Rule # 1 is a must and when in doubt enter the corner even a bit slower. I know some will hate this comment and I, in general love cornering on the hot side …… but that in general I do it less often as there are too many variables and the thrill is no longer worth the risk for me.
Totally agree. Especially if you are on an unfamiliar road. To some extend, it's a little different if you know the road because you know the terrain, potholes, intersecting roads, driveways etc., but there is always an unknown element because the street is never constant. There could be an animal, person, disabled car, etc. etc in the middle of that next turn, which you did not anticipate. This is why I personally get a little nuts when people try to ride on the street like they do the track. They are two different worlds and both demand a different approach.
If people are offended by you suggesting they should probably take corners a bit slower than they usually do, I doubt they should be riding in the first place as that is a horrible mindset based on ego and a false sense of mastery. It's evident most riders overestimate their skill level by a lot. And any potential reaction to this only serves to prove they are the first ones who should be slowing down.
@@lucascarracedo7421 I’ve taken the approach that if people are offended by my opinion or beliefs, it’s their problem. Unless I have directly attacked them, in some way, language, insults etc., which makes sense but that’s not my style.
Kevin, I’ve learned so much from you. I’m 66 years old and been riding since I was 16. However, I took about 36 years off and just returned to riding last year. Being older and not riding for that long of a time has caused me to forget some things as well as just lose some skills I took for granted before. I appreciate you and the clear way you explain things to help make me a better rider. My wife rides with me often, so the added responsibility placed on me makes me want to learn as much as possible to keep both me and her safe on the road. Thank you brother, God bless you and your family.
Great Comment, similar story with 33 years off riding big bikes and off-road riding ... so I purchased my new Dual Sport bike 4 years ago ..but only after watching lots of RUclips and getting all the knowledge I needed to keep me safe in a much less sane world of 3 decades later (drugs, mobiles, road rage etc); Kevin's vids were a great resource and the tips have saved my butt on a number of occasions.... thanks Kevin, Mark (from sunny Oz)
You and I have like stories I was out of riding for 35 years when I decided to get back in I did not want to get a big bike so I bought a 2007 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electric Glide lol I wish I had a video of my first ride. Between Kevin and motorman they have kept me alive. Ride Safe. Conard. Brogue Pa
So eloquently stated . No nonsense and life saving advice . I’m 63 , been riding for 48 years ; THIS man teaches me something new every video ! Thanks M/C Rider
Great advice. Most of us go into corners too fast. As you say, 'ride at a speed that allows you to stop safely in the distance you can see to be clear on your side of the road'. This can be pretty slow on a tight blind corner. But how often do you see even experienced riders going at a speed they cannot stop if there is a obstacle in the road. The illusion of safety is just that. If you don't know how quickly you can stop, how do you know what the safe speed is? Practice emergency stopping!!
I like how you bring up lane position to aid how far your Limit Point is. What you also should mention is your lane position is also critical to how visible you are to other drivers. They're less likely to cut into your path when you are visible to them, and not blocked from view behind a truck, or riding in a blind spot. Another key factor - It's not good enough to know how quickly you can stop at any given speed. You also should allow for your reaction time to identify the hazard, and then decide how to react. This can sometimes add seconds to your reaction time, thus significantly increasing your stopping distance, and needs to be built-in to how much distance you add to your Limit Point.
Excellent info! Of course, the first section applies to any operator of any kind of vehicle, from bicycle to semi, as well as motorcycles. Far too many times, I’ve seen drivers and riders go through corners as if they have x-ray vision, when in fact it’s a blind corner. And, they don’t have x-Ray vision, or any other kind of super power. Great info, well presented, and very valuable!
I always pay attention to the recommended speed sign when entering a curve, especially on an unknown road. If the sign says 45 mph, I have found that if I use that as my entry speed, I’ll have no issues negotiating the curve. I can almost always throttle-up thru the curve and exit at a comfortable speed.
Here in Canada most corners have recommended speed in km. I noticed even if I am 10km/h above the speed limit I still can negotiate the curve without problems.
Good to see a video with some on-the-road coaching again. You're pretty good at those Kevin and I always learn or at least reinforce a skill from them! Thanks!
The timing of this video was perfect for me. I arrived in Brazil on Friday, for a wedding, and the bride's brother insisted we go on a motorcyle trip, north of Sap Paulo. He has a noisy Harley, his friend lent me his Honda CTX 700. Not a fan of "loud pipes save lives", but must admit following him on Sao Paulo streets was rather nice. The frequency of turns, and hills, as we went into the mountains was more than I have experienced in Canada. To stay focused, I started chanting a mantra, "limit point, limit point, limit point". Kevin probably would not say this in his video, but it worked for me. Home safe, ready to sleep after 10 hours riding.
Thanks Kevin. I enjoy and learn from your videos. I’m in Northern California where vegetation means animals and possibly cross streets. What does pucker me up a bit is vegetation so close to the highway. It will obviously hide animals (deer during early season will wait until you get lose then leap out) and cross roads/traffic. During times as such slowing down and not so much worrying about how you corner is a safer choice. I always watch how power lines go and glance at my GPS and get a precautionary look at how we turn. (It will also tell you about intersecting roads. Not being critical just trying to add another perspective. Thanks you. Roy in N Cal
@@robjohnson9952 Thank you for that information. I’ll be heading to Virginia for BMWMOA 50th anniversary in June and it’s a bit of a ride from here. Been to east coast a few times but mostly north of New York. Toll booth change is needed. 😎
I think Kevin's advice is well said, spot on accurate, and appropriate for all riders. It's a good refresher for many of us riders just now coming out of winter hibernation. Kudos! When the limit point gets really close to me, I also think it's helpful to rest my fingers on my front brake lever (aka "cover the brake"). That helps reduce my reaction time if I do need to slow down quickly.
