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Stroker

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Posts posted by Stroker

  1. In a nutshell, trail braking is being on the brakes longer into the turn than you are supposed to, to scrub off speed.Imagine the turning sequence - Off the gas, brake, downshift, turn in, on the gas and exit.

     

    If you entered too fast, you want to slow down or else will run wide.Then you don't go off the brakes before you turn in, but still apply some braking power on the front, rear, or both.Racers say trail braking is an important technique.You should learn it.It has helped me correct mistakes.However, if you understand cornering theory, you won't be making mistakes and won't need to trail the brake.Don't make mistakes on purpose and use the brakes to make up for them.It is one of the things you use to recover from errors.

     

    As for the video, unless you see the brake light i doubt you can "see" him braking.

  2. Most bikes in India are commuters of this kind - http://www.yamaha-motor-india.com/product/crux/

     

    The tires are meant for mileage and not grip.Hence, people fall at the slightest hint of rain, at railway crossings etc.They have little knowledge of safe riding techniques, and the average traffic speed is 10-15 kmph.This is why most are minor low sides.They ride on the same tires for like 50,000 km until the steel belt is visible! The roads are bad, and so the rain accumulates in puddles and potholes.

     

    Some are like this - http://www.yamaha-motor-india.com/product/r15/index.html

     

    They are for the wealthier middle class.They ride and handle great but are purchased mostly by posers for the way they look.Though there are a few hardcore bikers, most riders here are pretty bad, skills wise.

     

    WRT your question, the underlying principles are the same, but there are modifications in technique required for different vehicles.EG - Have you seen people who accelerate hard while turning crash because the rear end steps out? In corvettes and such? Why do they crash but some one in a rwd econobox can accelerate as hard as he wants and not crash? It's the power.

  3. My experience is limited to quarter liters at the most.IMO, there is some sliding and wobble when leaned over and you make mistakes with the throttle, the rear loses traction due to dust ( common here ) and similar circumstances.The lack of wheelspin ( due to lower power ) is an advantage.Most crashes are lowsides, usually having to do with the front end.The rare wheelspin is controllable and is for short durations.No power wheelies either.Any fishtailing is also more controllable due to the lower weight.

     

    I personally have never fallen.

  4. :D We have no parking space at all! All lots,side roads,footpaths are full of parked vehicles.I have seen videos of people going in circles, getting the body position right, because that's the last to fall in place before you properly hang off.The lean angle and speed are more easily gotten right.

     

    In retrospect, i should have asked about body position.

  5. Oh no, you have stated it correctly.I intend to become more comfortable leaning, and keep getting comfy until i reach the limit.I suppose this whole " Max Lean " business has people thinking i intend to rush into some showy leaning.That is not the case.

     

    Think of it this way.I want to scale the Everest.To prepare for that, i would have to climb a lot of other mountains many times.Max lean is my Everest.

  6. Was watching this video.

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c8_K_wozJY

     

    A long compilation of motorcycle crashes.Most of them seemed to occur in Russia.I observed the following.They-

     

    1.Didn't observe vehicles turning.

     

    2.Were showing off/riding dangerously on public roads.

     

    3.Did not brake in time.Instead swore and headed straight on.

     

    4. Ran wide on narrow twisties and into the trees.

     

    5. Lowsided because the front end gave out.

     

    6. Stabbed the front brake in panic and crashed/stoppied and had the bike land on their backs.

     

    7. Leaned all the way and lowsided, or lost the rear due to sudden throttle.

     

    And so on, i tried to pinpoint the cause of these crashes.There were several.I have a new found respect for the skill of riders who ride fast without crashing ( Hint: Hotfoot ).Some mistakes were elementary.Some were due to a lack of skill or knowledge.Some plain baffle me because they simply crashed, like the devil pushed them over.How do i learn from other's mistakes if i can't understand what mistake they made?

     

    Do look at these if you have the time.There are many who are fine one moment and then down the next.

  7. The 200 is sold here, but it is out of my budget.They sell a version of the Yamaha r125 bored to 150cc, called the r15.I might pick up a used one of those if i can stretch.That is the perfect bike for me.Great brakes,handling,fully faired,knee recesses,the lot.It is in essence a detuned track bike.Will tune it and then learn on it.

     

    Till then, i remain a noob.

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