Cobie Fair
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Posts posted by Cobie Fair
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Electronics...yeah, might be a new thread. I'll mention one thing: when we switched from the 600's to the (at the time) most powerful street bike released, crashes went down over 35% at the School. We could take a look at why...see what comes up. Some people thought we were crazy.
Should we start a new thread on this, let me know what you guys think.
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I liked the lower body steering "don't want to use the bars" in particular.
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Can you post up some of the temps that you have seen/get on the tires? (ideally include what the ballpark riding conditions were at the time: bike, outside temp, etc.)
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YCRS does talk about trailing the brakes, and often we get compared that we don't. Not quite accurate, we actually have skills for this. Some turns one must trail the brakes way into the turn like a long, late apex decreasing radius turn. Other turns trailing the brakes late into the turn makes it not possible to turn the bike quickly, and delays throttle roll on unnecessarily.
Look at where most of the crashes happen at MotoGP...at turn entry, carrying the braking too much, too far.
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Are any of you participating in this...especially the guys (this is generic Aliki) that don't live in an area where it's conducive to ride that much in the winter. Those hard-core boys up in Montana on their dirt bikes with the treads...that actually looks like ridiculous fun.
"Training" is also how you look at it...a weekend in the dirt, goofing off could be another way. Or, if you are the motorcycle business, you could call it "research."
So, any training going on?
CF
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Haven't looked into this at all, but I'm assuming the IR readers measure the outside temp, correct? Any links to enlighten us on this?
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Did you put up your 2017 predictions?
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This would be one of those things it would be not so easy to measure (force needed during turning, while braking). Really have to work to get the same force on tires, then see how much braking, how much change in the bike's geometry (fork compression), etc., etc.
My gut feel is that it is harder to steer when the brakes are on, whether at turn in or later in the turn "trailing the brakes". As Hotfoot mentions, this is a little hard to test, as if you blow it...it could get expensive.
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Hi Torch,
Have to agree with Hotfoot, Streets of Willow has many pluses. Dry and hot in June likely, so get up on your hydration, virtually everyone not used to that much exercise in the desert has to really learn to pay attention to that point.
Come say hello when you come!
Best,
Cobie
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Time to plead the 5th.
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Yeah, when you get some weather that allows some riding, do a little experimenting with the steering.
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Right but this is the guy that had blisters on his hands from holding onto the bars so tightly!
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After the initial action of countersteering, which only is done till the bike is leaned to the point needed to get onto line, then the front comes back around (pro-steering) and continues on through the turn. If while the bike is in the pro-steering part the front brake is applied, then it countersteers the bike some more, and one would have to resist that pressure on the bars to keep the bike from lifting up.
Make sense?
CF
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DL, thanks amigo!
To be honest...I really do like sassy girls!
Am I digging a deeper hole for myself?
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Good observations.
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Good comments all.
Rchase: good questions your last ones. A whole part of that could lead into the mental (maybe even spiritual) arena, which I don't completely understand, so I'll not venture there.
What could be commented on is the solid understanding of the key fundamentals, whether the person knows it (consciously) or not. I think this a key component of any top rider that has had a long career at the top. Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, Mick Doohan, Valentino, Casey, Jorge, Marquez, etc.
Example: Casey Stoner before retiring, was leading a race (don't recall which track) but was 5+ seconds in the lead. He lost the front in a medium fast turn (120mph?), and it was plain to see it tuck. The announcers were right on it, and about half a lap later went back to the footage, where they had a camera looking back at his hand. As the front tucked, he let go of the handlebar! Amazing! His understanding of relaxing on the bars when the bike is sliding was perfect.
While not the whole picture (as Rchase brings up) rock solid understanding of they key fundamentals seems thematic in the very best of the best.
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I'd agree with JB on this, the books are full of information. The videos are good, and made years later (so Keith paid attention in the videos) to things that students would ask about from the books--to try and really make sure those were cleared up.
Nothing else really to prep. Being in decent shape physically, and being smart with your hydration and electrolytes help too--so many are tired as the day wears on, and it's a lot to do with dehydration.
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Steering into the turn, does it make sense that you steer into the turn by countersteering---push right to lean the bike to the right, stop pushing at the desired lean angle?
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JB,
I actually hadn't attention to your personal description/avatar? (I don't know the correct term for that description), and aviation is right there! I didn't plan that out when I put my flight example up. A long line of pilots in the family, but I didn't follow in the family tradition at all.
And Rchase, engine failure on first cross country, whoa! Still with us, so all turned out well there too, good job.
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I don't spend much time on other forums any more, but it's nice to see how this topic has moved along--nice bit of tolerance and communication. That was something that I hadn't seen on some other forums before, sheeesh!
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One factor...not sure it was addressed above: when braking and turning, the bike actually tries to countersteer up, out of the turn, and that force does have to be resisted.
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We have said 2k miles and 6 months experience. We claim we don't train beginners, that the rider needs to be able to handle the control actions of the bike easily (as Hotfoot mentioned).
Most of the time this has made sense and communicated well, but there have been a few instances where a person was not able to do that, and we had to send them home (very rare in the school's history).
ajcjr: one of my coaches was an accomplished car racer. If he's at the school you attend, you can certainly talk to him about it.
One thing that has been seen with car racers is a bit more tendency to brake very late, very hard. This often messes with their entry speed and throttle control. If the rider is just willing to work with his coach, he'll get on the right track
.A man after my own heart to be honest: I like dirt bikes, carts are ridiculous fun (I'm not that good in them, but also spent very little time in them).
If this helps with your wife: average age of students is in the early 40's, many 50-70+ (oldest was 80 I think). We get many that come back every year, or do a few dates with us a year. I'll admit/brag, our Course Control runs a tight ship. Riders can ride as fast as they are in control, and not too close when passing the other riders. He does a great job of keeping a good balance. One hears stories of other organizations and their crash numbers, I'll let you research that. We have many days with no incidents of any kind, and the average is about 1, and very rarely is anyone banged up. It certainly can happen, don't get me wrong, not claiming it's safe, that'd be silly.
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Good stuff all.
A few comments:
RC: good points on the way the material is presented. We do try and cover both aspects/arenas of riding (racing and not) but it is a good reminder you made.
On the other point, I was purposefully working to show the difference between the kind of thinking that happens in the pits at home, in the off-season (reasoning, working things out, clearing concepts up that aren't completely clear, etc.), and what has to be done immediately/instantly, like what JayB mentions with the martial artist.
Had a chance to finally watch the movie SULLY over the break...wow, impressive display of command of key fundamentals. How both pilot and co-pilot worked flawlessly and salvaged what could have been a catastrophic accident.
Off Season Training
in Cornering and Techniques
Posted
Oh, that looks like some good hooligan fun.
Just brought my old KX-250 (2-stroke)( in for some maintenance...maybe I can get out in the desert. Now is the time to ride here in SoCal, it's cool, but not that cold and been a little wet, so the dirt is great!