Turns

[Radical Rich]

Friend of mine just started riding. I am trying from time to time to give him tips. Some that you dont normally think about. To post some is good for anyone im sure. Real time action. :confused2:

[msalser1000]

Look up an article called the pace. Its form sport rider.




http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0911_the_pace_nick_ienatsch/

[TX Repsol]

Twist of the Wrist (http://www.repsolforum.com/forums/local_links.php?action=jump&id=16&catid=3) <-- send him here. Or better yet, find a copy of the book for him.

[tribaltim]

Twist of the Wrist (http://www.repsolforum.com/forums/local_links.php?action=jump&id=16&catid=3) <-- send him here. Or better yet, find a copy of the book for him.

Dude that is a sweet book! I learned so much from reading it...

[jquick]

tell him to practice countersteering in one lane. swerving from line to line so he gets used to steering.

[Radical Rich]

Thanks, I saw that book at the shop. Xmas gift:)

[sharpblade]

important to always keep at least part of the rubber stuff on the hard stuff or else the hard stuff will hurt his soft stuff.
Helpful? Probably not but Aussie's are noted for being smartarses.
sharpy

[hondahoon]

important to always keep at least part of the rubber stuff on the hard stuff or else the hard stuff will hurt his soft stuff.
Helpful? Probably not but Aussie's are noted for being smartarses.
sharpy

i reckon learn it a bit at a time

1 counter steering
2 body position


take your mate to the twistiest section of road you can find...

tell him use 4th gear only & NO brakes

it will teach him what the bike can do & what he can do

HH

[TX Repsol]

My biggest piece of advice - do a track day!

This gives him a "closed course" experience - no cars, traffic poles, curbs, etc to hit if you make a mistake. Just a group of people riding with the same goals in mind, in a controlled environment...

Any decent track day outfit will offer a "C" group with several instructors. LonestarTrackDays.com is a good example.

They set up the day with 3-20 minute sessions per hour. During the first two sessions, the C group is in a classroom learning everything from riding position, breathing technique, where to look, best lines around the track, braking points, etc.

Then they spend 20 minutes on the track with the instructors, usually 2 or 3 students per instructor. It's invaluable to have someone (that knows what they're doing) follow you around the track and then give you tips and pointers on how to improve your game. You usually get in 7, sometimes 8, sessions per day. And it costs around $160, depending on the track.

I've also done Jason Pridmore's track school - very much worth the money!

[Dakine]

One fundamental advice, look through the turns as opposed to the ground. A lot of new riders tend to look at the ground right in front of the front wheel.

Suggest to him to take the MSF class. He will learn quicker than reading books.

Good luck and most importantly, tell him to "have fun!"

[Radical Rich]

Thanks, my goal is to do track days myself soon. So don't want to crash my Repsol. On the other hand it is probably safer in a controlled area,and teach me so I will be a better rider for the road.

[Radical Rich]

For those of you that do track days, do you use your Repsol? If im going to do it, it seems logical to use my own bike to be use to it.

[TX Repsol]

For those of you that do track days, do you use your Repsol? If im going to do it, it seems logical to use my own bike to be use to it.

<-- Avatar check!

That's my track whore. I can ride it as hard as I want with no worries about breaking it. If I do break it, so what, it's a dirt bike!

[Radical Rich]

Seems like a big difference. Comparing track time on a dirt bike VS 1k. You really could'nt get much different. Are you saying it is not worth risking the Repsol? I don't see how that is productive for the limited track time I would have. Then apply it the street. Plus I don't have a dirt bike. I do miss the dirt.

[Repsol Robert]

Seems like a big difference. Comparing track time on a dirt bike VS 1k. You really could'nt get much different. Are you saying it is not worth risking the Repsol? I don't see how that is productive for the limited track time I would have. Then apply it the street. Plus I don't have a dirt bike. I do miss the dirt.

All track time is good track time...even if you crash by testing the limits. What I don't mean is that crashing is good, but that if you crash, the track is a better place. I only have the one bike, so the Repsol gets all the track time...whether it's worth it is up to you and your wallet.

