Slider07

For me, I find that engine braking comes down to more of an attention problem than anything. I've ridden bikes that have way to much engine brake, even blipping the throttle, causing the bike to hop or chatter. Note; I've also stopped using the rear brake due to chattering problems. So all of my attention is keeping the bike inline and trying not to crash than it is on using the brakes and matching my rpm's with corner speed. I've also run into the problem of not enough engine brake and wondering why I'm not slowing down even though I'm on the brakes as hard as possible. The bike that I have now has a slipper clutch which can actually create both of these problems if downshifting at the wrong time. Downshift too high and sometimes the rear gets out of line. Too low and it has no affect at all when braking hard. Either way I'm spending way to much attention on getting the bike to slow down rather than attaining the correct entry speed with matched rpm's. I had to spend a few laps to find the happy medium between hard on the brakes and engine braking. This also depended on how many gears I was dropping all at once. Or if it was just one at a time. I figured out that one at a time works best for me and that more than 2 at a time would unsettle the bike due to too much engine brake and take up to much attention. IMO every bike has it's "sweet spot" and every rider has his/her style that makes the process of braking/ downshifting more comfortable and efficient.

no ride? having it shipped? I think this next trackday is going to be my last one for the year unless I can come up with the funds somehow. I sure wouldn't want to ride a ninja that far. Maybe an SV or a KLR though. Sounds like it could be fun on something comfy

Gorecki - let me know when you move back to the bay. I'm always lookin for new people to ride with. Adam 06- lmao couldn't have said it better. Although I'm still not that fast About 10-15 seconds off of a competitive race pace. Then again, the top afm guys are also top 10 AMA guys

thanks guys I do all my trackdays at sears and thunderhill. Usually with keigwins, but I got the last couple free with z2trackdays. I won't ride with any other organizations. Both keigwins and z2 are super organized and tend to have really good staff. Should be doing another one at T hill on the 16th if anyone would like to join

Thanks Cobie I was just curious what it takes to become an instructor, other than taking the school. Pretty sure I'm a little behind for my age to catch a full ride on a race team so I figured the next best thing would be to teach. I think I could be really good at it providing I have the right training. Any thoughts?

I'm Nate. I live in Sacramento, CA. Orignally from Marin County. I started on dirt as a teen and moved up to sportbikes a few years ago. Worked at a local bike shop for a while and ended up with the name "slider" and "crash" :/ Take a guess why. I decided I was done trying to kill myself, so now I ride track. I've been stuck in B group for the past 2 years. Gradually getting faster and more confident. A couple months ago I decided to get the TOTW II dvd and all the books so I could pin point some things. I have yet to read the books, but I've got a nack for monkey see monkey do. Watched the dvd about 10 and did a couple small practices on a backroad. Well... what can I say. It worked! I rode harder than I ever have before in complete control. Dropped 7 seconds off of last years times, dragged both elbows numerous times, and left darkies all over the place. They ended up bumping me up to A group I have yet to attend a school due to funding of other things. But I hope to next year. I have a lot to learn so I'm very open to anything that will help. I do have some specific issues that I'd like to address later. Hope to learn as much as I can from everyone here. Awesome site btw