I never remove my first 2 off of brake or clutch, I have learned to ride that way.thumb and last 2 are enough, ask any racer on monster HP bike you only need light grip to hold on, to many get arm pump from death grip street bike is not dirt bike bouncing all over the place, but dirt riding is great for getting in riding shape. and keeping skills sharp. I spent 8 yrs in dirt before ever hitting street that is only reason I am still alive after 40 plus yrs riding. 6-14 in dirt at 14 got bike license started street riding, do both now and have for yrs,
Excellent information. I think safe riders naturally adjust speed to whatever distance they can see up the road. Bold riders don't care. I would like to practice emergency braking at different speeds but it's tough to go 50 in a parking lot and I don't want to do it out on the road where if I make a mistake it could be a mess. I'll go 25 or 30 in an empty parking lot but that's about it.
Practicing proper emergency braking techniques at 30mph in a parking lot will give you all the skills you need for it. Just be in 3rd gear or so when doing it. The technique is identical at higher speeds. Just know that your stopping distance is much further at higher speeds. Clutch in, progressive braking force, downshift as you slow, be in 1st gear and ready to roll out at the end.
This is brilliant! I think I was already doing this instinctively, but now that I'm aware of it I will be watching to see how I engage with the limit point.
So good. What an excellent way to describe and demonstrate the details and proper way of negotiating a corner. I have been ride for 30 years and never stop learning. You’re the best. Keep it up MC rider.
Excellent description with the included red, yellow and green highlights edited in to better illustrate when to slow down, when to maintain a speed and when to accelerate.
Thank you! This is the best advice ever. I think I was doing this most of the time. But now it will be the rule all the time. To think you may have saved me from an accident. Thank you again for this best advice! 🏍
Excellent presentation. Years ago I discovered finding a cow in the road at the end of a blind turn was very exciting. If you don't know what is there, anything can be there, If you hit it, you may not be here. for very long. Another video suggestion is intersections where you can not see the oncoming left turn lane. It was a road with two lanes in each direction. There was a semi truck going in my direction waiting to make a left turn. Someone waiting to make a left turn coming from the opposite direction could not see me so they decided to turn in front of me. I went down trying to avoid a crash. They screwed up, but so did I. I assumed someone with a blocked view would not make a turn.
I ride a lot of dirt roads the limit point is super key there as well (no surprise). Nothing like coming around a corner into a side by side driven by a 14 year old too fast.
This may have been said already but one habit I have is to ALWAYS assume there’s an unseen vehicle coming from the other way that’s close to the center line, and drive accordingly.
These tutorials are very good for beginners, and a great tool for experienced riders to brush up on their skills. As a rider recently returned to a large bike, I'm happy that I ride safely, and the tips help😎
I tried this after watching ur video , what a great tip ! It makes a curve much more comfortable , I roll off prior to a curve & roll on thru the it , but this tip as a added plus. Thank you
Nicely done. I have been doing that naturally for years. Its stupid to crest a hill at a fast speed. You never know if the road is still straight or if there is a stalled vehicle on the other side. Thanks for helping riders.
As always great video and advice. Rules to follow on street. As a circuit racer you break all of his rules and go off of memory visualization to push path limits not vision. Example cork screw Laguna Seca. Entering blind turns at over vision speeds.
Great Video My concern in cornering is not so much the limit point but the Vehicles BEHIND me as I slow down for corners. I Try to follow the "rules" for cornering but the vehicles all seem to want to use the curves to go faster. Yes I do have a strobe brake light.
As a lifetime rider, I have two pieces of advice. You go where your eyes are looking, so keep your eyes focused as deep into the corner at horizon level as you can. When taking a hard corner, it is better to keep your torso vertical and bend at the hips to lean the bike. It feels good to lean with the bike but you give up a certain level of control when you do this and makes you unwieldy when doing peg to peg cornering.
The motorcycle roadcraft manual (UK police) says the limit point is where the nearside and offside verges appear to meet. I think that is the best definition. Thanks for a good video about this.
Rule #1 really is rule #1! Was leaned over in a nice sweeping turn. Halfway through I saw a big speed bump at the end of the turn. Always be ready for progressive braking, and don't go faster than you can brake.
@@Earthneedsado-over177 It forces vehicles to slow down, especially speeding vehicles, they really need to brake mid-turn there because it's not visible before that point. I wonder what they'd say if I called, because forcing speeders to brake is the reason they were installed in the first place. Clearly the planners didn't involve any motorcyclists though. We have some other weird speed bumps in town. For instance, there's a road with a very sharp turn (impossible to go fast) and they placed a speed bump right in the middle of it. Makes me wonder, if it was already impossible to go fast, then what's that speed bump for?
I went for a ride today after church. In my ~50km ride there were probably 200 other vehicles on the road. Most of my ride was in the country. The raods have an inconsistent surface that jerks my bike all over the place and the roads switch back and forth between concrete and asphalt, neither of which are quality. It got so crowded and boiling hot and humid that I cut my trip short and came home. Next time I see a clear sky forecast, I'll leave before 5am to get some cooler weather and less busy roads. It used to be a joy to ride when I lived in the states. I had lots of roads like the one you're on. The sights and sounds renewed my soul. Now I have to be extremely vigilint in order to avoid imminent death.
