Bullet
-
Posts
792 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Bullet
-
-
Do these straps actually prevent the bike tipping side to side?
They're brilliant, they don't damage tyres either. We have one of the school bikes strapped down with the tyre down and we do static paddock drills for students body positions on it, and it works a treat.
Bullet
-
That's quite nifty isn't it....! Wonder if they sell that badboy in the UK? :-)
Bullet
-
OK, I hear a lot of different things about tying down bikes. So I have some questions:
1) Is it bad for the suspension to tie a bike down tight, compressing the front forks? Is there any problem with leaving a bike tied down like that overnight?
2) If you think it is detrimental to compress the forks, what do you do instead? Do you use one of those fork brace things that goes on top of the front tire? Use a clamping front chock? Tie the back down?
3) Do you tie a knot in your tie-downs to lock them down? Have you ever had them slip and loosen over the course of a trip?
4) I usually use a Canyon Dancer but recently someone told me they "ruin your handgrips and can damage the throttle." Any truth to that? Have you experienced it (I've been using them a long time and haven't had any trouble) and if so, what do you do instead?
5) I never use ratcheting tie downs because I have heard they give so much leverage you can bend your bars, is that true?
FWIW, I currently use a Canyon Dancer, a front chock that cups the front tire but does not clamp it, I use 2 tie-downs in front and 2 in back, and I knot the front ones but not always the back. I did have a tied down slip once and that is why I use the knots. Haven't had any problems with this plan (so far), but maybe I am ruining my suspension and my handgrips.
I look forward to hearing what others do, especially tips for quick, easy, reliable techniques.So, answers quickfire.
1) Is it bad for forks, yes if you wind them down to the bottom, if you put just enough tension in (about half way), it seems ok. Ohlins forks have seals made from jello, and are a bit suscpetable for it, but if you're careful, its fine. Overnight, yeap, I've done it loads of times.
2) The rear "tyre down" gadgets are fantastic if you can use them, don't require any compression at all
3)I do in mine, and I do use ratchet straps. I ratchet them down enough to stop side to side movement and it won't slip, then just tie the ends up, stop them flapping.
4)I'm assuming that's a handlebar strap that goes over the yokes? If so, yes, they can damage the grips as the load is on them.
5) I never use the bar, if you can crash bungs are great, frames are good, etc, etc. On the Ducati I use only two, over the trellis frame, out at about 60 degress from the bike, down reasonably hard and voila, no probs.
Hope that helps Hotfoot. it's a personal thing, but it's what I do, and have done for years.
Bullet
-
I find Jason, even riding brand new bikes from the school that they often feel a little different. The suspension is very open to changes, and the points bobby talks about all very sound. We've noted big variation on feel, even when they're on the same settings. It's just mass produced kit for you really to some degree.
I'd also check things like wheel alignment, and get the bouncy bits overhauled, makes huge differences. I know some of the Zx10's I've ridden have loads of shock problems, with the loosing all their gas.
Bullet
-
Jason, what exactly is it that your not feeling? What are the big differences?
Bullet
-
Anyone gonna get the last bit of sun before winter???
I will be there!!!
Sorry mate, no, we're going to Angelsey this weekend instead. Weather looks good.
You done the track before?
Bullet
Not done Anglesey, nor Silverstone, apart from Stowe for my Level 1, 2 years ago (old config.) Looks like fun for a practice session... Wide, not TOO fast... I was really hoping for the GP circuit though!!!
Anglesey too far for me, bro!!!
My mechanic and riding friend who took us to Nurburgring in Germany thinks that Anglesey is the best track in UK... Looks like a blast on TV!!!
Are you all healed up now then Bullet?? 110%???
Angelsey is a great circuit, though, and it's a big though, is a bloody long way from most people, (it's 2 hours from Manchester where I live), and the facilities are, well terrible. The tracks great though, very challenging.
Am I all healed, yeah, shoulders ok mate, big plate in it still and it's not great in leathers because the plate rubs as it sticks out so far, but no problems beyond that.
Have a good day man, I've got man flu and probably won't be going now.
Bullet
-
Ok I think I have it in the order.
It is down to one uncertaintly... Level 3 starts with Pivot Steering? Or is that part of the Quick Turn drill from level 1? If it is Quick Turn then what starts Level 3??
L3 drill 1, hook turn.
Bullet
-
Anyone gonna get the last bit of sun before winter???
I will be there!!!
Sorry mate, no, we're going to Angelsey this weekend instead. Weather looks good.
You done the track before?
