Activity
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sun
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
What is this?
Less
More

Memberships

The SMART Rider Crew

231 members β€’ $15/month

18 contributions to The SMART Rider Crew
Afraid to lean in sharp corners
@Daniel Tolomei Today I was driving on a road 70km/h, and I needed to take a sharp 90 degree turn to a sideroad. I was focusing on my mirror to the traffic behind me and for Some Reason I had my clutch Pulled IN … while trying to turn right, i started panicking , tried front brake , then i realised my clutch was pulled in and i released it … and i almost hit the left curb (the spacer in between 2 roads) and almost fell… somehow i managed it and did not fall but it really annoys me that I am not able to just take this turn …. I think I am Maybe afraid to let the bike lean, afraid to fall over ? I have attached A photo of the situation , what speed should u take such corner safely ?
Afraid to lean in sharp corners
2 likes β€’ 2d
*"I was focusing on my mirror to the traffic behind me and for Some Reason I had my clutch Pulled IN … while trying to turn right, i started panicking , tried front brake , then i realised my clutch was pulled in and i released it"* From what you typed here, it sounds like you were initially too focused on the traffic behind you and lost track of what was going on with your hands. Once you realized that, the panic caused you to make some other maneuvers you didn't necessarily mean to. My tips are: 1.) You need to be focused on the corner ahead of you in order to make it through the corner ahead of you. To some extent, it was safe of you to look at traffic behind you to see if you were being tailgated, but if you were already close to turning into the corner, you should have had your eyes looking through the corner, to where you wanted to go. Check the traffic behind you earlier, well before the corner, so that if you have someone tailgating you, you can slow down more gradually. But as you come close to cornering, you've got to have your eyes forward and looking through the corner. 2.) If you're able to, this would be a great thing to practice in a parking lot or non-busy road. In a parking lot, you could pretend to take a right hand turn around an obstacle, like a light pole, or a landscaping island. On a non-busy road, find an actual right hand turn that you can go around multiple times. Heck, I'd practice doing a left hand turn the same way, so you can work your muscle memory. That'll help out on the roads with traffic when there are a bunch of distractions going on around you.
Emergency Braking Practice
I do emergency braking practice whenever I get time on weekend. At speed 40kms/h, I gently apply the rear brake and front brake simultaneously. The harder the front brake the lighter the rear brake. Today I notice one thing, I can stop my bike by 15.5 feet to 16 feet. But whenever I use only the front brake then I can stop the bike less than 15 feet. What is the cause of this? Can anyone narrate please.
2 likes β€’ 2d
If I recall correctly, it's something like a 70%/30% split between Front/Rear braking power, in general. But, if you're on a sport bike, it can be as high as 90%/10%.
Slow speed woes?
Hey SMART rider crew! I’m reviewing my slow speed drills after some time off of my ZX6R. I’m ending up way too wide through turns. I have NO trouble with the drills on my R7 (which is similar in size) but feel like I have a much more limited turning radius on th ZX6R. Any advice?
1 like β€’ 3d
A few things come to mind: 1.) The R7 and ZX6R may have different wheelbases (the measurement of the distance between the front and rear wheel). The shorter the wheelbase, generally, the tighter the turn radius (the size of the arc when turning a vehicle as tightly as possible). So if the R7 has a shorter wheelbase, it may physically be easier to achieve a tight turn. 2.) The R7 and ZX6R may have different steering lock angles (the angle the front wheel can achieve when turning the handlebars fully left, or fully right). If the R7 has a greater steering lock angle, it will be easier to achieve a tighter turn radius. 3.) You may just be more comfortable maneuvering the R7 than the ZX6R. For example, if you are able to turn the R7 at full lock (handlebars turned as far to the left, or right as possible), but not the ZX6R, that's definitely going to affect your turn radius. 4.) Check that you are making the maneuvers at equal speeds on both bikes. You might be attempting the same maneuvers at different speeds depending on which bike you are using, which can affect turn radius. My best guess is that it's going to be very difficult to be equally capable on both bikes. Whichever you've been riding the most is the one you're going to be more comfortable on. You mentioned having less practice with the ZX6R, so I think you just aren't maneuvering it as optimally as you can compared to the R7.
0 likes β€’ 2d
You're welcome! If you do end up recording your riding on both bikes, could I see the videos as well? I personally need more practice on slow speed drills. I haven't attempted the SMART rider drills in a few months, and I was struggling to complete the 'hard' level of difficulty ones. I've ridden a lot since then, though, so I might do better with the drills. Anyways, seeing someone else doing drills that is near or above my skill level could help me identify specific aspects I need to work on.
Adjustment of levers ?
I was wondering if there is Some kind of rule on how the levers (brake and clutch) need to be positioned ? Or should I just leave it as the bike was delivered ?
2 likes β€’ 3d
It's really a 'feel' sort of thing. There isn't really a correct answer, but more like guidelines to follow. When you feel comfortable enough with the bike, you can always tinker with the handlebar position and adjust the hand levers to what feels right for you. Only a few simple tools are needed to make those adjustments, and most likely if your bike came with a tool set, the ones in it will likely be all you need. If you don't feel ready for that step, I'm sure the stock setup is safe to ride.
Wepa!!!! I’m Loren Torres
I’m from Puerto Rico but I live in AZ I’m a new rider and my bike is a 2018 Husqvarna 450 πŸ€™πŸΌπŸ€™πŸΌπŸ€™πŸΌ
1 like β€’ 3d
Nice to meet you!
1-10 of 18
Chris Bennett
3
22points to level up
@chris-bennett-7863
Hello. I ride a 2023 Royal Enfield INT650.

Active 14h ago
Joined Jan 11, 2026