fossilfuel

"What lets you know you are in too fast?" I end up off the track heading for the armco screaming like a little girl? but really, I don't hit the turn point, I turn in to early and late apex the turn? Just a quick question on this, not that I know but I may be misreading this statement! If you turn in too early would you not hit the apex earlier, then run wide? I would imagine a later turn point would create a late apex, then leave you plenty of room to drive out of the turn! I cant see how you can turn in too early and late apex, it doesn't make sense to me! Bobby You are correct so technically Jaybird did not copy my response so if anyone sees Jaybird let him know...I meant to say "early apex"...sorry for any confusion.

Jaybird, Are you copying my answers! You can't do that. What if someone came along and just read the last post? They would think this cat is brilliant.

Hotfoot, I'm good. I'm not getting into the fetal position just yet. I read in twist I that all things being equal getting turned and on the throttle as soon as possible gives one the best chance for stabilizing the bike and turning. Absent of any SR's with good body position, a text book quick turn and good throttle control what is the limiting factor of making the turn....

"What lets you know you are in too fast?" I end up off the track heading for the armco screaming like a little girl? but really, I don't hit the turn point, I turn in to early and EARLY apex the turn and go wide?

Hi Guy's, I have a question that might help me get over a corner speed fear. the question is if I have set my speed for a corner, quick turned and on the throttle with 40/60 weight ratio immediately after I have turned in, the only thing that theoretically should happen regardless if I am to fast is that my arc is to wide for the turn? I would like to test this in a few corners that I feel I could be faster in. And Adam06, Bullet, Cobie, Greg...please be nice.

I know it is fun to watch this spoof but there is something very interesting at about the 2:50 second mark. Watch Ben transition from the right hand apex of the chicane to the left hand apex. Really nicely done. I have paused and restarted it several times to see where he puts pressure on the bars. I can't see it.

Ben's secrets revealed...stay till the end

Apache, Why don't you send an e-mail to Cobie Fair and talk to him. I have told my story numerous times and I am sure most could repeat it by heart. But the tenants of any program have to start with a skill set to work up from. Everybody starts at level I. Does that mean you have to poke around the track like grandma, no. I am much faster now than I was for my first CSS school. I actually did level I over again this last school at VIR. So that would be my eleventh and it was actually good to review the "foundation" of good riding techniques. Nobody stopped me from riding hard as long as I was doing the drill I am a firm believer in the philosophy that things happen for a reason, that we choose different paths and they lead us in different directions. Maybe you could hit upon what you need to succeed down another path. But maybe, what you need could easily be missed by your apprehension to start at the beginning. P.S. I take it from Kevin and your response, you have never ridden Barber?

Consider: 1.) The rear brake is very inefficient because of the weight transfer to the front wheel under braking. 2.) Consider using front brake only and stopping in 200' With the help of the rear brake you would stop 8' quicker, 4% more efficient. 3.) Does anyone ever stop on a race track? Don't we just slow down? 4.) What is the risk vs reward? I would say more risk than reward on the track. I saw Carlos Checa backing it in to one of the turns at Nurinburgring this weekend. Can you brake like Carlos Checa? 5.) On the street in an emergency situation 8' might save your life 6.) Save the rear brake for when you run off the track, it then comes in real handy.

Apache, Welcome to the forum. I see that you are asking about instruction and whether it is worth it. You also stated that you are hitting a wall and that your times have fallen off a bit. I have taken several CSS classes with great result. I think that we all get to a point in our riding that we do pretty well at a certain level with a style of riding we think is the best or in some cases what we mimic with out the benefit of knowing why we are supposed to do it. There are some things you can learn from a track day "control rider" and there are many things you can't. Many people wouldn't hesitate to pay 600.00 dollars for an aftermarket slip on for their bike but hesitate to spend it on instruction that could save you from a serious injury or death. but I guess if you are not afraid of dying, think of it in terms of breaking those riding barriers that can put you in the top tier of your track organization or club racing. If I had it all to do over again, I would have spent even more on instruction. Of course, I'm not done yet. The critical path in achieving my goals is better technique because the faster you want to go the better your technique has to be. Hope you have more posts in the future...take care. P.S. I would really love to ride Mid-Ohio some day!

You can't get better if you don't keep trying. I am sure once you get the "feel", you will have a more positive outlook. Hey! you are out there doing it, way to go man.

