Hi Kevin, just subscribed, will join soon. I am 71 years old and took delivery yesterday of my brand new Royal Enfield Hunter after not riding for 40 years. Rode it for an hour in an enclosed condo village, practicing the skills you advocate. (Did the BRC during the summer, and discovered your channel.) Your calm, detailed, intelligent coaching anchors my return to riding. Thank you for helping me even though you don’t know me. You’re the Man. Eric
One thing I learned from Enduro riders is that body position helps a lot, especially downhill. If you squeeze the bike with your knees and shift weight as far back as possible it makes the bike feel a lot more stable.
My wife and I toured the Alps several yeas ago. You will get proficient in switchbacks there. It was a ton of fun. Probably the key thing to tight switchbacks is to keep your speed up. Going too slow makes it much more difficult. And looking where you want to go is more important than ever. So, look where you want to go and keep your speed up. I was riding a K1600GTL with my wife aboard and full luggage. This fairly large bike handled the Alps just fine.
@@enricohagn Yes. Still have the t-shirt. I have ridden in all US states except Hawaii and all provinces of Canada except Quebec and nothing compares to riding in the Alps.
@@LTVoyager you are THE MAN, mate 👍 Glad you enjoyed our mountains, not many areas compare to its steep (especially those I passionately during my army stint 😁) yet still well maintained roads👍. Ever bean to Thailand as yet? They do have great mountain roads, too 👍
@@enricohagn It was a fantastic tour. Loved both Switzerland and Northern Italy. I liked Italy’s prices and food better though. 😁. No, never been to Thailand. Last two overseas tours were Scotland and northern England and then a year before covid we toured Ireland and Wales.
I'm fortunate that living in British Columbia, I have lots of opportunities to practice riding up and down hills. I have a practice route that takes me through two downhill hairpin turns and ends with a sharp hairpin onto my driveway, which rises steeply at an angle to the road. Your advice to work the clutch and brake, keep the throttle smooth, and turn my head is constantly in my head as I navigate each of these corners. Although I've been riding for years, I notice that my skills are still improving as I challenge myself and practice.
I found the road up to Mt. Nebo to be pretty challenging too. Several of the switchbacks are tight enough to require counter-weight turns. Additionally, there are a couple of areas where natural springs flow across the road year-round and those pose traction issues. I would encourage riders to practice counter-weight turns, swerves, and emergency braking with their pillion riders, if possible. It provides a lot more confidence when faced with these issues two up. Again, an excellent video Kevin.
For me I would never go up that mountain two up. I used to live in the area, been up many times in a car or truck, only once on a motorcycle. That was enough for me.
As a 76 year young Florida Man who's first and only Bike is a 1983 Interstate. Last year, I was sent to Tucson Az. for work. I found an Indian vintage on Ride Share and had the ride of my life up Mount Lemon. Using the techniques you teach I had no issues going up or coming down. I must admit I impressed myself. I honestly didn't think I would have the skills, but with your help I had learned to do what I didn't know I could. I hope that makes sense. Thanks for a Great and safe ride.
In these situations learning how much rear brake to use is huge. I have used too much rear brake before and had to let off and reapply the break. I could just about do this with me eyes closed now. With several hours of practice and several hundreds of thousands of miles riding over the years. I don’t know about you guys but my favorite part of riding is the high skill stuff. It’s fun to learn and apply these skills and see yourself improve.
I'm constantly looking for a riding challenge. Parking lots, gravel roads, and little back roads roads just to name a few. Yes, I am always looking for a place to sharpen my skills.
Go ride Pikes Peak or Mount Evans RD in Colorado. If you make back down you've mastered the skill and just need to practice to keep the skill. The head turn is most important to keep you going where you want to go. Looking down you'll go down.
Peoria illinois has a few spots that are hairy in its scenic mountain areas. Also Hwy 151 the devils drop as its known off of the blue ridge parkway area has a couple of switchbacks and hairy blind turns .
Hi great video, practice is the key. I just rode the route of the grand alps last week with lots of tight corners. In slow out fast. use your gears don’t be frightened to use 1st gear and the clutch and dab the breaks.
