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asphaltscraper

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  2. Pre-braking

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Although I have over 35 years on 2 wheels, and have raced off road, I'm new to road racing. I've taken level 1 & 2. My question is; what is this pre-braking I hear Rossi talk about? I understand Spencer did it also. What is the science behind squeezing the brake lightly for a second or so before full on braking?

     

     

    I'm going to make an uneducated guess on this one that it distributes the weight a little more gradually than overloading the front end all at once? Maybe also helps to avoid locking the front? Now I expect the experts will come on and tell me I'm wrong....haha.

  3. Another Newbie In The Philly Area

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    OK, so after reading some of the recent posts, I’m going to try not to be a ‘lurker’ (thanks, Cobie). My story is similar to a few I have read- rode a lot in the 80’s while I was in the Army, mostly cruisers. Had to give it up during college, then work, then kids, etc… Finally settled in the Philly area and have the time to ride again. I bought an ‘07 ZX-6R this past spring and absolutely love it! I only wish I had gotten back into riding sooner. I’ve been trying to teach myself proper cornering techniques, but I realize that there are limitations to what you can do on the street. I know that I have A LOT to work on. I’ve signed up for the August 09 Level 1 course at Thunderbolt, NJ. If my work allows, I’m going to try to make one of the May sessions in NJ also. I’ve heard nothing but good things about CSS and am very much looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to being an active member of this forum.

     

     

    Hi col, I'm just outside of Quakertown, not a million miles from you at all. Maybe I'll see you at NJMP next year.

  6. Level 1 Curriculum?

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Are there any major differences between Twist 1 and 2? Is 2 just a revised version?

    Chipster;

     

    Yes; like the School structure, Twist II builds upon Twist I and really has a lot of detail to help you prepare for next season.

    As for your 675, my bikes are just as cold now.

     

    Kevin

     

    Hi Chipster,

     

    Keith has 3 books, and they are all different. He is not one to re-hash something. Twist 1 and 2 are totally different, cover completely different material (as does Soft Sciene).

     

    Cheap way to learn stuff, the books are excellent sources.

     

    Cf

     

    ps--welcome to the forum, hadn't seen your posts before (just back from the track last night).

     

     

    Hi Cobie, thanks for the welcome. Also, thanks for responding to an email I sent you a good few months ago, on a Sunday no less.....now that is dedication. That combined with the way Echo has helped me in the office this last week has me loving CSS already, makes me even more eager to get to NJ in May already..... and to think my Mum told me to never wish my life away. I didn't mean to sound like I was inferring that I thought Twist 2 is a rehashed Twist 1, I just wanted to get some more info on it as Twist 2 is such a complete book and doesn't read as though it is a continuation from the prior book. I guess I'll be putting Twist 1 on my ever increasing Christmas Wish List now. Haha..How was Laguna?

  7. Sport Rider Mag Andrew Trevitt Seriously Injured

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    There's really not much info on the SR site but there is an email address listed to send Andrew a message ( getwelltrev@yahoo.com ) in an "update" they have posted. I just emailed him as his writing really did inspire me to try riding on a track after I read his story on racing in the SV Cup. Update here> http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_0811_an...date/index.html This is the article he wrote that got me hooked. > http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_040..._cup/index.html

  10. A Few From This Year's Td's.

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Man, those are some wicked pics. I've gotten way into photography at the track, and have to get very creative because the owners won't let me closer to the track. I'm trying to get my wife on the track, but she's not riding much at all anymore. You look really smooth.

     

     

    Thanks hubbard, naturally I try to be as smooth as possible but I must say the photographers seem to have a way of making me look better than I really am...haha!

    I am really proud of my wife and I look forward to one day having a photo on the wall of us both riding on track together, so far we've always been in separate groups for one reason or another.

     

     

    Here's a link to a vid I compiled from Mid O this past September. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E83uJL3YLNM

    Normally I shoot vid's from my bike but this time my buddy Peter (who did CSS at Mid O this year) filmed me from his bike during the first half, the 2nd half is rearward facing from my bike.

