Cornering – Using the System

Information phase

On the approach to a corner you should be constantly scanning the road for information, specifically look for:

• traffic in front and behind
• road surface and conditions
• severity of bend
• limit point

Position phase

There is great flexibility in positioning a motorcycle; you should use this to compensate for your increased vulnerability as a rider. You need to consider four things when deciding where to position your bike for cornering:

• safety – position yourself so that you are less likely to come into conflict with other road users
• stability – select a course which will provide the best tire grip
• information needs – road position determines how much you can see when you enter a bend, select the position which give you the greatest view
• reducing the tightness of the bend – by moving your bike from one side of your road space to the other you can follow a shallower curve and improve stability

Speed phase

Use the limit point to judge the safe speed to ride round the bend.

• Where the curve around the bend is constant, the limit point moves away from you at a constant speed
• If the bend tightens, the limit point appears to move closer, you should reduce your speed accordingly

Gear phase

Before entering the bend, select the appropriate gear for that speed. Select the gear that gives you greatest flexibility.

Acceleration phase

Open the throttle sufficiently to maintain a constant speed round the bend. This will stabilize the bike.

Providing no additional hazards, start to accelerate when the limit point begins to move away and you begin to bring the bike upright.

As you continue to straighten your bike, increase your acceleration to ‘catch’ the limit point. Accelerate until you reach the speed limit or other considerations restricting your speed.