Jaybird180

I dont think Stoner needs to make excuses, he's is right up there with the best in the world, he has proven himself over and over again, so i dont believe that is an issue. Im sure if the pain is intense before the race, he'll get a quarterzone injection to see him through. Not even close. Stoner proving himself would have included him successfully defending his MotoGP title. He had the bike to do it with. The problem is that he didn't have the mental ability. He had plenty of things to blame that didn't include himself. He's only on his fourth year in MotoGP. He hasn't proven anything yet. Wow...(shakes head), you cant be serious man, Stoner has more than proven himself, the guy won the MOTO GP Championship in '07 !!!!...what more do you need to do? He has gone toe to toe with arguably the best rider the world . As for not winning back to back titles, all it takes is to not finish a race or have a mechanical issue and not place well and your championship hopes are out the window..or at the very least your playing catch up. I'll put my money on Stoner this year...Rossi's still the man, but im sure Casey has the minerals to run with him. Hey guys...isn't this a Cornering Forum? I suggest that we let Stoner and Rossi (and Pedrosa, Hayden, Lorenzo, Edwards et al) settle it on the track. Kevin Kevin, I like how you default to positivity in all of your postings. You have been an example for many on this forum of civility, humility and admirable conduct. However, I respectfully disagree with referre-ing this particular discussion. Why? It is quite often that discussions (heated debates, arguments, whatever you call them) may result in small, seemingly insignificant pieces of information that would not have otherwise come out, unless the person(s) are being pressed. Speaking for myself, it's not enough for me to know that so and so won the race; I HAVE to know why. I want to know the ingredients to making a champion; in motorcycling and in life. I have personally received much by taking a second review of words spoken by someone that had an opposing view on topics (and we know I've had some zingers here/there ). Those discussions have also allowed me an opportunity to continue to become better as a communicator; after all, talking about motorcycling wasn't as much an easy thing to do before Keith Code provided a vocabulary, framework and accompanying philosophy to help us to do that. Lastly, I believe that the posters involved have shown a level of maturity wherein they can be trusted with a wider berth, and that IF they do go askew, an opportunity to police themselves. Thank you for an opportunity to express my viewpoint. I am a humble student of the art. -JDM

Or you can ask to borrow Stuman's thighmaster.

WOW, that's pretty harsh! I think having one Moto GP Championship is proving yourself enough. Lets face it he is racing with one of the all time greats,(Rossi). I just read 5 minutes ago that he has the fastest lap times,(ahead of Rossi) at Qatar. Fastest by over half a second, did very few laps and was testing a new swingarm! Dani Pedrosa had a bad crash causing further injury and is returning to Barcelona to get checked out! Also looks like Suzuki have improved loads! MotoGP Official Night Test at Qatar - Day Two, best times 1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.139 (37) 2. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'57.747 (51) 3. Colin Edwards, Tech3 Yamaha - 1'57.817 (41) 4. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.879 (60) 5. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'58.018 (24) 6. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'58.264 (42) 7. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'58.400 (63) 8. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.441 (53) 9. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'58.577 (54) 10. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda - 1'58.619 (28) 11. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'58.936 (55) 12. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'59.036 (56) 13. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'59.153 (65) 14. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'59.195 (63) 15. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'59.266 (36) 16. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'59.764 (48) 17. James Toseland, Tech3 Yamaha - 2'00.234 (51) I guess the article I read that said Nicky was at the top of the time chart was outdated. Colin up in 3rd....impressive comeback Colin! Nicky was fastest on the first night of testing but it was a wet track so the times are a bit off, over 2mins and only 11 guys tested, here are the results to tonights 3rd and final test Qatar Night Test, Day 3 1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'55.744 (31) 2. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.733 (82) 3. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.972 (75) 4. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.224 (70) 5. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.225 (53) 6. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.253 (42) 7. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'57.401 (77) 8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.449 (74) 9. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.515 (46) 10. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.591 (61) 11. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.804 (66) 12. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'57.938 (54) 13. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'57.946 (50) 14. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'58.412 (61) 15. James Toseland, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'58.786 (51) 16. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'58.851 (73) Glad to see Melandri running this "private" Kaw, but too bad Hopper is out.

