Using throttle to control cornering arc?

[OreoGaborio]

Exactly.... ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, turning radius is dictated by cornering velocity... slow down and it tightens up, speed up and it widens out.

[Tmall]

No doubt. Everybody has basically agreed that with no variables, the arc of a corner will change in the way you said.

You guys seem to be the ones stuck on being right about one small aspect of the equation.

In reality, 99.9% of the time any one of us would just steer a little more into the corner and call it a day.

Would you not agree that it is good to know all possible outcomes of your actions? I think its good to know that you can tighten a corner by getting on the gas, as well as slowly closing the throttle. Just as well, I think its good to know that you can overcome the grip on your front tire if you do this wrong when approaching some serious lean angles.

So, I'm sorry for bringing up other aspects of the technique proposed. I didn't mean to try to run anybody off by bringing up some variables in their scenario.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by Tmall

You guys seem to be the ones stuck on being right about one small aspect of the equation.

Merely trying to balance the discussion... most people seemed hellbent on arguing that you can't or shouldn't control the arc with an adjustment in speed.

Originally Posted by Tmall

In reality, 99.9% of the time any one of us would just steer a little more into the corner and call it a day.

I dunno about 99.9%, but yeah, no doubt that's the first piece of advice that I'd give to just about any rider that wants to know what they should do if they find themselves entering a corner too hot. "Neutral throttle & keep on leaning!"

The main reason why I was talking more about speed controlling the arc than lean, is because that was the original question... It's also how one would typically change the turning radius if you were already at or near full lean. It's also how you want to control your exit.

But I suppose what it all comes down to is steering with the rear wheel like this is more of a racing technique than a street technique. Not that it can't be used on the street, but it's not used as much due to the circumstances. But having the ability to control the turning radius with an adjustment in speed rather than JUST using lean angle IS a sign (to me at least) of a more proficient rider.

One steering input per turn is the goal.

[No Worries]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

One steering input per turn is the goal.

That would be smooth. I remember a video of an interview with a teenage Nicky Hayden after he beat a bunch of experienced racers, and he said something like "I guess I was just smoother than them."

I'd say that half the curves around here are blind. And about 10 percent of those blind curves are decreasing-radius. What messes up many riders is that they are not prepared to change their steering input for the tighter radius.

To tighten the steering, I just push the handlebar more. I'm usually leaning off at my max, so I can't change that. If I'm off the brakes, I don't want to put them on unless I have to stop. And my simple brain couldn't tell my hand to give more throttle when all my other senses are telling me to slow down or lean more.

By pushing on the handlebar more, instead of giving brake or throttle, a rider behind me might think I looked real smooth going through that decreasing-radius curve. And being smooth is important to me even when nobody's behind me.

[No Worries]

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

One of the key missed steps in advancing rider skill is getting comfortable using throttle application to control cornering arc while leaned over in a turn. How are you doing in grasping/mastering this?

Lookout Mountain was clear of ice and snow today, so I tried using the throttle to control the cornering arc. On really tight turns, I could only give throttle when coming out of the corner. But that's because I'm so leaned over. On faster curves, I was able to give throttle while in the corner. What happened? The bike went faster.

This wasn't a very scientific experiment, but opening the throttle on a bunch of curves did not bring the rear around, and didn't make the front go around any faster. With the sun at a low angle, I really had to squint and watch the road. Plus, I didn't really notice what the suspension did when giving throttle in the curve. But I assumed it raised up in the front which would worsen handling. As the bike sped up, I had to lean off the bike more. I'm not sure if that was caused by the suspension or the throttle. But it was fun. More snow coming in tomorrow.

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by No Worries

opening the throttle on a bunch of curves did not bring the rear around, and didn't make the front go around any faster.

As the bike sped up, I had to lean off the bike more. I'm not sure if that was caused by the suspension or the throttle.

Interesting. Not the technique tached was posting about, but interesting.

[tached1000rr]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Interesting. Not the technique tached was posting about, but interesting.

Yep, No Worries, go back to the same set of curves, set your entry speed and lean angle to desired taste, have the rpm somwhere between 60-80% THEN infinitely reduce your throttle ever so slightly as you go through and report back what happens. I am too lazy to look but I'm curious what the trail/rake is on your GS1000? The GS has a 130 rear tire out back right?

Reason you had to lean off further when you added more throttle is to compensate for the bike wanting to pick itself up and run a wider line.