Countersteering is your friend and you must know how to do this to avoid obstacles in any situation.

My favorite book is Sportriding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch (sip), because he really distills the info down to simple terms newbies can understand and how to apply the techniques on the track. I refer to this book often.

[salvaje]

Crashing sux but its part of the game. I rather crash on a track all geared up than crashing pushing any limits on the road with cars coming behind me.
One thing I can not bring myself to do is bring the REP to the track. I took misc bikes and put them together for the track. Made a little frankinstein track bike until I was able to beef up a nice one, well really afford one!

[ZZGIXXER]

you will be getting lots of pointers here....

the best thing to start with....protection.!!!!! helmet, leather jacket, boots, gloves, back protector....no matter how hot it is outside or how cold.....think about safety.

the main thing to improve all the time, work on your braking, slow fast, feel the brakes all the time......if there is a new track home area where homes are being built.....go there, there is no traffic, and normally cops dont mess with you, practice your braking and little by little your turning.

most of the accident happen in 20-30 mph in intersections....so braking can save your life.

do not rush...take your time and practice alot of braking.

[Radical Rich]

Totally agree. I tell people alot of times when I go out and ride I love trying technical moves. Alot of slow speed stuff. Getting on the front brakes harder and harder in small bits. Same with steering. People would be surprised how much you can learn at slow speeds. I will ride the road through my hood about a mile of hills corners stop signs and speed bumps, right hand only. stopping at all signs. Fun challenge.

[Repsol47]

Thanks, my goal is to do track days myself soon. So don't want to crash my Repsol. On the other hand it is probably safer in a controlled area,and teach me so I will be a better rider for the road.

For those of you that do track days, do you use your Repsol? If im going to do it, it seems logical to use my own bike to be use to it.

I think I would be worrying too much about fooooking up the Repsol plastics and frame.
I would at least put on some cheap racing plastics so I wouldnt have to dish out $$$$$$ for OEM replacements.

I would really consider grabbing a Hong Kong set from ebay...they run about 700.00 shipped, and its a full set.

Nice enough to use a primary set....save your much more valuable OEM's.
And they are cheap enough to use on the track.

[TX Repsol]

Seems like a big difference. Comparing track time on a dirt bike VS 1k. You really could'nt get much different. Are you saying it is not worth risking the Repsol? I don't see how that is productive for the limited track time I would have. Then apply it the street. Plus I don't have a dirt bike. I do miss the dirt.

Actually, you'd be surprised how close the track times can be, very surprised. I know the guy I chased all day on his GSXR1000 was surprised every time I showed him the front tire.

I've watched grudge matches where two equally matched riders raced 6 laps around a full road course - one on a motard and the other on a 600cc sport bike. They were neck and neck at every single corner and swapped the lead several times per lap. In the end, the sport bike won because the finish line was at the end of a long straight, where the sport bike prevails with greater acceleration.

The reason I use the motard: I love dirt bikes. They're my passion - I started on dirt bikes and will always own one, whether I have a street bike or not.

So for me, it makes sense. I bought a dirt bike that was already prepped for motard use. I just swap tires and brakes to suit the riding style (street or dirt).

For most people, the motard doesn't really make sense. But a few of my friends have older 600's they ride on the track. Just depends on your budget.

[Radical Rich]

That motard looks like a blast. From what ive seen on tv its the best of both worlds. Someday. Somthing else to put on my to do list;)

[salvaje]

My friend races semi pro motard and he came out with us on our track day a couple of month ago, small tight track. Those things kick ass. He flew by me on the best right hander of the track looked back, gave a nod, i caught him on the little straight away and than he dusted me through the twisties.
:eek:
Love the way it feels drifting the rear through corners!

[TX Repsol]

My friend races semi pro motard and he came out with us on our track day a couple of month ago, small tight track. Those things kick ass. He flew by me on the best right hander of the track looked back, gave a nod, i caught him on the little straight away and than he dusted me through the twisties.
:eek:
Love the way it feels drifting the rear through corners!