Kevin yes you can see forward, actually quite well. With the tips you have given and my GPS that shows the road ahead you can just be better prepared for the corners.
I went around some curves that were not blind when I first got my BMW K1300GT 10-12 years ago. The yellow signs usually indicated 40 mph. I could easily take them at 90. I also got lucky in the years since since the bikes I have owed were more capable than me. I ride much more conservatively nowadays and never take a blind hill or curve at a speed that I could not come up to a stop (or mostly). I have never tested the ABS pro on my current BMW, but I never have to try. I would also make the case that there are two other ways to get hurt on a bike; one is someone makes a left turn in front of you and the other is getting hit from the rear. I have taken precautions on both of these to 🤞stay safe. I also wear a neon yellow construction vest as people might not see you but unless they are color blind, they will see what’s there. It has helped me a few times on a crowded expressway when people started to encroach.
Not only does correct lane position help you see further thru corners, it helps others see you before they turn in front of you from side entrance to the road. That looked like a nice therapy ride road.
Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it. Considering the appearance of the sky under which you were riding, I am surprised you did not touch on how to corner safely in the rain.
Your GPS is the give-away. Besides looking ahead, what about rogue creatures venturing about (deer, hare, dog/cat? perhaps?) and any property entrances? Focusing is great, but there are immediate potential hazzards. And, yeah for novice riders, this is great advice... give the novices a little more to think about - gearing. Most motorcycles have much better agility when the rpm is between 1/2 - 2/3 of the red line (... errr, max rpm). Gearing is probably the most important aspect of motorcycle (and motorcar) control. Bayby steps.
Great points of info Kevin. I ALWAYS ride with 2 fingers on the brake lever. In your video, I kept anticipating wildlife to rear their ugly head out of those trees while looking at the distant point. Keep shifting those eyes.
You can also think of trail braking of a way of "cheating the limit point". Because if the braking pads are already touching the rotors, then you can brake more quickly and more safely, reducing your stopping distance. This way you can enter the curve at a higher speed while still being at the same safety level.
@@krytenLister , clearly you don't know the first thing about what you're talking about. Anyone who knows anything about riding knows that trail braking is an invaluable tool for navigating corners. Your tired old mantra that trial braking is for the track only is simply mistaken.
@@thomaslenzmeier183 if you are traveling so fast that you must close the throttle to 0% (full engine braking) and also applying front brake (both are required for trail braking) just to safely navigate around the curve, then perhaps you entered the curve too fast to begin with. A more conservative rider doesn't have to go to zero percent throttle and use the brakes in the curve.
Great instructional, Kevin, I often watch your videos two or three times over. And, when riding rural as you were, would it be worth to note that at night the limit point is always how far your headlight illuminates the road, GPS information notwithstanding?
Thanks for the advice I have had a close one nothing but lean like hell floorboard on the road cause if not would have trailed out way to far didn't cross the center but on the bitter edge very good information to apply on my rides thinking ahead and focus like you were saying I got you Thanks 👍
Great video but I would add one thing. I use Google Maps with the GPS it shows me where the corners and even stop signs or lights are that I'll be encountering for the most part. This allows me to know if there's going to be a curve and how sharp the curve most times before I even get to it or see it. Again great video keep up the great work!
@@mhoeij yeah but think about that if that was the case then the satellites would have real on time information to everyone and people would be able to be tracked at every moment of their lives by satellite so it's bad enough we're tracked by our cell phones I don't think they need the images of us too LOL
I need to practice and get comfortable scraping my floor boards, it always freaks me out! Guess because in 35 years of riding I've only wrecked once because I was too fast in a curve on a new bike. I made it though the curve, but when I started dragging my foot peg I straightened up too much and ran off the road coming out of the curve!
I grew up riding dirt bikes and when I started riding street I thought it was gonna be a piece of cake with all the traction. I was wrong! Was so used to putting my feet down and using the rear tire to steer. Can't do that on the street- it's just different.
Even more important for me to avoid running wide around corners, especially in gravel, is to NOT lean with the bike. By keeping my center of gravity over the wheels (sitting upright and not leaning), the bike is far less likely to corner wide or slide out from under me in gravel.
The limit point is also not just how far you can see of the road ahead but its how far can you see that is completely showing . ie. if there is another vehicle in front of you its beneficial to look further than it but its of no use just looking further up the road to that limit point as you must be able to stop in the distance that you can see to be clear of any obstruction and that means to anything else including all other vehicles. So if you fail to give that safe stopping distance to other vehicles in font of you, you may at any time be in trouble if that vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly comes to a full and immediate stop directly in front of you.
Further to that above your saying is not complete and you should add this 'STOP IN THE DISTANCE THAT YOU CAN SEE TO BE CLEAR....AND ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. Its no use racing down a road and having to emergency brake. If you are using the whole of the road when you should be only riding and braking and stopping on your side. Too many road users use all of the road especially on bends and that is incorrect. Only use your side and that will possibly mean that you have to reduce your speed, that's what you have to do. Further in the USA if you are taking a right hand bend or elsewhere say in the UK a left hand bend then you vision ahead or limit point on abend is only as far as the central lines depicting your side of the road and not to say the treeline or kerb or verge on the other side of the road.. Those areas are on the wrong side of the road and cannot be used by you otherwise you might end up braking on the wrong side of the road and hit something coming towards you and going too fast believing that your your stopping distance is to those verge or treeline and they are not.
