I navigated the first curve smoothly and, of course, was accellerating out of the turn and into the second one which was quicker. As I approached the apex of this turn I started to realize that something was dreadfully wrong; I was somehow unable to lean into the turn any further (centrifugal force?) and experienced a moment of panic as I approached the white line at the edge of the road.
I did a quick scan of what little I know about motorcycling (I still consider myself a newb after only one real riding season) and realized that even if I couldn't seem to lean to the left I could certainly push my left handlebar away from me so that's what I did. To my relief the bike started to lean and finally moved away from the white line and back into the center of my lane. I have been messing around with different techniques of countersteering when I'm out riding and there is no traffic ever since I read about it here. I'm sure glad I had because I knew I didn't have to lean my body to turn.
Between then and now I saw a video somewhere of a sport bike that seemed to be in a similar situation; the rider was trying to lean into the curve he was on but couldn't seem to. I could really relate to what must have been a helpless feeling as his bike left the road and hit a guard rail. If not for the insight I had gained by hanging out here and trying to learn all I can from this incredible repository of information my experience might have been similar but instead I am able to describe my experience without mentioning what repairs my bike (or body) required!
Comment