Cornering control
A wide, smooth arc requires less lean. In a blind corner, do not hurry toward the inside until you can see the exit.
Choose your speed before leaning
Assess how far ahead you can see, and shed excess speed. The less you can see, the earlier you should slow down before the corner.
Turn-in
Initiate the lean with deliberate countersteering. If you set the required lean right away, you will usually need fewer steering corrections afterward.
Main braking
If you need to slow down significantly, it is easier to do most of the braking before substantial lean. That leaves more grip available for cornering.
The surface at entry
Before initiating the lean, look at the asphalt along the intended arc. A pothole, sand, or wet road marking may require a different line and lower speed at entry.
Use the available lane width
At the same speed, a larger-radius turn requires less lean. Guide the motorcycle along a smooth arc and do not correct the line with constant sharp steering inputs.
The outside and inside of a corner
The outside is farther from the center of the corner, and the inside is closer. In a right-hand turn, the outside is on the left and the inside is on the right; in a left-hand turn, the opposite is true. All of this applies only within your lane.
In an open corner
If the entire corner is visible, start closer to the outside, then move smoothly toward the inside and leave room at the exit. At the same speed, this arc requires less lean.
In a blind corner
If the exit is not visible, stay near the outside for longer and do not hurry toward the inside. This gives you a better view of the road ahead and leaves room to change your line if the corner turns out to be tighter than expected.
Room at the exit
As you plan the arc, look at where you will end up at the exit. If the line leads right up to the edge of the lane, slow down and correct it early.
When the exit becomes visible
When you can see the road continuing and the motorcycle begins to come upright, you can gradually roll on the throttle.
As the motorcycle comes upright
The less lean there is, the more grip reserve remains for acceleration, braking, or a small change of line.
Do not roll on blindly
If the exit is still hidden, maintain a pace that allows you to correct the line or brake.
After the corner
Look farther down the road and reassess the traffic. Do not keep looking at the corner you have already passed.
You can brake while leaned
Braking while leaned over is possible if the force builds smoothly and the tire still has grip in reserve. The greater the lean, the less of that reserve remains for slowing down.
Build braking force smoothly
Under braking, the load on the front tire increases. Build pressure on the lever smoothly as the front tire loads up. An abrupt squeeze while leaned over can cause loss of grip.
If you need to brake harder
If the line allows, gradually bring the motorcycle upright as you brake. With less lean, the tires retain more grip for slowing down.
Practice braking while bringing the motorcycle upright
Practice on familiar, dry pavement at low speed. Begin braking gently at a slight lean, then smoothly bring the motorcycle upright and increase braking force.