Bullet
-
Since I have taken up riding track days I have met, been on track with and had advice and pointers from some of the top riders in the world, these include
Randy Mamola,
Nial Mackenzie,
James Whitham,
Simon Crafar,
Jeremy Mcwilliams,
Bullet
Alex Debon,
Stuart Easton,
and a good few more and they have always been very approachable and happy to talk with you, next week I will be doing my last day of the year and one of my all time favourite riders John McGuinness is going to be there with Nial Mackenzie, at my local track.
Really the point I was making with this post is, isn't it amazing that you can get the opportunity to chat with guys like this about bikes, lines, etc etc, I dont think there's many other sports you could take up where you get the chance to talk with the top guys about it!
Bobby
I suggest you might want take me out of the list, though it did make me laugh a lot. They're all way quicker than me son, way.
I'd put money on me being a better coach than a lot of them though. 
Being able to go quick, doesn't neccesarily mean you're a good coach. 
You've definitely met some cool people though, I grant you. Mcguiness seems like a really nice bloke, let us know how it goes.
Bullet.
-
Fantastic clips there eirik, really great to watch. Makes you wish it was more like that now for sure. Get rid of all the technlogy i say. let them learn respect for the bikes again.
Oh, and I didn't see anything wrong with it myself, firm, yes, but they were both as bad as each other really. Pride is a terrible thing sometime eh?
Bullet
-
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
Gutted for you mate, and felt your pain myself.
Get back on that bike soon.
Bullet
-
I've watched it a few times, and you can see it all went wrong very, very quickly. Apparently (in the UK press today), the throttle cable snagged in the throttle housing (i.e. the cable in the twistgrip), and the bike was pinned and he couldn't roll of the gas. Having seen how quick these bikes are up close and in person, I doubt anyone would have been able to do anything different given the space he had, and the speed the bike was already going. He clearly hit the brakes which is why it tucked the front on him, but the bikewas driving as hard as it could, I reckon I'd have hit the brakes too.
Were there SR's involved there though, which was the question? Definitely, but we all get them, it's the ability to override them and counter them that's the real skill, and I don't believe he had the time to do it, even if he had the pressence of mind.
Bullet
-
Thanks all for the warm welcome.
Rode it as a two wheeler later in my 8th year.... and about the same time we got a Honda CT90 as well.
The bikes took us to all sorts of mad places our parents never really knew where... Shingle pits, rivers, etc. See we lived in a rural area.
At 17 I got my first road bike. It was 5 years old, and had 20000k on it.
It was a Honda 2 Stroke Triple. I won't mention the name, or something really bad will happen to the site or something!
Sorry, but you did ask
God that takes me back. I actually couldn't ride when I was smaller, but a mate of mine had a Honda Cub C90, and we used to run around all over the place hooning around, jumping it, and generally getting into trouble. I was absolutely terrified the first time I got on one of those. Your post made me have really funny and fond memories of that time as kid man. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your experience, made great reading over a morning brew. I hope I can reel of such a great biking history in about 20 years time. LOL
Bullet
-
OK i know every year some desperate person wants to know whats going on next year, so this time its me!
I never did any CSS schools this year as I made the decision to spend my money on track time instead, but after a year of ups and downs I have decided that next year I am going to begin the season with my level 4!
So this brings me to, whens the schedule coming out?
Also if you guys are doing a spanish camp, where is your bike pickup an dropoff location?
Thanks
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
The scheduel is usually available around NEC time, as we have to annouce it then, so think end of November. You'll find out pretty much the same time as we will.
Will there be a spanish camp in New year? I'm afraid I don't know mate. As soon as I know, you will. Where is the pickup, I'm afraid it's the unit, and of course, that's Northants, and moon miles from you fella. Perhaps if you want to do a camp (and I'd definitely reccomend the experience), perhaps a hire bike's more practical?
As soon as I find out, I'll post on here Bobby.
Bullet
-
Perhaps lowering the tyre pressure would be a good thing on cool days?
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
-
1. A couple weeks ago I was watching MotoGP when Stoner tucked the front (halfway + through the turn) on a long, fast sweeper. Why?? Once leaned over slow push and release then roll-on. Don't understand how the front washes out after completing most of the turn.
2. Staying loose while riding = pretty easy; loose while racing... huh??? Predicated on the Spies' Yamaha commercial "..with you tongue through the front wheel and barely hanging on..." Is there some sort of technique to stay loose when you're pushing so hard? I think it normal to tighten-up when you're giving it everything you've got, you're 100% determined and your adrenaline is flowing.
....I'm getting pretty light on the bars, twisting my hips and locking-in my lower body; at non-insane speeds. I'm wondering with that amount of intensity how someone could maintain such physical calmness.
