Cobie Fair

OK, to move on to the next point, and that is one's attention, and where does it get put/get used/consumed. Keith has covered this well in Twist 1, with his $10 bill analogy. One thing that surprises me is how few riders new to the track use ear plugs, and for the simple reason of reducing distraction. What types of things do you guys do/use to have more free attention for riding? Let's hear 'em. (Should we do a new thread for this?) CF

I laugh every time I see your avatar...

This is great stuff, all of you. I do hope we get a little more on this, either confirmations of the above or any other views (if you haven't yet chimed in, please do). CF

If you ride a street bike, interested in what you think: Of the following skills/abilities (or another not listed) what do you rank as the highest priority as a rider? Ability to steer quickly Brave Visual skill, lack of target fixation Quick reflexes Physical condition, strength Interested in all skill levels response to this short survey, so if you ride a motorcycle, you can answer. Best, Cobie

Haven't ridden one lately, but the older ones (like them overall) seemed a bit top heavy, a factor in steering. I know that was a point the BMW engineers (or so we were told) went to pains to keep low and centralized.

Question for you DL: have you found the stock settings to be good overall? Interested to know what bikes you have tried them on.

Remind us, what tires, what bike and what city do you live in?...see if we know anyone near you that can help on the suspension (if you don't already have someone). CF

What year is your bike, and to confirm it's a Speed Triple, not the smaller version? If it's the bike I'm thinking off, it's a pretty heavy bike. As I recall when I rode one a while back, it wasn't a heavy steering bike, but it was a heavy-ish bike to start with. CF

We run 31 front, 29 rear on our Q3+. I'd only go higher on the rear if I had a larger person, or riding 2 up. I often hear higher pressures for increase life of the tire/mileage, don't think that wise. After tossing my first bike down the road, partly due to riding the tire way past when I should have, makes one think...what's the smart choice, optimal traction (at least the possibility of it) or a few more miles? I'm somewhat thrifty (or I think so), but that's not a good investment. CF

Hi Pitts, I follow you on all the points above...it's a big subject (the visual skills, and what cause problems with being able to continually keep them working well for you). I"m just going to touch on this with a few comments. I'd say one element in keeping one from target fixing, is familiarity with the environment. Is one less likely to have target fixation on a road/track that is known well? Another will be controlling that environment, at a suitable speed for each person. Some can handle a quicker rate of this than others. Then gradually increasing that speed. Some just go too fast on the street for what I consider a speed that allows for enough margin for error. I just don't go fast on the street any more (had a few close calls, don't care for that). Lastly, what condition is the person in physically at that time? Well fed, well rested, not dehydrated, etc., can have a huge effect on a person's mental state. And the mind is a whole other subject! This are all pretty big stabs at this, so I might just be opening can here :). Best, Cobie

See you soon Rick!

We had an exercise we had run at our military schools: Rider approaches a set of lights, one set on each side. As he goes through a trip light (while looking ahead at a radar board indicating his speed), one light goes off on one side, and he learns to steer the OPPOSITE direction. This was quite an exercise and would be performed at higher and higher speeds. Riders would make up their minds before they got there and often turn in the wrong direction (towards the light). This would train them to hold a wide view visually, not pre-decide which way to go, react and also turn quickly. This was the culminating exercise in an intense 2 day program...often took a little while to gradually get riders to do this at higher and higher speeds. Valuable exercise! CF

Had a question from a student that's racing, about tires and pressures. Ended up exchanging some e-mail with a Dunlop engineer today on that subject. First point was on tire pressures (this might be known, but not sure how well known). Tire pressures are higher in the wet. So (since this student was not going to be able to get rains for this weekend) for a Q3+ for example, it would be 35 front, 33 rear. In the dry we'd run 31 front, 29 rear. The engineer recommended rain tires (of course he would, he'd have to fire himself if he didn't). But...a point he made is that for a racer (and he is), a set of rain tires might last a few seasons. Since I'm inherently thrifty (but also like to have good tires) this seemed worth considering. Maybe you all have already done so :). CF

You won't be unhappy with either. VIR might be one of the staff favorites. NCM is good too, challenging, like it. Both are in excellent condition. CF

Just sent JJ a text..

Man, if you like the canyons on that bike, come to the track! Best "canyon" ever :). Best, CF

Typically about November 10. Best, CF

Don, have you done the Superbike School yet? Best, Cobie

All good suggestions, including The Ridge. CF

We love Mid-Ohio, tried to go back but couldn't work that out. As for PIR, that's been discussed, but would have to work in with our whole tour. When you get a tour, and tracks give you dates for years on end, not so easy to change that. Our VIR and NJMP dates are set months out...that all being said, the schedule can and does get looked at every year, and Keith is the one that finally sets it (with input from the core team). Hope that doesn't come across as a non-answer. Doesn't look good for MO, and just don't know about PIR. CF

Just finished a fantastic road trip. Last day was at Barber and BMW was setting up for the following day's press release of the 2020...and we will get that fleet! Nothing wrong with 2018's we have, still love my coach bike. But...looking forward to the new model. Weather looking perfect for this upcoming weekend (and Mon/Tues) school days. Finally, I'm tired of cold :). There is room at this point for the 2-day camp (might even get a deal on it if it's not full). Come look at the HR4RACE, and we should have a pretty 2020 on display too. I got a chance to test ride it at Streets, and noticed the handling was even better than my '18. Or stay home and watch Friends re-runs. Best, Cobie

On a CRT tube...

Good observations on your part...and yeah, treat oneself a bit more kindly--not an uncommon recommendation! Best, CF

I guess I'll need to come out of the stone age...