Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

After riding for one week (and LOVING it!) I'd been starting to wonder how you guys lean the bike over SO far, far enough to scrape your knee.

I can lean, and look up the road, but I couldn't see how people are able to scrub out the edges of the tires; my rear tyre was new when I bought the bike, and I've developed what a mate told me are called "chicken strips" (which I don't mind, I'm not Marty Mc Fly)

I tried "getting lower" by going faster, and by trying to "lean" more whatever that means.

Then today on the way to work I setup for a medium left hand corner, wide in tight out line setup, then midway I just TURNER THE BARS TO THE RIGHT.

I'M LOWER!!! I turned right, but the bike went faster left.

How cool is that!

Can't wait 'till the ride home tonight, off to some of the sweepers in Norwest Business Park to try it again.

Is my obseservation correct?

Tim.

correctamundo Tim!!!!!!!!!!!!! you'll be carving up the putty in no time

its good to get those "click" moments, where all of a sudden things just make sense

You've obviously been doing some reading mate. I don't remember counter steering being included in the Level 1 syllabus (or you had an overly keen instructor)

It's dead right though.

A word of caution. Don't get caught up in the "leaning it further is good" thingo until you start to build some more experience. Remember having a buffer in all things motorcycling is handy. Those little "Chicken strips" are a little bit of buffer for your tyre. If you've got a little bit left there on the road then you know you've got a little bit more lean angle up your sleeve if you need it.

Those who get obsessed with getting rid of their chicken strips typically a) Can't ride for shit and b) Will probably die on a motorcycle one day.

Be patient grasshopper

I had heard the term, but didn't know what it was until I felt it.

Glen wrote:
Those who get obsessed with getting rid of their chicken strips typically a) Can't ride for shit and b) Will probably die on a motorcycle one day.

Be patient grasshopper

Same goes for getting a Knee down! If your really, really, really have to do it, Do it at a track on a track day! the streets are no place to start trying to drag a knee! and fwiw I can get my knee down whenever I like at the track but have NEVER done it on the road! ... mind you it is a bit further over on the KTM

I wouldnt bother leaning off the seat for day to day commuting to and from work, just practice your counter steering. now that you got a knack for it, flick the handle bars left and right and get used to the bike tipping down on command as soon as you do it.

Then get your ass to a super bike school and there you can practice leaning, knee down and going round the outside

tim wrote:enough to scrape your knee. I tried "getting lower" by going faster, and by trying to "lean" more.

Good to hear you had a click moment Tim, thats bloody great but watch out for Norwest Industrial....... if you mean going faster as being faster than you leagally should then be careful......unmarked cars frequent the area on weekdays... we get the same in Seven Hills industrial & they mean business there is no mercy shown

This advice is priceless, thanks everyone

Protecting my ass and my licence are #1 and #2.

Don't get me wrong tho, I have no aspirations of my knee getting anywhere near the ground, nor going much over the speed limit. More to learn to go around a corner safely and comfortably and in control on a good line at a good speed, the best that the bike and I can so that once I hit the old road (hopefully on sunday) then that 3rd corner in a series doesn't see me on the breaks heading for a tree

Just got home from the mentioned run around commercial districts. I did notice the lower you get, the more important your line is, and the harder it is to make corrections. Also, the more disgusting it feels to come off the power as the weight of the bike shifts.

Superbike school On a gs500? :p

Susan (my bike) got the 2 thumbs up for condition/tuning/riding feel from Glen last night. All systems go! Better brake pads would go a long way apparently.

didnt they teach counter steering at you rider trainging course???
Stay upright teach it for obstacle avoidance, "push right, go right" and visa versa.

Tim, your biggest challenge in the next 12 months will be not wiping yourself out, or getting wiped out by a car..


dont be in a hurry OK.

OK

tim wrote:OK

Mate, stay safe ride well within your limits and keep heaps of space around you and you will be fine..

Come up the old road next weekend and see 'rider trainer' Wattie for riding tips..

I'd love to, but looks like my wife Indri will be having our first baby tomorrow, so I'm probably out this weekend.

Glen's not just a geek, but soon he'll be an OLD geek, a great uncle I think it's called.

I thought glen would at least be a great grand-father by now

tim wrote: having our first baby tomorrow, so I'm probably out this weekend.

not just this weekend Tim, you are about to satrt a new chapter in life & YOUR time will no longer be
Good luck with the birth mate, hope it all goes smooth for you two
Oh & we have a saying round here........ Pics or it didn't happen