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Good roads to practice cornering around East bay?

Thanks everyone for the advice. Did not ride this weekend because of rain but will try next week. I’ll probably start on marsh creek road and work my way up. I’m aiming to do my first track day hopefully in May or June.
 
Marcoose said:
Wildcat Canyon is busy through Tilden Park, but that will keep you speed under control, and let you work the techniques at slow speeds. I haven't been there in a while, I don't know how the pavement is like.
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Agreed. It’s been repaved not long ago, like butter. It’s my commute route. :thumbup

CJ
 
vizcarmb said:
What’s the problem? I’ve taken my Harley there and did multiple loops
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Its not the type of bike that should concern... its the riders experience level.
 
Inventory said:
Really want to try my hand at canyon carving soon but I’m not sure where to go. The closer to Walnut Creek the better but I’m willing to venture out, just not 2 hour ride out.
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If I lived out there I would take crow canyon to redwood in Castro valley and ride back home thru Moraga to pleasant hill rd. But I’ve moved on to the track, I got tired of cars crossing into my lane on blind corners trying to kill me.
 
mxrider89 said:
Snip
Going mines , up mount Hamilton , throw the bike in nuetral and run down Hamilton as long and you can make it, drastically helped me learn how much corner speed you can carry as well as braking technique

Skyline to alices is by far and away the best road in the bay.

OP there is also Calaveras canyon rd in Livermore too, been shut down for construction for a while but might be open again
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Riding downhill in neutral is a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe you've done it all your riding time but one day you'll be in neutral at a much higher speed than either 1st or 2nd can handle and things are going to go to shit real fast. Yeah I know, you'll just upshift to the gear that matches the speed. Uh huh.

For a new rider trying to build skills this a poor recommendation is not only bad it is very unsafe. Riding with the bike in gear at speed and going down hill with the clutch lever pulled in isn't any better nor any safer. Both practices are downright dangerous.
 
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I just hope I don't meet you coming the other way when you blow a corner on Redwood while "practicing".

Mad
 
Sonoma has some great turns, around 11 of them you can practice on.

Thunderhill, 2 hours north, has 14 awesome turns.
 
i_am_the_koi said:
Sonoma has some great turns, around 11 of them you can practice on.

Thunderhill, 2 hours north, has 14 awesome turns.
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Planning on going to my first track day in Sanoma around May or June. Would do more but transportation is an issue.
 
Inventory said:
I’ll probably start on Marsh Creek Road and work my way up.
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Marsh Creek would be a pretty good choice. My favorite road in the area is Palomares, between Dublin Canyon and Niles Canyon. It's easier when heading north than when heading south, because there are a few decreasing radius turns heading south. And yes, there will be some dirt on the road, the occasional animal, and a small amount of traffic. But you have to watch out for that stuff on every road anyway.

Work on being smooth and taking a good line through the corners and forget trying to be fast. When you can take a ten mile stretch with zero mistakes and always being on your chosen line within six inches, then you can think about picking up the speed a tiny bit. If you don't know how to choose a good line, learn that first. I would highly recommend reading Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough to learn how to ride safely. Read Total Control by Lee Parks after that to learn how to better control the motorcycle.

But safety first. Better to concentrate on how to ride safely before crashing than after, like many newer riders do.
 
Inventory said:
Planning on going to my first track day in Sanoma around May or June. Would do more but transportation is an issue.
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I have never transported my bike to the track. Always ridden it there and home, even Reno-Fernley
 
ScottRNelson said:
...And yes, there will be some dirt on the road, the occasional animal, and a small amount of traffic. But you have to watch out for that stuff on every road anyway.

Work on being smooth and taking a good line through the corners and forget trying to be fast. When you can take a ten mile stretch with zero mistakes and always being on your chosen line within six inches, then you can think about picking up the speed a tiny bit.
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Great stuff. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. :ride
 
Inventory said:
Starting slow friend, nowhere near the level for Redwood. No need to be rude :thumbup
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Not being rude. Being real. I know that when we start out we make ALL kinds of mistakes. I am guilty as well. Before there were any track day providers I remember blowing a turn so bad I ended up on the opposite shoulder. I'm grateful there wasn't a car or another rider coming the other way. The track is THE best place to learn.:thumbup

Mad
 
Inventory said:
Planning on going to my first track day in Sanoma around May or June. Would do more but transportation is an issue.
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Let me know when you decide to book your trackday, I have a pretty good setup and can get 2 bikes + our gear up there if you need a ride. The GF lives in WC so it would be a good excuse to visit :teeth
 
OP, some advice.

Don't try to push a corner, as mentioned earlier, smooth is faster. Also, take your time and learn to ride smooth lines through the corners, remember that the larger your minimum radius the faster you can take it. Go slower and plan your lines, execute those lines until you put your wheels exactly where you planned.

Also, start learning how to trail brake, that skill has kept me on my side of the road many times when I've come in too hot. It takes years to fully develop it but it could very well save your bacon some day. Start slow on the trail braking.

Develop the skills to flow from one turn into the next, try not to turn in too early, go slow enough to late apex the turn and to see if you've gotten yourself into a decreasing radius turn.

Enjoy, you can have a lifetime of enjoying the accumulated riding skills, or you can push too hard early and have a short riding career because you were too impatient. It can be a very unforgiving sport for those who try too hard too early on the street.
 
Inventory said:
Starting slow friend, nowhere near the level for Redwood. No need to be rude :thumbup
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Not being rude....(Mad isn't rude) its the typical way ppl behave here on teh barf.
You ask a question, you get good advice, bad advice, indifferent advice then the I know more than anyone else advice.

There are those that no matter what the situation say to jump into the deep end , and those who advise caution and say take things slow.

Take most at face value and glean the advice you think best suits your needs.
If you get the opportunity to pal up with someone go for it since you want to learn how to carve canyons.
When most hear this request for advice they are happy to help out.
Id say 97% would to that for you.
A good mentor will ease you into it and stay with you.... if you get someone who runs away from you and leaves you out of sight. Id ask they lay back and help you see what they are doing.
Running away from you does two things.
You cant see their technique, and that doesn't help you.
Gives you a false sense of security in your riding ability and you have a mishap.
Or...…… You ride above your level of comfort and have a mishap.

Just so you don't think I'm wrong, lets all remember this poor bastard.
[YOUTUBE]qicjDdBGZGA[/YOUTUBE]
 
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