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Safety and Riding Tips / What is Late Apexing and Why It Makes Sense on the Street
« on: June 01, 2013, 11:02:35 PM »
Late apexing is staying on the outside of a turn longer and turning in later than you would if you were taking the racing line (racing line minimizes the sharpness of a turn).
Late apexing makes sense on the street because:
If you always try to late apex turns on the street, the signs are everywhere when you begin to run out of cornering reserve. If your plan is to late apex, you're running out of cornering reserve if
Ignore the signs at your own peril.
Late apexing makes sense on the street because:
- it gives you a fuller view around a corner before you commit to a line, which gives more opportunity to select a line to avoid things that may be hidden around a corner
- it provides a larger margin of safety if you go into a turn too fast and end up going wider at the turn exit than you planned
- in a series of switchback turns, a really late apex (outside inside) correctly positions you to take the next turn in series
- with a fuller view around a corner, it makes it easier to be on the gas while turning which provides more steering stability and cornering clearance
If you always try to late apex turns on the street, the signs are everywhere when you begin to run out of cornering reserve. If your plan is to late apex, you're running out of cornering reserve if
- you can't avoid exiting near the center line as shown in the diagram or shoulder on left turns
- you can't apply the gas while turning
- you have to use the brakes or let off the gas to maintain your lane past the turn apex
- you find it difficult to maintain or increase your pace going through a series of consistent switchbacks
- you fail to exit a turn on the inside (away from the center line on right turns or the shoulder on left turns) with positive or at least neutral throttle
Ignore the signs at your own peril.
That was so long ago, I can't remember what we talked about.