Whoo Eureka Springs is sort of my neck of the woods! Lots of great riding in the Boston Mountains/Ozarks. (Btw, surprised you didn't get any footage from some of the actual switchbacks there! Haha.)
Kevin, I have spend a lot of time in parking lots working on slow speed maneuvers here in central Florida, but that did not prepare me for the week I just spent in North Carolina including the Blue Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon. On day one I was trying to down shift, then try to catch up with my group who were familiar with these type roads. Once they told me to rely on engine breaking to slow me down and not be concerned with the 3000 rpm’s, I got more comfortable riding the roads. I never got over convincing myself to go around the blind curves without concern though. I completed the Dragon in probably the slowest time ever, but I am looking forward to going back again. One tip they gave me was, 15 mph = 1st gear, 25 mph = 2nd gear, 35 mph = 3rd gear. It was a blast. The other thing was that on day one, I was trying to steer the bike, I actually got pretty comfortable with pushing the handle bars in the direction I wanted to go into a curve.
Low gear! Maybe that sounds obvious, but if the switchback comes after an easy, fast piece of road, sometimes you might be tempted not to downshift as much as needed. In my experience here in the Alps, be generous downshifting. You might need that torque to stay up.
Great Skills - We have a road in my area that (according to the county engineer) has an 8.5 degree incline and the downhill turn is six yes 6 degrees to the right (hard to turn your head that far and look through hill and trees that are raised) the up hill turn to the left is a little wider. Thirty four (34) degrees - great hill for practicing as there is little traffic and NO trucks or busses are allowed and few cars make the turn staying on their side of the double yellow line- so you need to turn tight and excercise caution at all times.
Having ridden both the "Tail of the Dragon" and some unknown road in Arkansas with highly banked switch backs. The "Tail" is a cakewalk compared to the road I was on in Arkansas. The problem for me wasn't the change in direction it was the steep banking where you had to maintain a certain amount of speed to not fall over yet negotiate an extremely tight turn. I was on a 2007 Ultra so it was probably close to as hard as it gets from an equipment stand point but I can tell you that my confidence level was not high. If I had to put a foot down on the inside the bike was going to fall over before my foot hit the ground. Fortunately I made it without incident but it was pretty scary. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
@Johnny Lightning Your experience exactly mirrored mine, the minor, but almost serious difference was that my Goldwing DCT decided to change down halfway round the steepest and tightest part. Instant loss of momentum and almost dropped it. I now approach on the wrong side of the road after selecting first gear. Enter the turn with plenty of power to maximise momentum. I don't change gear or use any braking at all, just keep the power on as much as is safe. Momentum is absolutely paramount. I now laugh in the face of that switchback and enjoy the experience! Have a great day and take care.
When you ride down Mt. Nebo you use first gear and a lot of brakes. My Sportster would spin the tires in the turns going up. I have likely ridden a motorcycle up Mt. Nebo for the last time. I have been up a time or two in my truck since the bike ride up.
I moved from the Seattle area where I had ridden some curves, but now I'm near Yosemite, talk about instant curve school, there's not a mile of straight rode here. I personally love it. I've ridden a DRZ400 for years incl off-road. I bought a BMWF750, rode it for a year & sold it, obviously a confidence problem. I've always ridden smaller bikes, still have my DRZ400 & can really corner her pretty well now🤣. I had a pretty bad wreck in the Alvord desert...so working through some confidence issues in the dirt now. I also just bought the HONDAXR150L, so nimble, I'll really be able to work on skills that will translate to whatever I ride. I have zero city or mass traffic experience, mostly lonely highways, dirt & now lots of curve experience. I always practice slow speed stuff & emergency braking etc! I'd really love to get a class from Skool of Moto instructor one day! Happy & Safe riding everyone!
