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bradvanhorn

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  • Have you attended a California Superbike School school?
    Yes, completed all levels :-)

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    Male
  • Location
    Norfolk, VA
  • Interests
    Motorcycles, beer, excercise, guns, martial arts

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  1. The article is fairly non-descript really. Other than saying not to compare ourselves to MotoGP stars he really didn't say exactly what or why we should do differently. Or at least that's how I read the article. I have been to Jason Pridmores Star School and so I've heard him speak, albeit briefly, regarding body position. To summarize, he recommends and his staff teach what I would call a crossed-up position. Look at pics of Jason cornering and that's what you get - more hip off and less overall body hanging off - lots of pivoting around the tank is my feeling. As it is described in the class, this less "extreme" hang off position allows for less overall movement by the rider and requires less energy to achieve and maintain thereby being less fatiguing (they reference endurance racing in the class, so that might be influential in that rationale). Myself and other students who had CSS training and were (more or less) already comfortable with our body position but they made a bit of spectacle (in my opinion) trying to change us to their body position. I didn't like the body position or the manner in which they instructed on this point (perhaps my biases came out). Anyway, sometimes different is just different. I'll stick with what I learn at CSS however (Edited to add my disclaimer: I don't want to misrepresent Star School in anything I said, and it was a few years ago, so not all details may be perfectly related in my post(s).)
  2. Buy Dunlop Q3's for the street and GPA's for the track. Problems solved (kidding of course, although I've had enough good experience with those particular tires that I'll stick with them as long as I can) I think you already guessed correctly, as I suspect if/when/how a tire slides will vary depending on the rider, and so trial and error is likely the only reliable way to know the answer for certain.
  3. For me it's maybe 50% of the time I'll get drawn to looking at the road near in front of the bike when I see: manhole covers, larger potholes, sand or gravel across my line. When I'm keeping my mind relaxed on such matters then I can stay in my wide view and barely notice those things. The inopportune time I'll look down at the bike is if/when I miss a shift, which thankfully doesn't happen but rarely. It's a curious reaction; it's not as though looking at the bike will be any help in that situation.
  4. The three top things that came to my mind as important factors for [my] decision making (others may view this much differently of course): 1) Are you interested in trying racing (now, or later, or whatever)? 2) Are you confident enough to ride within feet (maybe inches) of other riders, and quite possibly several (or a dozen even) of them at any one time? 3) Are you confident enough with people passing you closely and possibly in circumstances which might make you adjust your line (as they go up the inside, or whatever), and can you do the same to them given the opportunity? Just ideas to think about...
  5. I heard one guy say he crashed because his bike - a Suzuki TL1000R - was too heavy and he couldn't steer it fast enough.
  6. For the aliens... what's that rear brake going to do again? (Just provided this for fun )
  7. http://continentaltire.custhelp.com/euf/assets/continental_tire_recall/index.htm Fort Mill, SC August 11, 2014. Continental today announced a safety recall covering approximately 9,000 Continental 120/70 ZR 17 and 120/70 R 17 motorcycle tires sold in the US and Canada. Market feedback indicates that some of these tires have exhibited a condition in the tread and/or belt which may lead to separation and possible air loss. Continental has not received any reports of accidents or injuries in connection with this condition. The safety recall is being initiated to avoid any potential risk to road-users. The affected tires were sold to original equipment and replacement customers worldwide between 2007 and 2014. This safety recall is part of a worldwide program affecting 170,000 tires. Included below is a complete list of Product Lines and DOT Serial Numbers: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) TL ContiSportAttack – CP8B B5MV; 1008 to 2614 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) TL ContiSportAttack 2 – CP8B B5M4; 4811 to 2614 120/70R17 M/C 58H TL ContiAttack SM – CP8B BXM9; 1011 to 2614 120/70ZR17 M/C 58W TL ContiRaceAttack Comp. Soft – CP8B B5M1; 1907 to 2614 120/70ZR17 M/C 58W TL ContiRaceAttack Comp. Medium – CP8B B5M1; 2307 to 2614 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) TL ContiRaceAttack Comp. Endurance – CP8B 918B; 3011 to 2614 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) TL ContiRoadAttack 2 GTW – CP8B 91E9; 2513 to 2614 The final four digits indicate the week/year production period; 1907 being produced in the 19th week of 2007 for example. According to Continental there are no other sizes, production periods or product lines affected in this recall.