Heath, I was there as well. You haven't seen anything yet. "Nirvana" for me was going from level II to III. And just remember, the better you get the more addicted you get....Good Luck.

We are drioving through Charlotte, NC. Wishing we had time to watch MotoGP this afternoon. Geoff May was at Barber yesterday "having some fun" and taking everybody to school. It was interesting in TOTW ll Keith talks about charging in to the corner and how counter productive this is. It was amazing watching Geoff May and how smooth he was, especially in turn 5. He was doing 1.29 lap times.

Thanks for the thought Jody. We had a great time at Barber today.

Going up through Birmingham, Al for a Barber Saturday quickie then drive up to VIR Sunday....See you guy's in the paddock Sunday night and just remember these three words.......ICE COLD BEER!...I'll drink what ever you've brought!

Jody, That was awful! Bullet is so right. That scenario is one of my worst fears of riding on the track. Not something you did but what someone does to you riding over their head or making bad decisions. My riding philosophy is to show respect to the rider in front of me. There is plenty of track time and plenty of places to pass so be considerate and we all make it home in one piece. Take care Jody. I hope you continue to ride. That was at VIR? What track organization sponsored that event? Was this Novice, Intermediate, Advanced? I went back and looked at this recording again and it is my opinion that he never saw you. But, most of the riders in that group were riding at a much slower pace than he was and no matter what your skill set is or how good you are....riding at that much faster pace in that group is not good for the other riders. If I am an expert rider and I am riding in Novice class then I need to slow my pace down so that I can anticipate and react to the riders around me. If on the other hand I am a Novice riding over my head then the coaches or controll riders should pull the guy over and have a little chat.

Are those slicks? Yes, they are slicks...I love those tires.

You should try Barber!

I wish I had read the second page first....Wow! I love this forum. It's nice to have a little expression gone wacko every now and again...sorry I missed it. It's like drinking punch at the prom while theres a fight outside!

Hey Booth, I think you are looking pretty good! There is one thing that might help. Try looking farther up the track and through the exit of the turn. I think riders have a tendancy to focus to closely in front of them. There are some coaches on this forum who have great technic. Check out there avatars. The one thing I think that they have in common is that they are looking through the turn. Their shoulders are turned in the direction they are going. I have a couple of pictures I am going to have a link to. I have a lot to work on but in these pictures I am looking through the turn to the exit. Once I know I can make the exit, I am looking down the track. My shoulders and head are telling the motorcycle to go this way.....This helps get the upper body over the front and to the inside. Looking through the turn Looking through the exit

Steve, Thanks for your post. It is really great to hear that your feelings have gone form depressed and really doubting yourself to being stoked. I knew that you could do it. Way to go my friend.

Vaidas, Welcome my friend. You are now an official member and as such you have to post on this forum or your membership will be revoked!

I think there is a point in riding as hard as one can to the latest braking marker one can. Squeeze the bajesus out of the brakes to get that front tire hot and sticky. I load the front but not with brakes. I load the front inside of the bike with my upper body and gently get back on the throttle. I think sometimes people stroll into the corner then try to get on the gas to quickly. I have caught myself in a situation where I have grabbed the throttle and felt the front lighten up. This was done by accident but it could have made me lose the front and I was fortunate not to. I think that the throttle is the key here. Even if one brakes all the way in to the apex. Ones weight has to be distributed on the front to keep the forks from bouncing up when the throttle is applied. So position is very important as well. Soft hands, no weight on the bars, body position to weight the front end, good throttle contol and hot sticky tire from smooth hard braking. My experience and works for me.

I was thinking the Michelin was ridden by a rider on an unfamiliar track, or having a bad day. That's what mine look like after one of those days. The Dunlops seem to have scrubbed off the rubber better and/or the rider is smoother. Could also say something about the compound? Tire warmers heat the tire up more than most can do just riding for heat. As with all rubber, if it's heated more than an equivalent rubber piece and ground on the pavement, wouldn't the heated rubber rub off faster? That's how I figured it was with tires as well. "I was thinking the Michelin was ridden by a rider on an unfamiliar track, or having a bad day." Hub this was the first time I had ridden this bike on the track. The shift lever was not correct and the suspension needs to be set for me. So, I guess you could say I was having issues getting to know the bike.

Track addict, me?....Just so happens that STT is having a track weekend at Barber this weekend and it is on the way to VIR for CSS. I've signed up for Saturday!