This IS a good thread. What you describe are what Keith Code refers to as "survival reactions." His Twist of the Wrist II video is worthwhile. I am no Valentino Rossi, and although I think I am pushing my personal evelope I know I am not (peg feelers aren't too beat up). My concerns about going into a turn too hot is not that I won't be able to lean enough (because I know the PR3s and the bike are more than capable) but that there will be something in the road that will take me down. Tar snakes, actual snakes (had a couple of those in the road in the middle of a turn) and dreaded sand can ruin a nice run through twisties. I have not done a track day, and want to do so. Nonetheless, I prefer to take it a bit easy and be upright than to push into a corner faster than my ability or the environment will allow. Nonetheless, when conditions are optimal I do take the opportunity to go into a turn just a bit faster than I would otherwise in order to extend my comfort zone and have some fun.
If you add good tires and pull the bags off, you'll be shocked to see how nice this bike is. Both take away from what the machine really is...and how damn good it is.
I can certainly go for the tires, but exactly how to the bags negatively affect cornering or "niceness" of the bike. The bags are one of the best things about the Concours...I fully agree, but, as a matter of fact, you run better without bags: just think of the weight you get rid of (Connie's saddlebags are not light like feathers... )
I still go back to you can't gain the skill and confidence to alleviate the fear without pushing beyond your comfort limits. So what is the best way to do so? Track days would play a part but they are expensive and not that frequent at least here in my area. Riding with someone in the lead that is going just a little over your comfort speed is the most available to me but even that is not that often. I can only handle about 4 hours a day in the saddle and decent roads are about an hour away.
Matt
That fear isn't irrational at all, it is fear of what COULD happen that keeps you safe.
(btw... a guy who lives just past that corner came out to help...said I was the 4th bike to go down that year! )
Maybe in the same boat as the OP 3,500 miles in, for me I'm thinking the stock tires have a lot to do with it.
Press, Lean, and Believe. When ya run out of lean; praying sometimes helps.