Choosing the Right Line - The Science of Corners

PROVILEL BY AÖTOCROSS THE SCIENCE OF FORNERS KINETIC ENERGY, NEWTON'S FIRST LAW, GRAVITY -these all affect a motocross rider, especially when trying to take a tricky corner or edge someone for the lead. And don't forget about track design and conditions, such as corners filled with ruts or steep berms. KINETIC ENERGY NEWTON'S FIRST LAW OF MOTION The energy of motion, kinetic energy can be expressed using the following equation: This 17th century discovery holds that objects at rest tend to stay at rest while objects in motion tend to remain in motion. It essentially means this: Every object is most likely going to continue doing whatever it's doing. If that is traveling at a high speed, then expect the object to continue traveling at a high speed. En=mv² m= mass of object v= speed of object INERTIA The second part of Newton's first law is what matters here: Objects will keep doing what they're doing until they're acted upon by an unbalanced force. Objects tend to resist changes in their states of motion. That's why when you are on your bike and you start to slow down, you have to keep your body from moving forward. GRAVITY You're also being bombarded with the forces of gravity, which are pushing you down toward the track. It's especially important to consider this force when you are leaning off your bike. Sometimes gravity can force you all the way to the ground. VARIABLES ANATOMY OF A CORNER When taking a corner on a motocross track, there are several factors to consider when choosing your line: EXIT Where you get to driving straight and can speed up again BRAKING POINT - TURN-IN POINT - APEX - POSITION AND DIRECTION OF NEXT CORNER (IF IT'S CLOSE) - POSITION OF OTHER RIDERS CONDITION OF TRACK - TYPE OF CORNER (RUTTED, BERMED, FLAT) APEX Where the bike reaches the closest point to the inside of the turn Rarely will you find a perfect line for all conditions; much depends on your skill as a rider and the characteristics of your individual ride. Experiment with lines and techniques and study the track well so you can reduce surprises. ENTRY The entry is where turning begins. It includes a braking zone and turn-in point. WHEN THE APEX ISN'T THE IDEAL LINE The geometric apex, also called a fixed or traditional apex, is the central point of the corner. But the racing apex might not be the same as the geometric apex. EARLY APEX An early apex can help if you have started braking late or want to outbreak someone to make a pass in the corner. O APEX TRADITIONAL APEX If carrying speed in the corner, you should use the traditional apex. This minimizes other forces that can impact Strategy, you have the fastest entry speed, but the slowest exit speed, so make sure there aren't too many more riders you YOU S RIDERS I to overtake. your line out of the corner. LSLOW FAST - If a rider is trying to pass you, take the early apex to keep him from going around you on the inside. This is called "closing LATE APEX But if you have slowed and wish to speed up as you exit the corner, a late apex allows you to maximize speed for an upcoming the door." CYOU LFAST SLOW straightaway. PAY ATTENTION TO WHATS AHEAD The ideal line through a corner also could be affected if another corner is coming up. If the next corner is a left-hander, you should move to the RIGHT SIDE of the track and will need to take a LATE APEX rather than the traditional apex. FAST SLOW APEXO Again, the only way to know which apex and exit are ideal for each corner is to analyze the track long before race day. APEX RIBING THE CORNERS WHEN APPROACHING A CORNER, YOU SHOULD BE STANDING UP IN AN ATTACK POSITION; THIS WILL HELP YOU BRAKE AND ABSORB THE