Cornering

I noticed something about my cornering technique recently and it was kind of an "ah-ah" moment. I've been riding again after a 25 year break. I rode a series of four different bikes all through my 20s. I NEVER rode for pleasure. They were simply a mode of transportation. (Or to try and pick up chicks with.) I even did a stint as a motorcycle messenger for a big law firm. I was paid by how fast I got from A to B and how many deliveries I could make in an afternoon. Back then, I never even wore a helmet and I'd lane split on the freeway at dusk at 60 mph. I can hardly believe I did that! So, even though I was never "trained" I thought I at least had some skills. Maybe a few bad habits, too.

Jump forward 25 years and two divorces and I just bought myself another bike. I'm a little embarrassed to say what it is… No, it's not a Hyabusa, but not far off. (BTW, I did take a beginning safety course.)

Anyway, I noticed recently that if I go into a corner even moderately hard it somehow seems easier if I kind of counterbalance with my head. Do you know what I mean? I had been going into corners and leaning my body with the bike, including my head, which distorts your view sideways, right? But I just noticed that if I lift my head up a little more near vertical I feel more confident about the turn.

Does any of that make sense? Am I doing it all wrong?