View Single Post
Old April 23rd, 2015, 09:28 AM   #96
csmith12
The Corner Whisperer
 
csmith12's Avatar
 
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011

Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track)

Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
Quote:
how much throttle can you really use leaned over?
This is an interesting question.

Let's get this straight up front; mid corner, your only goal with a smooth, continuous throttle roll, should be to transfer the weight (40/60) to the rear of the bike. Your throttle is lean angle sensitive, the more you lean, the less aggressive you can be with it.

You know throttle control rule #1 right... So, if you feel the need to ask the above question, then many times it's a sign that something else is off or, you have a bike with more advanced electronics that allow the rider to be more aggressive with their throttle roll.

So let's ask some questions to try to figure it out.
If a rider over braked for a corner, would they want to use more throttle mid corner?
If a rider misjudged the entry speed too low, would they want to use more throttle mid corner?
If a rider judges a corner as having a narrow entry but widens out greatly, would they tend to use more throttle mid corner?
How about a rider with a bad turn in point? Could that rider feel the need to be more aggressive?
What about a rider that turns the bike slowly (slow flick rate)? Could they possibly want to be more aggressive?

These are just a few examples of riders using the wrong tool to fix the wrong problem. There are many skills that come together to allow a bike to go fast, concentrating on the throttle, as important as it is... still will only get you so far.

So is a bike out of control when the rear slides due to aggressive throttle while leaning? Not at all, simply put... even while totally lit up a spinning tire still has a level of traction. This is proven by flat track riders who slide sideways around corners and racers that leave marks on corner exit as their wheels spin up. Notice anything in common? Their lean angles are reduced. If their bikes where near max lean, the reduced traction due to a spinning wheel would wash out the rear. One way of solving the sliding problem is via electronics such as traction control or slide control as some manufacturers call it. There is a manual way was well. Any thoughts on when and what a rider can do to allow them be more aggressive with the throttle without the aids of electronics?

EDIT: This is rather important for us riders of low power bikes. Taking advantage of other skills to keep the pace up is especially important as we cannot depend on the throttle to lay down the power to make up the speed lost.
csmith12 is offline   Reply With Quote