BUMPS. YOUR BRAKING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE YOU HIT THE CORNER. AS YOU FINISH BRAKING, MOVE INTO THE CORNERING POSITION (INSIDE LEG OUT AND FORWARD TO BEAR WEIGHT ON FRONT WHEEL) Weight Leg AS YOU PLACE YOUR WEIGHT ON THE FRONT WHEEL (WITH YOUR LEG STILL OUT), PUT AS MUCH FORCE AS YOU CAN ON THE OUTSIDE PEG: THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT ON FLAT AND TURNS WITH NEGATIVE BANKING (OFF-CAMBER). DON'T LOCK YOUR KNEE. KEEP YOUR FOOT IN A POSITION PARALLEL TO THE GROUND, ALLOWING IT TO SKIM ALONG. POINT YOUR TOES AHEAD; IF YOUR FOOT TURNS OUT AND CATCHES AN OBSTACLE ON THE TRACK, YOU'LL TWEAK YOUR KNEE. LOOK AHEAD THROUGH THE CORNER AND PICK THE Injury EXIT LINE YOU WANT TO TAKE; IT MAY NOT BE EXACTLY THE SAME LINE YOU TOOK INTO Obstacle THE CORNER. AS YOU EXIT THE CORNER, STRAIGHTEN UP THE BIKE AND INCREASE THE THROTTLE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE BIKES THAT JUST ELIMINATE CRASHED 40 FEET AHEAD OF YOU; LOOK THROUGH THEM. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HIT THAT STUMP, YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT WHERE YOU'RE GOING. THE GUESSWORK IT MAY SEEM A SIMPLE THING, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO ON THE TRACK; NOT WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO GO. CORNERS FILLEB WITH RUTS CAN INTIMIBATE EVEN EXPERIENCED RIDERS THE KEY TO STAYING ON THE BIKE AND STAYING THE RACE IS ALLOWING THE RUTS TO STEER THE BIKE. STAY LOOSE AND LET THE RUTS GET YOU THROUGH THE CORNER. AS YOU PASS THE MIDPOINT OF THE TURN, START SPEEDING UP. A WORD OF CAUTION EACH RUT-FILLED CORNER IS DIFFERENT. YOU HAVE TO LEARN EACH ONE BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE IT CONFIDENTLY. EACH TIME THROUGH, INCREASE YOUR SPEED UNTIL YOU FEEL TOTALLY COMFORTABLE. THE RUTS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY CHANGE OVER THE COURSE OF THE RACE. THE KEY IS SEEING THE RUT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE CORNER. CORNERS WITH BERMS ARE SIMILAR TO ONES WITH RUTS BERMS ARE BASICALLY RUTS ON STEROIDS. BERMS WITH GENTLE SLOPES CAN BE RIDDEN LIKE FLAT CORNERS, WHILE WHEN YOU CAN, START THE TURN HIGHER ON THE BERM AND DRIVE YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM AS YOU COME OUT. THINK SMOOTH AND FLOWING. STEEPER BERMS REQUIRE A RUT-RIDING TECHNIQUE. FOR MAXIMUM SPEED THROUGH THE BERM, ENTERING THE CORNER WIDE ON THE HIGH PART OF THE BERM, TURNING A LITTLE SHARPER AT THE APEX AND THEN USING THE FALL OF THE BERM TO HELP ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER. GOOD BERM TECHNIQUE HAS THE RIDER SEATED ALL THE WAY FORWARD TO WEIGHT THE FRONT WHEEL, INSIDE LEG EXTENDED, ELBOWS UP AND THE RIDER LEANING WITH THE BIKE. STEEPER BERMS ALLOW THE RIDER TO LEAN THE BIKE INTO THE BERM AND GET THROUGH THE TURN FASTER . ENTER THE BERM ON THE HIGHER PART AND USE THE SLOPE FOR A FASTER RUN OUT OF THE CORNER. ***---**** ON VERY STEEP BERMS, LEAN WITH THE BIKE AT THE SAME ANGLE AS THE BERM. BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE OF THE BERM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT LAYING THE BIKE OVER AND WASHING OUT THE FRONT END. AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO BRAKE-SLIDE INTO THE CORNER. SOURCES http://1-dictionary. 110mb.com/cornering_tech.html http://dirtbikeblogger.blogspot.com/2007/07/taking-turns-and-making-corners.html http://www.transmotosport.com/dirt-bike-riding-techniques-part-2/dirtbike-riding-techniques-part-2-cornering.asp http://www.motocross-racing-tips.com/motocross_berm.html http://www.useddirtbikes.com.au/pages.php?page=121 http://www.mxtrainingblog.com/riding-techniques/inside-corners-with-ruts/