I did the 52 narrow hairpins of the Passo dello Stelvio (Stilfser Joch) going DOWN into Italy 3 days ago. It was a blast. So the following day, I did it UP. Thick fog. Periodic rain. It was Saturday = more traffic. Folks coming the other way would swing wide in the hairpins, and you'd have to crane your neck around to see them coming -- and stop when they were -- with vision impaired by a fogged, rain-specked visor. I was fatigued; confidence went out the window. I made it, obviously, but it wasn't what you'd call FUN. So... technique is important, but external conditions and YOUR OWN DAILY FORM are also important considerations.
I plan on riding the Stelvio pass in summer 2025. I'm riding with a motorcycle touring company. We have a choice of going up or going down. Which do you think is better? I'm worried about going up with friction zone control on a rented motorcycle that one may not be familiar with, like a personal bike.
@@briarrose3155 Love the handle, Briar Rose! I'd say "up" but that's only a general personal preference on 'most any pass. The other two factors are more important. Weather -- on a tour, you get what you get. Confidence -- comes from skill, and you can do loads on skill by 2025! Stelvio means nailing u-turns. Search RUclips for "doodle motorcycle u turn": very useful. Her method: practice! Lots! Uneasy about a "strange" rental? Maybe swap with someone in your home group, or do some of your practice on a borrowed bike. Get solid on u-turns, Stelvio will be a snip.
@@briarrose3155 As you slide up the Stelvio, Briar Rose, using the effortlessly elegant u-turns Doodle helped you perfect, give a thought to the "marathon" runners that do it. It's "only" 21 km, but it's 2100 m of elevation: a 10% average grade ! !
I did resort to using an online map's aerial view, and what it left me with is not good. Apparently my immediate area isn't so flush with good lots for practice lol All of the shopping centers have small parking lots, full during business hours, and often used as overnight parking or hangouts by ne'erdowells after hours. Most schools have gates, most churches have mid-week services, youth group meetings, choir practice, some have administrative meetings. School is in session, and the closest one to home without a gated-off parking area is a high school with sports events most nights of the week, student organization meetings, practice on the weekends, and frankly I feel like I'd just be causing a disturbance being there while stuff is going on. I'm definitely not saying it isn't impossible to find a spot, just that I have to learn the schedules of places I'll otherwise have no association with. And not having inside info means I have to find them out by trial and error!
Dang bro you REALLY need to ride the "tail of the dragon" then take in the back roads of Gatlinburg Tennessee. Holysmokes, you'll have enough video and to talk about for 5 videos!😊😊
The proper use of slow speed clutch techniques is crucial but so is the "proper line". I think that deserves a video of its own. It more than saying, "go wide".
I have rode numerous roads here in California that have 180° switchbacks going up and or downhill. Ebbetts pass, Sonora, pass, Highway one north of San Francisco, and a lot of the secondary mountain roads, have these type of situation’s, even the route from Southlake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe on the west side around Emerald Bay. The the best technique? Is to stay wide as you can, and stay in your lane. However, for some reason, lots of motorcycle riders, especially the riders on cruiser type of motorcycles love the inside of the corner for some reason. On some of these roads that I have encountered like Ebbetts pass, if you do that, you’re literally going straight up the mountain side if you try that so it makes it really difficult. so practice every turn coming in wide and sometimes staying why not always shooting for the Apex.
Not too difficult, but it is super frustrating if you ride a low rider and drag pegs, or frame, etc. On 49 I dragged my muffler on a downhill switchback. . .
@@hardlyableson dang!, my stock ultra is to low as it is. Anything less than really good upper body position and it will scrape the boards when picking up the pace. I could never live with a lowered bike.
Kevin, great info about tight city driving, but mountain switchback riding requires the rider to visually scan throughout the curve. You must scan the entire body of the curve, because in order to negotiate the end of the turn, you must start your steering inputs early. Look where you are going (i.e.-the end of the turn) and steer to get there. Proper gear selection is also very important in switchback riding. As the rider approaches the turn, he should blip the engine and downshift. This puts the bike into the sweet spot of the gear as the rider enters the point of the turn where acceleration is needed, thereby avoiding lugging the engine coming out of the turn. Two finger trail braking is also very important. Trade your speed for bike orientation suitable for the curve (i.e.-bike speed and lean angle). As you pointed out, slipping the clutch can be helpful, especially in low speed hairpin turns on an incline. I hope you don’t mind my input, but I ride lots of switchbacks in California. P.S. Switchbacks are probably the only thing better in California…go Longhorns.
