Jasonzilla

I have a friend who races a Hyosung in CCS. He's a very good rider. He could only afford 1 bike, so he ditched the 600. He said he likes the Hyosung too much. Lots of people race the SV. You'll find plenty of parts.

I've got a truck now, so I can do some schools this spring/summer in Cali. Been dying to do level 3.

Howdy. Good to have you. As much as you'll learn lurking, you'll definitely learn more participating.

Good thinking guys. I would have never thought about either one of those. Besides a counter-clockwise Chuckwalla Valley Raceway now one of my favorite tracks, but I've narrowed the problem down. The longest straights get me up to about 130. I'm in 4th gear and it's only initial braking to 120. When I downshift and let up on the brakes, the chatter is completely gone. I'm going to test both things you suggested and see what happens. Problem is I can't just get the bike going to 130 when I'm not on the track so I'll have to get creative. On a siting lap I've even gone as far as letting the bars go at 80 to check for balance. It's well balanced, by the way. I'm really starting to think suspension is part of it.

OK, so I am taking it out again this weekend, but a couple of weekends ago this thing was rough. I have my bike and my trackbike. My bike is the one I bought new and I just picked up the trackbike. The turning on my bike is so easy. It's fast and the steering is loose feeling. The trackbike is burdensome to turn. I had to hold the bars all the way at the ends. It felt like more of a struggle. The end of the straight is about 140 mph. As soon as I started braking the front end shuttered more and more through the day. And that's not hard braking either. It's a small speed adjustment into 3, but it kept getting worse as time went on. All the hard parts are intact. Nothing is loose, but it was really starting to get to me. I'm doing Chuckwalla and won't hit that speed, but I'm going to take the front end apart to see if I can figure out what's going on. The suspension is a work in progress. I'm not too worried about that. Tweak here and there and I'll be alright. I'm going to make it something I can get used to, but I'm still scratching my head at how different the same type of bike can be.

Do you know if you're adding any tracks? Chuckwalla would kick butt. The off camber and bank would be awesome for education purposes.

I really wanted to, but didn't want to take up my wife's time. I'm courteous that way.

That's how much of a junkie I am: I got to Vegas early Sunday and all I could think of was you guys down the street having the greatest time. I went with my wife, so I couldn't go and watch. Glad you had a good time.

Didn't Soft Science come out between Twist I & II ? Cobie/Keith: please chip in here. Kai I cant be 100% certain of when SS was released Kai but order I read them in was twist, twist 2, then SS! regardless off their order of release though the next book will still be the 4th! Ilook forward to it being released, I suspect that all us forum members may have had a sneak peek at the books contents just by reading certain things on this forum! Bobby Then how was the third book not called TOTW 3? I'm not sure they put too much stock into the exact order you read them when naming/numbering their books. I stand corrected Kai lol, Jason, I think twist of the wrist 2 was called twist 2 since it was the second twist book even though as Kai pointed out it is the third book released, it would make sense then that if the next book was to use the twist name it would be twist 3, even though it would be the fourth book! As for the order they are read in, I think most people start with 2, then get into it and then go and buy twist 1, I think that a much lower percentage of people read SS which is a shame as its a really good book but can be tough going at times! Bobby LOL. We all knew that all along, Captain Obvious. We were just waiting for you to catch up.

Ah. The strong silent type. Welcome Q.

Didn't Soft Science come out between Twist I & II ? Cobie/Keith: please chip in here. Kai I cant be 100% certain of when SS was released Kai but order I read them in was twist, twist 2, then SS! regardless off their order of release though the next book will still be the 4th! Ilook forward to it being released, I suspect that all us forum members may have had a sneak peek at the books contents just by reading certain things on this forum! Bobby Then how was the third book not called TOTW 3? I'm not sure they put too much stock into the exact order you read them when naming/numbering their books.

I'd guess there would have to be a TOTW 3 first.

I bought some Dainese when I started riding track 3 years ago and hate them. Luckily I can't get them to wear out. It's killing me. I need an excuse to buy a new pair. I just started dragging my hand on the ground, and think I can get rid of them soon, at least the left one anyway.

'98 Suzuki Marauder '99 Triumph Legend (still regret getting rid of that bike) '05 ZX6R (still own) '08 EX-650 (still own) '05 ZX6R trackbike (still own)

My thoughts exactly. I'm sure he's never experienced that, and at that point he's in the same boat as all of us would be: new situation. I've seen people who don't drop the bike go into the walls at very high speeds. Whether by luck or with intent, I'm sure tucking the front is the best thing that could have happened.

The bikes change by the lap. Tire wear, weight, it's just what happens. If these guys applied the principles more effectively and mindfully, I don't think they'd have made it to that level.

