Headquarters Air Mobility Command

Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Cornering 201

2Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

The information presented here is for informational use only

• Many references were used to develop this presentation

• Not all possibilities are covered

• Use the given information with proper respect to ORM

Note: Do Not Remove “For Official Use Only” From Any Slide

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYNote: This Slide is Mandatory

3Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Cornering theories Trail braking Mental Preparation

OVERVIEW

4Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Theories

Cornering theories, all based on Out-in-Out• Middle apex

Produces gradual cornering radius Simple to remember Places apex at center of corner

• Early apex Also known early turn-in Moves apex forward Less sight distance around corner

• Delayed apex Entry point somewhere between Out and middle 1/3 Delays turn-in Moves apex farther through corner then physical middle of

curve

5Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Theories

Middle apex

• Advantage: Easy to remember Generally works for all

radius corners

• Disadvantage Motorcycle is in lean

longer Unable to use on a

decreasing radius curve

6Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Theories

Early apex

• Advantage Less motorcycle lean

initially Places curve apex closer

to entry point for increasing radius curve

• Disadvantage Vision path is severely

reduced Exit path is wide

7Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Theories

Delayed apex

• Advantage Vision path through corner

improved Apex moved toward curve

exit Less of a tendency to run

wide at exit Sets motorcyclist in

position for upcoming corner

• Disadvantage Increased motorcycle lean

initially Uses combination of

middle to outside 1/3 until turn-in

8Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Theories

Which is best? Which might be a backup?

• Determined by multiple factors Roadway Hazards Traffic Blind corner

Whatever you feel is right for you BEFORE you get to the corner

9Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Review

3 cornering theories

• Out-in-Out

• Early apex

• Delayed apex No one better than other

• Roadway limitations

• Motorcycle limitations

• Operator limitations Must have a plan BEFORE corner

• Ready

• Aim

• Fire

10Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Trail braking

Physics of front and rear braking action• Front brakes cause motorcycle to “dive”

Transfers weight forward, collapsing forks Motorcycle will turn-in quicker Have less self-righting moment No rear braking will cause rear to want to come forward as

the relative speed of the rear end is greater then the front Motorcycle appears to “weave” back and forth around

the front forks

• Rear brakes cause the motorcycle to “squat” Slows rear of motorcycle in relation to front Rear will track in line with the front direction

Motorcycle will appear to squat and will feel like a drag is attached to the back of the motorcycle

11Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Trail braking

When can it be used?

• Emergency situations

• Race track Why?

• To hold a line with incorrect entry speed

• Adjust when unexpected occurs

12Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Trail Braking

Rear

• Advantage: Stabilizing effect through

creating a squat in the rear, increasing the rake and trail thereby making the motorcycle feel more stable and less “twitchy”

• Disadvantage: Not much available force

as weight is transferred forward

Front

• Advantage: Quickens steering and

lessens self-righting moment through fork dive

• Disadvantage: Front tire is trading

available traction for cornering to braking

13Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Trail Braking

Which is best? Which is a second option?

• Many factors decide Quicker turning Stable cornering

Must have a plan BEFORE corner

• Ready

• Aim

• Fire

14Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Review

Key points:

• Front brake causes fork dive Shortens rake and trail Quickens steering Slows faster then rear, forces rear to pass front around axis

of steering head

• Rear brake causes rear squat Increases rake and trail Slows steering Slows rear faster then front allowing rear to follow front

around axis of steering head

15Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Mental Preparation

Your body will always “go with what you know” in Your body will always “go with what you know” in emergency situationsemergency situations

• FearFear ConstantConstant ““I can’t handle it” mentalityI can’t handle it” mentality Good thingGood thing

• Fear ThresholdFear Threshold Fear overtakes ability of the mind to process informationFear overtakes ability of the mind to process information Different for everyoneDifferent for everyone Can be adjusted up or downCan be adjusted up or down

16Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Mental Preparation

FEAR

• Overcome with knowledge and faith

• Always present, have to deal with it

IGNORANCE

• Perceive situations as problems instead of accepting them as reality

UNCERTAINTY

• Basis of all fear

• Humans uncomfortable with unanswered questions

State of Fear

17Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Mental Preparation

CONFIDENCE

• Opposite of fear

• Derived from knowledge and faith

KNOWLEDGE

• Analysis of mental and physical experiences

• Building block of skill FAITH

• Key ingredient to trust

• More faith is better then less faith

State of Confidence

18Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Mental Preparation

Concentration

• Webster’s dictionary definition “The act of bringing or directing toward a common center or objective: focus”

• Has it’s limits Focus on job at hand Become aware of

environment Mental stress Physical tightening Low blood sugar, lack of

rest, controlled substances

19Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Mental Preparation

Attitude

• Beginner's mind there are many possibilities

• Expert’s mind has few

• Keep ego in check Your not the first Your not the best You don’t know everything

• Expand your knowledge Learn from others Find what works for you Practice so it is 2nd nature Visualize

20Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

Review

Fear

• All have it

• All have to deal with it Concentration

• Able to focus on task at hand

• Limited amount, over use can be detrimental Attitude

• Open mind

• Can never stop learning something new

• Allow frustrations to pass right through and move on

21Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!”

REFERENCES

Motorcycle Design and Technology

• Motorbooks Int’l; Gaetano Cocco, 2004 Sport Riding Techniques

• David Bull publishing; Nick Ienatsch, 2003 Proficient Motorcycling

• Publisher Unk; David Hough, 2000 Total Control

• Motorbooks Int’l; Lee Parks, 2003 Images from Green Knights M/C Club, Hanscom Chapter

• http://greenknights5.com/; Gil Besana, President Images from SuperBike Planet, internet BBS

• http://www.superbikeplanet.comGet the best from your bike, don’t let the bike get the best from

you