For me, it's just a matter of concentrating on your forward speed. You want it to be enough to maintain balance, but not so much as to make the corner more challenging. In order to do this, you DEFINITELY need to constantly play in the friction zone. With a little practice, you're only applying rear brake occasionally in corners. Basically, there is no magic formula - situation dictates, so practice in empty parking lots for SLOW cornering helps.
I live in an area with 100s of mountain switch backs and i almost always have my girlfriend on the back and supplies for hiking… i have learned to look so far up or down the mountain my head looks like it might snap off… outside lane is always easier than the inside i prepare 100 meters in front and have not had to stop or drop yet… famous last words
How about those of us who ride bikes with a dry clutch and try not to keep it in the friction zone? My BMW r1100rt is a dry clutch and keeping it in the friction zone causes the clutch to wear out much sooner
I once dropped my beemer cutting too tightly round the Very Tight hairpin on a 25 mph road. Have learned to stay wider to decrease the radius but many cars cross the yellow line on these turns so look up not just down at the turn. If you have to stop it’s best on the straight before turning..
If you maintain proper speed, you don’t need brakes or clutch at all. I had no problem riding the tightest switchbacks in the Alps on a K1600 in first gear with the clutch fully engaged and no brake applied.
You failed to mention another problem a lot of cruiser motorcycles have. Insufficient clearance and low lean angles. I don’t know about others but it takes some skill to navigate a steep downhill switchback on a 650+ pound motorcycle slowly enough so that you don’t scrape pegs or the frame or the muffler(s). Nothing like losing traction because your motorcycle is scraping hard parts. . .
They could move to my house and they'd get good at it or find the bottom of a cliff...usually with sharp rocks and a stream or river. The trick is being able to ride 45mph+ 2 lane highway stacked downhill switchbacks on 15 to 22% grades with pots and tar snakes. Light trail braking and diwnshift is really the only way. Slow press and roll can't work as the momentum keeps building up over a mile downhill with 30 sharp curves. Slow down enough at the top,then ride on but keep retarding your speed as you start coming in too hot to correct it with lean alone. Sometimes there are no straight runs in these stacks to do your braking. They really looklike the curvy road ahead sign.
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Hi Kevin, just subscribed, will join soon. I am 71 years old and took delivery yesterday of my brand new Royal Enfield Hunter after not riding for 40 years. Rode it for an hour in an enclosed condo village, practicing the skills you advocate. (Did the BRC during the summer, and discovered your channel.) Your calm, detailed, intelligent coaching anchors my return to riding. Thank you for helping me even though you don’t know me. You’re the Man. Eric
Thank you Kevin for the information. Hope you and your family. Have a blessed weekend.
One thing I learned from Enduro riders is that body position helps a lot, especially downhill. If you squeeze the bike with your knees and shift weight as far back as possible it makes the bike feel a lot more stable.
Been to eureka springs at Christmas time and summer it’s a neat pace to visit
My wife and I toured the Alps several yeas ago. You will get proficient in switchbacks there. It was a ton of fun. Probably the key thing to tight switchbacks is to keep your speed up. Going too slow makes it much more difficult. And looking where you want to go is more important than ever. So, look where you want to go and keep your speed up. I was riding a K1600GTL with my wife aboard and full luggage. This fairly large bike handled the Alps just fine.
Awesome 👍
Did you cross the Stelvio Pass on your tour also?
@@enricohagn Yes. Still have the t-shirt. I have ridden in all US states except Hawaii and all provinces of Canada except Quebec and nothing compares to riding in the Alps.
@@LTVoyager you are THE MAN, mate 👍
Glad you enjoyed our mountains, not many areas compare to its steep (especially those I passionately during my army stint 😁) yet still well maintained roads👍.
