Motorcycle cornering basics: slow, look, press, roll
The short answer
Good motorcycle cornering comes down to four steps: slow to your corner speed before you turn, look through the corner to where you want to go, press the handlebar on the side you want to turn to (countersteering), and roll the throttle on gently through the bend. Doing them in that order keeps the bike stable and gives you time to react.
Most corner mistakes happen before the corner, not in it. Too fast on the way in, eyes in the wrong place, a stab at the brakes halfway round. These four steps are taught in rider training, including the MSF's courses in the US, because they fix those mistakes in order.
1. Slow
Get your speed right before you turn in. Brake and change down while the bike is still upright and in a straight line, where you have the most grip.
How fast is right? A speed that lets you stop within the part of the road you can see. On a blind bend, that's slower than it feels. If you finish a corner thinking "I could have gone faster", you got it right.
Riders with more experience learn to trail the brakes gently into the corner. That's a skill for later, ideally on a training course. For now, finish your braking before you lean.
2. Look
The bike goes where you look. Turn your head, not only your eyes, and look as far through the corner as the road lets you. Look at the exit, or the furthest point of road you can see, never at the thing you want to avoid.
The opposite is called target fixation: you stare at the gravel, the wall or the oncoming car, and the bike follows your eyes towards it. If something worries you, notice it, then look at where you want to go.
3. Press
Above walking pace, a motorcycle steers by countersteering. Press the right handlebar forward and the bike leans and turns right. Press the left bar and it goes left. It sounds backwards, and you already do it without knowing.
Practise it on a quiet straight road at a steady speed. Give the right grip a gentle push forward and feel the bike lean right. Then try the left. Once you know it, you can steer on purpose:
- Press harder to lean more and tighten your line.
- Ease the pressure to stand the bike up.
- A firm press helps you swerve around an obstacle quickly.
Keep your arms relaxed and grip the tank with your knees. Stiff arms fight the bike and make it wobble.
4. Roll
Once the bike is leaned over and you can see the exit, roll the throttle on smoothly and steadily. A gentle, constant throttle settles the suspension and keeps the bike stable. Snapping the throttle shut mid-corner does the opposite. As the road opens up and you stand the bike up, you can add more.
Choosing your line
A good line gives you the best view through the corner:
| Part | Where to be |
|---|---|
| Entry | Towards the outside of your lane, for a longer view into the bend |
| Apex | Later than feels natural, once you can see the exit |
| Exit | Let the bike drift back towards the outside as you roll on |
A late apex means you turn in a little later and see more before you commit. On left-hand bends in right-hand traffic, keep your head well inside your own lane. Leaning heads cross the centre line before wheels do.
If you run wide
It happens to everyone. Don't grab the front brake and don't look at the edge of the road. Look at where you want to go, press the inside bar a little harder and lean more. Most bikes and tyres can lean further than most riders ever ask of them. Panic is what runs you off the road.
Practice
Find a quiet, twisty road you know and ride it slower than usual, focusing on one step at a time. Then try it with friends on an easy group ride. In MotoBFF Find me a route builds a route from where you are, and pick a ride with a Beginner or Intermediate riding level if you want a calm pace while you practise.
Questions riders ask
What is countersteering on a motorcycle?
Countersteering is how a motorcycle turns above walking pace. Pressing the right handlebar forward makes the bike lean and turn right, and pressing the left bar makes it turn left.
What does slow, look, press, roll mean?
It's a four-step method for motorcycle cornering. Slow to the right speed before the corner, look through it to the exit, press the bar to countersteer, then roll the throttle on gently through the bend.
Should I brake in a corner on a motorcycle?
Do your main braking before the corner, while the bike is upright. Braking hard while leaned over can make you run wide. Light trail braking into a corner is an advanced skill best learned on a training course.
What should I do if I'm running wide in a corner?
Look where you want to go, press the inside handlebar harder to lean the bike more, and stay off the front brake. Most bikes can lean further than riders expect.