Basic Cornering (125 2-Stroke)

[RoostRM125]

I've only been riding for a few weeks now and want to learn how to corner properly with my RM 125 (2-Stroke). I know that leaning on the outer peg and sticking my inside foot out is the proper technique. But I need to know about clutch work and throttle and boby position, please. Also what gear should I been in entering the corner and should I stay in that gear exiting or be in a different one? Any help would be appreciated. I ride in all different conditions so make it general I guess.

[mxmama393]

read this

stalling in corners


I recently received some great detailed cornering tips in that thread. Start around post 14.

Hope that helps

[RoostRM125]

Appreciate it.

[RoostRM125]

Anyone else?

[Aus_Rider_22]

Come in and leave the corner as smooth as you can and always look forward. Outside elbow up Unless you are forcing yourself, it's hard to remember to keep scanning the track ahead, not just in front of your wheel.

[dhighlan]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Buy this book it will be the best 20$ you'll every spend. Read it and reread it over and over. I have it on my night stand and have been through it front to back at least 30x.

[RoostRM125]

Cool guys, Thanks. I'll check that book out, appreciate it.

[3RDRUT]

Do all your braking before the turn. Each turn is different so you need to get the feel for wwhat gear is right for the corner. keep your eyes on where you want to go not where you are at. when you reach the apex get on the gas hard if it bogs slip the clucth or drop a gear for optimum power. remember if your coasting your losing. Practice figure 8's the help.

[RoostRM125]

After hitting the track for the first time a couple of weeks ago I noticed in corners that were 180's I was in first gear. Should I be in second and slipping the clutch more or is 1st a common thing on a 125?

[RoostRM125]

Anyone???

[Silver_Fox]

Originally Posted by RoostRM125

After hitting the track for the first time a couple of weeks ago I noticed in corners that were 180's I was in first gear. Should I be in second and slipping the clutch more or is 1st a common thing on a 125?

Pretty generic question. It depends on whether or not it is a 1st, 2nd or third gear corner. If it was just your first time on a track quite simply you need to spend more time on the track, the skill will come with experience. Once you get more comfortable then you can be coached on technique.

[RoostRM125]

Cool, I just thought I should never be in first gear on a track. I just never hear anyone say drop it down into first.

[dhighlan]

What gear do you start on the gate in?

[ossagp]

I almost never give riding advice. like Dhi I might suggest some books. if i wanted to get better at cornering and wanted a simple paragraph long lesson, and I found myself here on this thread, I would memorize everything that 3rdrut said.

Then I would go out and do figure 8's with varying terrain and distances between the apexes, until I was sweating hard. I would do it at the beginning of each track day, and at the end.

[pjg351]

For 100 bucks or so you can go to a riding school or a coaching clinic and learn all you need to practice. Ask around and find out who has a good name as a teacher, some guy's only want your money, a good coach will make you do it over and over till you start to get it right, then you go away and practice it, and preety soon you will be railing berms and jumping big with confidence. I make my boy's do a minimun of 2 a year because they do forget things or they develop bad habbits that need to be corrected. I can stand there after they have done another coaching session and see the differance straight away, faster and smoother