Ever bean to Thailand as yet? They do have great mountain roads, too 👍
@@enricohagn It was a fantastic tour. Loved both Switzerland and Northern Italy. I liked Italy’s prices and food better though. 😁. No, never been to Thailand. Last two overseas tours were Scotland and northern England and then a year before covid we toured Ireland and Wales.
That’s fine , I was referring the road to Pupukea in Oahu, 8 meters wide and rediculassly steep
I'm fortunate that living in British Columbia, I have lots of opportunities to practice riding up and down hills. I have a practice route that takes me through two downhill hairpin turns and ends with a sharp hairpin onto my driveway, which rises steeply at an angle to the road. Your advice to work the clutch and brake, keep the throttle smooth, and turn my head is constantly in my head as I navigate each of these corners. Although I've been riding for years, I notice that my skills are still improving as I challenge myself and practice.
I found the road up to Mt. Nebo to be pretty challenging too. Several of the switchbacks are tight enough to require counter-weight turns. Additionally, there are a couple of areas where natural springs flow across the road year-round and those pose traction issues. I would encourage riders to practice counter-weight turns, swerves, and emergency braking with their pillion riders, if possible. It provides a lot more confidence when faced with these issues two up. Again, an excellent video Kevin.
For me I would never go up that mountain two up. I used to live in the area, been up many times in a car or truck, only once on a motorcycle. That was enough for me.
Great video very helpful
Thanks for this. I live in flat North Florida and practice turns in parking lots. Heading to Boone, NC area in two weeks with friends.
Love the video. Recognized Eureka Springs and that "infamous" intersection. Once more, thank you!
That's cool thanks for visiting 😀
I live in West Virginia and have trouble managing flat straight roads. Good thing is, there arn't any here. lol
As a 76 year young Florida Man who's first and only Bike is a 1983 Interstate. Last year, I was sent to Tucson Az. for work. I found an Indian vintage on Ride Share and had the ride of my life up Mount Lemon. Using the techniques you teach I had no issues going up or coming down. I must admit I impressed myself. I honestly didn't think I would have the skills, but with your help I had learned to do what I didn't know I could. I hope that makes sense. Thanks for a Great and safe ride.
In these situations learning how much rear brake to use is huge. I have used too much rear brake before and had to let off and reapply the break. I could just about do this with me eyes closed now. With several hours of practice and several hundreds of thousands of miles riding over the years. I don’t know about you guys but my favorite part of riding is the high skill stuff. It’s fun to learn and apply these skills and see yourself improve.
I'm constantly looking for a riding challenge. Parking lots, gravel roads, and little back roads roads just to name a few. Yes, I am always looking for a place to sharpen my skills.
Your videos are always helpful
Very helpful. I live in Eureka Springs and have been hesitant about going down town for reasons mentioned
Go ride Pikes Peak or Mount Evans RD in Colorado. If you make back down you've mastered the skill and just need to practice to keep the skill. The head turn is most important to keep you going where you want to go. Looking down you'll go down.
Pikes Peak is easy. The place to learn switchbacks is in the Alps.
Peoria illinois has a few spots that are hairy in its scenic mountain areas. Also Hwy 151 the devils drop as its known off of the blue ridge parkway area has a couple of switchbacks and hairy blind turns .
Practice!
Church parking lots are available a lot! Check with the staff, but I'll bet you'll be find that 90+% will let you practice. Ride safe!
Hi great video, practice is the key. I just rode the route of the grand alps last week with lots of tight corners. In slow out fast. use your gears don’t be frightened to use 1st gear and the clutch and dab the breaks.
Whoo Eureka Springs is sort of my neck of the woods! Lots of great riding in the Boston Mountains/Ozarks.
(Btw, surprised you didn't get any footage from some of the actual switchbacks there! Haha.)
