Cornering Techniques for non-burm turns

[rablack21]

Any racers out there care to weigh in? I'm talking specifically non-burm turns here. My cornering was pretty slow last race and I need to work on some better cornering techniques. I don't seem to be finding my groove for these types of turns. At the local track there are several corners that have no burm or very little (kind of an uphill angle to them). My problem is I either go through the turn and the inside wheels come off the ground or I go through the turn with too much throttle and the back end breaks loose and spins out. I'm sure some of you guys have some tried and true methods for tackling these obstacles. I know you lean off the seat as far as you can. I know you stay on the gas and brake as late as possible. I am looking for more than that. Do you have your weight shifted to the front side of the quad as much as possible while leaned inward? Do you feather the clutch and just stay gently and consistently on the throttle? Do you hammer on it and break the back end loose and drift the back end around the turn? What makes for fast cornering?

[jamieg45]

Lean into the turn and you will want to start using the front brake, throttle and clutch. It will help you keep the rear tires spinning and the front end will turn for you and you will rail the corner so much faster. Its better to go out in the yard and practice what I am saying, but be careful or you will spin out and you mite be pulling some wheelies out of the corner too.

[PORTED R]

I'm no mx rider
But when I do hit the dirt
I usually give the front brake some pressure
Lean into the turn and then lean back coming out of corner for traction

[rablack21]

Lean into the turn and you will want to start using the front brake, throttle and clutch. It will help you keep the rear tires spinning and the front end will turn for you and you will rail the corner so much faster. Its better to go out in the yard and practice what I am saying, but be careful or you will spin out and you mite be pulling some wheelies out of the corner too.

Jamie,

Just so I understand correctly, you want to try to keep the rear tires spinning or loose while going through the turn?
Also, what recommended front tire pressure and camber for best cornering? (I thought this kinda goes hand in hand with the other question)

[jamieg45]

Jamie,

Just so I understand correctly, you want to try to keep the rear tires spinning or loose while going through the turn?
Also, what recommended front tire pressure and camber for best cornering? (I thought this kinda goes hand in hand with the other question)

I run 10lbs of air in my fronts and anywhere between 6-8lbs in the rear. My camber is the normal recommend 3-4 camber in the front, plus I am 6'3" tall and weigh 230-240lbs my self bud, I can pretty much slide the quad around pretty easy. You will get the hang of it bud, if you want to give me a call 269-362-2458.

[rablack21]

I run 10lbs of air in my fronts and anywhere between 6-8lbs in the rear. My camber is the normal recommend 3-4 camber in the front, plus I am 6'3" tall and weigh 230-240lbs my self bud, I can pretty much slide the quad around pretty easy. You will get the hang of it bud, if you want to give me a call 269-362-2458.

Thanks for the info, we are of similar build, so your riding technique would apply to me. I'm 6'1" and 215lb, wide frame (me, not the quad).

[jamieg45]

Thanks for the info, we are of similar build, so your riding technique would apply to me. I'm 6'1" and 215lb, wide frame (me, not the quad).

Thats cool bud, just give me a call anytime and I will help whenever possible if I can

[HAYESTRX250R]

Had a guy point out the front brake drag method at a track years ago and at first I thought he was full of it.  Let me tell you it has it's place you will see upon the first attempt that it needs to be practiced.

[HAYESTRX250R]

Also wanted to add that this method shines on tighter "U" type turns.  Curious to see if Jamie agrees.

[rablack21]

Also wanted to add that this method shines on tighter "U" type turns.  Curious to see if Jamie agrees.

This is exactly the type of turns I am speaking of: 180° turns with zero or little upward slope to it.

What what do you do, just apply slight pressure to the front brakes while continuing to be on the gas through the turn?

[etccb]

From the descrption of those corners I would say..
Clutch clutch clutch. Keep the r's up and use the heck out of the clutch to help control wheel spin. A slight slide free feeling is fast and on a rail is slow in corners like that. Keep your but off the side above the peg and against the side of the seat so you are not using your strength to fight outward gforce. Play with leaning your upper body in, out, forward back and slipping the clutch with the revs up. You will get to a point of slightly leaning your upper body around from striaght up nutral through the corner to help control traction and side bite and using your clutch a lot. Keep those elbows up, keep at it and it will get to where you don't ever think about it. Attack that xxxxx and make it your own.

[jamieg45]

All is correct, drag the front brake and use the clutch and the throttle to keep full momentum forward and traction.

[rablack21]

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions. Next time I go to the track I will work on these ideas and see how they help. I also raised the pressure in my front tires to 10 instead of 8, and increased my camber from 1 to 3°. This should help as well.

[jamieg45]

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions. Next time I go to the track I will work on these ideas and see how they help. I also raised the pressure in my front tires to 10 instead of 8, and increased my camber from 1 to 3°. This should help as well.

Keep us informed man im really curious how you do at it and how long it takes you to get the hang of it. But I think once you do it in a race it will be second nature to ya. Good luck have fun and be safe.