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Excellent information Tim - thanks!!! I love this stuff and since I plan to pick up the Autotune this year, I want to learn as much up front about it as I can.

Hey Tim - Good post / good info! When tuning an engine, do you target (or does Autotune target) different A/F ratios based on rpm, throttle position, & load? If so, what do some of those numbers look like, and how do they vary by fuel type? Thanks! Dan

Awesome Cobie - can't wait to see / read / hear about it!! Have a great new year! Dan

Completely agree. I did a lot of cardio and leg work this year and found myself MUCH better off at the end of each day, but still need to improve quite a bit. Nutrition plays a big role and I would love to know more about what to eat / drink prior to and during the schools, and WHY it is important. Thanks Cobie! Dan

Cool video, Dylan! Thanks for sharing Dan

I ordered the pre-cut Armour Bodies pad (actually, the local race shop I bought the Armour Bodies body work from included it for free). Just peeled off the backing and stuck it on - installed . If I tried to cut it out myself, you would swear a 1st grader with two left hands did it...

As a follow up - I had my first track day with the foam seat yesterday. It definitely wasn't as soft, but I rode a LOT yesterday and my butt never got sore. I didn't slide around on the seat as much (found that I didn't need to grip the tank as hard with my knees during braking), but transitioning from side to side was still easy. I really liked the additional "feedback" I felt through it as well - it made me much more aware of what the rear end was doing.

Desire + time + money = get "good" Desire - you've got to WANT to get as good as you can. Without that, all the time and money will only take you so far. Time - you need it. You need a LOT of it. Why? To practice practice & practice. You might have the desire & the money, but without putting in the time (practice), you're going nowhere. Money - you need LOTS of it, to support your habit. Equipment costs money. Track time & schools cost money. When you are out practicing, you are not earning money. The more you practice, the less you earn. Gotta pay the bills . And this is pretty much why I'll never be REALLY good at anything, because I generally only have ONE of the three (desire). I need more time & money!!!!

Agreed. In fact, you should practice setting your corner speed using no brakes. Even when I start to pick up my pace, I am VERY light on the brakes.

This is a great point!

You can definitely use the hook turn on a decreasing radius turn; your line will tighten up. A slight roll off of the throttle also works, say from 1/2 throttle to 1/3 throttle. The reduction in speed combined with the weight transfer produces similar results. The hook turn is a great tool to have when needed. I got lazy approaching a fast turn and didn't get the bike turned quick enough. I wound up on a wide line and decided to give the hook turn a try. It brought the bike back to the line I had originally intended and I was able to hit my apex and drive out nicely.

After a full day of track riding, I am ready to eat like a horse - pretty much anything in sight. That and a few beers (providing I'm not riding the next day) really hits the spot. The following day, I don't do any type of workout at all - I just take it easy and recover. Then I just jump right back into to my normal workout routine (weights, cardio, etc). Maybe I'll take an advil that night for leg soreness if I'm feeling anything, but I generally consume about 150 grams of protein each day and that seems to keep my muscles happy.

When you say "pushing", do you mean sliding? As in you felt like the front tire was losing grip (sliding) and causing you to run wide? In general - if your tires are in good condition & up to temperature, you are NOT on the brakes, and track conditions are good (meaning no debris on the track, pavement in good shape, etc), there is VERY little chance of you losing front end grip when you initiate your turn in. So my guess is no - I don't think you were pushing / sliding the front tire when you were turning the bike. Perhaps, like you mentioned, you misinterpreted some feedback from the bike. I would focus on what caused you to believe you were "in too fast" and needed to run wide .

1. Yes 2. Originally tried Tech Spec, based on good reviews, etc. Then switched to Stomp Grip. 3. Tech spec was decent, but I still never felt "locked in" when using it. Stomp Grip is definitely more aggressive provides a much more positive "lock on" during pivot steering and braking. For the street rider that does not wear leather pants, the Stomp grips can be irritating, so Tech Spec might be better. But for the track, I much prefer the Stomp grip.

You and me both!

Very cool!

Damn!! Suddenly a few months isn't too bad at all . When are you coming back to the states?

I hear ya. I haven't been out since CSS / Thunderbolt at the end of July. Trying to book a NESBA date(s) for the end of the month .

Glad it is starting to make sense. FWIW, I really don't put any weight at all on my inside foot. It pretty much just rests on the footpeg. There is SO much more stability when locked in with the outside leg, and that makes relaxing your arms a lot easier.

We've had a similar discussion before: http://forums.superbikeschool.com/index.php?showtopic=3310

Just curious - what tires do you have on your bike now? What kind of bike is it?

Thanks for the information, Tyler - I think that about does it - I'm going with the foam . Worst case scenario, I hate it, modify the tail, and go back to my OEM seat.

More good points about foam - thanks Hotfoot! Weight isn't really an issue (I'd be better off skipping a few meals anyway), but I like the idea of being able to shape it differently and experiment with different levels of "grip" if need be. I don't plan on racing any time soon, but easier removal / installation is a big plus. More pros for foam...

Hey Craig, Those are good points - thanks! I was thinking that the foam seat would probably have a little more resistance when transitioning from side to side, possibly making it more difficult. Although my last time out at CSS, I was working on LESS butt movement, MORE upper body movement . If there is more friction with the foam seat, it would help during braking for sure, as I tend to slide forward even with a pretty good lock on the tank with both legs. Maybe foam is the way to go...

I'm getting ready to order the Armour Bodies track body work for my '08 CBR600RR. There are two choices: the "Superbike" kit requires the use of a foam seat, or the "Supersport" kit which allows you to use the OEM seat. Which one should I get? What is the advantage of the foam seat over the OEM seat? Thanks! Dan