Hey Kevin. Great Videos as usual. In your neck of the woods, you ride many level roads and not many hills or curves. Take a ride to Western PA sometime...Steep Up and Down Hills, blind curves everywhere, Deer Kamakazis that could take you out on any ride, Moron Texters crossing the centerline, rain washing gravel and debris constantly on those curves...believe me, the Tail of the Dragon is a Cake Walk compared to riding in this place. Practice my Skills in a Parking Lot? You can bet your Texas Behind I do!
Just be careful if practicing in a parking lot that you don’t hit gravel. You can even go out the day before and sweep where you’ll be practicing. Also, you should practice braking from higher speeds than you can achieve in a parking lot. On each of my bikes I will find a space with no houses or intersections that is remote with no traffics, get going 80-100mph and brake so hard to feel where the ABS is kicking in the learn the limit and then back off from there. Not only will you be better at braking, but you’ll be so much more confident.
The rode in the video reminds me of buzzing along at night with my wife on a Gold Wing @ 80 MPH, when a dear pops out, but stays out of my way, so think, "What dangers hide, in the hearts of bushes." The Whistler & I do!
Couple of things. Never run a unknown road hard Look past the corner. Bike will follow. Understand truthfully your riding skills. Relax going into a turn you may think your too hot. Bike will mostly go where your eyes are looking
Also, you need to know how fast your bike, with you on it, can lean before the pegs touch down, and when they do, know you have to either slow down, or use body position, such as hanging one butt cheek off the inside corner of the bike, so you can stand the bike up more. If pegs touch down, it’s not cool, and it doesn’t mean you’re a great rider. It means you’re about to have hard parts lever the tire’s contact patch off the road, and cause a low side. Those peg nubs are there as a warning.
In this part of the 😮country corner burning is not a wise move in rural areas. The deer and the occasional wild hog make cornering a 50/50 situation in spring and fall. Then logging gets underway which means a red clay mud slick from logging trucks entering the highway. Wet red clay much the same as ice except it can stay on the road for days. Early fall and spring finds the farmers moving between fields etc. So you better ride the road slower and then turn around and go for it.
Great great tips but” will these tips still apply when I scan for deer? I live in an area that’s full of deer” and I’m constantly scanning for these nasty critters. I will have to try it and see how it works out..
Always scan the road. Don't fixate on just the vanishing point. Don't fixate on anything actually. Constantly scan as far as you can see, all the way down to up close.
So, although i have experience in riding, i have been fortunate that i have not encountered much rain. i confess i am spooked about cornering, particularly on tight corners and wet. This past summer i was in the smokies...and, i found lots of rain. I usually find myself slowing down to posted limits, buts it not fun at that point. I pucker up pretty serious. Any suggestions
I can Double the suggest speed for curves in my Z-28 CAmar .. on a Motorycle .. I can't quite reach double the speed on most curves.. but well above the suggested speed..
If you are the only vehicle on the road, this is fine. But with cars and trucks on your tail, constantly varying your speed according to what you see, seems to be a recipe for getting road raged, or at worst, rear-ended.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Rule # 1 is a must and when in doubt enter the corner even a bit slower. I know some will hate this comment and I, in general love cornering on the hot side …… but that in general I do it less often as there are too many variables and the thrill is no longer worth the risk for me.
Totally agree. Especially if you are on an unfamiliar road. To some extend, it's a little different if you know the road because you know the terrain, potholes, intersecting roads, driveways etc., but there is always an unknown element because the street is never constant. There could be an animal, person, disabled car, etc. etc in the middle of that next turn, which you did not anticipate. This is why I personally get a little nuts when people try to ride on the street like they do the track. They are two different worlds and both demand a different approach.
@@dickjohnson7845 Simply - well stated!!!
If people are offended by you suggesting they should probably take corners a bit slower than they usually do, I doubt they should be riding in the first place as that is a horrible mindset based on ego and a false sense of mastery. It's evident most riders overestimate their skill level by a lot. And any potential reaction to this only serves to prove they are the first ones who should be slowing down.
@@lucascarracedo7421 I’ve taken the approach that if people are offended by my opinion or beliefs, it’s their problem. Unless I have directly attacked them, in some way, language, insults etc., which makes sense but that’s not my style.
I agree i ride for enjoyment rather than thrills. As it hurts if it goes wrong
Kevin, I’ve learned so much from you. I’m 66 years old and been riding since I was 16. However, I took about 36 years off and just returned to riding last year. Being older and not riding for that long of a time has caused me to forget some things as well as just lose some skills I took for granted before. I appreciate you and the clear way you explain things to help make me a better rider. My wife rides with me often, so the added responsibility placed on me makes me want to learn as much as possible to keep both me and her safe on the road. Thank you brother, God bless you and your family.
Great Comment, similar story with 33 years off riding big bikes and off-road riding ... so I purchased my new Dual Sport bike 4 years ago ..but only after watching lots of RUclips and getting all the knowledge I needed to keep me safe in a much less sane world of 3 decades later (drugs, mobiles, road rage etc); Kevin's vids were a great resource and the tips have saved my butt on a number of occasions.... thanks Kevin, Mark (from sunny Oz)
You and I have like stories I was out of riding for 35 years when I decided to get back in I did not want to get a big bike so I bought a 2007 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electric Glide lol I wish I had a video of my first ride. Between Kevin and motorman they have kept me alive. Ride Safe. Conard. Brogue Pa
Not always about increasing speed, but increasing the margin of safety ! I LIKED THAT !👍👍
So eloquently stated .