WOW, that's pretty harsh! I think having one Moto GP Championship is proving yourself enough. Lets face it he is racing with one of the all time greats,(Rossi). I just read 5 minutes ago that he has the fastest lap times,(ahead of Rossi) at Qatar. Fastest by over half a second, did very few laps and was testing a new swingarm! Dani Pedrosa had a bad crash causing further injury and is returning to Barcelona to get checked out! Also looks like Suzuki have improved loads! MotoGP Official Night Test at Qatar - Day Two, best times 1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.139 (37) 2. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'57.747 (51) 3. Colin Edwards, Tech3 Yamaha - 1'57.817 (41) 4. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.879 (60) 5. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'58.018 (24) 6. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'58.264 (42) 7. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'58.400 (63) 8. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.441 (53) 9. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'58.577 (54) 10. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda - 1'58.619 (28) 11. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'58.936 (55) 12. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'59.036 (56) 13. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'59.153 (65) 14. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'59.195 (63) 15. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'59.266 (36) 16. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'59.764 (48) 17. James Toseland, Tech3 Yamaha - 2'00.234 (51) I guess the article I read that said Nicky was at the top of the time chart was outdated. Colin up in 3rd....impressive comeback Colin!

Germantown is up the road a bit from me.

Words will do. We can use our imagination.

So......don't keep us in suspense. How did it go?

Hey Jay: I have been on a track day once about 3 years ago. I am very rusty right now, because I haven't ridden for about 2 1/2 years, and I hope I will be in a good shape by may. I live 70 miles away, but I don't have a trailer, a truck, or a car that can trail anything. I only have a 350Z conv. and a Del Sol...only 2-seaters for me.. Well, if you decide to bring the duck you can always rent. I've done Uhaul truck, Uhaul trailer (on a friend's vehicle), but the best was renting a minivan. I removed the seats, put the bike on the right side; sidestand down; strapped to seat hooks and slept trackside in the van on an air mattress. The best weekend I ever had.

Hey BAILEY Ditto to what the crew said.

I bought my stands cause I needed to do bike maintenance. Much easier to change a wheel when it's off the ground.

John, I missed some critical parts of your post. Sorry about that. Q- Have you ridden on a track before? If yes, then I'd say drive your car If no, then I'd say have someone drop you off and pick you up I didn't notice that you're only 70 miles away (lucky you).

I'm putting this in a new thread. OK, my bike ('02 Honda CBR600 F4i) is completely stock, which doesn't bother me that much- I'm not wanting to spend lots of $ on it, I'd rather spend it on school and track days to make me a better rider because in the end I think that gives more bang (probably a bad word choice) for the buck. What would you folks recommend as additions/corrections; this is my guess but if I'm missing something, say so: - stomp grip? - frame sliders? - steering damper? - rear sets? - bike stands? - suspension parts? I have put Dunlop Qualifiers on it and I'm happy with those. I haven't done any suspension adjustments although I haven't had any problems that I've noticed either. I do ride street and track. Stomp grip is good stuff, would be high on my list for track riding. Sliders can help save damage for sure. Suspenion parts--you might be able to get your units serviced, way cheaper than going new. Catalyst Reaction, or GP Suspension can likely do that. Rear sets--I have short legs, so they help me, but with the Stomp Grip, not as needed by far. I'd do tire warmers if I was racing, otherwise not. They don't take long to warm up, unless it's very cold out. Damper--if it's not shaking, likley won't need it. Keep good tires on it. But if your technique is solid, you'll find out with lots of warning before they go off (that's the training plug, 'cause JB would expect me to say it ) CF One thing about the suspension if/when you decide to upgrade: The rear shock: you can put a spring on it, but good luck! The correct size is tough to find. Racetech used to carry them but don't anymore. Eibach also has sizing, but again good luck. As far as shock valving: you may as well pickup a used aftermarket. Forks: Stock springs are progressive. Generally speaking progressive sprung forks are more difficult to setup correctly. The OEM setup was designed to accommodate a wide range of riders/ styles worldwide. Doesn't do much bad, but doesn't do much well either. As Cobie said, you can get the stock forks revalved/ resprung. Then you're in the ball park. My parts/ setup will probably last until my skill will allow me to outride it, and by then it will be time for a new bike. That's it. I'm outty.

Oh hell no, this is way more fun! LOL...

I'm somewhat partial to my ears. Partial to your ears...would that be in a Mike Tyson way or Martin Lawrence way? I know what Mike did, but Martin--esplain dat on 2 me. On the show they always cracked on his ears ie Dumbo

I'm perfectly happy not to put on a steering damper; they're not cheap, and I'm not a stunter and if I ever race I would probably get a race bike and keep this one for track/street use. I've not had any apparent suspension issues but maybe I'm not pushing it enough yet, but I am 145lbs so maybe that helps as you say. I do agree rider upgrades are the most important, and if you get a new bike they're transferable! I think of the list, stomp grips would help riding and are pretty inexpensive. Frame sliders don't help riding but can help save money in some circumstances. I do like the bike a lot. It's my first sport bike and it seems pretty friendly and versatile. JB, what color is your bike? I found mine used, it is a bright yellow which I think helps for street conspicuity. My bike was yellow too. Last 2 years it's been Truck Bed Liner Flat Black. I've decided to metamorphosize it again. (Scrabble Double word score?) BTW- Search the "other" forum for info on the 929/954 front master cylinder upgrade. I have the parts, just haven't installed yet.

