crozzer

I am not a racer, nor one of the "fast guys." I have a question for those guys though... In slow-speed maneuvers, it is a basic thing to "pull" with the motor while lightly dragging the rear brake. The bike lifts from chain tension. In theory (or my limited understanding of it), this seems like it would have really great turn-in and mid-turn applications. It seems it would lift the bike and provide stability. (and no, we are not worried about locking the rear tire if the engine is pulling...) For example, think of being at a stand-still, waiting to pull away at a light. Rear-brake on, a little bit of clutch and throttle, the bike lifts noticeably, without actually applying any forward torque to the rear tire. So here is a specific question: If a little bit of maintenance throttle is good, might a little bit more be better, then cancel out the forward effect on the tire by rear-braking. Wouldn't this be a really good dynamic in a turn? (let the flames begin...)

Where can I prepay? ;-)

Heya Bill! Crosby here from Remedy. I'm trying to make August work - thanks for the heads-up. Love the new wheels by the way - looking sharp. Cheers

Part of riding confidently through this turn would have included taking in your surroundings. "I didn't see him" is no excuse (think of what you would think if a cage said that about you.) Bikes and cars and people don't come from no-where, but they do come from hidden places. Clearly, you entered that turn beyond your ability to react safely to a mid-turn surprise. I'd start there. Then, you could also increase your handling skills. Have you practiced panic braking? Panic braking in a turn? As someone pointed out, a decent "rule of thumb" is "could you stand it up and brake hard enough to lift the rear." Personally, I try to gauge if I could come to a complete stop before colliding with something beyond (or hidden from) my visual horizon. When I am "pushing it" I figure I can get to mostly stopped (~20 MPH) before colliding. Another point. Do track time. As car drivers, it is easier to choose when a maneuver would be so aggressive that it is unsafe = just hit the squirrel/biker/tree rather than careen out of control. On a motorcycle that gray area is much larger and much darker. Can I miss this by turning and/or braking, or will I drop it? For me personally, spending time on the track gets me accustomed to the smooth and aggressive maneuvering abilities of my bike. I am better at choosing an escape option because I have a better sense of what is realistically an option.

I took Level I at Sears Point / Infineon last year. In anticipation of another track day, I'm trying to remember the skills and drills the day. I wonder if y'all could help me fill in the blanks. What I remember: 1) 4th gear only, no brakes goal: know the lines, be smooth 2) 3rd/4th, no brakes goal: early neutral->positive throttle roll-on holds the bike steady and smooth 3) 3rd/4th, brakes allowed goal: still getting smooth, use light brakes, carry speed through corners 4) Turn-in on x goal: repeatable, precise turn-ins make for predictable, smooth, fast turns. 5) look through corner goal: bike goes where you look - bring it through consistent, smooth, fast That's what I can remember.. But weren't there 7 drills? Do i have the goals right? I know a lot of this is "like riding a bike" in that I know have the skills whether I am conscious of it or not (or whether I can write them down in this post), but I believe I can also consciously dust these skills off and practice them. BTW - might make a Thunderbolt day out on the East Coast... YAY!