Jump to content

BLSJDS

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    230

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by BLSJDS

  5. Recommended Set Up For 2008 Honda Cbr600Rr

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Timmer,

     

    I have a 2008 Honda CBR600RR that is basically a track-only bike. It is registered & inspected so I can ride it on the street maybe 3 or 4 times a year, but it's primary use (95%) is for track riding.

     

    I've done some modifications for the track like rear-sets, ss braided brake lines, -1 +2 sprockets & 520 chain (and the speedo healer), as well as Ohlins suspension front and rear.

     

    The rest of the bike is bone stock, so I was thinking I'd like to increase / better manage the power as well. I've noticed at lower rpms, as I roll on throttle in a corner (from being off throttle), the bike isn't as smooth as I'd like - it "jerks" a little bit, if that makes sense. At CSS last year, Will had mentioned this is a common problem and that something like the Dynojet PC would be able to tune that out.

     

    What do you recommend would be the best bang-for-the-buck modification(s) to start with? Full exhaust, PC, auto-tune, some other combo? What full exhaust system do you recommend? What about air intake - any mods needed there?

     

    Thank you so much for your help!

    Dan

  8. Uh-Oh!

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    I've almost given up street riding altogether because it just doesn't offer me the comfort level I need to ride fast. There are WAY too many things that require some of my $10 worth of attention (other drivers, animals, unfamiliar roads, obstacles, road hazards, etc).

     

    When I do street ride, I take it very easy, but I also constantly practice the techniques I learned in Levels 1-3, just at a much slower pace. For me, there is just no comparison between what I can do on the track vs what I am comfortable with on the street.

     

    IMHO, you should ride in the manner that makes you most comfortable.

  10. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Thanks! Unfortunately, I took a spill on my dirt bike this weekend and separated my right shoulder, tore a bunch of ligaments, etc. I had to cancel the Monticello track day for this coming Monday :( . I should be good to go next spring, but my riding season (definitely dirt, probably street) is likely over for this year.

     

    I'm heading to the Orthopedist as we speak to find out how bad the damage is...

     

    Dan

  11. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Sorry it took so long to post pics - I just got around to taking these this morning:

     

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0245.jpg

     

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0246.jpg

     

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0248.jpg

     

    The "cut" frame sliders I installed a few weeks ago:

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0250.jpg

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0253.jpg

     

    Crappy pictures of the safety wire job I did:

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0256.jpg

    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/blsjds/Motorcycles/IMG_0255.jpg

     

    I've put about 50 miles on it in total and plan to head out this weekend for a few more. First track day with it is planned for October 11th at the Monticello Full course. Hopefully it still looks like this after the day is done :).

  13. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    600's really have been great packages for years, still are.

     

    I'm getting jaded with this new BMW though. Crash statistics are down about 60% over the 600's we had last year. Shameless plug, I know.

     

    CF

     

    Believe me, Cobie - if I could swing the new BMW, it would be sitting in my garage right now :P . I did Levels 1,2, & 3 on the BMW and it was THAT bike that made me realize what I am missing. The 600 is a great bike, but I will own the BMW in a few years :D .

     

    BTW - when does the 2011 schedule come out?? ;)

  14. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    I'd say a well-ridden 600 will kick total ass on more or less any track. It's fast enough for the serious stuff and nimble enough for everything. You have to keep them on the boil though, the GSXR I think is a bit more flexible whereas the R6 is a bit more two-stroke, but it depends more on which one you feel most at home on than worrying about a few details on paper.

     

     

     

    The SV650 is a great bike but for the track you need to spend some cash on the suspension - GSXR front end is ideal but at least stiffer springs and a proper back shock. Great for twisty tracks because of the midrange but on faster tracks you'll have to put up with getting eaten by the big boys. The fastest I've had mine on track is about 125mph/200kph, on tracks like that you can keep with the 600/4s (just about) if you ride like your hair is on fire and use the extra drive out of bends.