No nonsense and life saving advice .
I’m 63 , been riding for 48 years ; THIS man teaches me something new every video !
Thanks M/C Rider
Very good advice, also known as vanishing point. I practice my vision looking for the vanishing point even when I’m driving.
Great advice. Most of us go into corners too fast. As you say, 'ride at a speed that allows you to stop safely in the distance you can see to be clear on your side of the road'. This can be pretty slow on a tight blind corner. But how often do you see even experienced riders going at a speed they cannot stop if there is a obstacle in the road. The illusion of safety is just that. If you don't know how quickly you can stop, how do you know what the safe speed is? Practice emergency stopping!!
Thanks Kevin....nice Texas riding. I'd agree, and I'd argue I do that pretty naturally at this stage of my riding. Good conversation.
I like how you bring up lane position to aid how far your Limit Point is. What you also should mention is your lane position is also critical to how visible you are to other drivers. They're less likely to cut into your path when you are visible to them, and not blocked from view behind a truck, or riding in a blind spot.
Another key factor - It's not good enough to know how quickly you can stop at any given speed. You also should allow for your reaction time to identify the hazard, and then decide how to react. This can sometimes add seconds to your reaction time, thus significantly increasing your stopping distance, and needs to be built-in to how much distance you add to your Limit Point.
Outside of target fixation, this has got to be the best advice ever. So good
And as always
I was entertained
Kevin, I tried the rear brake, last 10 mph for balancing, holy crap what a revelation! TY
Excellent info!
Of course, the first section applies to any operator of any kind of vehicle, from bicycle to semi, as well as motorcycles.
Far too many times, I’ve seen drivers and riders go through corners as if they have x-ray vision, when in fact it’s a blind corner.
And, they don’t have x-Ray vision, or any other kind of super power.
Great info, well presented, and very valuable!
I always pay attention to the recommended speed sign when entering a curve, especially on an unknown road. If the sign says 45 mph, I have found that if I use that as my entry speed, I’ll have no issues negotiating the curve. I can almost always throttle-up thru the curve and exit at a comfortable speed.
Here in Canada most corners have recommended speed in km. I noticed even if I am 10km/h above the speed limit I still can negotiate the curve without problems.
Good to see a video with some on-the-road coaching again. You're pretty good at those Kevin and I always learn or at least reinforce a skill from them! Thanks!
As always, absolute golden advice
The timing of this video was perfect for me. I arrived in Brazil on Friday, for a wedding, and the bride's brother insisted we go on a motorcyle trip, north of Sap Paulo. He has a noisy Harley, his friend lent me his Honda CTX 700. Not a fan of "loud pipes save lives", but must admit following him on Sao Paulo streets was rather nice. The frequency of turns, and hills, as we went into the mountains was more than I have experienced in Canada. To stay focused, I started chanting a mantra, "limit point, limit point, limit point". Kevin probably would not say this in his video, but it worked for me. Home safe, ready to sleep after 10 hours riding.
Thanks Kevin. I enjoy and learn from your videos. I’m in Northern California where vegetation means animals and possibly cross streets.
What does pucker me up a bit is vegetation so close to the highway. It will obviously hide animals (deer during early season will wait until you get lose then leap out) and cross roads/traffic.
During times as such slowing down and not so much worrying about how you corner is a safer choice.
I always watch how power lines go and glance at my GPS and get a precautionary look at how we turn. (It will also tell you about intersecting roads.
Not being critical just trying to add another perspective.
Thanks you. Roy in N Cal
Deer in Virginia! Also road surface with sand in apex after rain on those sweeping turns... I know there's sand everywhere in Texas.
@@robjohnson9952 Thank you for that information. I’ll be heading to Virginia for BMWMOA 50th anniversary in June and it’s a bit of a ride from here.
Been to east coast a few times but mostly north of New York.
Toll booth change is needed. 😎
Good video. Great information.
Bright yellow is a good color to use for your pointer
Most color blind can see that. 👀
I think Kevin's advice is well said, spot on accurate, and appropriate for all riders. It's a good refresher for many of us riders just now coming out of winter hibernation. Kudos!
When the limit point gets really close to me, I also think it's helpful to rest my fingers on my front brake lever (aka "cover the brake"). That helps reduce my reaction time if I do need to slow down quickly.
I don't think there is anything wrong with covering the brake. I've heard others say it's a bad habit, but it's merely insurance for the unknown.
I never remove my first 2 off of brake or clutch, I have learned to ride that way.thumb and last 2 are enough, ask any racer on monster HP bike you only need light grip to hold on, to many get arm pump from death grip street bike is not dirt bike bouncing all over the place, but dirt riding is great for getting in riding shape. and keeping skills sharp. I spent 8 yrs in dirt before ever hitting street that is only reason I am still alive after 40 plus yrs riding. 6-14 in dirt at 14 got bike license started street riding, do both now and have for yrs,
Excellent information. I think safe riders naturally adjust speed to whatever distance they can see up the road. Bold riders don't care. I would like to practice emergency braking at different speeds but it's tough to go 50 in a parking lot and I don't want to do it out on the road where if I make a mistake it could be a mess. I'll go 25 or 30 in an empty parking lot but that's about it.
