Reddit mentions of Twist of the Wrist II DVD: Precision Cornering Techniques for Today's High Performance Rider

Thanks =)

Also I recommend Twist of the Wrist II. The DVD is entertaining in a "Vanilla Ice 1980's" sort of way.

Before you accuse me of killing someone, you may want to double-check your information with someone who actually knows something about riding. In this case, I refer to Keith Code. Clearly you haven't heard of him, but take my word for it, he knows a little bit about cornering. The information can be found in his book: Twist of the Wrist II. In fact, its in chapter 4.

Or, if you prefer, the following information is taken word-for-word from the "Twist of the Wrist II" DVD. If you have it, pop it in and go to 26:48 and follow along with the words below:


> "Riders are often confused about why the bike initially stands up and runs wide when they get off the gas mid-turn.

>Once into your lean and the gas is rolled off, weight transfers to the front of the bike, compressing the forks. That weight goes to the front tire, and spreads out the contact patch. This creates additional drag on the patch to the inside of the centerline of the bike. That drag countersteers the bike upwards and it runs wide. The whole thing can seem confusing, especially as the rider expects to tighten the turn when he rolls of the gas, and he finds the opposite of that happening. A moment later, since the gas is off, the bike slows, leans further over and finally tightens up the turn.

>Applying brakes mid-corner creates the same effect. When the weight transfers forward, the result is the same: the bike stands up.

>A static throttle slows the bike as well. Again, the bike tends to run wide. This effect is even more pronounced at higher speeds and steeper lean angles. Getting on the gas too hard, too soon will also send the bike off line: wide."

This video was very helpful for me.
sorry could not find it without the subtitles.

amazon.

It is old but is one of the most relevant materials that I am aware of.
Special attention to the survival reaction part, it covers all the counter intuitive things that an unexperienced rider can do.

For safety matters it is a must watch

I'm 21, 6'2" and 190. Before the MSF class, I had never ridden anything, so I know exactly how you feel. Let me see what I can do:

> So, besides taking the MSF course, what can I do to learn more?

After the MSF class, read or watch Twist of the Wrist 2
(note: you can find these elsewhere for free) TotW 1 is good too, but 2 is more focused on practical street riding.

> What should I know (I realize this may be early since I haven't had any experience yet)?

Before you even touch a bike, you should know that motorcycles are in fact dangerous when compared to other methods of transportation. Be knowledgeable of the studies that prove it. Also, understand that while the activity is inherently dangerous there are many ways to reduce risk. The MSF class should cover most of this, but here's a couple that should be drilled into your head:

• Gear up. All of it. Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, Boots, and something on your legs with more protection than a pair of Levi's.
  
  
• Gear up ALL THE TIME
  
  
• Don't ride in blind spots
  
  
• Always be aware of your surroundings
  
  
• Ride like every car is trying to kill you, because they are
  
  
• Don't be a squid
  
  >Here in Arizona passing the MSF course waives your skills and written test for a license and I have a hard time believing that 2.5 days of experience is enough for me to feel comfortable riding around without more practice.
  
  I took the MSF class and picked up a Ninja 250 a month later with no practice in between. I puttered around the neighborhood streets for a while (about 200 miles worth of residential and <40mph streets) before I took it out on the highway. Mostly, work on your coordination. Keeping track of what gear you're in and what order you pull levers and push pedals can be confusing when you're also making sure you don't get run over. Practice until you're confident.
  
  > Also, I was looking around some dealers this past weekend and almost unanimously they said to ignore the MSF teachers' advice to go for a 250cc bike for a learner because I would "outgrow" it within a few months.
  
  Wrong. Well, Kind of. It's less the amount of time you own it and more the amount of technically challenging miles you've put on it. One piece of advice I love to give to people considering the 250 is this: Don't ever let anyone tell you that you need to have a big bike to be a good rider.
  
  I had my 250 for 3 months and put 3800 miles on it and I was still working on my form when I wrecked it. The people that get bored with a 250 in a couple months are the ones that go fast in straight lines. They upgrade to a 600 supersport, lowside it once and get scared shitless. It's why there are so many cosmetically damaged supersports on the market.
  
  > I've seen a lot of testimonials to the contrary and I mentioned that and then they said that it would be a safety issue, where a larger bike could accelerate out of accidents that a smaller one would get trapped in. Really, I just get the feeling that they are trying to upsell me on a larger bike but I was curious if these things are true.
  
  Plausible, but unlikely. Power is no substitute for safe riding. I feel a little safer in traffic on my 600 than I did on my 250 simply because I can get out of blind spots faster, but all I'm doing is accelerating to get out of someone's way instead of braking.
  
  And yes, the dealer is definitely trying to sell you a bigger bike. Bigger bike, more money, more commission.
  
  > Finally (wow this is a lot of questions) I was looking at a Ninja 250R, probably a used one since the refresh a couple of years ago. Any input on that as a starter bike?
  
  You should check out r/250r for fellow redditors with the 250r. Also, ninja250.org has one of the biggest knowledge databases on the two-fiddy.
  