I'm sure it's in T2 (don't have mine with me at work to find Chapter/ Verse), but I thought I read that it causes the RPM to go down a bit. When the bike goes from upright to turned in--RPM doesn't go down. Anyone find it yet? CF See Paragraph 3, PG 21 of T2. Hey we are in a recession for God's sake! I can't afford a trip to Laguna Seca and the book. Can you paraphrase? I'm at work and thought long and hard about bringing my T2 with me. I figured I spend too much time on the forum at work anyway (shhhhh, don't tell). psst- I'd recommend NOT telling on yourself around here about not having T2, you might get flamed. Hint- Occasionally, some poor sap won't appreciate the value of what he has and will sell a NEW one on eBay. I got mine this way, and am now awaiting shipping on T1 and Soft Science . Can someone help FOSSIL with some words from pg 21?

I'm putting this in a new thread. OK, my bike ('02 Honda CBR600 F4i) is completely stock, which doesn't bother me that much- I'm not wanting to spend lots of $ on it, I'd rather spend it on school and track days to make me a better rider because in the end I think that gives more bang (probably a bad word choice) for the buck. What would you folks recommend as additions/corrections; this is my guess but if I'm missing something, say so: - stomp grip? - frame sliders? - steering damper? - rear sets? - bike stands? - suspension parts? I have put Dunlop Qualifiers on it and I'm happy with those. I haven't done any suspension adjustments although I haven't had any problems that I've noticed either. I do ride street and track. STEVO- I have the same make/model/year bike and love it. My first upgrade was a set of Vortex Frame Sliders. This was of course AFTER rashing up my OEM set (which I've repaired and still have). I now have all of the other things you mentioned but I did them to solve a particular problem. I wouldn't recommend a damper for this bike. Typically, only stunters will need it on this model considering the OEM geometry and your Dunlop tires. Save the cash for now, unless you decide to race the machine (AFAIK most ORGs require a damper regardless). If you were to upgrade anything on the bike I'd recommend suspension first, especially if you're anything over 145-155lbs. Here's a post I wrote when I got mine done: http://www.cbrforum.com/forum/showthread.p...ults+suspension Of course, let's not underestimate the value of rider software upgrades too...afterall, this is the CSS forum

Nice...and better priced too. Too bad it isn't universal, then I could take it bike-bike as I figured I've got about 1-2 years left on this one before I get the itch for something newer.

I'm sure it's in T2 (don't have mine with me at work to find Chapter/ Verse), but I thought I read that it causes the RPM to go down a bit. When the bike goes from upright to turned in--RPM doesn't go down. Anyone find it yet? CF See Paragraph 3, PG 21 of T2.

I'm somewhat partial to my ears. Partial to your ears...would that be in a Mike Tyson way or Martin Lawrence way?

If you get a moment, let us know which way you go, and what prompted you to go that way. C Although I would like to use my bike so I can learn its limits and get familiar with it, I am leaning towards using the school bike for the following reasons: 1- The fear of dropping my bike will be always on the back of my head, and I won't be able to push myself to the limit. 2- I think after a full day at the school, I will be very tired to ride 1 1/2 back home. I have a Ducati SS; it is not the most ergonomic bike. Thanks Cobie Cobie can square this up if I'm amiss, but at the school students are told to go 70%. Crashing should not be part of the equation. If you encounter an SR, it probably means your ego has become a barrier to your improvement. It's almost always a bad idea to ride to/from the track for multiple reasons...unless it's a local track and you have a backup plan. Persoanally I trailer, even when going to my "local" track; I don't think I'd step on too many toes by saying that majority of trackday enthusiasts do too.

Hey Jaybird, Does that mean we are going to be standing around talking with you about time managment and priorities? C No Sir. I've got some trackday goals for 2009, starting the season with 2 days gnawing your ear off.

I'm sure it's in T2 (don't have mine with me at work to find Chapter/ Verse), but I thought I read that it causes the RPM to go down a bit.

My main barrier is getting more tracktime. I seem to show great improvement then take too much time in between. Once I correct that issue, then I could give an answer to the question. (or is that an answer already?)

I've seen some forum posts with instructions to make one from PVC. It doesn't look that difficult to do, but I don't quite have the nerve to try it; my hope was that I could buy a kit, have a mechanic install it correctly, and not have to worry about the reliability. Home-made is always better. Remember those home-made cards you used to give your mom when you were a little kid?