     

    I picked up a bone stock 2008 CBR 600 RR on Saturday. All I can say is "wow"! I haven't taken it to the track yet, but I can confidently say that, for me, this bike outperforms the 954 in every category except power (which is still ample, especially at higher RPMs). I absolutely love it and can't wait to get it out on the track. I'll try to post up some pictures this weekend.

  15. Improved Sense Of Speed

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    I took Levels 1&2 nearly 2 years ago. At the conclusion of the 2nd day, I had a discussion with Keith in which he asked me if I thought my sense of speed had improved; I stuttered and stammered to answer the question. Disinterested in working through such a simple question he said, “The answer is no, it didn’t improve”.

     

    Now, still thinking about that experience, I realize that I then did not have a way to know the accuracy of my PERCEPTION of speed. I did not have a way to do it before the course, nor after the 2nd day. WAS I DAYDREAMING during that part of the classroom lecture? I also now realize that had I confined my ‘train of thought’ to the PRODUCT of an “improved” sense of speed, that then PERHAPS I could have been able to communicate my ability or inability of being able to achieve the specific daily milestones in my riding.

     

    Dissatisfied taking for granted that I know the answers (for we only KNOW what we can plainly demonstrate), I humbly seek the collective wisdom of the forum.

     

    Q1- How would you have answered Keith’s question posed to me 2 years ago? How would you know if your sense of speed had improved? How do you make a comparison of before and after?

    Q2- What is the product of the improvement in sense of speed? What does it mean to improve it?

    Q3 Is improvement anything like being IN LOVE? (you just know that you are)

    Q4- Is sense of speed strictly kinesthetic? Visual? A combination? Something other?

    Q4- What other data is needed as a foundation for improvement? (free discussion)

     

    Great questions for sure. To me, accurately guessing how fast you are going (without looking at the speedo) is not what the concept of "sense of speed" is about. It is about everything else around you "slowing down" (so to speak) because your riding skills have improved. Taking a particular corner at 45 mph may seem quite overwhelming to a beginner, even though he/she didn't even know he/she was going 45 mph. After Levels 1 and 2, taking that same corner at the same speed (45 mph) would likely seem slow because of the improved skills and confidence, and now can be taken at say 50 mph easily. Tough to measure without actually looking at a speedo, but I would say that person's sense of speed has improved quite a bit.

     

    After CSS Level III at Thunderbolt last month, I pulled onto the main road in my car. It was a 45 mph road. Before I knew it, I was doing 75 mph quite comfortably, I might add, as it felt like I was doing no faster than 35 mph! I couldn't believe it when I glanced at the speedo! Yeah, I'd say my sense of speed improved, but my ability to estimate my speed was WAY off - ha ha :)

  16. Help Me! Causes Of My Crash Video Attached

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    OK, so we're agreed then we've moved more of the weight of the bike to the rear. So, you get the back stepping out when you have more load on the tyre than it can take. You're only riding a 400, not something very powerful like a 1000. Had it been one of those, you'd probably have had the back come around, as you have more power than traction. When you crack the gas, the rear loads more, and we've agreed loading more weight to the rear than the front. You've then asked the tyre for more, with suspension that doesn't work well because you've leaned the bike over more. Essentially you've got less weight on the front, smaller contract patch rolling on more and more gas. the fronts going to even lighter, and voila. lowside.

     

    Your issue is the result of incorrect application of the throttle. I'd also suggest you need to understand a lot more about how a motorbike works, how it goes around corners, and the Twist of the Wrist 2 book will give you this. You'll understand a lot more about how you give it what it needs from you.

     

    Make sense?

     

    Bullet

     

    p.s. and to my ears, you rolled on way before the Apex as well. Does anyone else hear that?

     

    It sounded that way to me. IMHO, the crash was a result of adding throttle AND lean angle, which I believe is a common cause based on what I've learned at CSS. Glad you are ok!

  19. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Rainman - I plan to get a used bike for the street next year, something that a passenger can ride comfortably on. My wife won't even sit on the 954 and my daughter complains of numb feat after about an hour :D . The 600 will be used almost exclusively for the track.

     

    Bullet - thanks very much for the advice and for confirming my initial thoughts. I suspect I'd be faster around the track on the 600, especially if I am more comfortable (physically and mentally B) ).

