I'm looking into improving my leans... how do you build confidence? Sometimes when i try to lean further I get to a point where the bike feels like want's to fall straight down and i just straighten it up... And i'm not like leaning it at all
This is how I understand it and sorry for repeating what you already know or for stating the obvious, but it may help someone; The light feeling is a warning and it may be just how tense you are on the bike at that moment. It is essential to have relaxed arms and even the upper half of your body. Your legs and feet stabilise, support and secure you on the bike, leaving your upper half to move freely and bend your elbows. Trying to intentionally lean is not the aim, it is just the result of going faster around the same corner. If we are just trying to lean as far as possible, we end up carrying the same speed for too long around the corner, rather than braking hard and then looking to accelerate again as soon as possible. Research whatever you can find about counter-steering to understand it and practice it to feel the sensation as best as you can. There are videos on RUclips. It is easy to misunderstand it early on. When I feel I am getting closer to my limits, I have to remind myself to relax my arms and give it a little more counter-steering input to tighten the line and reach the apex. I think a common problem for people building experience on the track in particular is coming on and off the throttle several times through the corner. This upsets the balance and load on the tyres and suspension, the stability and then the rider’s feedback and confidence. Even when at the extremities of lean the bike has the best ground clearance, stability and grip whilst you are under very slight acceleration. You can see and hear me practicing this through the apexes in this video. Once you have slowed down for the corner and now that you are turning towards the apex, the bike still wants to slow down gradually and keep turning, so pick up the throttle just slightly, don’t accelerate yet, just keep the bike from slowing down. You now have maximum stability and even load on the tyres and suspension. The aim is to maintain that slight throttle through the corner without letting it off again and unsettling the bike. You can still steer the bike progressively by using more or less counter-steering. Once you have got through the apex and are now looking where you want to head towards next, you can open the throttle gradually and consistently until you are heading that direction. Too much too soon and you will run wide and have to chop the throttle again. The confidence itself is only gained through practice and experience, without that personal experience it is just blind faith. Being as smooth and progressive with your inputs as possible and consciously relaxing is safest and fastest.
Just seen this pal! Nice one. Love the bit at 11:29 when you come past me. Great footage 👌
I'm looking into improving my leans... how do you build confidence? Sometimes when i try to lean further I get to a point where the bike feels like want's to fall straight down and i just straighten it up... And i'm not like leaning it at all
This is how I understand it and sorry for repeating what you already know or for stating the obvious, but it may help someone;
The light feeling is a warning and it may be just how tense you are on the bike at that moment. It is essential to have relaxed arms and even the upper half of your body. Your legs and feet stabilise, support and secure you on the bike, leaving your upper half to move freely and bend your elbows.
Trying to intentionally lean is not the aim, it is just the result of going faster around the same corner. If we are just trying to lean as far as possible, we end up carrying the same speed for too long around the corner, rather than braking hard and then looking to accelerate again as soon as possible.
Research whatever you can find about counter-steering to understand it and practice it to feel the sensation as best as you can. There are videos on RUclips. It is easy to misunderstand it early on. When I feel I am getting closer to my limits, I have to remind myself to relax my arms and give it a little more counter-steering input to tighten the line and reach the apex.
I think a common problem for people building experience on the track in particular is coming on and off the throttle several times through the corner. This upsets the balance and load on the tyres and suspension, the stability and then the rider’s feedback and confidence.
Even when at the extremities of lean the bike has the best ground clearance, stability and grip whilst you are under very slight acceleration. You can see and hear me practicing this through the apexes in this video.
Once you have slowed down for the corner and now that you are turning towards the apex, the bike still wants to slow down gradually and keep turning, so pick up the throttle just slightly, don’t accelerate yet, just keep the bike from slowing down. You now have maximum stability and even load on the tyres and suspension. The aim is to maintain that slight throttle through the corner without letting it off again and unsettling the bike. You can still steer the bike progressively by using more or less counter-steering.
Once you have got through the apex and are now looking where you want to head towards next, you can open the throttle gradually and consistently until you are heading that direction. Too much too soon and you will run wide and have to chop the throttle again.
The confidence itself is only gained through practice and experience, without that personal experience it is just blind faith. Being as smooth and progressive with your inputs as possible and consciously relaxing is safest and fastest.