Kevin,
I have spend a lot of time in parking lots working on slow speed maneuvers here in central Florida, but that did not prepare me for the week I just spent in North Carolina including the Blue Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon. On day one I was trying to down shift, then try to catch up with my group who were familiar with these type roads. Once they told me to rely on engine breaking to slow me down and not be concerned with the 3000 rpm’s, I got more comfortable riding the roads. I never got over convincing myself to go around the blind curves without concern though. I completed the Dragon in probably the slowest time ever, but I am looking forward to going back again. One tip they gave me was, 15 mph = 1st gear, 25 mph = 2nd gear, 35 mph = 3rd gear. It was a blast. The other thing was that on day one, I was trying to steer the bike, I actually got pretty comfortable with pushing the handle bars in the direction I wanted to go into a curve.
Low gear!
Maybe that sounds obvious, but if the switchback comes after an easy, fast piece of road, sometimes you might be tempted not to downshift as much as needed. In my experience here in the Alps, be generous downshifting. You might need that torque to stay up.
Great Skills - We have a road in my area that (according to the county engineer) has an 8.5 degree incline and the downhill turn is six yes 6 degrees to the right (hard to turn your head that far and look through hill and trees that are raised) the up hill turn to the left is a little wider. Thirty four (34) degrees - great hill for practicing as there is little traffic and NO trucks or busses are allowed and few cars make the turn staying on their side of the double yellow line- so you need to turn tight and excercise caution at all times.
Exactly…adding some counterweight/ counterbalancing can help
I think you forgot to mention the second half (point of the video) and that's when you're going downhill, then its more about trailbraking.
Having ridden both the "Tail of the Dragon" and some unknown road in Arkansas with highly banked switch backs. The "Tail" is a cakewalk compared to the road I was on in Arkansas. The problem for me wasn't the change in direction it was the steep banking where you had to maintain a certain amount of speed to not fall over yet negotiate an extremely tight turn. I was on a 2007 Ultra so it was probably close to as hard as it gets from an equipment stand point but I can tell you that my confidence level was not high. If I had to put a foot down on the inside the bike was going to fall over before my foot hit the ground. Fortunately I made it without incident but it was pretty scary. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
@Johnny Lightning
Your experience exactly mirrored mine, the minor, but almost serious difference was that my Goldwing DCT decided to change down halfway round the steepest and tightest part. Instant loss of momentum and almost dropped it.
I now approach on the wrong side of the road after selecting first gear. Enter the turn with plenty of power to maximise momentum. I don't change gear or use any braking at all, just keep the power on as much as is safe.
Momentum is absolutely paramount.
I now laugh in the face of that switchback and enjoy the experience!
Have a great day and take care.
One more reason I'll never buy a DCT Goldwing...
When you ride down Mt. Nebo you use first gear and a lot of brakes. My Sportster would spin the tires in the turns going up. I have likely ridden a motorcycle up Mt. Nebo for the last time. I have been up a time or two in my truck since the bike ride up.
I moved from the Seattle area where I had ridden some curves, but now I'm near Yosemite, talk about instant curve school, there's not a mile of straight rode here. I personally love it. I've ridden a DRZ400 for years incl off-road. I bought a BMWF750, rode it for a year & sold it, obviously a confidence problem. I've always ridden smaller bikes, still have my DRZ400 & can really corner her pretty well now🤣. I had a pretty bad wreck in the Alvord desert...so working through some confidence issues in the dirt now. I also just bought the HONDAXR150L, so nimble, I'll really be able to work on skills that will translate to whatever I ride. I have zero city or mass traffic experience, mostly lonely highways, dirt & now lots of curve experience. I always practice slow speed stuff & emergency braking etc! I'd really love to get a class from Skool of Moto instructor one day!
Happy & Safe riding everyone!
I did the 52 narrow hairpins of the Passo dello Stelvio (Stilfser Joch) going DOWN into Italy 3 days ago. It was a blast. So the following day, I did it UP. Thick fog. Periodic rain. It was Saturday = more traffic. Folks coming the other way would swing wide in the hairpins, and you'd have to crane your neck around to see them coming -- and stop when they were -- with vision impaired by a fogged, rain-specked visor. I was fatigued; confidence went out the window. I made it, obviously, but it wasn't what you'd call FUN. So... technique is important, but external conditions and YOUR OWN DAILY FORM are also important considerations.
