hubbard_28

I had to read this like 200 times before I got it.

Hello to everyone posting here. Whether you're on a small bike or haven't done track, this is a great forum to learn on. I've gotten a lot of my knowledge from this site, and clarification of things I've learned from some very knowledgeable people here.

1: Desire. With out it nothing can be achieved.2: Good instruction. Listen and learn!3: Practice. Put the good instruction to use.4: Persistence. The ability to continue even when it seems like you are not improving.5: A good bike. I have 2 Ducati's, a 749r and a 900 Super Sport. On Saturday my front brakes went south on the 749r, so Sunday I rode the 900 SS on the track for the very first time.....Big difference in the two bikes.6: Natural ability. With the above 5 items you will raise to the level of your natural ability.......period. That's my 2 cents. I'd like to add to your list: Discipline And it needs to be higher on the list. Probably #2 or 3. Practicing without discipline is just running last. And I think good instruction isn't as good as it would be if the rider isn't disciplined enough to keep working on what they were taught, even if it doesn't seem to be working. There have been a couple of things that people have told me that I just didn't think were helping me, but there was one lap each time that the lightbulb came on, and it was working. If I would have given up I wouldn't have shaved 12 seconds off average laptime without staying disciplined. And I've been thinking about this part of the day, and I was going to say that desire, or "want" is probably #1. When my wife said she wanted a motorcycle I tried to talk her out of it to make sure she really wanted one, and she kept insisting. She's had some medical issues, but she'll probably be on the track by the end of next year. Great list Chopperbill.

Chopperbill, there are some corners that don't require quick flicks. Could that be it? And I was on a corner this weekend, and besides Kane Lasky (has ridden AMA) some of those riders were just awesome to watch dipping it in. Definite difference between them and the slower racers. They're the ones who win.

I'm not going to say I have ANY dirt track experience, but wouldn't applying the brake while accelerating decrease the dig the knobbies(?) would get from under acceleration? Or does applying the rear brake somewhat "load" the chassis for a boost to allow more dig when you release the rear brake? Like the compression we get from holding the front brake and spinning the rear tire? I'd still think it was the actual momentum from acceleration that would be the deciding factor. There's a whole other world out there. Who knew?

Howdy. Good to have you on the forum.

The real kicker is that he races twins. And it is on acceleration that he gets toasted, but there are only so many corners he can take to compensate. And by your pics Stu, you don't look very big. I'm 6'2 210, but I'm also somewhat muscular. I COULD drop a little weight though. I'm trapped in the fact that my arthritic back gives me fits. I hurt it real bad yesterday, but if I sit around and let it heal, the pain from the arthritis gets real bad. I run a lot, but have to take long breaks when my back hurts this bad. I'm doing a trackday Sunday, so I've got to rest as much as possible.

So I don't want to bring up fitness again (that was a mess), but along those lines I have a question. I was told a couple of weeks ago that 7 lb= 1hp. I was on a corner today, and it crossed my mind when I was watching this guy have a go. He's a very large man, and is silky smooth, but he's grossly overweight, and can't keep up with groups of riders who have the same bikes, and aren't as good, but they weigh 100-150 lb less. Does anyone know if the lb/hp ratio is right?

My brother has, I think a '73, Bonne. He just got his hands on a Norton, and is going to start restoring it. Obviously he doesn't wear any protection. The only reason he HAS a helmet is because he was traveling through other states (he's in Texas) and some of them have laws.

When I post, I'm not relaying it, but I'm thinking of specific corners. Turn 5 on Firebird East has the cones set out the same no matter who is hosting the trackday. I don't have multiple steering inputs, and am very comfortable taking the corner early, and at high speeds. I am in the Intermediate group, so they are better riders, and I can comparably carry good speed into, and get killer drive out of this corner. I've tried to turn at the one cone, but it just seems to make the turn so slow.

On the street I have some awesome Alpinestar gloves, Doc Martin boots, and a thick as heck Icon jacket. Armor everywhere. I occasionally go fill up the bike with just a helmet and gloves, but it's Saturday morning with no traffic, exactly one mile away. On the track I have just about everything Dainese. The only thing that isn't Dainese are the boots. I had a pair of Nitro's that lasted about 3 years. $45 and it wasn't until I punched a peg through the sole that I got new ones. I have a back protector, and the last time I lowsided was when I didn't have my back protector. Forgot it. Never even thought of a chest protector.

I'm better at this than most on the track, but that's not saying much. I do a lot of my catching up to the bigger bikes in the corners. Since I first saw the graft some months ago, I have made this a point to work on. I'd have to say I'm a strong 4 given that the average rider is 3.

I've always thought it was training and practice. I think the bike makes a small difference depending on the track. Nothing replaces knowledge though. Training, of course, gives you the tools, and practice lets you put the training into experience.

We have some punk 16 or 17 year old who whips past people on a 750, and to rub it farther in he drags his hand on lefts. Of course I call him a punk because he did it to me also. His dad is one of the instructors.

Thanks for the info.

Is it just time that progresses how you go up in your licensure? Is it just the three different levels?

Ace, Exactly... I feel the same way! Just check it out in Twist 2 if you don't agree. Page 15. That's just it. TR rule #1 "once the throttle is cracked on, it s rolled on smoothly, evenly, and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn." Page 15 says that you need to "stop rolling on the gas" if you lose rear traction. Doesn't that mean that TR rule #1 stops being applicable?

If you're highsiding at full lean, you've really got to work on TC rule #1. That would usually result in a lowside. Highsides generally occur once you're past your apex and coming out of your lean. Is that what you're talking about regarding TC rule #1 and highsiding? Change in elevation will also effect this if you're not accomidating for it coming out of a corner.

I think once your back tire is sliding out from under you, throttle rule #1 has gone out the window. Whether or not the bike is going to buck you off or not is up to you for a brief instant, but when you watch people get in that position, the bike shutters regardless because your tires are out of line, and it's straightening itself out. Yes, you will lowside if you keep up throttle rule #1, but having done all 3, I will say that I prefer saving the bike over the other two options.

On track I run 28/28. I was told that in the cold weather I need to get my rear down to 26. I haven't tried it in the cold yet, but the 28/28 works just fine. Should I drop the front in the cold also?

I just put my bike on a stand, whack the throttle, and hold some 100 grain sand paper up against it for about 15 minutes. Kidding. I ride street for about a week at least before putting it on the track, and my first few laps are cautious, but after that they're just fine. I ride Pilot Powers, and don't have tire warmers, so my first 2 laps in summer, and 3 laps in winter every session are dedicated to warming the tires. The only time I've had a problem with Pilot Powers was on Firebird West after they had ATV trackday. They literally cover about half the track with dirt, and try to clean it off afterwards. It takes a while to get the track nice enough to really push it.

Those videos are wicked. I'm sure everyone has seen the Edwards save from earlier this year? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_lurVBBSBM

The only thing I really know about it is that I need to (obviously) start turning sooner on faster turns, and have to shift my butt while accelerating into the one I'm thinking of that would be comparable to what your asking. It's a 3rd gear 85-90 mph corner, and I would have to say the biggest thing for me is getting used to turning at that speed. I personally close any inside line off because I don't have time to check for riders behind me and don't want anyone zipping through my inside while I'm focusing on getting the bike to the apex. What I just thought while typing is that if the corner is done under continued acceleration is there isn't that pressure on the front tire. That might explain why the turning point happens sooner also.

Great pic.

Hey, Chopper bill. Go to Edit Avatar Settings to add a pic that will show on the forum. Change Personal Photo is just a pic that will show on your profile.