pmellett

We do lower the tyre pressures for track work. The reason for dong this is that tyres have an optimum tyre pressure (i.e. a working tyre pressure) which allows the tyre to work at it's best. Because the loads and the work a tyre does is harder on track is the reason we lower those pressures. If the ambient temp is cooler (and wind chill is definitely a factor that can make it low). you still need to obtain the right pressure. If the tyre doesn't get as warm through temp and we've already agreed you can't load it as much, then the starting pressure will have to be higher than normal for the track, (but to be clear, still lower than for the road) not the other way around. I also think, if you don't use tyre warmers, 3 build laps as you're suggesting do SteveO is a good position to have a tyre upto good working temp. Bullet Hi, I've always thought that we lowered tyre pressure to create more flex and increase tyre temperature making the rubber more pliable. Obviously, temperature and pressure are inter-linked. What is the optimum that we're trying to achieve. A specific pressure or temperature range?

Hi Jason, Thanks for explaining. I think i've got it? (At last) I know that once in the turn 40/60 with a smooth, gradual roll-on is ideal. It's at the turn point that was confusing me. 1. We need weight on the front to turn. (Off Gas does that) 2. On Gas = Less weight on front, bike runs wide and needs more lean angle. Not good. 3. Low road speeds and good traction have allowed me to get away with this technique. Bad practise. 4. Your example of a Double radius turn = We may stop rolling on (hold a constant throttle) to re-point the bike when rolling off could over weight the front, due to lean angle.

Gday Pjm, loading the front in the wet usually leads to a ride on the leather sled.... to explain, the quote alone doesn't give the full picture - for the full info just see the reply earlier in the thread, but in short I'm saying that in slippery conditions you would drop the entry speed, get the bike steered then stabilised asap to get the best traction scenario possible. Pop a reply back if we need to tackle this properly, traction is kinda important to us riders and the last thing I want is my words to be misunderstood Hi Jason, I'm a little more confused now. I've read the complete thread several times but must be missing something. I thought Phillyjoey's original question,'is it alright to hold a constant throttle and lean at the same time?' would get a simple answer. (wrong) I've asked this question myself following a 'wet leather sled ride' during level 2 in the UK. Turning on a constant throttle is something that i frequently do whilst road riding. It works. Jasonzilla does too. Not sure if my crash was a result of doing so on track? The emailed reply i received was, 'Turning with the throttle open lends to the rider having to use more lean angle to get to his apex as the bike is trying to push wide. The throttle should be closed on entry to transfer weight to the front to allow the bike to turn correctly. Having the throttle even a little open transfers weight to the rear, not ideal in the wet.' So that's a don't do it then? I appreciate that road and track riding are very different and that there's more than one way to achieve an objective. The question i'd like to ask is, is this a bad technique to practise on the road paving the way for problems on track?

I'm a little confused here. Are we saying that in good conditions we can turn on a constant(steady)throttle but in poor conditions (rain etc) we need to be off the throttle to load the front more, giving better traction for turning?

Dylan / Rainman, Thanks for the advice. I think you're telling me to stop paying so much attention on lean angle and concentrate on entry speed, which will consequently increase the amount of lean. pjm

Hi Dylan, Kneedown isn't my ultimate goal although i would like to be able to do so. (i can't) My aim is to be able to corner faster on track. I'm still in the novice group and ridden 10-15 trackdays. I'm comfortable with my riding and all of the level 1&2 CSS drills are slowly dropping into place. Almost without fail, when cornering i know that i could have gone faster but the next time round i don't. Why? I believe it's a psycological thing with leaning more. I know you don't have to use max lean to ride fast but my thinking is that if i knew just how far i could lean then i'd be a more confident rider. pjm

Hi, My riding has definately improved having completed levels 1 and 2 but i'm struggling with increasing my lean angle to go faster. I was so looking forward to riding the 'Lean'bike but unfortunately CSS appear to have stopped running it here in the UK. If i knew how far i could lean i'm certain i'd be more confident. Are there any drills to practise to experience greater lean angles or is it simply a case of as (if) i get faster, i'll lean more? pjm

