Ive been getting better as far as leaning over more to take faster corners. I live right by interstate and when im getting off i want to take the exit ramps fast and lean over, but the pavement looks slick cuz i can see a semi glare on the road. basically what im saying is im still to scared to lean the bike over farther. i always think my tires are going to slip or im gonna hit some gravel/sand. should i just trust my tires and go for it. anything to help me out?

 

If your gut is telling you take it easy, then take it easy. Yes to knowing your tires, suspension, and the road. Sounds like you are doing just fine.

 

Yeah, just keep practising, i was the same once, and dont forget to look as far ahead as you can to check the corners you are taking for gravel and such.

 

It's all about clocking in seat time. Roll with what feels right mang

 

Leaning over, dragging knee on an off/on ramp is just asking for trouble. If you really want to learn how to lean, then I'd suggest going to an empty parking lot and practicing low speed cornering, then hit the track. After a couple of track days, you will be a much more confident rider.

Also, have you taken the MSF course yet? If not, then start there.




Here's one example... https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_139205/tm.htm

 

Save it for the track.

 

Just don;t get to cocky....that's when you get bit! Seat time and a track day like everyone says. I smashed my dirtbike so many times because I got too over confident. 6 surgeries later....still going strong!

Keep an eye on the same roads you ride on, they always seem to change.

 

I think seat time is just what i need. right now i ride about twice a week. i completed the msf course before i bought my bike

 

Great, your on the right track. Like others have noted above, listen to your gut feeling. If you feel you should be slowing down, do it. Don't get too over confident, and get your *** to the track. I guarantee you once you go to a track day, you will hate riding the street.

 

Seat time and the right tires. I used to take my ZX7 right to the edge, and it felt stable and confident all the way there. The more I rode it, the more familiar it became, and the more confident it felt to me. You learn over time where the bikes limits are, the tires - and most importantly - your own. You have to learn how both the bike and you will react to different road conditions and whatnot when in turns.

I will say this much - I know a couple years ago Metzler M1's were the rave... and they were on my zx9 when I bought it last year. I never felt confident on them however... and the front even slipped out on me once in a moderate bank on a ramp where I had to stand the bike up, get on the bunders, and thread my way through other bikes while sliding the rear end around to change my direction and not clip the bike who was trailing me and to the side.

A couple weeks ago, I put a new rear on - a Dunlop D220.. yes, a sport-touring tire, and not a pure sport tire. The ride is not only smoother, but a whole lot more confident, and it has really made the bike feel completely different. I have repeatedly taken it all the way to the edge, and very hard too I might add... and it has been rock solid... far better than the Metzler ever was. I still have an M1 on the front, but I cannot wait to burn it up and replace it with a D220. In my honest opinion - it is a far superior tire. *shrug*. I know it sounds silly, but the bike - nor myself - has so much as flinched since I put that tire on there... it feels so much more solid, and taking hard, very leaned corners (no knee even) is cake.

It could also be that the bike doesnt work fo ryou in those situations... example - my zx6 was a great bike, but it didn't feel half as a confident in corners as the zx7 did. I am almost to that point now with the 9, but the handling characteristics are so completely different from the 7, I don't think it will ever get to that point... but it is close enough for me

So - take your time - if you never find yourself with more confidence in the bike and it's ability and stability - maybe all you need is a tire change, or maybe what you need is a whole different bike. It will take time to get yourself and your bike dialed in so it all feels like one solid unit.