abhoy

Smoothness is key. Looks like the front gets loaded causing the back to swing around. The good saves look like they gassed it and countered the slide.

Having done CSS Levels One and Two, the most valuable lesson I brought with me from CSS is " DON"T PANIC!" At every given speed, line, corner entry, straight line, most of us are never near the limits of what the bike can do. However WE do make mistakes. How we react to the situation at hand determines the outcome. I've make many mistakes on track, going at high speeds, yet my worst outcome was just running off the track. Where as many other riders lowside, highside, wipe out, hit other riders. On the track, having the run off room, I choose to stand up my bike instead of grabbing the brakes, chopping the throttle, or anything else that could upset my bike at full lean. On the street I just slow my pace down. In the canyons, I usually do a slow run to check the conditions for gravel, leaves, etc. Then I turn around and run it again at a faster but not race track pace.

yes my friend this is Reem track and i have taken level 1, i will use your time above to explane what is happening: T1 (0:00) i was getting a video of the guy in front of me when i decided to go for it. T2 (0:23) i am going from 5th gear to 2nd after i start braking, and i brake late so the rear tire is not stable and i have to turn quick so i can make the turn. Brake hard first then ease off as you ready to turn in T2 (0:23) i was not on the right side when i turned ( i was clumsy ) and there is a nasty bump in the middel of the turn that makes me nerves. T4 (0:36) i did not open the throttle smoothly to the remanded of the turn just kept it slightly open. throwing the bike from side to side makes me nerves. TC#1 T4 (0:36) bliping the throttle is a very very difficult thing to do, and i do not know how to do it with braking so i just brake and down shift and since i late brake i have to wait for the bike to settle a bit then i turn it, that is why i ran wide. Timing to get your shift down to your gear before you get to turn in point T6 (0:55) i am trail braking at this turn that is why i do not just turn, i have to calm the bike to the turn. You need to calm down first T7 (1:03) i am just scared here, thinking that the bike will slide when i apply the throttle here. T8 (1:08) thank you, last year i lost a podium position because my line was not that good so i have learned from my mistakes. T9 (1:15) having trouble with this turn, some fast guys are not braking when they enter the turn but i just tutch the brake lever. Some turns only require slight roll of the throttle, no brakes. T10 (1:20) the straight after the turn is not that far from it and there is a bump when you turn so i get nerves. If the bump is not at your max lean why worry about it? Your bike has suspension for that. T11 (1:25) i need HELP. thank you for your help and opinion, i hope that i have explained some of my problems on the track. i am racing on Thursday hope i can do better. IMO

I had an incident at Thunderbolt, I did the quick turn more aggresively than usual, and ended up scraping my foot peg which sent me into "sphincter overload". But NO I didn't lose the front tire.

Well, Bullet, here in America we have awesome highways, with 4 -5 lanes which can accomodate 180bhp of a litre bike. Of course it is the utmost irresponsible thing to do, ripping up America's highways and blatantly breaking all the speed limit laws. If one should chose to indulge in reckless street riding and political incorrectness, do so at your own risk. Preferably on a liter bike.

The BT-016 is considered a sport/trackday tire. I wouldn't waste $$ on using it for touring. Read this article from Sport Rider magazine on Sport/Track day tires: http://www.sportrider.com/gear/146_0904_street_track_tire_comparison_test/index.html CSS has a great deal on their Dunlops when you take the course.

I use a bicycle pump "Joe Blow" which as you pointed out has a lock in place device. it is used more at the track where I want to carefully regulate tire pressures by a few psi. Car cigarette lighter type pumps also have the locking tip.

I have been on a track 46 degrees F, first lap out on a gsxr1000 with cold Bridgestone 16 tires, had knee on the ground by turn 6. On a fast 120 +mph corner I could feel my front tire give a little. Yet I have seen so many first lap crashes on cold tires. Being smooth may be the key difference, and do not load the front tire at full lean. (meaning don't chop the throttle or brake) If you do canyon riding I believe you should have sufficient grip, which won't make up for lack of cornering ability.