Hi Thomas Glad you enjoyed level 1 and are coming to see us in the UK for level 2. Am not sure if you have booked with us already, but there at the time of writing this post only 1 slot at both Brands Hatch, and 1 on the second date we have in June at Silverstone. We aren't able to run the lean bike at Brands as there is not space in the paddock to do so, and we're often constrained by other events running at Silverstone which also don't allow us to run the lean bike. Whilst having a go on the lean bike is a very valuable experience, certainly in getting your body position established correctly for level 3, your day will still be exceptional without going on the bike should we be unable to run it due to either space, or weather restrictions. I hope this helps answer your question, though if you have further comments, please just ask. Bullet (UK riding coach) Hi, I completd level 1 in the UK in 2002 and have only just been able to book level 2. It's been a long wait and i too am keen to experience the lean bike for the next level. Everything that i've read about this and the other training aids is positive. After all, Keith wouldn't have gone to the trouble of designing them if they weren't of benefit. Having just booked i received the information pack in the post. I was extremely disappointed to read 'Due to the circuits now wanting to charge us for the use of paddock space, we are no longer able to run the lean bke for level 2, the brake rig for level 3 and the slide bike for level 4'. It appears that UK Students will not have the priviledge of using these training aids. Maybe it would have been a little easier to swallow if it had previously been mentioned on the website before i booked? Hi there, Clearly the drill do offer benefits, as you rightly pointed out Keith did indeed invet them to help with the body position situation in isolation in a paddock area without distractions of corners etc. It is possible to have similiar improvements with your riding coach, though this is typically addressed in Level 3, rather than 2. I appreciate your situation, and I know this something thats been mentioned to the coaching staff by Andy at one of the schools of late that the circuits were charging excessive, (and I mean excessive), amounts of money for being able to run the lean bike/Slide bike and brake rig. Steering drill has still been possible, as it takes so little room in comparison. I think the challenge that the school has had really is, should the cost of the having this open to each student be tagged onto the school cost, and when we say additonal cost, we're talking around 50 quid extra per student for the privilege. In the current economic climate, and with prices already edging up anyway, it was felt I understand that people wouldn't stomach this cost and so I believe this decision has been taken. I'd be interested in your view on this point by the way? I'm not certain if this is the case for all locations, though Brands has always been possible, and I know that Silverstone has become constrained by costs. For confirmation of whether they'll run at Rockingham or not, ring into the office, speak with Lynn, and she'll be able to provide a definitive answer on this. Sorry if you felt misled in some way, but I hope this explanation helps a little the reasoning behind this decision. Bullet (UK riding coach) Hi Bullet, Thanks for your reply. I've contacted the UK Office as suggested. I couldn't get a definitive answer as Lynn wasn't available. However, one of the riding Coaches was of the opinion that the Training bikes would be available at Rockingham on 7th July. The information pack does state that they will no longer be used. (Off Track Dills section) The situation was explained to me and as you've said, the School needs to consider if it's feasible to pass the increased cost on to us Students. I was told that it could be as much as a third. (Obviously the final decision hasn't been made yet) My view is that the School isn't cheap. £412- Brands Hatch. £392- Rockingham, a little cheaper for Silverstone. However, as Andy Ibbott said on the UK CSS TV series, 'If you want to improve your riding then you'll put your hand in your pocket'. I agree. It's taken me some time to find the funds for level 2 and maybe it's just too expensive for some. As regards an additional cost, i personally would be prepared to pay another £50 for the use of the Training bikes but and additional third would probably be beyond me.

Hi Thomas Glad you enjoyed level 1 and are coming to see us in the UK for level 2. Am not sure if you have booked with us already, but there at the time of writing this post only 1 slot at both Brands Hatch, and 1 on the second date we have in June at Silverstone. We aren't able to run the lean bike at Brands as there is not space in the paddock to do so, and we're often constrained by other events running at Silverstone which also don't allow us to run the lean bike. Whilst having a go on the lean bike is a very valuable experience, certainly in getting your body position established correctly for level 3, your day will still be exceptional without going on the bike should we be unable to run it due to either space, or weather restrictions. I hope this helps answer your question, though if you have further comments, please just ask. Bullet (UK riding coach) Hi, I completd level 1 in the UK in 2002 and have only just been able to book level 2. It's been a long wait and i too am keen to experience the lean bike for the next level. Everything that i've read about this and the other training aids is positive. After all, Keith wouldn't have gone to the trouble of designing them if they weren't of benefit. Having just booked i received the information pack in the post. I was extremely disappointed to read 'Due to the circuits now wanting to charge us for the use of paddock space, we are no longer able to run the lean bke for level 2, the brake rig for level 3 and the slide bike for level 4'. It appears that UK Students will not have the priviledge of using these training aids. Maybe it would have been a little easier to swallow if it had previously been mentioned on the website before i booked?

Hi Thomas Glad you enjoyed level 1 and are coming to see us in the UK for level 2. Am not sure if you have booked with us already, but there at the time of writing this post only 1 slot at both Brands Hatch, and 1 on the second date we have in June at Silverstone. We aren't able to run the lean bike at Brands as there is not space in the paddock to do so, and we're often constrained by other events running at Silverstone which also don't allow us to run the lean bike. Whilst having a go on the lean bike is a very valuable experience, certainly in getting your body position established correctly for level 3, your day will still be exceptional without going on the bike should we be unable to run it due to either space, or weather restrictions. I hope this helps answer your question, though if you have further comments, please just ask. Bullet (UK riding coach)