How to Slide like a SuperMoto Racer

February 10, 2014 by Brian Christner 

How many people would love to slide their motorcycle into a corner like a SuperMoto?  Me me me!!  That is what I said the first time I witnessed a SuperMoto race.  Something that sparked my interest immediately.
Sliding like SuperMoto  is something that takes practice preferably in a parking lot away from cars.  But as soon as you experience it you are hooked.  When I raced SuperMoto I loved it and miss it still.
Why does a SuperMoto bike slide you ask?  Well the slide going into a corner occurs when you load the front of the bike during heavy braking transitioning the weight from the rear of the bike to the front wheel.  During the weight transition we are also downshifting to a lower gear and then letting the clutch out in a lower gear thus making the rear wheel turn at a slower speed than the front.  With a little lean angle the rear end starts stepping out and WALA we are sliding.  Now the details

How to Slide like a SuperMoto

1. Setup a reference point for breaking and a couple more for the turn into the corner and the apex (middle of the corner).  Try to use something that is easy to spot like cones, T-shirts, or something else that you won’t mind running over.
2. Shift your weight as far forward as possible.
3. Ride a couple times into the corner to find the right speed for the corner and start picking up the pace and focus on hard braking with the front and rear brakes starting at your braking point.
4. Downshift to the gear you want  exit the corner with.  Stomp on that gear shifter like you are putting out a fire.
5. Let off the brakes slowly and let the clutch out slowly.  If you let it out too fast and don’t have a slipper clutch you will experience the rear wheel hopping.  No Problem if that happens.  Pull the clutch in just a little bit to get the hopping under control then let the clutch out again.
6. Lean.  Start leaning into the corner and push the bike down.  If you want to try dangling a leg put your leg out and as far out and forward as possible.
7. Now put it all together and focus on being smooth.  Smooth off the brakes and clutch.  Lean into the corner and control the slide with the rear brake or add some throttle.
8. Repeat these steps and slowly increase speed but not to much.

Repeat these steps and try to control the huge smile that will appear under your helmet.