I commute on my bike most of the time, and when I'm really riding on the street, or am not thinking about it while riding on the street, my knee habitually comes out. Nowhere near the ground, but it just does it. On the track I've gotten into the habit of having my knee out just before where the hard parts drag as a warning. On a 2.75 mile, 21 turn course, I drag my knee on 2-3 of them on any given lap. Unless I know where the photographers are. When I'm working on increasing my entry speed in a particular corner, once I'm at full lean, I'll put my knee out to let me know how much more speed I can carry through that corner. Sometimes I've got a few inches, sometimes my knee was hovering just above the ground. As long as your knee is farther out than your hard parts, it's a matter of comfort.

The good news is it can only get better. I've been riding track for 3 years now, and am just now getting to where I think improving on my bike will get me on par with my riding peers. It always would have helped, but that wouldn't have helped me improve as a rider.

Cobie put it best. Learning how BP affects the bike is important, but then you should move on. I think too many people place too much importance on BP. Your BP is good, just make sure you're locking in that outside leg and relax your arms. Other than that, you may end up looking pretty in pictures, but not improving your times. Learn what actually makes the bike go faster and how to control it, and you'll be better off in the long run.

From you guys (thanks) I've found a couple of things going on. The Pilot Powers on my bike are rounded from track riding on top of the commuting, and my new one has been commuted on, and still have the standard 1 inch chickenstrips. I think wearing it down will help with some of the issues, along with balancing the tires (huge difference). One thing I found, and felt stupid after two days of screwing with it, is that the chain was ultra tight. Not even half an inch of play. For any newer riders: a chain that is too tight is going to lock up your suspension. It will limit the amount of play your rear suspension can give. The rest is, I guess just down to suspension, although I am going to take some more advice from above and change all the fluids. My ZX has exactly 3 suspension adjustments to them with about a year between each. That's a lot of time to get used to a suspension. I just thought I couldn't have gotten that used to one set-up verses another. I'm going to work on it a couple days this week and next weekend at Inde. I'll post up how it went so those of you interested can read the results. Thanks again.

Howdy. I'm in Gilbert. A lot of us are going to be at Inde 23-24th. If you end up liking track riding, hit me up. This is like the last one of the year at Inde, but there is also Chuckwalla and, as you probably know, Firebird. There is a huge group of track riders here. I'm also on Devil-riders. A lot of them are on there, and most of them are younger. Good people though. Good to have you on here. Great site.

I love Rossi, don't get me wrong, and I in no way think the racing was illegal (and I think Eslick is the biggest ----- ------- ------- I've ever seen in racing), but bumping Lorenzo wasn't cool. Although Lorenzo didn't need to take those risks, was frustrated and had every right to vent his frustrations.

@ acebobby- I haven't had it on the track yet. I got it a couple of days ago and don't have a trackday until the 23rd (Inde and I CAN'T WAIT). @ Bullet- When I got the bike the throttle cable was real loose, and it's taking some work to get it to that sweet spot I'm used to. On the front, when I'm coming off the brakes it doesn't feel as stable as when I'm on my bike. Same tires on the same type bike. And I've kept my commuter completely stock. I've worked on the suspension today and can't get that planted feeling when I'm going in or turning. I'm not getting the peg to the ground or anything, but, on this backroad right by my apartments, I have two nice left and right corners to work with and even going just pretty fast I feel that I have to be completely off the brakes before going into the turn. I don't think I should feel that if it's the exact same bike. I'm hesitant on the street to crack the throttle normally, but I'm not sure if that won't affect getting back on the throttle on the track. I was going back and forth and back again without any increased comfort. It still needs some balancing and obviously tweaking on the suspension, but I was uncomfortable riding home when I bought it because it felt so odd, and maybe that carried over. It rides so much differently than mine. I'm going to work on it Thursday or Friday, whichever day I have off, but I'll let you know how it goes. I guess I thought it would be easy because it's the exact same bike. AND I NEED STOMPGRIP!!! First mod. Coming in the mail.

After 3 years of not messing with gearing, or taking weight off, or upgrading anything because my was riding my commuting bike on the track, I'VE FINALLY GOT A TRACK BIKE!!! The only thing is that it's an '05 ZX6R. My commuting bike is an '05 ZX6R. I figure if it works, why try fixing it? It's a great bike, and feels comfortable at everything. The problem I'm finding is that no matter what I do, I can't get it to feel like my commuting bike. It's just not as smooth. I've been working on it relentlessly for 1 1/2 days with improvement over how I bought it, but not really feeling comfortable on it. Work work work.