    Any constructive criticism is most gratefully received.

  14. Level 1 Curriculum?

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Chipster;

     

    After numerous CSS events over the past 7 years as a student and as a Corner Worker, I re-took Level 1 at Infineon last week; every one of the concerns you mentioned are covered in Level 1. You will find your MoJo with the School taking Level 1...but don't rule out Levels 2, 3 & 4. They all build upon each other and if Level 1 helps you, the rest of the curriculum will amaze you.

     

    I would also strongly recommend you get and read and then re-read the two Twist of the Wrist books and then read the Soft Science. All three are written by Keith Code and they will give you and your wife a solid foundation in the principles of cornering so that when you get to School, the concepts will be familiar.

     

    Kevin

     

     

     

     

    Thanks for your input Kevin. The other levels are certainly not out of the question, it'd just be finances that dictate when and where.

     

    I have Twist 2 (the book) and the DVD amongst many other publications. I think I might also get the audio discs for playing in the car during my commutes (we quit riding the street as the risk wasn't worth the reward, track only now).

    Are there any major differences between Twist 1 and 2? Is 2 just a revised version?

    I am eagerly anticipating next season, my 675 isn't liking the freezing temperatures outside and wants to be set free again (already...).

  15. Level 1 Curriculum?

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    After bouncing emails back and forth a month or so ago and making a call to the office today I am stoked to be signed up for Level 1 at new Jersey Motorsports Park in May of 2009.

    I'm doing May 11th and my wife is doing May 12th so we can trade off watching our son.

    It's a way off yet but I'm looking forward to it immensely.

     

    So, to my question, but first a protracted explanation of why I am seeking help, especially now.

     

    I rode a 2 day trackday at Barber in May just gone and had a great time and had no confidence issues at all and pushed harder than I've done on the bike before. Then I did a day at Pocono East and was rocking on until I put the rear out in a left hander (yeah what a surprise huh?...seeing as the place is virtually all left turns...lol). After that I felt the rear was constantly losing traction, not by much, but enough to unsettle me and worry me about being able to feed my little boy by the end of the day who was happily playing in our paddock spot at the time .

    It may well have been a mental thing, my mind anticipating the point at which I lost traction before (it was a very near highside, the rear left a tidy looking darky and picked me up out of the seat when it regained grip), I dont know.

    Since then I've had real issues getting into the groove in left's and my trust in fast turn in's and believing the rubber will stick is not so great.

    I did 2 days at Mid O and did okay in right turns but my turn in was so slow that corner speed was poor, then when it came to the few lefts, particularly the one over the off camber rise (T7?) it was pitiful. I never use 'chicken strips' as a guide to my riding as there aren't normally any there for anyone after a day on the track, but after 2 days at Mid O and 1 at NJMP Thunderbolt there is clearly a good 1/4 to 3/8 inch of rubber untouched on the left.

     

    If you're still with me, thank you.

     

    So, my question; are fast/quick turn in's dealt with in Level 1? Is there anything that covers the mental approach in processing feedback from slippy tires and understanding what is okay and what will ultimately toss someone down the road? (I know there are variables that cannot be accounted for like track surface changes, different tires, ambient conditions etc)

    I couldn't see any particular curriculum outlined on the website.

    I was doing fine at the start of the year and ultimately sabbotaged my own riding the rest of this year by not controlling my demons within, I need to find my MoJo again and I hope CSS can help.

     

    Thanks in advance and see you next year.

  16. Penske Shocks?

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    On my 675 I have a Penske double clicker shock and the 20mm front end kit and I absolutely love it. The whole bike feels smoother in it's responses to bumps and there is so much more adjusment that I can make versus the stock set up. It took a little tweaking to get the right spring rate as we tried it stiffer for Barber and a little softer for Pocono and Mid Ohio and I definitely seem to favor the lighter rate spring, the bike feels very compliant.

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