  8. While I do generally agree with the above, the potential downside to waiting to replace the tires is the bike's handling is very likely to change and that might throw you off balance also. If you could find a good deal beforehand then I suggest getting the tires replaced sooner so you can adjust to the new feeling. The Q3's are awesome but they feel quicker to turn-in than Q2's or GPA's; I suspect the same would be true for the Roadmaster's, especially at 4-yrs old.
  9. Yes, same situation for me. Sounds like you're doing just fine without it so I'd let it leave your mind. Just think of all the money we're saving not having to replace knee pucks
  10. Great story. Thank you. I've been hoping to try some WERA racing. I say hoping because I bought a "race bike" (used in CCS and a couple AMA rounds in 2012) last year and thought that'd have me setup. After reading the WERA manual and then looking the bike over, I discovered I'm missing about 90% of their safety wiring requirements. So far I've been too lazy to work on drilling holes everywhere, so obviously my racing attempts will have to wait until I get motivated enough to complete that task.
  11. Totally agree with previous points on getting a proper fit - have it fitted professionally if possible. I used The Service Pavillion (Arai dealer often found traveling around the AMA circuit) to select/fit the correct helmet and I was very pleased. Also, my take on helmets generally is: you get what you pay for. Less expensive helmets might protect just as well as more expensive helmets; however, overall quality, fit, comfort, etc., are almost always better the more you spend. Having crashed landed on my head and having had to live with a year of post-concussion syndrome, I'll offer a final thought: do you want to trust your one and only brain to a cheap helmet? (yes, yes, cheap is relative; just something to think about though)
  12. After riding them at the school, if cost were no object then I'd be hard pressed not to take a S1000RR.
  13. I bought my 7x16 trailer from a retiring racer. He had installed a 15k btu Coleman roof top A/C unit and I belatedly discovered that it's almost useless without 30 AMP power. In my limited experience, most of the accessible paddock power has been lower AMP, presumably 20 (or maybe 15), unless you pay extra for an RV spot with 30-50 AMP outlets. So, I can't consistently run the A/C on paddock power without frequently blowing fuses. I can run the A/C with my (very noisy) 5kw generator but actually not much else. So, while the A/C is theoretically nice to have, I can't really use it as much as I'd like, and honestly 15k btu is massive overkill for a 7x16. With the A/C on low setting I had to sleep in a heavy sleeping bag even in the middle of the summer heat. If I ever get the motivation then I'll probably replace the larger A/C with a smaller unit. Depending on brand, actual ratings, etc., it generally appears 13.5k units hover around 15 AMP and 9k-12k units are around 10 AMP. Since something like a quiet Honda 2k generator is supposed to run at ~13 AMP (~16 AMP max), the smaller 9k-12k btu A/C is probably the more prudent option. I've heard of people using the external A/C unit you're talking about but never actually witnessed it. I've used them in offices when we've had HVAC failures and needed A/C for computers/servers. I suspect it'd work fine for the cooling aspect. Haven't looked at how much power they require and no idea how they work when the elements become hostile and whether you've have to shelter it from rain, etc. Regarding fuel economy and towing, most any vehicle will get crushed when pulling an enclosed trailer. The wind resistance from an enclosed trailer, even with a v-nose, is a killer. My Tundra gets ~20mpg highway without the trailer; with the 7x16 in tow (and almost regardless the weight) I get 9-10mpg. From what I've heard, only a few vehicles (more notably some early to mid 2000's diesels) can defy this loss in fuel economy. Just my amateur opinions...
  14. I realize pro racers are not always the best examples to emulate but I quickly scanned some World Superbike videos and saw nothing resembling a dropping of the chin on corner exits, so... I'd be very interested to see your friend give a demonstration and hear the full explanation because I can't visualize a benefit to the action tucking the chin by itself. If tucking the chin helped guide you into a tucked position behind the windscreen for a high-speed straight or something, then I might see that as possibly useful.
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