Practicing proper emergency braking techniques at 30mph in a parking lot will give you all the skills you need for it. Just be in 3rd gear or so when doing it.
The technique is identical at higher speeds. Just know that your stopping distance is much further at higher speeds.
Clutch in, progressive braking force, downshift as you slow, be in 1st gear and ready to roll out at the end.
This is brilliant! I think I was already doing this instinctively, but now that I'm aware of it I will be watching to see how I engage with the limit point.
Thanks Kevin. This is exactly what we tell the people during the rides with the I.A.M. The Institute for Advance Motoring.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists.
So good. What an excellent way to describe and demonstrate the details and proper way of negotiating a corner. I have been ride for 30 years and never stop learning. You’re the best. Keep it up MC rider.
Yep . Spot On advise . Sure , we all get in wrong occasionally , but this technique will Definitely MINIMIZE that .
Excellent description with the included red, yellow and green highlights edited in to better illustrate when to slow down, when to maintain a speed and when to accelerate.
As always Kevin... Brilliant advice.
I totally agree.
Thank you! This is the best advice ever. I think I was doing this most of the time. But now it will be the rule all the time. To think you may have saved me from an accident. Thank you again for this best advice! 🏍
It is really professional training video. Only professional trainer can explain this situation. Thanks again
Excellent presentation. Years ago I discovered finding a cow in the road at the end of a blind turn was very exciting.
If you don't know what is there, anything can be there, If you hit it, you may not be here. for very long.
Another video suggestion is intersections where you can not see the oncoming left turn lane. It was a road with two lanes in each direction. There was a semi truck going in my direction waiting to make a left turn. Someone waiting to make a left turn coming from the opposite direction could not see me so they decided to turn in front of me. I went down trying to avoid a crash.
They screwed up, but so did I. I assumed someone with a blocked view would not make a turn.
I ride a lot of dirt roads the limit point is super key there as well (no surprise). Nothing like coming around a corner into a side by side driven by a 14 year old too fast.
Good info. Through the video, I found myself watching out for wildlife due to all the trees.
This may have been said already but one habit I have is to ALWAYS assume there’s an unseen vehicle coming from the other way that’s close to the center line, and drive accordingly.
These tutorials are very good for beginners, and a great tool for experienced riders to brush up on their skills. As a rider recently returned to a large bike, I'm happy that I ride safely, and the tips help😎
I tried this after watching ur video , what a great tip ! It makes a curve much more comfortable , I roll off prior to a curve & roll on thru the it , but this tip as a added plus.
Thank you
Nicely done. I have been doing that naturally for years. Its stupid to crest a hill at a fast speed. You never know if the road is still straight or if there is a stalled vehicle on the other side. Thanks for helping riders.
As always great video and advice. Rules to follow on street. As a circuit racer you break all of his rules and go off of memory visualization to push path limits not vision. Example cork screw Laguna Seca. Entering blind turns at over vision speeds.
Great content! Thanks again Kevin.
Great Video My concern in cornering is not so much the limit point but the Vehicles BEHIND me as I slow down for corners. I Try to follow the "rules" for cornering but the vehicles all seem to want to use the curves to go faster. Yes I do have a strobe brake light.
I have the same concern
That's why I try to stretch the lead in the straightaways so I can take the curves at my own pace without somebody riding my rear.
Or just pull over and let traffic pass (in a safe spot) if you aren't keeping up with the average pace.
@@beepbop6697 that is not an option here on German roads😅
@@beepbop6697 Understand your concern - I am not the slow one in traffic but when cornering - I am a bit slower than if I was in an automobile
As a lifetime rider, I have two pieces of advice. You go where your eyes are looking, so keep your eyes focused as deep into the corner at horizon level as you can. When taking a hard corner, it is better to keep your torso vertical and bend at the hips to lean the bike. It feels good to lean with the bike but you give up a certain level of control when you do this and makes you unwieldy when doing peg to peg cornering.
The motorcycle roadcraft manual (UK police) says the limit point is where the nearside and offside verges appear to meet. I think that is the best definition. Thanks for a good video about this.
Rule #1 really is rule #1! Was leaned over in a nice sweeping turn. Halfway through I saw a big speed bump at the end of the turn.
Always be ready for progressive braking, and don't go faster than you can brake.
Crazy place for a speed bump. I hope you called and complained.
@@Earthneedsado-over177 It forces vehicles to slow down, especially speeding vehicles, they really need to brake mid-turn there because it's not visible before that point. I wonder what they'd say if I called, because forcing speeders to brake is the reason they were installed in the first place. Clearly the planners didn't involve any motorcyclists though.
We have some other weird speed bumps in town. For instance, there's a road with a very sharp turn (impossible to go fast) and they placed a speed bump right in the middle of it. Makes me wonder, if it was already impossible to go fast, then what's that speed bump for?
Logical information if we have been riding for awhile , but a reminder is always helpful.
I went for a ride today after church. In my ~50km ride there were probably 200 other vehicles on the road. Most of my ride was in the country. The raods have an inconsistent surface that jerks my bike all over the place and the roads switch back and forth between concrete and asphalt, neither of which are quality. It got so crowded and boiling hot and humid that I cut my trip short and came home. Next time I see a clear sky forecast, I'll leave before 5am to get some cooler weather and less busy roads. It used to be a joy to ride when I lived in the states. I had lots of roads like the one you're on. The sights and sounds renewed my soul. Now I have to be extremely vigilint in order to avoid imminent death.
