spook

Cobie;Probably the one thing that I need to begin a ride is enough rest. I do not know if it is my age or something else but I need 8 solid hours of sleep to be ready and hit the road for any extended time,otherwise I get really dreary during the day. I just finished 43 days on the road to Alaska,!2,205 miles on my Harley, but I managed to get regular sleep each night. Monty

For years I've wrestled with the counter steer mystery and have come to the conclusion that I am instinctively counter steering, probably more with a pull than a push. While cruising around, whether on my Harley or the ZX12, I have consciously concentrated on counter steering,pushing, with the result of a less enjoyable ride. I know beyond a reasonable doubt that abrupt counter steering gives you an abrupt and quick turn in the opposite direction- which is great in an emergency. But, I don't dwell on this conundrum while relaxing on my various bikes. On the track ,yes, I am fully aware of counter steering because I have to,whether push or pull, - I should say I better counter steer but on the open road I'm leaning and cruising.Careful my friends

I use front brakes exclusively on the ZX12 while establishing a line at my turning point into an unknown corner but until I'm quite certain as to the location of the apex I'm real hesitant about ' twisting the wrist' to get decent exit speed. When I'm assured of the PUBLIC road condition after that apex is secured I don't mind getting into the power. There are too many variables to consider on public roads to get carried away with the power available on modern sport bikes. I have a 1978 Triumph cafe bike that is a hoot to drive on the somewhat miserable West Virginia secondary roads. I have enough power to get me around but not enough power to get me in trouble. And besides the power issue has to be taken in comparison to the lack of decent braking and fork response in the Triumph Bonneville cafe bike. Careful!

After taking 6 CSS schools I have found a new respect for high speed public road riding. First, I don't trust any unfamiliar curve here in West Virginia.Gravel,deer and truck farmers tend to ruin one's day. Second, after attending the CSS schools at four different tracks in the east, I cannot understand how anyone can anticipate where the entry and apex points are on a strange road! How can you know where that apex is if you've never been there? It is not exciting for me to find an apex hugging a double yellow line. I quickly become humbled. My experience with Keith's schools have been invaluable to me as a 45 year road rider, whether upon my Harley or ZX12R, and I definitely feel the training has made me smarter and wiser.