The secret to smooth and successful cornering lies in proper head turns and keeping your eyes up. Where you look is where you go. If you look through the turn you'll ride through the turn. If you look out of the turn, you'll ride out of the turn. Remind yourself to look ahead. Turn your head to face all the way through corners. This gives you the essential information to negotiate turns safely and skillfully.
There are four basic steps to turning a motorcycle:
- Slow
Reduce speed before the turn. Close the throttle and/or apply the brakes as necessary. Downshifting can also help reduce speed if necessary. Slow enough before the turn to allow smooth and constant throttle roll-on through the turn. - Look
Turn your head and look as far as possible through the turn. Keep your head facing your intended path of travel. Keep your eyes level with the horizon. Use your peripheral vision to search the immediate area. - Roll
As you approach the entrance to the curve and before you lean, gradually roll on the throttle. Maintaining steady speed or gentle acceleration stabilizes the suspension and improves overall control. Avoid abrupt acceleration while turning.
Rider countersteers.
- Press
Lean the motorcycle into the turn by applying gentle, forward pressure to the handgrip in the direction of the turn. To turn right, press on the right handgrip. To turn left, press on the left handgrip. While this may sound backwards, the technique, known as countersteering, really works. A motorcycle must lean in order to turn. The pressure on the handgrip (countersteering) causes it to lean in the direction of the turn.
Front wheel momentarily outtracks away from turn, causing motorcyle to begin leaning in turn direction.
Motorcycle stabilizes in turn, front wheel re-centres.