
by 6maniac
z900/zx9 wrote:
6maniac wrote:Hey Mal - aren't you on your honeymoon ?

Get back to bed .... 8)
................ we just did a couple of dirtry nights at a hotel ;) ............


Pics, or it didn't happen .......... 8)

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:04 pm
by 6maniac
Back on topic .............

Which tyres do you have, Jono ?

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:17 pm
by kiwi-jono
the bike is full factory i think they are dunlop what ever the 2011 er6nl comes factory with im 160kg so i think i need to adjust rear shock preload there are 7 settings as far as the book says and aparently its factory set to setting 4 which is for a 70 odd kg rider as for tire pressures iv never checked i got the bike brand new on the 15th of november and other than wash it once ive done nothing too it its got 500km or so on it now

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:27 pm
by 6maniac
OK, Jono .... I'll see you tomorrow, and sort a few things out..

new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:35 pm
by tim
I'd suggest you get a knowledgable and experienced rider to ride your Bike and see how it feels, they should be able to tell you if they feel it too.

With the lowside fear, how much of your rear tyre are you scrubbing? A pic always helps :)

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:42 pm
by 6maniac
Tim - he's only done 500 km .....

new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:45 pm
by tim
Ahhh :) have fun tomorrow guys, might see you up there Ron :)

new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 10:24 pm
by fireyrob
Possibly suspension too soft with your weight on stock settings. Tyres should be ok after 500k's but like has been said check the pressure's.

Without knowing how u ride etc just be smooth into through and out of the corners. Search online for some reading 'Twist of the wrist' or 'Twist of the wrist 2' I think they are called but someone else can clarify. They will help and give you some drills to practice ;)

Ron will be able to help tomorrow, I just hope he refrains from showing you his monkey porn selection :D

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:15 pm
by dilligaf
at least set the preload to 7 and check your tyre pressures. I'm 85kg and on the 2007 model ER6 had it at 6. Run 32 front 36 rear as it says in the manual but maybe you need more in the rear. You might need to get the suspension set up for your weight but that could be a bit exxy.

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:19 pm
by dilligaf
at least set the preload to 7 and check your tyre pressures. I'm 85kg and on the 2007 model ER6 had it at 6. Run 32 front 36 rear as it says in the manual but maybe you need more in the rear. You might need to get the suspension set up for your weight but that could be a bit exxy.
for riding position hold on tight with your knees and try and get your chin out near the mirror on the side you are turning. another trick is
to push your inside knee an inch or so forward just before you turn.
a low side will come from doing something dumb rather than just lean angle. there are good books to read. twist of the wrist 2 etc.
slow in the rain is good. you can go quicker once you get a feel for the bike.

Re: new rider cornering what am i doing wrong

PostPosted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:38 am
by kiwi-jono
all sounds good thanks guys the salesman from the shop told me not to change anything on the bike untill i had rode it for a bit and then make changes which i thought was odd i figure you would set it up right from the start
im a qualified motor mechanic and have experience with import tuning ect so i understand the principles of correct tire and suspension set up just when it comes to bikes i feel its a whole new ball game
ill start with the basic setup and come on a few rides with you guys i do find it alot easier to follow someone to see the lines they take braking points ect
i go for out riding with my flatmate who has a gsxr750 so i tend to watch what he does but due to his overseas work commitments i often end up going out by myself
basically as im starting fresh i want to get into good riding habits not learn the wrong way then have to re learn if you catch my drift
not in it to do stunts wheelies and that sort of stuff just quick road riding and maby the odd track day but that can wait till later on