ozfireblade

Hey Guys, I have recently found that off camber uphill left handers similar in shape to a hairpin, are a bit of a problem, corners like Lukey heights at Phillip Island or crash corner ( last corner only left hand corner on track) at Broadford, small track in Victoria Australia, . I am finding that it fires up SRs, being that I cant see where Im going. The bike feels 'light' as I am cresting the top of the turn and it causes me to roll of the throttle and run even wider, opposite to what I want. I know I should come out wider and basically hook turn back towards the vanishing point but even when I do that I cant get used to the bike feeling so 'light' when cresting. Is there any idea or drill I can practice to sort out this problem or should I just harden up a bit . Could this be a suspension problem? Cheers Dylan

Another track day survived on Saturday and I went up a group. Again all the points we have discussed in this forum so far have all come out....again. After the recent Fatality at Phillip Island, day after WSBK, I was expecting things to be a bit more sedated, which it was. The Track providers were a little wary as it was a tad wet, but it dried up nicely, novice group had a few crashes, nothing too bad some sore heads and a few bruises. The other groups were pretty well behaved and only a couple of people that maybe should have remembered it was a ride day not a race day. So again the odd person charging corners and runing off track, straight line champions etc etc. The rule of coming in after going off track is a great idea and at my next track day I will have a word with the providers and raise that point. I find that like the checkered flag the Yellow can also be a problem. My last Phillip Island a yellow came out on the straight and the 4 bikes in front just all stood on the brakes and basically stopped, I was lucky cause my throttle was pinned and I managed not to hit anyone by using a little gap. Reducing speed gradually while being more aware of an incident is the safer oprtion. After 5 or 6 sessions I find I can get quite tired, before I didnt want to waste my money by not doing the last session and found that little mistakes crept in and my situational awareness wasnt as good. If I feel tired now I pull in and pack up. I see this at most track days, tired people in the last couple of sessions trying to go even faster than the earlier sessions when theyre more tired and less alert.

Elton awesome report!!! I have a couple of other comments to be taken into consideration. The cost of some providers plays a part, often because they don't get alot of riders they drop the price down,are furhter away, or dont have the name of some of the well known tracks. I know for me that cost is a big factor eg 2 major providers in australia 1 is $100 cheaper, and has leant me into going the cheaper option. Location and facilities are going to play a bit here aswell. Adding a bit more onto Eltons idea, there probably should be a national set of rules and requirements for any/all providers. This may sound a bit to far, however; everyone would be on the same page in regards to providers and more importantly us, the riders. Things like all flags mean the same, groups are all named and have rules the same. As Elton said have a test/assessment that riders could take online or on the day to see if they're in the right frame of mind,are they just going to be a 'cowboy' and if they have enough basic skill maybe an intermediate or advanced riding course? This may put the responsibilty back onto the provider to ween the cowboys out as Hotfoot mentioned Keith removing one from the track day, thereby providing a safer environment for us to learn and practice the skill schools like CSS have taught. I love my track days but I dont want to remember a track day for the wrong reasons like for example; lap 3 first session beginners group a guy tyres not warmed up not really confident at his first track day goes out too hard too soon and crashes breaking his arm. Would any of the comments I made above make a difference? Who knows but it might. Dylan

Never tried it but I have a track day on saturday so I'll have bit of a go at it

Gday Steveg, Welcome to the forum, tonnes of information and knowledge bouncing around in here. Biggest thing about having all this info is sometimes it overloads your brain I would suggest to learn one thing at a time......throttle control may be a good place to start. Dont read the books too quick take your time, unlike me who then got everything mixed up!! Enjoy your 2 days mate wish we had that opportunity in australia

+1 what Stuman said

Hey Greg, You pretty much hit the nail on the head, track days are like that in australia as well. Maybe give going out last in your group? seems to work here, bit more open space. Seeing as you race I would say just go into the fastest group as these guys can at least hold their line and if your practicing something they hopefully have the skill to get around you if needed. It also depends on the provider your riding with because some passing rules are different at least thats how it is here. Guess its ride and hope really Probably not very helpfull

