RE: Bend Lines
Discussion
Having just read the "Bend Lines" article I'm a little bit confused about the first bit concerning the right hand cornering technique. Yes the fastest way around a corner is on the straightest line possible, or on what many would call "the racing line". After having a fair bit of tuition in driving my Griffith round a race track, I was taught to try to perfectly hit the apex of the corner at the right speed etc etc. That on a road, around a right hand corner would therefore be the centre line.
You could argue that it would be safer to use the techinque Julian describes but if you were really going for it, you'd surely be pushing the tyres to the limits of their grip and if this is the case you'd have a pretty good chance of exceeding that limit at some point in time. I would have thought that if you were using Julian's techinque and almost in the gutter already, then you wouldn't have much chance of holding any skid?? I'd prefer to have a bit of space in which correct any possible slide and therefore not kill myself!!!!
Just my thoughts!!!
Cheers - Chris
You could argue that it would be safer to use the techinque Julian describes but if you were really going for it, you'd surely be pushing the tyres to the limits of their grip and if this is the case you'd have a pretty good chance of exceeding that limit at some point in time. I would have thought that if you were using Julian's techinque and almost in the gutter already, then you wouldn't have much chance of holding any skid?? I'd prefer to have a bit of space in which correct any possible slide and therefore not kill myself!!!!
Just my thoughts!!!
Cheers - Chris
IMVHO.........it's not good practice to keep too far left on a right hander.
a) This is where all the dust, gravel and general rubbish has been thrown therefore reducing the coefficient of friction. By not clipping the apex as do the majority of drivers (correctly or otherwise) you're "offline" and on a more slippery surface.
b) In the event of a touch of oversteer/understeer, which may well be due to a diesel spill, you've left yourself almost no road in which to recover.
c) Too much attention can be taken up on the approach to the bend concentrating on maintaining a position close to the edge rather than sussing out the bend and looking for oncoming traffic.
d) You're more likely to pick up a nail in the tyre.
e) The edge of the road is often uneven especially a few inches from drains and can unbalance the car.
I wouldn't generally go any closer than 18 inches to the edge except perhaps on the final bit of the exit by which time you've got the whole thing pretty well sorted.
a) This is where all the dust, gravel and general rubbish has been thrown therefore reducing the coefficient of friction. By not clipping the apex as do the majority of drivers (correctly or otherwise) you're "offline" and on a more slippery surface.
b) In the event of a touch of oversteer/understeer, which may well be due to a diesel spill, you've left yourself almost no road in which to recover.
c) Too much attention can be taken up on the approach to the bend concentrating on maintaining a position close to the edge rather than sussing out the bend and looking for oncoming traffic.
d) You're more likely to pick up a nail in the tyre.
e) The edge of the road is often uneven especially a few inches from drains and can unbalance the car.
I wouldn't generally go any closer than 18 inches to the edge except perhaps on the final bit of the exit by which time you've got the whole thing pretty well sorted.
regmolehusband said:
IMVHO.........it's not good practice to keep too far left on a right hander.
a) This is where all the dust, gravel and general rubbish has been thrown therefore reducing the coefficient of friction. By not clipping the apex as do the majority of drivers (correctly or otherwise) you're "offline" and on a more slippery surface.
b) In the event of a touch of oversteer/understeer, which may well be due to a diesel spill, you've left yourself almost no road in which to recover.
c) Too much attention can be taken up on the approach to the bend concentrating on maintaining a position close to the edge rather than sussing out the bend and looking for oncoming traffic.
d) You're more likely to pick up a nail in the tyre.
e) The edge of the road is often uneven especially a few inches from drains and can unbalance the car.
I wouldn't generally go any closer than 18 inches to the edge except perhaps on the final bit of the exit by which time you've got the whole thing pretty well sorted.
When training Associates we always talk about positioning for corners - and then go on to say
"Never Compromise Safety for Position"
All on-road cornering is a compromise. You've eloquently pointed out some of the factors which can (and SHOULD) compromise the technically ideal road position.
On right handers crud on the side of the road is definitely something to avoid..and on tight blind left handers you might compromise your position over to the left a bit in case of some twat cutting the corner coming the other way...
The technique is generally very sound....and the sensible driver will make sensible compromises as necessary to maintain safety...
Fair enough?
tee hee! I hope the Tuscan driver is using his mirrors well. I've been really annoyed with "fast cars" blocking me from overtaking, by this sort of positioning.
I'll have to clarify things a bit: road is clear, no trees/bushes/babies/sandalista. Sun is shining. I'm taking the "line", and Scooby man or whoever is up front, and I want to go past. Because I *can*.
Start to overtake, and git features moves to take the line, WAY before the corner.
You would be amazed how often this happens, and other bikers are very guilty of it - looking for that elusive perfect corner, and not thinking about anything else such as a faster rider or driver who is going past.
Great article though. Really see how the 2nd pic works!!
I'll have to clarify things a bit: road is clear, no trees/bushes/babies/sandalista. Sun is shining. I'm taking the "line", and Scooby man or whoever is up front, and I want to go past. Because I *can*.
Start to overtake, and git features moves to take the line, WAY before the corner.
You would be amazed how often this happens, and other bikers are very guilty of it - looking for that elusive perfect corner, and not thinking about anything else such as a faster rider or driver who is going past.
Great article though. Really see how the 2nd pic works!!
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