Last Updated on September 16, 2022
There are many factors to consider when learning how to corner on a cruiser motorcycle. The stiff handlebars will inhibit your ability to countersteer. You may need to learn how to countersteer with your body position. You might also want to master braking and acceleration techniques. Finally, you should learn how to fixate your target on the road. Hopefully, this article will help you become a better rider!
Stiff handlebars inhibit countersteering
To effectively countersteer when cornering on a cruiser motorcycle, the rider must lean with the motorcycle. Many motorcycle racers hang their bodies off the inside of a corner as a way of decreasing their turning radius at high speeds, but this technique is not necessary for everyday street riding. The rider should slow down to the proper speed, lean into the corner, and then lock the rear wheel with the rear brake pedal. After steering the motorcycle in the desired direction, the rider can then countersteer the motorcycle to turn the wheel the opposite way, avoiding a traffic emergency.
If you’re having trouble countersteering, try pushing away from the steering wheel. This will bend the handlebars and allow the motorcycle to turn. You can also try bending your elbows as you countersteer. Remember that the steering should always be done on a loose ride and never on a tight road. And, if you’re on a cruiser motorcycle, you should practice with a friend or two before you embark on the training.
In addition to enhancing your riding skills, countersteering allows you to get the most out of every turn. It also gives you more room to steer around corners, and helps you avoid swerving wide or running wide. It also serves as an effective collision avoidance technique. If you want to learn how to countersteer on a cruiser motorcycle, then make sure your handlebars are not stiff.
Acceleration
If you’ve ever been caught off guard by a cornering motorcyclist, you might be wondering how to accelerate when cornering on a cruiser. The answer is actually pretty simple. Start slow, and then open the throttle to push your bike out of the corner on a wide line. Then, you’ll want to roll off and accelerate smoothly out of the turn. Practice this technique until you feel confident about how you handle your motorcycle while cornering.
A common mistake many new riders make is that they use their brakes during the turn. This can cause the motorcycle to lift out of the corner and weave. To counteract this, you should shift your weight towards the inside of the motorcycle. As you lean forward, your upper body should be facing the inside mirror. By doing this, you can keep your cruiser’s stance and turn angle tight.
While cornering a cruiser motorcycle, remember to maintain the highest suspension possible. As you brake, your bike will sit down on its suspension. Your front suspension will compress and the rear will raise. Avoid trail braking. Instead, accelerate when entering a corner to raise your front suspension and squat your rear. Choose the right gear before you begin the turn. Achieve the highest suspension on the bike and the least rear suspension.
Braking
Keeping a comfortable speed when cornering your cruiser motorcycle is essential, but you should also be prepared to make quick stops if you need to. It is essential to maintain a safe braking distance in a corner to avoid an accident. Braking in a corner can also be a dangerous technique. It will alter the geometry of your motorcycle and cause it to run wide on the exit of the corner.
As you approach a tight corner, you should start applying the brakes a few seconds before you reach the turn. It is better to start braking just before you reach the turn and let off the brakes gradually. Be sure to gradually increase the lean angle as you release the brake. The goal is to reach the full lean angle just before the apex. In addition, it is important to know how to release the brakes.
Be sure not to touch the brake lever while you are in a corner. The last thing you want is to crash while leaning over. Leaning inside the bike will help you shift your weight inside the motorcycle, which will prevent a crash. If you feel too sensitive to the brakes, it might also cause the bike to topple. This is why practicing in a controlled environment is so important.
Target fixation
Whenever you are cornering on a cruiser motorcycle, the first thing you should avoid is the dreaded practice known as “target fixation.” This habit is a cause of accidents, as it makes you focus on the next obstacle instead of the road itself. In order to avoid this tendency, you should learn to control your gaze. Instead of looking straight ahead at the next obstacle, use your peripheral vision to identify the object and plan how to safely pass it.