I plan on riding the Stelvio pass in summer 2025. I'm riding with a motorcycle touring company. We have a choice of going up or going down. Which do you think is better? I'm worried about going up with friction zone control on a rented motorcycle that one may not be familiar with, like a personal bike.
@@briarrose3155 Love the handle, Briar Rose! I'd say "up" but that's only a general personal preference on 'most any pass. The other two factors are more important. Weather -- on a tour, you get what you get. Confidence -- comes from skill, and you can do loads on skill by 2025! Stelvio means nailing u-turns. Search RUclips for "doodle motorcycle u turn": very useful. Her method: practice! Lots! Uneasy about a "strange" rental? Maybe swap with someone in your home group, or do some of your practice on a borrowed bike. Get solid on u-turns, Stelvio will be a snip.
@wordsmithgmxch Thanks for your response. It is very helpful. It's also funny that you mentioned Doodle. She's from my area - Atlanta. Thanks again.
@@briarrose3155 As you slide up the Stelvio, Briar Rose, using the effortlessly elegant u-turns Doodle helped you perfect, give a thought to the "marathon" runners that do it. It's "only" 21 km, but it's 2100 m of elevation: a 10% average grade ! !
Greatest thank you. (Not that mine don’t all equal the same😉) great efforts from the videography to doing the do
Uphill really isn’t a problem in my opinion. Downhill is a problem with steep grades and switchbacks. It is less forgiving.
I liked your Valkyrie video,Santa Fe sure is beautiful.
I thought I recognized those buildings! Eureka!
Go ride the Iron Mountain road in South Dakota…
I did resort to using an online map's aerial view, and what it left me with is not good. Apparently my immediate area isn't so flush with good lots for practice lol
All of the shopping centers have small parking lots, full during business hours, and often used as overnight parking or hangouts by ne'erdowells after hours. Most schools have gates, most churches have mid-week services, youth group meetings, choir practice, some have administrative meetings.
School is in session, and the closest one to home without a gated-off parking area is a high school with sports events most nights of the week, student organization meetings, practice on the weekends, and frankly I feel like I'd just be causing a disturbance being there while stuff is going on.
I'm definitely not saying it isn't impossible to find a spot, just that I have to learn the schedules of places I'll otherwise have no association with. And not having inside info means I have to find them out by trial and error!
Dang bro you REALLY need to ride the "tail of the dragon" then take in the back roads of Gatlinburg Tennessee. Holysmokes, you'll have enough video and to talk about for 5 videos!😊😊
Been there. No mountain switchbacks.
The proper use of slow speed clutch techniques is crucial but so is the "proper line". I think that deserves a video of its own. It more than saying, "go wide".
I have rode numerous roads here in California that have 180° switchbacks going up and or downhill. Ebbetts pass, Sonora, pass, Highway one north of San Francisco, and a lot of the secondary mountain roads, have these type of situation’s, even the route from Southlake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe on the west side around Emerald Bay. The the best technique? Is to stay wide as you can, and stay in your lane. However, for some reason, lots of motorcycle riders, especially the riders on cruiser type of motorcycles love the inside of the corner for some reason. On some of these roads that I have encountered like Ebbetts pass, if you do that, you’re literally going straight up the mountain side if you try that so it makes it really difficult. so practice every turn coming in wide and sometimes staying why not always shooting for the Apex.
Not too difficult, but it is super frustrating if you ride a low rider and drag pegs, or frame, etc. On 49 I dragged my muffler on a downhill switchback. . .
@@hardlyableson dang!, my stock ultra is to low as it is. Anything less than really good upper body position and it will scrape the boards when picking up the pace. I could never live with a lowered bike.
Texas The Twin Sisters .