I think practice and such will take you to your highest level, but not neccessarily equal to the demigods of MotoGp. It would be fair to say that each individual is driven by his own levels of drive, determination and passion. Another individual attribute is how each person learns and understands things.

Tires heat up more from aggresive use such as hard braking, hard cornering where the tire carcass is flexed. Not so much from speed. If you hit the twisties aggresively your tires will start to heat up. If you cruise the twisties it won't heat so much, but then you won't be at severe lean angles. Sport/track tires have most grip on the sides for lean angles, with very little threads or sipes for water.

Cornering master = posts a lot. Trailbraking is used when appropriate. Not all corners require braking.

I'm not sure but could have been the race at Assen, Randy was very competitive but you could clearly see his bike bucking around more than most bikes / factory Hondas. Is it his riding style, incorrect setup, or the chassis I can't say. But he impressed me.

Hi, YNOT. I watched the DVD yesterday night. Watching it again cleared out some things for me. I freaked out and was frustrated yesterday after a ride with my buddies. One of them has ridden for 3 weeks only. I couldn't catch up with them. I was riding the same twisties alone today, and i felt more confident. how? well, i watched some part of the TW on DVD, read the chapter dealing with QT, followed the advice of Crash106 by following the yellow line on highway and then white line. It was very intimidating at first. One of the reason I couldn't have enough nerves yesterday to quick turn my bike was because: - I was starting right from the middle of the lane. I was too scary to get closer to the white line and go farther into the corner. - I was trying to keep countersteering AFTER I flicked the bike over. - Oncoming traffic - Unfamiliar with the road - Trying to hang-off at almost every turn (just because I didn't know what to expect from the turn) There are still MANY, MANY things too unclear for me, but I will need to sort them out for myself first. YNOT, you've done levels 1 - 2. can you please tell me what exactly they teach at level 1 ?? thanks guys Amid, Its best you learn these things on the track. Personally I don't do the QT, knee on the ground, hanging off when I am riding on the street. On the street I practice visuals and throttle control, minor stuff. You have realized that your actions/reactions are fear based, and not understanding the basics. Keith said our instincts and normal reactions are counter-intuitive to motorcycle riding. Level 1 is an eye opener for sure. They teach you throttle control.... how to judge your corner entry speed... Amid - don't try to sort it out yourself...get professional help... I see you've signed up for level 1. Good for you.

Amid, Read Jason's post above, watch the DVD at least. Hard to put into words when riding is learning by experience and feel. I highly recommend doing CSS levels 1 and go from there.

It is "What should it FEEL like" ? When you remove the distrations of braking and downshifting, and just concentrate on feeling your corner entry speed, it becomes quite accurate. Obviously it's safer to start at slower speeds then gradually increase speed.

I rode with Team Promotion too at T'bolt last year, and one of their coaches tailing me pulled me aside and said I was turning in too fast/quickly. This was in T6 or T7 the left hander. I never felt the bike was out of control, my entry speed was great, I braked and turned in late at or past the cone, squaring off the corner, hitting the apex. I've done levels 1 & 2 with Cobie and Jon and learnt the quick turn. My analysis is that CSS taught us to look at the apex cone a few seconds/feet before the turn cone, then turn on the mark (X). Most riders I noticed do not do the quick turn but more of the slow turn. The slow turn usually starts way before the turn in cone (X). The rider behind you doing the slow turn would see you turning in quickly. IMO

I just read an explanation on this. Before this can take place, you will have to have reached a "balanced" state where the centrifugal forces are equal to the forces trying to pull you towards the ground, usually when leaned over about 50 degrees (due to the width of the tyres). When the bike is leaned over less, let's say 20 degrees, you cannot expect to maintain your line if you let go of the handlebars. There is an interesting shot in the Twist 1 (yes 1) video/DVD, that shows Keith on a CBR 1000 I think on a skidpad and leaned over, holding the throttle with 2 fingers, thumb and forefinger I think--has anyone see this shot recently? Don't think he has much pressure on the bars at that point. CF Nice plug Cobie. You just reminded me that I need to buy the DVD. Cobie, just so you know I bought TOTW II dvd. I think there is a shot on the steering bike with 2 up riders. The rear rider was steering while the front rider was controlling the throttle. The amazing shot was when after making the steering input into the turn the rear rider let go of the steering handle bars, while the front rider kept on the throttle. Bike still turned on its line. And yes there is a cameo appearance of you in this dvd too.

