martys
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Posts posted by martys
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OK, can see them. The tanks on the Ducs are not quite the same as the modern Jap bikes, and not as easy to hold on and lock on with that outside leg (like you worked on in the Lean Bike. If you are racing that thing, you might consider some Stomp Grip, or Tech Spec.
C
refresh my memory on the high side knee placement please. you tuck the high side knee into the tank as the low side knee comes out. And do you press on the outside toe to drive the knee into the tank? thanks.
Hey Martys,
Yep, you got it right. Drive your high side knee into the tank by pressing your toes on the peg for leverage. And, like Cobie said, Stompgrip pads will help you to lock on better.
Going off-topic... that is a beeeautiful Duck you have there! Can you tell us a little more about it, please?
My bike is a 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition Sports Classic. I've made a few mods for performance and handling vs bling. I replaced the stock steel spoke wheels that require tubes with a set of OEM 999 wheels allowing tubeless tires, had spacers custom fabbed to make the wheels fit, upgrade brakes, lightened flywheel, race cams, Arrow exhaust, upgraded steering damper (Ohlins), upgraded the fork springs and rear shock spring for my weight, suspension tuned by GP Suspension North, PC-III, custom map dyno'd by Ducati Seattle, and a Flexi-Glass race fairing. Currently running Dunlop Qualifiers for the first time and I think I like them. Ran Pilot Power 2CTs up until a month ago. The Dunlops are pretty nice. One more thing that I've noticed makes a nice difference is using tire warmers. The tires are in much better shape at the end of the day then last year without the warmers.
It's not as fast as the superbikes, but it sure is fun for a guy like me.
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Great write up Schmi! Much better than mine from my camp in Vegas in March ;-) http://www.desmonorthwest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6657
Now let's get out to PR together and have some fun!
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Second track day since camp, the instincs are starting to come together now.
while the right knee is not tucked into the tank, it is pushed up against it. looking ahead to the next turn, I think my head is in the right position?
this one I need to get down on the tank more so my arms will bend, push my chin out over where the mirror should be. this shot was setup for the photographer as the kid on the red bike is my son, so this is a father and son shot.
next track day is 5/22.
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OK, can see them. The tanks on the Ducs are not quite the same as the modern Jap bikes, and not as easy to hold on and lock on with that outside leg (like you worked on in the Lean Bike. If you are racing that thing, you might consider some Stomp Grip, or Tech Spec.
C
refresh my memory on the high side knee placement please. you tuck the high side knee into the tank as the low side knee comes out. And do you press on the outside toe to drive the knee into the tank? thanks.
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Martys,
Not quite sure how to get those images up...any knowledgeable geeks out there
C
Yea! I figured it out :-)
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Here's the question: when you corner aggresively, what single technique do you pay the most attention to? Steering (quickly)? Throttle control? Viusual skills? Body Position? What ranks top for you?
Cobie
I'm sorry to say that the technique that I worked on the most is "when in doubt, gas it", but what I NEED to work on is corner entry precision. Picking RPs so that I can nail my turn-in point, corner entry speed, lean angle, etc. It seems to me that if you nail the corner entry and execute standard throttle control, you will have yourself one heck of a great turn! Is that right? Did I leave something out?
Paul
yup, this pretty much describes where I'm at right now - the entry precision part I mean. :-) I find myself practicing patience so as to not turn in too soon and working hard to hit the entry marks with each lap.
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Here's a couple of shots from my first track day at Pacific Raceways post camp / school in vegas last month -
The first pic is in a corner that was constantly giving me problems, exiting the second half of a reverse chicane, I'm standing the bike up and getting on the gas, my elbows are down but I think they could be down more and I could be lower on the tank.
This turn has more speed on it and was feeling pretty good most of the day once it warmed up. I think I'm in 4th gear entering the first left hander of a left-right-left combination.
edit: Yea! I figured out how to post images! :-)
thx,
Marty
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Found this video while goofing around:
http://www.break.com/index/biker-wipes-out-on-turn.html
(ignore the comments)
I've watched it in slow motion several times. at six seconds just as he closes on the 11 marker you'll see a skid mark from his rear tire. Sense he is accelerating I'm guess that he got on the throttle hard and spun the rear and then failed to catch the slide. Can somebody who knows what they are looking at comment?
Is there anything to learn from the video beyond the obvious quips like "don't do that"?
