IPSGA, information links and the 5 principles of cornering

IPSGA stands for Information, Position, Speed, Gear, and Acceleration—a structured method used by advanced riders to assess and respond to the road ahead. It forms the foundation of Roadcraft, the system of motorcycle control used by RoSPA, the police, and other advanced riding organisations.

Breaking It Down

1. Information – Constantly take in and assess everything around you. Look far ahead, use your mirrors, check your blind spots, and be aware of potential hazards.
2. Position – Adjust your road position for the best view, safety, and stability. This includes positioning for bends, overtakes, and approaching junctions.
3. Speed – Adjust your speed to match road conditions, visibility, and potential risks. Smooth speed control is key to maintaining balance and stability.
4. Gear – Select the appropriate gear for the conditions. Being in the right gear ensures the bike is responsive when you need it.
5. Acceleration – Once safe, apply power smoothly and progressively to maintain stability and regain speed after a hazard, bend or manoeuvre.

By following IPSGA, you develop a proactive rather than reactive riding style, allowing you to handle situations with confidence and control.

High-Quality Information Links: Seeing and Reacting Smarter

The key to good riding is making sense of what you see. High-quality information links refer to the ability to connect different pieces of information and anticipate what’s ahead.

For example:

• If you see a road sign warning of a sharp bend, you should immediately think about positioning, braking, and potential surface conditions.
• If there’s a queue of traffic ahead, you should consider possible hazards like cars turning unexpectedly or pedestrians crossing.
• If you spot a horse rider, you know to slow down, pass wide, and anticipate unpredictable movements.

Advanced riders constantly build a mental picture of the road, linking information together to make better decisions and stay ahead of potential risks.

The 5 Principles of Cornering

Mastering corners is one of the biggest challenges in motorcycling, and it’s also where many riders get into trouble. Applying the Five Principles of Cornering can transform your ability to ride smoothly and safely through bends.

1. Position for Safety and Vision – Choose a position that gives you the best possible view while keeping you safe from hazards. Generally, move towards the outside of the curve for maximum visibility before entering the bend.
2. Speed for Stability – Reduce speed before entering the corner, ensuring you're at a controlled pace before committing. Braking mid-corner can unsettle the bike, so get your speed right before you lean.
3. Gear for Flexibility – Select the right gear before the bend to ensure you have smooth power delivery when you exit. Being in too high a gear can lead to sluggish acceleration, while too low can cause unnecessary engine braking.
4. Distance to stop – Always focus on where you want to go looking at the limit point and developing peripheral vision. Never travel faster than you can see is safe to stop in on your own side of the road, the rough guide is 1 meter per mph.
5. Accelerate Smoothly – Once you're past the apex and can see the exit, smoothly roll on the throttle to maintain stability. This helps transfer weight to the rear tyre, improving grip and control. As lean angle is reduced then tyre grip can be used to smoothly accelerate linking bends together.  

By applying these five principles, you’ll find that cornering becomes more predictable, smoother, and safer, allowing you to enjoy the ride without the risk of misjudging a bend.

The pace looks after itself and we do not coach to ride faster we do coach how to use the system and a structure which will always increase pace .. but safely.

Bringing It All Together

Riding at an advanced level isn’t about going faster—it’s about riding better. By using IPSGA, building high-quality information links, and applying the Five Principles of Cornering, you can become a more confident, skilled, and safe rider at an increased pace.

We specialise in advanced rider coaching to help you refine these techniques and take your riding to the next level. If you’re ready to improve your skills, book a session with us today!