SpencerYPM

None so far but hoping to get to one/two this next year as soon as our matrix is finalised.

Just been reading about the testing for WSB riders and was jogged into thinking about something that came to me over this past season. Its to do with seat height, what differences will a lower or further back seat make to my bike? Let me explain more... Last year I raced to different bikes, a TZR250 with a low seat, on the rails - and an RD350YPVS with the stock seat (tippy toes almost). in my mind the lower seat seemed to make more sense centre of gravity etc etc. Thing is that some leading riders told me I needed to get the seat up to push my weight forward? Also riding the taller bike (which I was faster on) felt better when at100% race pace. Whats the general thinking on this?

I have some experience of this. On a road (NS400R) a pedistrain stepped out in front of me, the front tucked and the bike was going over. In a split second I managed to kick the floor with the ball of my foot and the bike popped back up. Was quite odd. Second to that I was at a very wet race at Silverstone and a rider came off in front of me, his bike was over and about to hit when he took the bang on knee and body and came off. Bike picked itself up and carried on once the weight was off it. carried on for a good 300 yards before gently stopping on the tyre wall minus its owner. All I could conclude is that a dramatic weight reduction at the inside foot peg, or a push back at that point must be able to re-traction a bike.

Slightly confused, I understand that having the nut lower and to the inside is better, but struggling with the orientation of the head. Your Avatar has your visor line almost parallel to the ground, but bellevuetlr has his inline with the bike? Like the cake theorum - works for me

Where abouts is the optimum position for your head, mine is always in the bubble - hence the crossed up. If I put the head lower and to the inside does that not make the speed seem faster? See my point? Some riders ride with the the head parallel to track while others orientated to the bike - what is best???

I had a search around and this is classic me at Druids/Brands from last season. http://www.racing-line-photography.com/BZ_...ge=wl7w2389.jpg See what I mean body is off but twisted - I'm doing this naturally? I raced at Croix in France and as it was a non championship round for me I went and purposely tried to eradicate this "dated" style and I did I think. http://www.racing-line-photography.com/ima...es/pveo6806.jpg But as soon as it was important, I reverted subconsciously.

Just a quick one, does it make a whole heap of difference where your head is physically during a turn? I notice from shots taken of me while racing that I'm crossed up a little ala Mick Doohan. Its my natural position when riding, but would forcing my body position to another style make me faster/safer in the long run? Would pushing the head lower and more forward be better? Also would sitting lower on the bike or higher, or further back make a big difference at my level?

Posted this up for fun/discussion this was my onboard at Snett this year I'm on a RD350YPVS which has more drive but heavier and worse brakes than the TZR's its pitched at. warts and all!

I never once got any indication of the tyres sliding or even any movement on the previous five laps. Then it just let go ferociously, normally they howl, or slide quite gently as a warning.

I interviewed Leon for the Metro when he was on the Duke with Shakey and he gave me some pointers - really nice guy. His advance after your training certainly is part of my theory that its me that needs tuning - and not the bike. Anyway Here's the highside story, make of it what you will. I went to Cadwell and never practiced and only ever managed one race last season before blowing an engine. So I was a bit blind, the current leader in the YPM is awesome through the hall bends section and he walked the bit with me and showed me where to be and where gear changes should be etc. Come the first race I should have gone a bit easier, but... I got one of my customary good starts and settled in 5th I think? So I was with racers that knew the ground better than me and I was being pulled along. I dropped to 8th or something and it became a bit of a dogfight and I know I was a little aggressive and ragged. I was using his tips and clearly quicker through the section he'd walked with me. So I was doing all my passes or catching riders in this part. On the 5th lap I came over the mountain and into Hall Bends I downchanged, tipped it right, then left. I wound on the throttle same as the last four times through I thought, I felt the rear tyre chatter/slide and go down on the left hand side. Next I'm bouncing along hearing that tarmac fibreglass sound. From the kit its apparent I landed on my left temple/shoulder first. I thought I'd lowsided until the marshalls informed me I did a Lorenzo and was a good 15 feet up? Not sure how much they exaggerated. My teamate broke down on that corner and witnessed the lot all he remembers seeing is me holding on to the bars handstand style before it ejected me. Recently at Brands the bike was recognised by some Superteen riders and they witnessed it and thought I was a goner. So it was obviously quite impressive . the only pics of it are aftermath here. http://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/BMCRCAug20...k-YPM/image/31/ http://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/BMCRCAug20...k-YPM/image/30/ Bike was almost undamaged which was odd, brake lever was sheared though at a weird angle. So I need to get faster off my own bat I think rather than ride others races and score by purely being brave.

Thanks mate, I've read Twist of the wrist/Soft science etc a good few times and applied the teachings where I can. I even read it just before a race sometimes to jog my memory I have found it useful to say the least, that and my onboard camera that shows clearly mistakes being made by the boatload. Highside was so fast I could do nothing about it, I never even realised I'd highsided until the marshall's told me! Anyway, I'll get along to a school next year and get my training underway.

Currently running in the top ten of the YPMRC, but more by sheer aggression than total skill. I can ride alright, and know that I'm making mistakes - but I need to improve this next season dramatically. Currently not riding competitively due to a highside at Cadwell thats left me with an A/C joint dislocation. What would you suggest as a starter at the school for me? Thanks Spencer