Headquarters Air Mobility Command Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!” Cornering 201

2 Enabling 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 ONLY Note: This Slide is Mandatory

3 Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!” Cornering theories Trail braking Mental Preparation OVERVIEW

4 Enabling 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

5 Enabling 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

6 Enabling 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

7 Enabling 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

8 Enabling 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

9 Enabling 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

10 Enabling 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

11 Enabling 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

12 Enabling 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

13 Enabling 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

14 Enabling 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

15 Enabling the “Global” in “Global Vigilance, Reach and Power!” Mental Preparation Your body will always “go with what you know” in emergency situations Your body will always “go with what you know” in emergency situations Fear Fear  Constant  “I can’t handle it” mentality  Good thing Fear Threshold Fear Threshold  Fear overtakes ability of the mind to process information  Different for everyone  Can be adjusted up or down

16 Enabling 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

17 Enabling 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

18 Enabling 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

19 Enabling 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 2 nd nature  Visualize

20 Enabling 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

21 Enabling 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 Gil Besana, President Images from SuperBike Planet, internet BBS Get the best from your bike, don’t let the bike get the best from you