     

    I will probably go with the CBR as I've always been a Honda guy, but the R6 got HIGH marks in '08 and looks like an incredible machine.

     

    Thanks again, guys!

    Dan

  20. Better Off With A 600 Vs Liter Bike On The Track?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    I currently own a 2003 Honda CBR 954 RR. It is a GREAT all around bike, but I'm finding it is not ideal for the track. I've done CSS levels 1,2, & 3 (all on the BMW S1000) and have been able to elevate my skills quite a bit, but find that my 954 is nowhere near as "track friendly" as the BMW. It is very light in the front end (head shake, wheelies, etc) and the seating position, although comfortable on the street, is not as "track inspired" as the BMW; I really don't feel properly positioned on it, so to speak. I feel right at home on the BMW B) .

     

    Before you say it, a new BMW is out of the question (though I'd pick one up in a heartbeat if I could afford it) :D .

     

    When I bought the 954, I planned on mostly street riding and track use 2 or 3 times a year. Things have changed quite a bit (thanks to CSS :P ) and now I want a bike that will be used on the track 90% of the time and only occasionally on the street.

     

    I am looking at a 2008 CBR 600 RR; do you think this is a good choice, based on what I want from the bike? It seems to be more "track inspired", and I no longer want the violent power of a liter bike, especially on the tighter tracks. What do you guys think?

     

    Thanks so much for your advice!

    Dan

  21. Quick Turn - Can It Be Too "snappy"?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    As a side note / follow up, I took my bike to a local suspension shop (seemed like a knowledgeable guy; he took CSS Level I and II and knew ATOTW I and II front to back :) ). Sag was way off and compression / rebound settings were far from ideal for the track. I have him doing fork seals now, as well as some safety wiring. Once done, I have to go back and then we'll fine tune the suspension. Can't wait to feel the difference! (Although, the BMWs at the school set the bar too damn high - LOL).

  22. Quick Turn - Can It Be Too "snappy"?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Jason - once again you are right on! Thank you so much for taking the time to elaborate.

     

    As you noted, my initial question was referring to the "abruptness" of the quick turn on the initial push of the bars, not the lean angle. The point that Jaybird (hey James!) brought up about suspension is also something I've considered as a possible factor in my quick turns looking a bit choppy last week. At Level I and II (on the BMW), my coach felt that I was quick turning nicely / smoothly, and the bike never felt "unsettled". However, I did notice that my CBR 954 didn't feel as stable during braking and the subsequent quick turn (braking was done prior to QT). I've never had the suspension tuned on it, so I'm having that done this weekend.

     

    Less lean angle in the rain is DEFINITELY more desirable! :P

  23. Quick Turn - Can It Be Too "snappy"?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Jason - excellent description and explanation - thank you! That definitely helps me visualize and understand the quick turn. I'll practice that at my next track day for sure. I've got Level III in August at Thunderbolt; can't wait!

     

    Crash - good questions to consider, thanks. There were only two turns that I really "snapped" the bike over in; in both turns, I wasn't able to get on the throttle when I reached the lean angle because the bike wasn't 100% settled, so very good point.

     

    Hope to see you again in August, Cobie B) .

  24. Quick Turn - Can It Be Too "snappy"?

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    At a track day last Friday (Monticello Motor Park / North Course with Team Pro Motion), one of the coaches (whom I know) offered to follow me around for a few laps and evaluate my ability. Overall, he was pleased with my lines, body/head position and how smooth I appeared to be (he BETTER be, I took CSS Level I and II last month - ha ha).

     

    One thing he did note was that he felt I was "snapping" the bike a little too much into certain corners and not being as smooth as I should be. I was definitely trying to get the bike turned as quickly as possible, but perhaps I was "jerking" the bike into the turn, rather than smoothly applying force on the bars.

     

    What is the best way to execute a quick turn? Based on his feedback, I'm assuming the initial force applied to the bars should not be a "slam the bars as hard as I can" move. Should the initial force be a little softer?

     

    Thanks for helping me sort this out!

     

    Dan

×
×
  • Create New...