What Gear Should I Be In for These Corners

No Worries · 05-29-2008, 10:23 PM

I can get up to 50mph or more between these switchbacks on Lookout Mt., but the hairpin turns are 15mph. To come blasting out of the curve, especially going uphill, you have to be in first gear. Most riders unfamiliar to the road won't downshift to first before the curve. Then they find out it really is 15mph. You are leaned way over, you're in second gear, the engine is at idle, and you open the throttle and get bogged down.

Do you downshift to first in the curve, wait until you straighten up, or just give it more gas hoping the revs will increase sometime? I've done all three. Braking from 50 for the switchback is unnerving enough, but shifting down to first while blipping the throttle, leaning heavily, and looking up and around the curve adds to the thrill. Several times I wish I had a gear indicator.

Sport Rider magazine has an article on gear selection for curves: http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/1...nge/index.html, but I think they confused horsepower peak with torque peak. I like being below the torque peak, and smoothly roll on the throttle when going quickly around a curve. Any wheelspin from too much torque would be like hitting sand in the corner.

NONE_too_SOFT · 05-29-2008, 10:25 PM

full suit of armor.

shit i dont like taking any corner that hard in first. too much of a chance of blippin the throttle, fuckin up the suspension, and sailing over the bars.

itgirl · 05-29-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

full suit of armor.

that's the first thing that came to my mind when i read the title.

Trip · 05-29-2008, 10:36 PM

me likey

DLIT · 05-30-2008, 01:05 AM

If I get caught behind a slower rider mid-turn, I'll downshift so I won't get bogged down.

Dnyce · 05-30-2008, 01:12 AM

no help here, but that road looks sweet

i just found out over here highway 243 is sweet too

Mr Lefty · 05-30-2008, 04:21 AM

fuck I dunno... I probably wouldn't shift... can't remember what my bike will do in first... course she's geared down so probably like 35

Phenix_Rider · 05-30-2008, 08:21 AM

Is it just the camera angle, or is that first "U" (from the bottom) way off camber?

Those are really 15 mph actual? Look like second gear turns to me. Of course, my bike actually has some low end. But, depending on the grade, I might still get bogged down. Cutty's 1125R would be incredible there! Twins FTW

Mr Lefty · 05-30-2008, 08:34 AM

I'm gonna say it's camera angle... he's shooting from above... so it's probably + camber if anything...

damn that road looks sexy... any more shots of it?

smileyman · 05-30-2008, 02:34 PM

If I am rolling at all I don't like first. Too much chassis pitch to be smooth on and off the gas...

05-29-2008, 10:23 PM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	What Gear Should I Be In for These Corners I can get up to 50mph or more between these switchbacks on Lookout Mt., but the hairpin turns are 15mph. To come blasting out of the curve, especially going uphill, you have to be in first gear. Most riders unfamiliar to the road won't downshift to first before the curve. Then they find out it really is 15mph. You are leaned way over, you're in second gear, the engine is at idle, and you open the throttle and get bogged down. Do you downshift to first in the curve, wait until you straighten up, or just give it more gas hoping the revs will increase sometime? I've done all three. Braking from 50 for the switchback is unnerving enough, but shifting down to first while blipping the throttle, leaning heavily, and looking up and around the curve adds to the thrill. Several times I wish I had a gear indicator. Sport Rider magazine has an article on gear selection for curves: http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/1...nge/index.html, but I think they confused horsepower peak with torque peak. I like being below the torque peak, and smoothly roll on the throttle when going quickly around a curve. Any wheelspin from too much torque would be like hitting sand in the corner.

05-30-2008, 01:05 AM	#5
DLIT Clit Commander Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Las Vegas Moto: 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S Posts: 4,189	If I get caught behind a slower rider mid-turn, I'll downshift so I won't get bogged down. __________________ Dress for the crash. Not the ride.

05-30-2008, 01:12 AM	#6
Dnyce flyin high Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cali Moto: 10speed huffy w/cards in the spokes Posts: 2,318	no help here, but that road looks sweet i just found out over here highway 243 is sweet too __________________ "Racing Is Life, Everything Before and After is Just Waiting" Steve McQueen

05-30-2008, 02:34 PM	#10
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	If I am rolling at all I don't like first. Too much chassis pitch to be smooth on and off the gas... __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

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05-29-2008, 10:25 PM	#2
NONE_too_SOFT Chopstix / \ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Akron OH Moto: 03 CBR RR Posts: 5,350	full suit of armor. shit i dont like taking any corner that hard in first. too much of a chance of blippin the throttle, fuckin up the suspension, and sailing over the bars.

05-30-2008, 04:21 AM	#7
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	fuck I dunno... I probably wouldn't shift... can't remember what my bike will do in first... course she's geared down so probably like 35

05-30-2008, 08:34 AM	#9
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	I'm gonna say it's camera angle... he's shooting from above... so it's probably + camber if anything... damn that road looks sexy... any more shots of it?