(turn on slow motion by clicking "CONTROLS")
OMG! The comments on this are hilarious (or appalling depending on your viewpoint of gross ignorance.) On the plus side, apparently the guy only sprained his ankle.
sorry for raising an old thread, but this comment is insane -
JenningsGP:
I ride that track a lot. Thats a sharp turn. You gank the throttle a little to much and get too much lean angle and you will wipe out. Its a common occurance at track days. Probably 5 to 8 wrecks a day. Nothing unusual. You will wreck in the quest for speed. They say if you aint wrecking you aint riding hard enough.
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Sanfret gets the gold sticky star! Pacific Raceway in Kent, WA. I will be out there again this weekend hopefully in a little bit warmer conditions. Unfortunately it's looking like the first dry stint will have to wait a few more weekends as it looks like we will be playing in the rain.... again! here is another snow day pic. Might be a bit small but it was definatley snowing. If you click on the pic you might be able to see the snow.
I'll stick with my theme of being a bit of a slacker, and riding in the rain/cold only when I absolutely have to (like a school).
I was at Pacific last Wed 4/9 for the 2-Fast performance school. It started out dicy with temps in the low 30s, dense fog and very slick track. the first session at 9am was a slow parade but by 10am the sun was out and the rest of the day was glorious and warm (for up here). It was great to be able to apply the new skills from the camp I attended in March on my bike in my gear on our home track. One thing though, I couldn't find those yellow X's on the track anywhere ;-) Photos have not been posted yet by Studio819, once they are I'll put some links in here. I'm already signed up to go back May 8th, can't wait!
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I've found a pretty good reference to my local track (Pacific Raceways) that includes recommended lines and photos of each turn. The only problem is it's from the local car club. My question is, are cornering lines for cars the same as those for bikes? I would think the entry, apex and exit are very similar just the driving mechanics are different on 4 wheels vs 2.
Here's a link to the doc. http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/pr_track_notes.pdf
thanks alot,
Marty
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Just back from the 2 day camp and all I can say is it exceeded my expectations in every way! The only thing that could have made it better is a third consecutive day. (though I'm not sure my legs could have taken it) I'm already practicing my visual skills, looking for reference points, entry points, trying to identify apexes in each of the familar turns I've been riding for years. The queues you look for now with this new awareness just changes everything. I suppose I'll be spending the next several months refining my choices and reviewing how each choice helps me straighten the turns out best.
My experience went from utter frustration half way through the first day to utter joy all afternoon the second day. My speeds noticibly increased each day, my ability to attack each turn smoothly and stay on line improved with almost every lap and the on track coaching was outstanding. My sincerest thanks to Misti on day 1 and Pete on day 2. You really helped me break down my old (bad) habits and reconstruct my riding skills using the methods taught in class and practiced on the track. I never went down to be the next speed racer, I rode at my own pace with a goal of improving my own riding and I believe I succeeded. And yes, the ZX-6Rs are the right bikes for that course, they really get around. I can't imagine being on that course on a liter bike, just too much for such a small tight course.
My first track day is April 9th, I've been looking for YouTube video from other riders to try and break down my home track the same way that was done in Vegas. I'm already looking for a chance to come back for a return camp for levels 3 and 4 the end of the year. Thanks so much for opening my eyes to a whole new world of riding.
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Hi Martys,
Welcome to the forum! Vegas should be about perfect, just checked the weather too, and that looks dry and mid-70's, just about as good as it gets for riding.
That Duc is pretty, and the Beemer will do for the rest. Likely in a session or 2, you'll enjoy our 600's they do the job very well.
We'll see you at the school, come and say hello in the morning, I'll be there.
Best,
Cobie
Thanks Cobie! See you Thursday.
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Just saying Hi from the Pacifc Northwest! I'm going down to Vegas this week for the two day camp and am really looking forward to it. I did my first track day last year and ended up doing 3. The first in Spokane (now closed) and two at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA. I've been to Portland Int'l Raceway but haven't ridden on it yet, something I plan on correcting this year. I ride a Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE Sport Classic and a BMW K1200RS. The Duc is for the track and goofing off on the weekends and I do some touring and longer day rides on the BMW.
Photos Of Ourselves...
in School Questions/General Discussion
Posted
yes, the Ohlins R&T forks are standard on the Paul Smart bike.