Another common cause of target fixation is the inability to maintain focus. This is a common problem when cornering, and it can also occur if you’re riding wide mid-corner or approaching a corner with too much speed. If you notice another rider in a bad spot, the problem can be the same. Basically, this condition happens when you focus on another rider and lose sight of everything else around you.
One way to avoid target fixation while cornering on a cruiser motorcycle is to focus on the exit point of the corner. By focusing on the exit point, you’ll be able to unlock progressive speed. Avoiding target fixation will help you corner faster and safer. However, this habit is difficult to break because it’s usually based on avoiding a hazard.
Steering in the opposite direction
While you’re cornering on a cruiser motorcycle, you’ll notice that you lean in the opposite direction. This lean results from the forward speed of the motorcycle, its geometry, and the distribution of weight between the rider and the bike. The amount of leftward lean you produce is a function of the torque you generate in your seat and torso.
To change the shape of the turn, push steering is needed. To increase your lean angle, push the motorcycle into the opposite direction while reducing speed. Pushing the bike in the opposite direction while cornering can seem counterintuitive to a non-trained rider because it causes the motorcycle to tilt backward. Therefore, a good practice is to steer in the direction of the curve you’re approaching.
Although this can feel awkward at first, it will become second nature with practice. Motorcycles can reach high speeds, but the best way to corner them is by reducing your speed before the turn. As a result, you’ll be back up to speed in no time. However, you should take note of the speed limit of your area. Some roads might be faster than others and might not allow it.
Slowing into corners
When riding a cruiser, it’s important to slow into corners a little more slowly than you would a sport bike. Cruisers are generally bulkier than sport bikes, and leaning into a turn can cause damage. The side stand may dig into the road, and footpegs can scrape against the tarmac. They also have lower ground clearance, so they have to lean off the bike to make medium-sized turns. However, there are strategies that will make cornering on a cruiser motorcycle easier.
The first tip for slowing down into a corner is to avoid rolling out. While it is common to want to accelerate out of a corner with a slight lean angle, this practice will alter your bike’s geometry. If you do so, you may find yourself running wide on the exit. Likewise, if you need more tips on braking into a corner, watch “100 Points of Grip.” This instructional video will help you learn the most basic braking techniques and correct inputs for each of the 100 points of grip.
Before entering a turn, look around and scan the area for hazards. Many riders fail to look around a corner, which prevents them from scanning the road for hazards. By not scanning the area, you increase your risk of a condition known as target fixation. Target fixation is the tendency to focus your attention on an object and ride it faster than you should. A good way to avoid this situation is to tilt your head and point your nose.
Avoiding crashing into an object
A good way to avoid crashing into an object when cornering on your cruiser motorcycle is to stay ahead and look far ahead. Drivers who focus on the object in front of them will often end up crashing into it. Look at the object far ahead so you can see it as well. Look at traffic control devices such as warning signs and regulatory signs. Look behind your motorcycle as well. You can communicate with the signals on your motorcycle and adjust your position accordingly.
Keeping your speed consistent is another way to avoid crashing into an object. It’s easy to lose control of your motorcycle during a turn if you let it run off the road. Another common cause of skidding is wet pavement or gravel. The same goes for steel plates, manhole covers, and lane markings. They’re all very slippery, so keep your speed steady. You should also stay off the brakes.
Another important tip when cornering on a cruiser motorcycle is to stay off the pavement. Some bikes are low-slung, so they’re prone to sliding in corners. To avoid this, you should keep your throttle constant and your suspension in a usable range. If possible, try not to lean over unless you have to. This way, you can maintain stability and ground clearance. You should also enter turns at a slower speed, even when you can’t see them.
About The Author
Zeph Grant is a music fanatic. He loves all types of genres and can often be found discussing the latest album releases with friends. Zeph is also a hardcore content creator, always working on new projects in his spare time. He's an amateur food nerd, and loves knowing all sorts of random facts about food. When it comes to coffee, he's something of an expert - he knows all the best places to get a good cup of joe in town.