In the UK, there was an interview somewhere, and Stoner was quoted as saying "I rolled off the gas and leaned it more to change the line". . . . Wonder why he crashed?
With respect to staying relaxed at 100%. Well, when you know how it should feel, as soon as you do feel yourself tense up you can resolve it. It's not easy for sure, but it's definitely an improvement. I often find myself when racing in the moment that I do the relax drill mid corner, and voila.
Bullet
Bullet
-
Well, looks like this will be hard. Neither Ohlins, nor the Motorrad online EPC show springs as separate parts for the rear shock, and the EPC doesn't even show springs on the cartridge. Ohlins webpage says no parts are available for the S1000RR, but that could be because it has yet to be updated. Will I need to replace the whole cartridge on the front? or just the springs? I have no experience with these adjustable forks the kids a running these days!
I'd suggest you just need to look around try the S1000RR forum, when I was considering buying one of these, there were a lot of very knowledgeable people over there who've done all these mods to your bike already.
Your local suspension guy will also be able to advise you on which parts they need. You can definitely get Ohlins cartridges for the forks, but in all honesty, unless your a heavy trackday user or racer, it's very expensive upgrade and not worth it when a couple of hundred dollars max is more than enough to resolve this issuette. The right spring weight and a modification of the shims to adjust the damping will suffice, same for the shock too, possibly different weight oil will all help get you in the right zone.
Bullet
-
Welcome man.
Tell everyone a bit about your previous riding, etc, etc.
Bullet
-
OK, there's problems with cold tires, but what about a cold track? Or more to the point, what temperature is a practical lower limit for a track day? I've had good traction and feel I can push it on warmer days but I have no experience in cooler temperatures so I'm hesitant. If it's 45F in the morning and 65F for a high, will that be OK?
What you moaning at man, that would be almost an invitation for stripping of in the UK. Those are nearly tropical temperatures those temp.
OK, joking aside, if you use tyre warmers, then you'd be ok, we have trackdays that we run good times around that lower temp, the upper temperature you'd absolutely no worries at all, and we often race over here at the ambient temp. Word of warning with the colder temps though. The tyres even out of warmers, still need a little respect, and I'd still give them sometime to really lean on them. If it's really, really cold, lower than 45, you should really consider the tarmac isn't as grippy much below this, and you should not expect quite the same grip as a sunny warm day. knee down is possible etc, but mindful of the available traction.
Bullet
-
Hi mate,
welcome to the school forum, great to have a new recruit. Nice bike the S1000RR, a real missile with manners, a very fine choice indeed.
Hope you'll stick around, post some questions and see if you can improve your knowledge.
Bullet
-
The owner's manual says sag should be 10mm to 15mm front, 20mm to 25mm rear. Which end of the range should I be at?
Hi mate,
I would be amazed if you could get those (Rider) sag settings on the standard springs with your mass I'm afraid. Until you get the right rider sag figures, you're pretty much chasing yourself around, as you need to keep the suspension in it's optimum zone. All the pre-load in the world can't change the spring weight, and these types of bikes are normally set for your joe aveerage rider weight so fully expect you're going to have put springs in either end to get that I'm afraid.
The real answer is go and take it to a suspension specialist, they'll measure it for you, and advise on the right springs for you and the bike, as it does vary from bike to bike in what spring you need, but I'd suggest something like a 10.5nm to 11nm spring either end is likely to be right. Without knowing, i'd guess that perhaps the BM has something like a 8.5 or 9Nm springs as standard.
Bullet
-
Well, the pics seem pretty conclusive to me. You can see you're not leaning of as far (and rotating), and you look much more comfortable and stable.
Great job, and buy the pics cheapskate. :-)
Bullet
-
Great work helping Crash out guys, you disected his problem briliiantly well.
Crash, glad you got a quick/good resolution by applying the tech.Bullet
-
P.s. Bullet, don't confuse that statement to mean you are the best coach on the planet:D
No fear there my friend, no fear whatsoever!
B
On Track With Some Of The Top Guys In The World!
in School Questions/General Discussion
Posted
Bobby,
It did indeed make me laugh, it was very funny and very kind of you to say so. The reality my friend, is any of the guys/girls qualified around the world are all just as good and in many cases much better coaches than I. There are some unbelievably good people, their observation skills and ability to disect rider issues is simply unbelieveable, to the point sometimes I am aghast myself.
Lovely compliment, thanks, funny and tongue in cheek as it was, I'm kinda middle of the road at best really (in an exceptional team).
Bullet