Kevin yes you can see forward, actually quite well. With the tips you have given and my GPS that shows the road ahead you can just be better prepared for the corners.
I went around some curves that were not blind when I first got my BMW K1300GT 10-12 years ago. The yellow signs usually indicated 40 mph. I could easily take them at 90. I also got lucky in the years since since the bikes I have owed were more capable than me. I ride much more conservatively nowadays and never take a blind hill or curve at a speed that I could not come up to a stop (or mostly). I have never tested the ABS pro on my current BMW, but I never have to try. I would also make the case that there are two other ways to get hurt on a bike; one is someone makes a left turn in front of you and the other is getting hit from the rear. I have taken precautions on both of these to 🤞stay safe. I also wear a neon yellow construction vest as people might not see you but unless they are color blind, they will see what’s there. It has helped me a few times on a crowded expressway when people started to encroach.
Very true never. This was the best video!!!! Specially for beginners too! Limit point was very well explained!!!!
Greetings from the PPRC, great advice as always.🇺🇸🇺🇸🏍️
Another awesome video👍🏻
Very good information.
I pay attention to the posted DOT speed for that curve.
Not only does correct lane position help you see further thru corners, it helps others see you before they turn in front of you from side entrance to the road.
That looked like a nice therapy ride road.
Kevin, You always put out great tips. This explanation and visual was great.
One of your best videos ever!
Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it. Considering the appearance of the sky under which you were riding, I am surprised you did not touch on how to corner safely in the rain.
Excellent explanation!!
The limit point is always calculated by the street supervisors-designers, and it's usually used to determine the speed limit on that road.
Great information. Thank you!
Your GPS is the give-away.
Besides looking ahead, what about rogue creatures venturing about (deer, hare, dog/cat? perhaps?) and any property entrances? Focusing is great, but there are immediate potential hazzards.
And, yeah for novice riders, this is great advice... give the novices a little more to think about - gearing. Most motorcycles have much better agility when the rpm is between 1/2 - 2/3 of the red line (... errr, max rpm). Gearing is probably the most important aspect of motorcycle (and motorcar) control.
Bayby steps.
Excellent advice, as usual. Thank you.
I want to thank you for teaching me, definitely the best video on the subject, it helped me a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Great points of info Kevin. I ALWAYS ride with 2 fingers on the brake lever. In your video, I kept anticipating wildlife to rear their ugly head out of those trees while looking at the distant point. Keep shifting those eyes.
Valuable information. Thanks.
You can also think of trail braking of a way of "cheating the limit point". Because if the braking pads are already touching the rotors, then you can brake more quickly and more safely, reducing your stopping distance. This way you can enter the curve at a higher speed while still being at the same safety level.
Yes, Kevin + trail braking = fun!
Rubbish - if you're trail braking you're travelling too fast for the corner and not using the limit point
@@krytenLister , clearly you don't know the first thing about what you're talking about. Anyone who knows anything about riding knows that trail braking is an invaluable tool for navigating corners. Your tired old mantra that trial braking is for the track only is simply mistaken.
@@krytenLister
Hey Kryten, can you explain that in a slightly different way please as l don't exactly understand what you're trying to say.
@@thomaslenzmeier183 if you are traveling so fast that you must close the throttle to 0% (full engine braking) and also applying front brake (both are required for trail braking) just to safely navigate around the curve, then perhaps you entered the curve too fast to begin with.
A more conservative rider doesn't have to go to zero percent throttle and use the brakes in the curve.
Great instructional, Kevin, I often watch your videos two or three times over. And, when riding rural as you were, would it be worth to note that at night the limit point is always how far your headlight illuminates the road, GPS information notwithstanding?
Thanks for the advice I have had a close one nothing but lean like hell floorboard on the road cause if not would have trailed out way to far didn't cross the center but on the bitter edge very good information to apply on my rides thinking ahead and focus like you were saying I got you Thanks 👍
Great video but I would add one thing. I use Google Maps with the GPS it shows me where the corners and even stop signs or lights are that I'll be encountering for the most part. This allows me to know if there's going to be a curve and how sharp the curve most times before I even get to it or see it. Again great video keep up the great work!
Why not just read the road
@@krytenLister it doesn't show you a diagram of how sharp the turn will be and when it stops and if you start using it you'll see what I mean
GPS map is very helpful in mountain roads. In town, it'd be great if it also showed cars coming out of driveways!
@@mhoeij yeah but think about that if that was the case then the satellites would have real on time information to everyone and people would be able to be tracked at every moment of their lives by satellite so it's bad enough we're tracked by our cell phones I don't think they need the images of us too LOL
Vanishing point.
I need to practice and get comfortable scraping my floor boards, it always freaks me out! Guess because in 35 years of riding I've only wrecked once because I was too fast in a curve on a new bike. I made it though the curve, but when I started dragging my foot peg I straightened up too much and ran off the road coming out of the curve!
Works well in curves too
Very informative
I grew up riding dirt bikes and when I started riding street I thought it was gonna be a piece of cake with all the traction. I was wrong! Was so used to putting my feet down and using the rear tire to steer. Can't do that on the street- it's just different.
