Riding Tips For Curvy Roads

dale55 · 11-09-2014, 05:32 PM

Just got back from a long weekend ride with friends to the mountains in arkansas. I have been riding for 30 years and I do great on most roads but when it comes to the curves I just do not have the confidence I need to have that the bike is not going to fall over. So I do not do well in the curves. I have read books, gotten friends advice and practiced many times on my own but I still fail. I just have a mental block and I fear that the bike is going to go over.

Any advice on how you overcame your fears of riding in the steep curves? All my friends are great riders and it is rather embarrasing. I have a great riding safety record but just cannot conquer my fears.

Dale

MPSS · 11-09-2014, 05:54 PM

Hey Dale, I found with the Vaquero I was nevous at first. After coming off a naked sports bike I found I was concentrating too much in tne curves. What helped was making sure I looked ahead in the curve where I want to be and lay off the front brake and only used the rear. After 30 yeras of riding I'm sure this is old school for you.

Ron

Bud2rat · 11-09-2014, 05:55 PM

I just ride at a safe leisurely pace.

**Idaho** · 11-09-2014, 06:08 PM

Take a STAR course and slow down.

yoda · 11-09-2014, 06:11 PM

After riding for almost 40 years I am less interested in dragging parts in curves than I used to be. I like riding the twisties, but prefer not to ride beyond what I can see around the bend. Too many critters and debris on the roads in my area...
That being said, one thing that may help you develop confidence is simply to understand the dynamics of the bike, and the effect of countersteering. Due to the gyroscopic effect of the wheels while spinning, the bike wants to stand up. Turning is accomplished not by simply leaning, but by pushing forward on the handlebar grip on the side you wish to turn into. Try to find a large parking lot or a deserted road and practice pushing on the grips to initiate the lean. Then while in the lean, push a bit more, or push on the other grip to see how the bike responds. That should help a bit to feel the dynamics. As for the line, try to set up on the outside of the lane, brake, and then turn in later. If you turn in too soon for the apex, you risk drifting over the center line before completing the turn. If you enter a turn too fast, it is harder to control, than braking first, taking the set, and then accelerating through the turn.
If you have not taken the advanced MSF course, look into it. You may find that a huge confidence builder as well.

cactusjack · 11-09-2014, 06:36 PM

My friend had a Goldwing and I tried to keep up with him. I can carve twisties with the best of them.

blowndodge · 11-09-2014, 07:19 PM

I can power slide my Victory through the corners with both feet up!

dabull · 11-09-2014, 08:22 PM

First---Ride your ride--period.

Second--You will drag hard parts before you ever drop the bike.

Just ride the way you want, within your means, enjoy the views and come out alive on the other side ;)

**cnc** · 11-09-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I can power slide my Victory through the corners with both feet up!

Brad your so full of it, your eyes are brown.

cactusjack · 11-09-2014, 09:05 PM

The Nomad is inherently not a real sweet handling bike. If you can ride a Nomad well, you would be amazed what a bike with better handling can do.

tonik · 11-09-2014, 09:19 PM

Go do a track day, they don't cost much and you can do them with a cruiser. Takes out a lot of things that add stress like gravel, cops and oncoming traffic. You can do them in a cruiser no problem. They don't mind. Get an instructor maybe to tow you around.

As others said get your head up, I would add brake hard before you enter and about halfway through start rolling on...strongly...but not WOT.

Chuck A. · 11-09-2014, 10:14 PM

When I first got my '03 1500 Nomad it felt like it was taking me through the curves. I dropped the front tire to a 130-90 and could not believe the difference. I can snap it through the corners now. Love it. As Others said, you are in control of the bike, not the friend on the next bike. Ride it in your comfort zone. WE have Gymkhanas here with a local web forum group that also helped me with this bike. Started out slow and teemed the first time through the tight turn cones. By the third past I was twice the speed through. Faster and more confident each pass. 52 now and riding 47 of that. Still learning with each road I go down.

**schoeney** · 11-10-2014, 02:40 AM

Good advice here.

Ride your own ride & track days (practice). What is the fun in going faster than you feel comfortable?

Just have a place to meet your buddies if they want to ride faster than you.

**schoeney** · 11-10-2014, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I can power slide my Victory through the corners with both feet up!

