> Being a 11 stone (sorry 154 lbs) wimp, I have got to admit it's > more in charge of me at times than I am of it, and I am having > difficulty getting it to go round corners. It seems to physically > object to changing direction. No doubt it's my ancient style of > riding and body lean may not be the way to crank it over quick enough.
Hi Tom, welcome to the group. I have been teaching people to ride motorcycles for over 12 years, with the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program, so I think I can speak to your steering difficulties. A motorcycle cannot be steered using body lean (or "body steering" as some like to call it). If the speed hasn't gotten above 10 mph or so, then one uses what is called "tricycle steering": the handle bars are actually turned in the direction you want to go--like a tricycle. Otherwise steering is only accomplished using handle bar pressure (down or forward--it doesn't matter). This technique is also known as "counter steering". If you use counter steering when you are cornering "at speed" (above the magic 10) you'll have no trouble turning the bike. If you try to use "body steering" as you call it, you'll probably end up somewhere other than where you were trying to go. Here in the states, we now call that what it is: not an accident, but a crash! Regards, Henry S. Winokur 94 GTS1000, R1100RT-P, AMA, MRF, Nationally Certified Riding Instructor Columbia, MD Ride for Kids Task Force West Bethesda, MD USA > Accepting the above interesting problem, I am a very proud owner > and look forward to using it to the full and educating other > motorcyclists whose jaws drop when they see it. > > Regards > > Tom Thompson >