  > I know it's a "sportbike" but it seems more like a standard bike with rider positioning. Also, would a guy of my height have an issue with one? I sat on one and compared to other bikes I felt like I was sitting very low and wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
  
  Inseam matters more than height. Cycle-ergo is an awesome tool that can tell you roughly where your knees will be and how much you have to lean. Honestly, at 6'2", the 250 was a little small for me. I had one of the older ones which was slightly different, but the new ones I sat on at the dealer were also cramped though there are guys taller than me that ride them comfortably. Next time you go to the dealer, sit on one with your hands on the handlebars and stay there for a while. If it seems a little small don't worry, there are a handful of things you can do to change the ergonomics of the bike. If you're completely uncomfortable after 10 minutes, you may want to look at a bigger bike. (Not a supersport.)
  
  > Basically, any advice you can give me would be great!
  
  I know I threw a lot at you and it may be a little overwhelming. You did the right thing by signing up for the MSF class to see if you're truly interested. If you don't make it through the class, don't worry; riding isn't for everyone. It's dangerous, it's expensive and it's certainly a lifestyle change. You'll find yourself going out of your way to hit the twisties and showing up late to things. You'll neglect other projects on the weekends so you can get some seat time. You'll shave your head to avoid helmet-hair. You'll hear the sound of an engine and whip your head around trying to see what kind of bike it's coming from. You'll lean into turns in your car.
  
  But riding is also one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. Getting over the fear, accepting the danger and finally throwing a leg over a bike is a feeling like no other. Once you do that, you get to experience the silent camaraderie of "the wave," the butterflies in your stomach just as you lean into a corner, the feeling you get whenever you see one of those 'curvy road ahead' signs, the exhilaration of completing a perfect set of twisties, and much, much more.
  
  Riding is awesome, and I'm sure you'll love it. Good luck in your class!
  
  EDIT: Downvotes? Seriously? I sure hope that was a bot.

Hey bud. Welcome. Go see frank at quickfix cycles. Its a very local shop but frank is good an honest. They are a repair shop mostly, but frank has a lot of used bikes to buy too. He can help you get a moped, find a lock and give you any info you need to get started. Call 546-0426. Tell him Aubrey sent you.

Also, have you ridden anything before? Either way go buy this DVD and watch it. http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II-Keith-Code/dp/0965045072/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418249708&sr=8-1&keywords=twist+of+the+wrist+dvd
Its intended for sport bike riders, that's where I first began riding, but all the techniques and defensive riding ideas apply just as well to mopeds. Its saved my ads several times. Pm me if you want any more help.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0965045072/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So that link got me the book... Even though it says DVD

http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II-Keith-Code/dp/0965045072/

this dvd was what was posted.

Twist of the Wrist II Precision Cornering Techniques for Today's High Performance Rider

Horseback riding is more dangerous than motorcycling. Keep your head on a swivel, always have a plan B (and even plan C) as far as "escape routes" are concerned, and expect that you are invisible to others. You do need to be confident, else you will second guess yourself, and that's not good for anybody. Be smooth with the throttle, clutch, and brake. Learn how handle loss of traction issues and don't ride faster than your skills. You might also consider watching A Twist of the Wrist.

Just go to Amazon right now and order this and this right now. Do it. Will save your life and make riding fun.

Keith Code's training movie based on this book is available as a 7 part series.

Highly recommended whether you're the kind who takes your bike to the track or to the canyons. I would recommend that you purchase the DVD, it is a worth while investment.

With the way the partial fairing is shaped on a Bandit, you may be getting some aerodynamic lift on the front end at those speeds. Add in a little turbulence from the car you're (very ill-advisedly) passing, and you get some chaotic input to your very light front suspension. This can result in a tank-slapper. It can also come from uneven pavement giving the front wheel a bump.

I could never explain the physics as well as David Hough does. Pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling and read up on the workings of motorcycle suspension. Another good source is the DVD "A Twist of the Wrist II." And please, please ride more conservatively, especially with so little experience under your belt. I feel like you may be assuming that we motorcyclists are a more daring bunch than we are.

I read a bunch of different answers. I only use the brakes for slowing or stopping. When I've accomplished that, I let them go or let up. I try to be as efficient with my controls as possible, only using what I need, when I need it. That gives my brain more time to process the "big picture". I used to think of the bike as an extension of myself. Now, after experience and practice, it is :)

There is a lot that needs to be paid attention to when riding, so taxing your brain in a pseudo "ready mode" or other taxing thought processes isn't as good as fully paying attention to the present. Definitely practice any riding skills until they become natural. My goal is to have total awareness of my surroundings as much of the time as possible, but instantly focusing 100% on any potential emergencies while spending as little time in that state as possible, then going immediately back to total awareness. For example: I'm sitting at a stop light, swivel my helmet and see some one coming up fast. I then take action. Could be tap the brake, turn on my turn signal, or grab the bars and make my best effort to move to safety if needed depending on the situation. Then reset and scan.

With more practice, one can grab the clutch, twist the throttle, shift to 1st, and start releasing the clutch in well under 1 second or seemingly simultaneously. I've been riding for 21 years and it's 2nd nature, (I don't think about it) which allows for they key to being on the road in any vehicle = pay attention.

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This is an absolute must for ANY rider weather you're racing, riding , or driving:
http://amzn.com/0965045021
http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II-Keith-Code/dp/0965045072

This stuff really shouldn't be on Youtube though, as this is a commercial and pirated video.

Watch it by all means and then thank Keith Code properly:

https://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II-Keith-Code/dp/0965045072/

https://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-Vol-High-Performance-Motorcycle/dp/0965045021