Yeah, and I can power slide backwards with no hands.:cool:

Dave · 11-10-2014, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

Just have a place to meet your buddies if they want to ride faster than you.

That's the way I ride. I never try to keep up. Besides, I like to pull over and see the sights.

11-09-2014, 05:32 PM	#1
dale55 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 353	Riding Tips For Curvy Roads Just got back from a long weekend ride with friends to the mountains in arkansas. I have been riding for 30 years and I do great on most roads but when it comes to the curves I just do not have the confidence I need to have that the bike is not going to fall over. So I do not do well in the curves. I have read books, gotten friends advice and practiced many times on my own but I still fail. I just have a mental block and I fear that the bike is going to go over. Any advice on how you overcame your fears of riding in the steep curves? All my friends are great riders and it is rather embarrasing. I have a great riding safety record but just cannot conquer my fears. Dale Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-09-2014, 05:55 PM	#3
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	I just ride at a safe leisurely pace. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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11-09-2014, 06:08 PM	#4
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Take a STAR course and slow down. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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11-09-2014, 06:11 PM	#5
yoda Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 432	After riding for almost 40 years I am less interested in dragging parts in curves than I used to be. I like riding the twisties, but prefer not to ride beyond what I can see around the bend. Too many critters and debris on the roads in my area... That being said, one thing that may help you develop confidence is simply to understand the dynamics of the bike, and the effect of countersteering. Due to the gyroscopic effect of the wheels while spinning, the bike wants to stand up. Turning is accomplished not by simply leaning, but by pushing forward on the handlebar grip on the side you wish to turn into. Try to find a large parking lot or a deserted road and practice pushing on the grips to initiate the lean. Then while in the lean, push a bit more, or push on the other grip to see how the bike responds. That should help a bit to feel the dynamics. As for the line, try to set up on the outside of the lane, brake, and then turn in later. If you turn in too soon for the apex, you risk drifting over the center line before completing the turn. If you enter a turn too fast, it is harder to control, than braking first, taking the set, and then accelerating through the turn. If you have not taken the advanced MSF course, look into it. You may find that a huge confidence builder as well. __________________ I used to be indecisive, but now I am not so sure... Yoda VBA #01311 SCRC Chapter 289 07 Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-09-2014, 06:36 PM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	My friend had a Goldwing and I tried to keep up with him. I can carve twisties with the best of them. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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11-09-2014, 05:54 PM	#2
MPSS Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 57	Hey Dale, I found with the Vaquero I was nevous at first. After coming off a naked sports bike I found I was concentrating too much in tne curves. What helped was making sure I looked ahead in the curve where I want to be and lay off the front brake and only used the rear. After 30 yeras of riding I'm sure this is old school for you. Ron
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11-09-2014, 07:19 PM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I can power slide my Victory through the corners with both feet up! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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11-09-2014, 08:22 PM	#8
dabull Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,409	First---Ride your ride--period. Second--You will drag hard parts before you ever drop the bike. Just ride the way you want, within your means, enjoy the views and come out alive on the other side ;)
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11-09-2014, 09:05 PM	#10
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	The Nomad is inherently not a real sweet handling bike. If you can ride a Nomad well, you would be amazed what a bike with better handling can do. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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11-09-2014, 09:19 PM	#11
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Go do a track day, they don't cost much and you can do them with a cruiser. Takes out a lot of things that add stress like gravel, cops and oncoming traffic. You can do them in a cruiser no problem. They don't mind. Get an instructor maybe to tow you around. As others said get your head up, I would add brake hard before you enter and about halfway through start rolling on...strongly...but not WOT.
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11-09-2014, 10:14 PM	#12
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 991	When I first got my '03 1500 Nomad it felt like it was taking me through the curves. I dropped the front tire to a 130-90 and could not believe the difference. I can snap it through the corners now. Love it. As Others said, you are in control of the bike, not the friend on the next bike. Ride it in your comfort zone. WE have Gymkhanas here with a local web forum group that also helped me with this bike. Started out slow and teemed the first time through the tight turn cones. By the third past I was twice the speed through. Faster and more confident each pass. 52 now and riding 47 of that. Still learning with each road I go down. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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11-10-2014, 02:40 AM	#13
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Good advice here. Ride your own ride & track days (practice). What is the fun in going faster than you feel comfortable? Just have a place to meet your buddies if they want to ride faster than you. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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