Kevin, great info about tight city driving, but mountain switchback riding requires the rider to visually scan throughout the curve. You must scan the entire body of the curve, because in order to negotiate the end of the turn, you must start your steering inputs early. Look where you are going (i.e.-the end of the turn) and steer to get there. Proper gear selection is also very important in switchback riding. As the rider approaches the turn, he should blip the engine and downshift. This puts the bike into the sweet spot of the gear as the rider enters the point of the turn where acceleration is needed, thereby avoiding lugging the engine coming out of the turn. Two finger trail braking is also very important. Trade your speed for bike orientation suitable for the curve (i.e.-bike speed and lean angle). As you pointed out, slipping the clutch can be helpful, especially in low speed hairpin turns on an incline. I hope you don’t mind my input, but I ride lots of switchbacks in California. P.S. Switchbacks are probably the only thing better in California…go Longhorns.
Trail of the Dragon, stay on your side of the road.
Riding Western NC you better know how to navigate some tight turns. On some of our roads you see your own tail lights! 😊 Thanks the great tips!
Remember coming down Nebo with old drum brakes.
For me, it's just a matter of concentrating on your forward speed. You want it to be enough to maintain balance, but not so much as to make the corner more challenging. In order to do this, you DEFINITELY need to constantly play in the friction zone. With a little practice, you're only applying rear brake occasionally in corners. Basically, there is no magic formula - situation dictates, so practice in empty parking lots for SLOW cornering helps.
Is that Euraka Springs??
Kevin. This is getting close to a late night McRider infomercial.
I live in an area with 100s of mountain switch backs and i almost always have my girlfriend on the back and supplies for hiking… i have learned to look so far up or down the mountain my head looks like it might snap off… outside lane is always easier than the inside i prepare 100 meters in front and have not had to stop or drop yet… famous last words
Do you like the Indian better than the Honda goldwing?
How about those of us who ride bikes with a dry clutch and try not to keep it in the friction zone?
My BMW r1100rt is a dry clutch and keeping it in the friction zone causes the clutch to wear out much sooner
Don’t need rear brake on a steep upwards turn. Swing wide in your lane, maintain reasonable speed, and watchout for oncoming lane crossers.
It depends on how tight the corner is and the grade of the mountain.
I once dropped my beemer cutting too tightly round the Very Tight hairpin on a 25 mph road. Have learned to stay wider to decrease the radius but many cars cross the yellow line on these turns so look up not just down at the turn. If you have to stop it’s best on the straight before turning..
If you maintain proper speed, you don’t need brakes or clutch at all. I had no problem riding the tightest switchbacks in the Alps on a K1600 in first gear with the clutch fully engaged and no brake applied.
I was thinking more about twisty canyon roads. this video is about going 10 mph through the city
can you do tail of dragon live run ..with comments
You failed to mention another problem a lot of cruiser motorcycles have. Insufficient clearance and low lean angles. I don’t know about others but it takes some skill to navigate a steep downhill switchback on a 650+ pound motorcycle slowly enough so that you don’t scrape pegs or the frame or the muffler(s). Nothing like losing traction because your motorcycle is scraping hard parts. . .
You can negotiate curves that way too
Steep switchbacks?
Worst ones are parking garages going up levels with oily steep tight turns!! 😭
So, in otherwords, you don't know. Lot's of good videos on riding in the Alps- Stelvio Pass, Grossglockner, etc. Focus your attention there.
Howard,
If you want to add to conversation, please do.
If you want to argue or cause problems, please go elsewhere.
IMHO the tail is over exaggerated, that’s a normal road in most of the northeast. Been there done that got the top-shirt. Yawn.
They could move to my house and they'd get good at it or find the bottom of a cliff...usually with sharp rocks and a stream or river.
The trick is being able to ride 45mph+ 2 lane highway stacked downhill switchbacks on 15 to 22% grades with pots and tar snakes.
Light trail braking and diwnshift is really the only way. Slow press and roll can't work as the momentum keeps building up over a mile downhill with 30 sharp curves.
Slow down enough at the top,then ride on but keep retarding your speed as you start coming in too hot to correct it with lean alone. Sometimes there are no straight runs in these stacks to do your braking. They really looklike the curvy road ahead sign.