So, I don't know if anyone ever reads the introductions forum. Basically, it says I'm kind of a newbie, with ~1,500 miles under my belt. Yes, I realize I'm probably an idiot for driving a m796, but in all honesty, it feels a lot more comfortable and safer than driving my V-Star 650 
Anyway, I thought I'd go out and practice my turns yesterday, and so I searched the internet for the phrase "twisties in Seattle, WA" on Google. I found the following route:
http://www.vimtips.org/media/map.html
I put on all my gear, drove out there with the idea that I'll just follow the speed limit and see if I can manage the turns (for reference, the speed limit is generally 30mph on the West side of the island, and 25mph on the East side with all the switchbacks).
I found that I could handle *all* the turns on the West side of the island at around 30 to 35 mph. I was having fun! Lake Washington was off in the distance, but I couldn't really look at it much because I was trying to watch all the driveways that intersected the road I was on. In fact, although there was very little automobile traffic on the road, there were lots of things to watch out for. Lots of bicyclers, open driveways, etc.
Things got a little less fun on the East side of the Island, the side with the switchbacks. The first switchback I went into a little too fast for my comfort, and I let go of the throttle. It wasn't anywhere near a graceful turn, I messed up my line, but I didn't leave my lane, and I didn't crash or anything.
The next switchback I slowed way way down. To about 20 to 25 mph, my bike absolutely hates this speed. Too slow for second gear, but in first gear needs a lot of care on the throttle and clutch to keep it from lurching... the turn was pretty easy. I was able to keep on the throttle a little bit and keep my line.
The next few switchbacks I learned a few things, which could probably be the wrong things, but that's why I'm posting this - for feedback. I always knew you were supposed to lean into a turn, but I found that if I leaned myself even more, a little more than the bike was leaning, the turn would go a lot smoother.
The other thing I learned was to bend my elbow on the arm that's on the inside of the curve. Bend it so that my face is much closer to the tank, but so that I can still see everything. It may have been placebo effect, but it really did seem to help.
When I got to point 'B' on the map, I turned a U and did it all over again going the other way. The switchbacks were a little better, but all too often I found myself slowing to 20 to 25mph, and my bike hating it. Back on the West side of the island, I was cruising along at pace again.
I then drove the 15 miles back to my house. By the time I got there, my neck hurt, my ass hurt, but all in all I had a lot of fun.
What could I have done to make those switchbacks go a lot more smoothly?
Anyway, I thought I'd go out and practice my turns yesterday, and so I searched the internet for the phrase "twisties in Seattle, WA" on Google. I found the following route:
http://www.vimtips.org/media/map.html
I put on all my gear, drove out there with the idea that I'll just follow the speed limit and see if I can manage the turns (for reference, the speed limit is generally 30mph on the West side of the island, and 25mph on the East side with all the switchbacks).
I found that I could handle *all* the turns on the West side of the island at around 30 to 35 mph. I was having fun! Lake Washington was off in the distance, but I couldn't really look at it much because I was trying to watch all the driveways that intersected the road I was on. In fact, although there was very little automobile traffic on the road, there were lots of things to watch out for. Lots of bicyclers, open driveways, etc.
Things got a little less fun on the East side of the Island, the side with the switchbacks. The first switchback I went into a little too fast for my comfort, and I let go of the throttle. It wasn't anywhere near a graceful turn, I messed up my line, but I didn't leave my lane, and I didn't crash or anything.
The next switchback I slowed way way down. To about 20 to 25 mph, my bike absolutely hates this speed. Too slow for second gear, but in first gear needs a lot of care on the throttle and clutch to keep it from lurching... the turn was pretty easy. I was able to keep on the throttle a little bit and keep my line.
The next few switchbacks I learned a few things, which could probably be the wrong things, but that's why I'm posting this - for feedback. I always knew you were supposed to lean into a turn, but I found that if I leaned myself even more, a little more than the bike was leaning, the turn would go a lot smoother.
The other thing I learned was to bend my elbow on the arm that's on the inside of the curve. Bend it so that my face is much closer to the tank, but so that I can still see everything. It may have been placebo effect, but it really did seem to help.
When I got to point 'B' on the map, I turned a U and did it all over again going the other way. The switchbacks were a little better, but all too often I found myself slowing to 20 to 25mph, and my bike hating it. Back on the West side of the island, I was cruising along at pace again.
I then drove the 15 miles back to my house. By the time I got there, my neck hurt, my ass hurt, but all in all I had a lot of fun.
What could I have done to make those switchbacks go a lot more smoothly?
