Extending-out

‘Extending out’ is a technique which involves positioning the bike beyond the centreline in the opposite lane and effectively straightlining a corner. It’s perfect for negotiating snake-like roads with good visibility. The upshot is you’ll need to make fewer steering, throttle or brake inputs and will therefore have a smoother, more efficient ride. It’s also particularly useful when you’re riding in the wet.

You MUST ensure you can see right through the bend and make doubly sure there’s nothing coming – if you can’t, the move is off. Ensure you check behind you, too. You must also heed road markings; if there’s a solid white line applying to the left side of the road, don’t cross it.

With a suitable left hander in sight, for example, extend out past the centreline nice and early, as this will help keep your line smooth from the start of the manoeuvre. In an ideal extending out scenario, by the time you reach the entry point you should be over by the right-hand kerb.

When you spot the apex point on the left side of the road, you should sweep towards it, taking note of the severity of the bend and how the road unfolds beyond it. Depending on the situation (visibility, other road users, the road surface) the line may then take you back to the offside kerb, ready to straighten out the next bend.

The thing about observations is that the further you look, the earlier you can plan your next move and the smoother it will be, because you’ll be in position so much sooner. If you leave it to the last minute you’ll have to make a correction. When you’re sure there’s nothing coming you can get right over to the opposite kerb and sweep through the bend nice and smoothly.