It just makes sense - my 450 weighs around 225 pounds. The average sport bikes weighs around 410? pounds. Regardless of the exact numbers, that's a huge difference!

Slinging a motard through a corner can be done considerably faster than a sportbike because there's less centrifugal force trying to pull you to the outside of the corner, or fighting the grip. In other words, the same size tire/contact patch can carry a lot more corner speed when carrying half the weight...

Plus, the brakes have much less weight to deal with, so your braking points are significantly closer to the corner than on a sport bike. Those two points are what makes a motard so great in the twisties.

Oh, and sorry to hijack the thread! :hijacked:

[Radical Rich]

Bottom line does that make you better on the big bike. In other words If you only have a weekend or two for track time, would it be more productive to spend it on your own 1k?:rolleyes:

[TX Repsol]

Bottom line does that make you better on the big bike. In other words If you only have a weekend or two for track time, would it be more productive to spend it on your own 1k?:rolleyes:

Not if I crash the 1k and can't ride it while it's being (expensively) repaired.:weirdface:

I don't ride aggressive on the street. I don't need to perfect my road racing skills for the Repsol - it's basically my commuter bike. I take the motard to the track because I can push it as hard as I can manage and I don't have to worry about breaking it. If I do break it, so what. It's a dirt bike and it's cheap to fix.

If I ever really feel the need to push a sport bike really hard around the track, it will not be on the Repsol. I'll buy a 600RR and prep it for track days (I just don't do enough track riding to have a dedicated track bike, so the motard is perfect for me). Call me a sissy if you want. I'm ok with it. :D

[Radical Rich]

Ive been thinking about a fixer upper 600 for the track. I am more worried about dumping the Repsol than me falling. If thins go right a may have come spring time. You are right about not needing racing skills on the street. It would help, but knowing me i would get over cocky and get in trouble on the street.

[salvaje]

Cocky? Tell me about it. I cant see a damn highway entrance or exit that I zoom pass everyone and dip a knee down, knowing that I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt. :evilgrin:

[DavesRepsol]

Cocky? Tell me about it. I cant see a damn highway entrance or exit that I zoom pass everyone and dip a knee down, knowing that I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt. :evilgrin:

I dont think of myself as a squid on the road (maybe I am) but everytime I commute to work I pass several of the same guys on 600's, 750's, cruisers and they are only doing about 60-70 mph on the highway, when it is open with no cagers near me, I am triple digits all the way. I know I certainly do not take the chances I once did on the street like I did when I was younger, plus I dont want to mess up my Repsol, but if I am not having fun what is the point.

I hear all the time at work when I ride in from EVERYONE about how dangerous these bikes are and blah, blah, blah......If I constantly thought about what CAN happen I would never ride on the street(track only), I am not a virgin to an accident and I know I am not invincible but I love riding and anytime I am on the open street be it in a car, or on a bike, I would have to say I am only there to get somewhere(not site see) So I do push it to the limits when I am not in traffic, and yes if I get around a cager who is poking and not staying up with the flow of traffic I am passing their ass even if I have to lane split to do it.

[Radical Rich]

Yes, Thank god I have this when Im 40. But I agree pepole are always preaching those things are to dangerous ya ya. Go drag your fat ass back into you minivan and stay out of the left lane till you get to your couch where its nice and safe. Ill take care of me. Thanks. And have fun not.:cool:

[ZZGIXXER]

Totally agree. I tell people alot of times when I go out and ride I love trying technical moves. Alot of slow speed stuff. Getting on the front brakes harder and harder in small bits. Same with steering. People would be surprised how much you can learn at slow speeds. I will ride the road through my hood about a mile of hills corners stop signs and speed bumps, right hand only. stopping at all signs. Fun challenge.

i totally agree on this with you......the harder you practice technical moves the better the braking feeling comes easy....and specially when riding in heavy traffic....this is where the technical moves and braking come to play.....one second can make lots of diference!!