Ok ~ you got me thinking about this and I had to revise my answer. In most corners: ie .T1 at T'Bolt Close throttle, brake, release brake, quick turn, NO throttle. Bike is at corner entry speed, rolling, leaning, scrubbing off speed. No, I don't trailbrake yet. I have to take levels 3 & 4. [my plug] At full lean, start rolling on the throttle. T2 and T3 at T'Bolt Roll off throttle slightly to load front, not close completely, quick turn, hold throttle.

I'm pretty shameless about plugging that stuff, aren't I? It's been around, looks a little older, but it's not like the information isn't still applicable. I even worked in that video too--I remember diong one scene where I was supposed to miss a car on a curvy road. I was crowding the yellow line a little bit, and the car (driven by the director), was supposed to be a little over the yellow. Well, he was WAY over the yellow, and I really did darn near hit him! Not much acting needed in that scene Best, CF Cobie, Throttle errors: (making you go wide) 1. You roll on the gas too soon. Before it is fully leaned into the turn. (Keith Code) I’ve been a bit confused. I thought the moment after I quick turn I was supposed to roll on the throttle to stabilize the bike. This reads that I should wait until the lowest point of lean before rolling on the throttle. I know you don't want us adding throttle and lean angle at the same time....which seems i am doing. Is this the correct sequence? Turn in Bike starts to lean, and turning headed towards apex. (maintain throttle – no rolling on) (the bike is scrubbing speed) Bike is now at first point of full lean. Start to roll on ~ NOW ! Roll on but maintain lean angle (do not add more) Throttle control to keep on the line, too much will go wide Look at exit cone, drive out at apex The Apex is the point where we should be driving out and start to pick up the bike. Thanks

I just read an explanation on this. Before this can take place, you will have to have reached a "balanced" state where the centrifugal forces are equal to the forces trying to pull you towards the ground, usually when leaned over about 50 degrees (due to the width of the tyres). When the bike is leaned over less, let's say 20 degrees, you cannot expect to maintain your line if you let go of the handlebars. There is an interesting shot in the Twist 1 (yes 1) video/DVD, that shows Keith on a CBR 1000 I think on a skidpad and leaned over, holding the throttle with 2 fingers, thumb and forefinger I think--has anyone see this shot recently? Don't think he has much pressure on the bars at that point. CF Nice plug Cobie. You just reminded me that I need to buy the DVD.

Once your bike is leaned over, I believe Keith stated that you can take your hands off the handle bars (assuming throttle control), your bike will continue leaned and on its line. I have seen Biaggi wheelie while leaned over and continue on the rear wheel leaned over. He had to drop the front quickly in order to change direction. I had a similar experience coming out of turn 1 at Lightning, NJ going over the crest at mid lean, front wheel coming up, and I'm still leaning over. Lessen your grip which will lessen your tank slapper.

You could've learned that by just by picking up "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. Much cheaper that way, and hilarious if you like the British humour Kai Cheaper maybe, as effective ~ NO. The way Keith put it: Ever see a pro rider try to regain control of his bike only to fall off, after which the riderless bike recovers and continues down the track? No SR inputs - LOL

I recently watched the 2007 MotoGp DVD review which has the onboard camera view. It seemed to me that when Rossi would turn in, the rpm continues to drop until the apex, then rpm would rise. It didn't seem like he was getting on the throttle immediately to get to the 60/40. 1. Are my observations wrong? 2. Or is he trailbraking all the way to the apex? (I've never tried trailbraking, so I don't know)

Best thing I learned: DO NOT PANIC. This allows the rider to recover from mistakes without trigerring SRs.