Great video
Even more important for me to avoid running wide around corners, especially in gravel, is to NOT lean with the bike. By keeping my center of gravity over the wheels (sitting upright and not leaning), the bike is far less likely to corner wide or slide out from under me in gravel.
good advice. thank you
The limit point is also not just how far you can see of the road ahead but its how far can you see that is completely showing . ie. if there is another vehicle in front of you its beneficial to look further than it but its of no use just looking further up the road to that limit point as you must be able to stop in the distance that you can see to be clear of any obstruction and that means to anything else including all other vehicles. So if you fail to give that safe stopping distance to other vehicles in font of you, you may at any time be in trouble if that vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly comes to a full and immediate stop directly in front of you.
Further to that above your saying is not complete and you should add this 'STOP IN THE DISTANCE THAT YOU CAN SEE TO BE CLEAR....AND ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. Its no use racing down a road and having to emergency brake. If you are using the whole of the road when you should be only riding and braking and stopping on your side. Too many road users use all of the road especially on bends and that is incorrect. Only use your side and that will possibly mean that you have to reduce your speed, that's what you have to do.
Further in the USA if you are taking a right hand bend or elsewhere say in the UK a left hand bend then you vision ahead or limit point on abend is only as far as the central lines depicting your side of the road and not to say the treeline or kerb or verge on the other side of the road.. Those areas are on the wrong side of the road and cannot be used by you otherwise you might end up braking on the wrong side of the road and hit something coming towards you and going too fast believing that your your stopping distance is to those verge or treeline and they are not.
Thanks good info
Hey Kevin. Great Videos as usual. In your neck of the woods, you ride many level roads and not many hills or curves. Take a ride to Western PA sometime...Steep Up and Down Hills, blind curves everywhere, Deer Kamakazis that could take you out on any ride, Moron Texters crossing the centerline, rain washing gravel and debris constantly on those curves...believe me, the Tail of the Dragon is a Cake Walk compared to riding in this place. Practice my Skills in a Parking Lot? You can bet your Texas Behind I do!
Just be careful if practicing in a parking lot that you don’t hit gravel. You can even go out the day before and sweep where you’ll be practicing. Also, you should practice braking from higher speeds than you can achieve in a parking lot. On each of my bikes I will find a space with no houses or intersections that is remote with no traffics, get going 80-100mph and brake so hard to feel where the ABS is kicking in the learn the limit and then back off from there. Not only will you be better at braking, but you’ll be so much more confident.
Good stuff!
Great video Kevin! Can you also make a video that involves cornering on a very steep uphill? Like 15-20%? Thanks!
Great information
Thanks Kevin--gonna rent one in a week and it has been a while. HD's are sure getting boring; I miss the Springers and Wide Glides of old.
Limit points are great. Only problem is here in the UK, most of one’s attention these days is taken up looking out for potholes.
The rode in the video reminds me of buzzing along at night with my wife on a Gold Wing @ 80 MPH, when a dear pops out, but stays out of my way, so think, "What dangers hide, in the hearts of bushes." The Whistler & I do!
Thank you
Great advise
Good common sense advice, as usual. I really like those mirrors, Kevin!
I agree with you limit point technique 100 percent. However, there is always the unknown factor. Kids, deer, alligators, possums!
Nice video.
Love this video! 🏍👍
Couple of things.
Never run a unknown road hard
Look past the corner. Bike will follow.
Understand truthfully your riding skills.
Relax going into a turn you may think your too hot.
Bike will mostly go where your eyes are looking
That was a great video
Good, common sense advice - thanks!
Good video. Thanks Kevin. What was the bird flying across from R to L at 05:27?
Also, you need to know how fast your bike, with you on it, can lean before the pegs touch down, and when they do, know you have to either slow down, or use body position, such as hanging one butt cheek off the inside corner of the bike, so you can stand the bike up more. If pegs touch down, it’s not cool, and it doesn’t mean you’re a great rider. It means you’re about to have hard parts lever the tire’s contact patch off the road, and cause a low side. Those peg nubs are there as a warning.
In this part of the 😮country corner burning is not a wise move in rural areas. The deer and the occasional wild hog make cornering a 50/50 situation in spring and fall. Then logging gets underway which means a red clay mud slick from logging trucks entering the highway. Wet red clay much the same as ice except it can stay on the road for days. Early fall and spring finds the farmers moving between fields etc. So you better ride the road slower and then turn around and go for it.
Kevin had a recent video about this (mud slick in a turn).
Great great tips but” will these tips still apply when I scan for deer? I live in an area that’s full of deer” and I’m constantly scanning for these nasty critters. I will have to try it and see how it works out..
Always scan the road. Don't fixate on just the vanishing point. Don't fixate on anything actually. Constantly scan as far as you can see, all the way down to up close.
This video is for new riders. I’ve been riding 40 years and nothing new for me
So, although i have experience in riding, i have been fortunate that i have not encountered much rain. i confess i am spooked about cornering, particularly on tight corners and wet. This past summer i was in the smokies...and, i found lots of rain. I usually find myself slowing down to posted limits, buts it not fun at that point. I pucker up pretty serious. Any suggestions
I can Double the suggest speed for curves in my Z-28 CAmar .. on a Motorycle .. I can't quite reach double the speed on most curves.. but well above the suggested speed..
Im looking at maybe getting a honda vtx 1800 or a harley v rod what bike is more dependable and reliable?
If you are the only vehicle on the road, this is fine. But with cars and trucks on your tail, constantly varying your speed according to what you see, seems to be a recipe for getting road raged, or at worst, rear-ended.