How dangerous is it to go low on off-camber corners? Apart from touching down a footpeg, that is. One of my favorite corners in town is an off-camber left, followed by a right-hand sweeper. I don't ride these corners hard enough to touch a knee, but they are really great. I just worry about being a little over-zealous one day, and getting launched because of, well, whatever. I don't know, that's why I'm asking. Any tips would be appreciated!

Touching down isn't your only concern. Reduced ground clearance will be a factor with off-camber turns, but more importantly is your tire contact patch. The surface area of tire in contact with the ground is much much smaller in a very off-cambered turn. As long as you are good about nailing down your turn and not being too eager to rip her open you'll be fine. Getting on the power too early is a recipe for disaster though :yesnod

A friend of mine was trying to follow my line through an off-camber left hander at the track in Cresson & low-sided. He came in too hot & the front end let go. There is also an increased risk of the back breaking loose sooner when on power (believe me, I know!). Just be careful. Navigating off-camber turns at speed requires a good deal more skill than normal or banked turns. And, since you're talking about a public road, I think it may be wise to practice some restraint.

Take your bike to a track day. You will learn more in a day at the track than a year on the streets!

It is easier to drift to the outside in an off camber turn. Especially if you are taking a wrong line and it is a decreasing radius turn or double apex. Practice restraint of the street cause you might not just drift into the sand pit...

Also, the is the factor previously stated about reduced ground clearance. You'll be touching down easily, and then if you need to make a correction to come to the inside you wont have much room to correct. Your knee, boot, and pegs will be grinding before you know it. I took a wrong line trying to pass at Hallett and ended up drifting all the way on to the rumble strip. I was trying to come back inside but all of the previously stated objects were already dragging the the ground. Be careful on those off camber turns. Great photo ops though:D

can someone please explain to my stupid ass whats off chamber turn?? :confused:

Hey man, a cambered turn is one where the road slopes up giving you a larger contact patch. Think of boring old Nascar races where they go round and round in circles all day long. The reason they can carry so much speed is cus the pavement is at a pretty steep angle, which helps fight centrifugal force (pushes you outward) and gives you more contact patch.

off-cambered turns are just the opposite. They slope downwards giving you less contact patch, a great chance to drag parts, and a little more for the centrifugal force to work with (ie. it pulls you outwards). All in all, pretty bad stuff if you are railing through on a bike. No one I know favors off-cambered turns, so you have to approach them with caution. They can trick you into entering way too hot, only to find out you are heading off the road! :yesnod

There ya go! ;)

aahh ok ... I know what you mean...

I call them banked turns.. ;)

Originally posted by Maxxym
aahh ok ... I know what you mean...

I call them banked turns.. ;)

Well, then you would call them banked and off-banked. :lol

Hey Y2KRedR1,

Just curious which turn that was at Cresson that your friend went off on...

You're talking about Motorsport Ranch, right? If so, yeah, what turn?

Originally posted by gixxerjasen
Hey Y2KRedR1,

Just curious which turn that was at Cresson that your friend went off on... AND
You're talking about Motorsport Ranch, right? If so, yeah, what turn?
Yes, the "wagon wheel" at Motorsport Ranch. Click HERE (http://www.motorsportranch.com/photaeria.html) to see pics of track. The wagon wheel is the bottom most turn (after the snake) on the top pic. Can't really tell elevation changes from these pics, but believe me, this track ain't flat! It's smooth, but not flat. Very technical, but a couple spots you can really open up.

For those of you who have not been, GO!!!