SBK Japan

Cornering Part 2 - Advanced techniques.

Handling Chicanes and Tight linked turns

The first thing to understand that everything you do should be aimed at getting you out the end of the chicane as fast as possible.

To get around tight linked turns fast requires throttle as well as body technique. The key and desired goal is basically to transfer the bike from maximum lean on one side to maximum lean on the other side in as short a time as possible. The basic physics apply as they do to a normal one direction corner, that being the faster you can get to max lean the shorter your turning radius will be and the faster you can be on the gas.

So how to do it for the chicanes.

the key is the transition and this is what i will talk about, as you exit the first turn you must accelerate, and not slowly either, usually chicanes are tight and your corner speed is down, so while it mightn't seem natural it is the fastest and safest way to stand the bike up. Give it a smooth stab the bike will straighten as it does you transition your body, be careful not to use your arms to do it. And don't drag your ass over. Lift yourself with your legs, and play tag on the tank with your knees, IE swapping contact from one side to the other. Some corners (Dia 3) you may have to stab the brakes as you turn, this will push the front down and greatly assist the bike turning as well. Other like (Dia 2) you downshift, in preparation for your exit, this also serves to weight the bike to the front and compress the forks allowing a quicker turn.

you re now on your side and the speed you have got there means you can finish with the "rotational" part of your turn and be on the gas from before your clipping point.

there are a few examples of what i am talking about that occur at local tracks.

DIA 1 This is Tsukuba's Dunlop Bridge Chicane

Yellow= Throttle

Blue = Brake

It is a difficult corner to negotiate, the key is the line note the arc in should leave you right on top of inside rumble strip or even going over it. the stab on the gas is very short and there is no braking after this one. The exit is tricky once you get out wide with a bump in the track and a slight cambre change causing quite a few accidents. So it is best to stay mid track if possible. the importance of this chicane is the fact that the end of the short straight that leads away from it is one of the few easy overtaking points of the track so a good drive is vital.

Dia 2 Motegi's entry onto Victory straight

This corner is also very important and probably Motegis most technical corner. The Entry is a very fast long sweeper, you must carry your speed in in 3rd gear. the entry is wide enough to allow you be facing almost away from the direction you are going to turn. this is very important as if you enter too flat you wont have room to make the turn and you will in effect be pushing you acceleration point deeper into your exit.

So as you cross the inside rumble you transition, mid transition you shift to second, this will throw the weight forward and you can gas it out. The track has a nasty off cambre moment as you enter, and the further wide you are on exit the worse it is, get your turning moment done early, and you can straight gas it safely onto victory straight.

Dia 3 Motegi's Back S

Not your classic chicane, but actually it is just a larger version. the entry is a very fast 3rd gear sweeping entry, shedding speed around, most people will hit maintenance throttle in between. the problem with that is, as we have discussed it means that you will extend your time leaned over on the exit of the chicane.

The correct method is to enter fast then as if there was no second turn, get on the gas. Don't dive for the corner but carry it to middish track then tap the brakes and transition over, like its a much shorter radius turn, you will find your turning will be done in half the time. that remaining time can then be spent on the gas, and more-so blasting up the inside of others who don't have your secret!!

This principal of riding can be carried into any linked turn. Keep your body movement smooth and controlled, and be either in a state of acceleration or braking. Use those forces to turn the bike, you are just its guide!!