Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

I got these from the UK "Superbike" magazine (Aug 06). The article was written by Bertie Simmonds but the tips come from all kinds of knowledgeable people. I'll post a few at a time and describe the writer after each tip. 1. CORNER ENTRY. I see too many riders accelerating as they lean into a corner and that causes highsides. You should turn in on a closed throttle and only accelerate once you've reached the apex of the corner and see the exit. You get the most turn out of a bike on a closed throttle. Ron Hasklam: Former GP rider, now runs the Honda Ron Haslam Race School. 2. CALM DOWN, GO FAST. If you go out for a "thrash" it will inevitably turn into a frenetic and unsatisfactory ride. Go out and ride well and smoothly then the ride will be fast, fluid and fun! Gary Baldwin: Bike cop and Rapid Skills training school expert. 3. SHADOW BOXING: When riding in town, often there's a lot of traffic and parked cars which makes seeing pedestrians stepping out difficult. Check for shadows emerging from gaps in the traffic or parked cars and don't forget to use reflections in shop windows too. Stuart Fagg: No credentials. 20. ENGINE BRAKING: When it's wet, try using engine braking to slow you down for a corner rather than just relying on your brakes. It will teach you to be smoother and you'll be surprised how much corner speed you can keep up. It's a technique I use in wet Supermoto races. David Knight: 2005 World Enduro Champion 22. COVER YOUR BRAKES: I always keep two or three fingers over the front brake lever when I ride a road bike. Even in a straight line, you never know when you're going to have to stop and it could save fractions of a second which could be crucial. Ian Lougher: Seven TT winner and road circuit specialist. 23. LET OFF THE BRAKES: Don't rush up to the corners hard on the brakes all out of shape and panicking. To ride faster on the road or track, learn to let off the brakes earlier, give yourself and the bike a more settled approach and a better view of the road ahead. Then you can wind up the power earlier through the corner for a faster exit. Smooth in, fast out - it's the safest way. JP: "Superbike" features editor. 24. BRAKING: What you need to remember is that it's not just getting on the brakes that unsettles a bike, but it's when you get back off them too. I'd trail the front brake, but not at full pressure, way into a turn. This would put some cornering load onto the front, so as I let off the brakes the suspension would stay compressed and not snap back upwards. People say I was good on the brakes. I say I was best coming off them. Kevin Schwantz: 1993 500cc World Champion 26. REAR BRAKING: An age-old question and there's no right answer. If you like to use the back brake, then do, but if you find it easier to concentrate on just the front then that's fine too. Only time I'd really use the rear brake when racing would be if I was running abit wide in a left-hander to pull the bike back into line (in right-handers you can't get to the brake lever anyway), or to keep the front down over crests rather than shutting off the throttle and unsettling the bike. It's all a matter of personal choice. Niall Mackenzie: Three times British superbike champion and former Grand Prix star. MORE TO COME ...