Hey Stuman, It would have to be the two step.. its helped increase my corner speed and left me more confident in general with my track riding. Recently I went to a new track and found I wasn't going to quick I realised I was nervous learning the new track and wasn't doing two step correctly. In the next session I picked up corner speed dramatically, felt instantly confident a group went up and started lapping people. So for me the two step is the best thing I learned. Dylan

Sounded like they were pinnning the throttle too early and then the rear of the bike slides out

Thanks Jason, Your the third person in a few hours whos said the same thing to me, so I think I save the money and race something smaller and less tyre chewing, plus I wouldnt know what the engines like until I bought it. Ive spent a bit of times surfing classifieds, formula xtreme, and the list goes on... think 250 4 stroke stock racing may be the cheapest option Thanks for the help Dylan

Gday Russell, The school is just a short hop across the water, welcome to the forum, plus Im not sure if Steve, Adam and the rest of the team get to new zealand to often you should drop the Oz school a line and see. Dylan

Thanks Richard, sent him an email to see if he or one of his guys can come and give me a hand. Dylan

Hey all Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what to check and look out for when going to buy at a damaged motorbikes auction. I intend to race 600cc next year, but I want to get a bike set up now so I can get used to it. So if anyone has bought or knows of someone who bought please give some advice my way. I sort of have an idea of what to look for, but I want to go there with a big list of things to check before I impulse buy. Thanks Dylan

Two stories I had just bought a new fireblade ,2001 Erion racing honda cbr 929, and went round to a mates house to show it off. He had 2 really gorgeous girls who lived next door and this day one happened to be washing her car with not too much on. I was too busy perving at her that I forgot to put down my stand, so when I got off the bike it went over and I walked inside acting as if I had meant to do that. Once inside I nearly burst into tears waited untill the girl had gone inside then ran out picked up the bike and wheeled it into the garage. Best save was coming home in the rain and overtaking a car, same bike actually, as I accelerated the rear tire slipped on the white lines and sent me into a tank slapper at around 100km/h iin pouring rain, with the handelbars going to stops on both sides. Just loosened up on the bars and let the bike sort it out.

Congratulations DAD, my girls 8 and loves her bikes too!! It just gets better from here

Bugger on the shoulder thing, guess it gives you something to look forward too.The borneo thing sounds awesome how was it? where abouts ie terrain etc

Welcome mate, Victorian Im guessing?, I'm pretty much in the same tought as you! the amount of cameras out now and 'we hate bikes' (TAC) menatality that goes on, the track is the only place. Try and do Level 1 as soon as you can Its an eye opener. Steve, Adam and the guys at the Australian superbike school are awesome. Have you done any track days? where you from ? what do you ride? Dylan

welcome aboard and for advice...what Jody said!!

Welcome!!! By bored on track I'm guessing you mean that there was no oncoming traffic and other unknowns just around the corner as well as no any other 'surprises' like on the street!! You could try racing that might not be boring But like Jody and Stevo say its the best place to learn and practice, as well as having the "oh thats whats that feels like' and screaming in your helmet as you finally nail that corner just right. Me personally I LOVE the track, no oncoming, run off areas, other bikers, one way traffic, medical staff on standby, experts on track to ask questions of...I could go on...hope you end up enjoying the track as much as I do

You could try Shift they tend to be good for fitting people like us, otherwise its a custom suit for you or buy a bigger one and have it altered. Hope that helps

I dont know if those days are weekends but s??t dont you guys work?!! Because if you do I want your job!!

I think you need to refer to your bible TOTW2 and read chapter 14 page 64 set it and forget it like you said you may be thinking about it too much and as jaybird says under a certain speed counter steering wont work. Hope it helps

Track is one or two piece back protector etc Road is one or two piece back protector etc.. as ive seen a few prangs with people not wearing atgatt im pretty repetative reminding mates to wear the right gear.

Hmmm dubai's not far from australia do they rent bikes @ the track? how often do they run track days or weekends? Whats it cost? Dylan