Motorcycle cornering

Arcs, tight bends, serpentines - winding roads are a real experience for many bikers on every tour. But cornering needs to be learned and there is an increased risk of falling or flying out of the bend. Find out here what the magic of bends is all about and which techniques will help you get through every bend safely.

Riding bends on a motorcycle - a very special experience

A winding ride is a game with the elements and physical forces. So that you can enjoy the fun of riding to the full, it's not just about having the right motorcycle and the right company. Riding technique and speed also play an essential role.

According to the ADAC, inappropriate speed on bends is responsible for one in five motorcycle accidents. So are fast bends only for experts? Everything but that. With our tips, even beginners can learn how to master bends and hairpin bends correctly.

A little physics first - different forces are at work in bends

Before we get to the correct cornering technique, let's start with a little physics excursion: when you're happily wagging your motorcycle through the bends, completely different forces are at work than when you're riding straight ahead. Lateral acceleration, also better known as centrifugal force, occurs on the way through the bend. The faster you go and the greater the radius of the bend, the more noticeable it becomes and the more it pushes you towards the outer edge of the road.

Not forgetting the force of gravity. Together with centrifugal force, it forms the resulting force. If you don't steer against it at an angle, it will simply knock your bike over. By the way: The wider the "slippers" are, the more you have to lean the bike into the bend.

The apex of a bend

Don't worry, you haven't ended up at the hairdresser's. The apex of a bend defines the section of the track with the greatest curvature. The position of your personal apex changes depending on how you ride through the bend. If you manage to shift this point to the exit of the bend by undercutting, the better and safer you will get through the "round bend" in the road. Want to know exactly how this works? Find out in the following sections.

Cornering correctly on a motorcycle

You will only be able to ride your motorcycle safely and correctly through tight bends if you have perfectly internalized the sequence in the bend. The following tips will show you how to automatically steer and behave correctly.

Braking

As you approach a bend, choosing the right speed for the bend is essential. Before you turn into the bend, reduce your speed in good time and select the appropriate gear.

Turning in

The so-called gaze technique helps you to turn in. During this phase, you direct your gaze towards the exit of the bend. Push harder at the end of the handlebars pointing towards the inside edge of the bend. In the case of a left-hand bend, you push to the left. Many bikers do this automatically. This is also known as steering impulse when cornering on a motorcycle.

Rolling at an angle

The tires can now transmit high lateral forces when cornering. Even enormous lean angles are possible. So-called lean angle training courses, which are offered by vehicle clubs and others, help you to approach this extreme position.

Accelerating from a lean angle

Can you already see the end of the bend? Then the time has come for a gentle acceleration. If you turn the throttle too hard, the usually leaner front wheel will quickly lose traction and the rear wheel could drift unintentionally. The acceleration causes your bike to straighten up and you leave the bend straight.

Tips & basics not just for beginners: learning to corner on a motorcycle

Three methods have been proven to help you master the bends in the road on your bike:

Pushing: This technique is useful if you need to master blind or tight bends. You have to ride slowly here. In return, you remain almost upright. You push your bike towards the inside of the bend and away from you. This allows you to change direction quickly. The origins of this technique lie in off-road sports. If your knees are firmly attached to the bike, you can easily maneuver even on difficult surfaces such as gravel or sand.

Laying: This is a classic cornering technique. When leaning, the bike and rider form a line. The knee has firm contact with the bike, while the inside of the corner is offset by around two centimetres in the direction of travel. The technique is suitable for all speeds and all types of bends. As you sit in a relaxed position and only a small amount of effort is required, this method is particularly practical on long routes.

Hanging: In this technique, which originates from racing, you hang towards the middle of the bend and spread your knee on the inside of the bend. This shifts your center of gravity far inwards. This technique not only requires a lot of practice, it also requires a lot of strength. You also need to be very familiar with the course of the track. We also strongly advise you to wear suitable clothing with abrasive pads.

Even more tips and techniques

Riding tight bends and hairpin bends on a motorcycle

It's not just beginners who can find hairpin bends a challenge. They are particularly common on mountain passes and mountain roads. Because of their shape, they are also known as hairpin bends. As their outer angle is between 150 and 180 degrees, these hairpin bends are sharp.

If you have luggage with you, make sure it is evenly distributed over your bike before you set off. Heavy pieces of luggage belong at the bottom. After all, you want your center of gravity to be as low as possible, even when fully loaded, and you certainly don't want to tip over.

If there are tight bends (hairpin bends) ahead of you, you need to reduce your speed considerably, more so than on conventional bends in the road. It is also important to choose the tightest possible driving line in the bend. This will help you avoid collisions with oncoming traffic.

No friends: rain and bends

Riding a motorcycle in the rain or on wet roads is anything but fun, and not just for beginners. Nevertheless, it is unavoidable, especially on longer tours. If you get caught in the rain on your ride, the top priority is to behave defensively. In practice, this means

• Accelerate or brake: only gently and with a lot of feeling
• Always steer gently into corners.
• Does your bike have selectable riding modes? If there is a special rain mode, set it. Alternatively, select the setting with low power and torque.
• In heavy rain: Head for the nearest parking lot or seek shelter under a bridge.
• In a thunderstorm: Get off the road and away from the bike as quickly as possible.