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Vic

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Posts posted by Vic

  1. I like that Timbersled - I think it would get me into a lot of trouble, but in a fun way. 

    Agree with the dirt biking and doing fitness.  I have a trials bike here which is about the most fun you can have going slow, plus good for bike handling.  Also, mountain biking combines a bit of fitness and keeps bike handling skills fresher. 

    My fitness usually involves a lot of core work - using a wobble board or doing push-ups even with one foot off the ground creates instability and works the little, fine-tune muscles.  A personal trainer friend is a firm believer that the entire body works as one together so creates programmes that reflect this, as opposed to doing heavy squats, heavy bench press, etc.  

     

  2. That's too bad you crashed - hope you came out of it uninjured.

    It seems to come back to perspective and where one's attention is being spent.  I always feel that once I notice something, that's the area that isn't working properly.  Ideally, I guess the aim would be to get the rider and bike working in harmony where they complement each other rather than work against each other then everything else flows from there.  Personally, this is one of the reasons I am considering the BMW as I know it is a lot better than I am and I can continually improve with it (it also fits me pretty well off-the-shelf), as opposed to riding something less forgiving/less comfortable that consequently, gets outridden or 'isn't quite right' and causes issues that have to be ridden around, taking up effort that could be spent on technique.  

    20 hours ago, Jaybird180 said:

    My bike sounds more menacing, but the BMW definitely gets to warp speed quicker.

    A bike's gotta sound great too, haha!

  3. On 9/14/2021 at 12:03 AM, Hotfoot said:

    Rider education and skillful handling are hugely important, of course, and rider training is probably always the best motorcycle investment you can make - but having said all of that, the S1000rr is an extremely rider friendly bike. It is nimble but not twitchy, incredibly powerful but amazingly easy to control, the suspension is electronically controlled so it responds to conditions, and of course the ride modes allow you to set the rider aids how you like. I have other bikes but every time I get on one of the school S1000rrs I breathe a sigh of relief at how comfortable, easy to ride, and confidence inspiring it is.

    A couple of my other bikes are amazing training tools - because they force the rider to have excellent control - but they are a WHOLE LOT less forgiving than the S1000rr.

    Obviously, rider training and skilful handling are hugely important, especially if it's with CSS! 😉 

    So, if someone (like myself!) was looking to improve their riding and explore more track time would they be better served by shopping around for an older bike that would help develop that skill and handling, or aim for a bike that is more forgiving and has the electronic aids to let the rider concentrate on technique?   *I seem to remember there was a thread that explored this before, and that it is also covered somewhere in a 600cc vs 1000cc track bikes, so apologies if I'm covering old ground.

    The reason I ask - the S1000R (not RR) is a bike that I am looking at and I was wondering what the coaches' opinion on aids such as traction control, riding modes as well as for suspension set-up was, and if they hindered or helped?  My experience has always been with more analogue equipment, and although I'm not techno-phobic (honestly!) the electronic option feels like the lazier choice....maybe I'm just old-fashioned!

  4. The way to improve on vision is to constantly work on vision drills - driving a car, walking about, making coffee, watching tv, etc.  What are your eyes doing all day - are you spending a working day outside in open space, or at a desk where your vision is funnelled down to focus on a small screen? 

    What about taking up a sport where peripheral vision is integral such as tennis, boxing...

    The possibilities are endless for working on vision.

  5. Any issues with the throttle free-play?  I'm not sure which kind of throttle setup you have; ie, ride-by-wire/cable, but taking up the free-play so that the throttle is 'set' could ensure it is ready to go.  It may also prompt your brain into being ready to roll on when desired if you have to consciously prepare the throttle prior to actually using it - perhaps?

    2 hours ago, Gravisman said:

    My grip at the point of initiating throttle is more palm-oriented than finger, because I’ve just finished braking with my fingers on the lever and palm on the bar. Would not describe it as tense - I don’t experience any kind of arm fatigue.

    Is the tank being gripped with your knees whilst braking?  It could be me reading into it, and apologies if this is not the case, but it sounds like some of the weight is being taken by your palms instead of the legs, which would then free up the hands to do their job. 

    Alternatively, you could do a Valentino and put a big GOOOOOO!!!! sticker on the tank😜 

  6. I thought it was far enough into 2022 get a new topic posted!

    Has anyone owned or had any experience with the F800R?  I have seen them being used at the school, and have heard positive things, but just wondering if there were any other good points or bad points?

    Currently looking to change bikes and this one is on the list - it will be primarily for road/street use with occasional track time so any feedback is welcome and appreciated.

    Thanks!

  7. You're asking a group of people who spend all their spare time and money going to racetracks to ride bikes whether or not you should buy a new bike?....of course you should!....everyone loves a new bike!!

    Interesting question though.  I would say that it depends.   Are you coming out of corners spinning up the rear wheel or having the traction control kicking in so that you need newer, lean-sensitive or programmable traction control?  Same goes for the brakes - is it under-performing and you need the most advanced ABS out there to remove those moments when you are 'clenched'?  Quickshifters are great as well, but with some practice and perseverance (and a few missing gear teeth) you can shift smoothly and quickly without one (this is one I have been working on recently and have finally got the hang of clutch-less shifts and throttle blipping - and I mean finally!)

    Lately, I was berating the brakes on my 300cc thinking that they need an upgrade from rubber hoses and stock pads to something more substantial, but then asked myself how often I lock up the brakes or get the ABS activating.  At my current skill level I can't activate the ABS on a good, dry surface so the brakes' performance is above my own, so pointless upgrading anything, apart from perhaps myself.

    Those are just some random thoughts, I'm very much old-school as two of my bikes have kick-starters and the other two still have cable throttles - and only one of those has ABS!   I'm interested in the answer myself from those that ride and have experience with more technologically superior machinery than my own. 

    At the end of the day, do you need to 'justify' a new bike?  😉

  8. Red Baron, envious of your tinted visor - RainX is a good friend here!  

    Thanks Jaybird.  Regarding contact lenses, I use glasses when driving at night however, legally, I don't need glasses to drive but find that it sharpens my vision (I also opted for lenses that cut down on light glare from oncoming traffic).  I did try a batch of disposable contact lenses ( a month's supply)  for riding but as I don't ride at night didn't keep using them after that initial trial period.  They were soft lenses, don't remember them being uncomfortable and another possible good use for eye drops.

     

  9. Interested to see these results.  

    As impressed as I am with modern medicine, the eyes are something that can't be transplanted so I tend to look after them.  Other precautions I take are to avoid riding with the visor up in anything more than 1st gear to avoid grit/dust blowing in (I just crack it open if I'm hot/fogged up).  Also use power tools in my job so always pop a set of safety specs on and use sunglasses on bright days to avoid sun damage ( I gave myself snow blindness once, which is actually sunburn of the eyes by not using eye protection to cut down the UV glare from the sun and the reflection from the snow - not pleasant)

    Eye exams are recommended every two years (in UK) but I am overdue one at the moment because of, yep, you guessed it, covid.

  10. Sanity and hearing are good!  That is impressive to watch and incredible the way it makes all the other bikes look like they're barely moving, especially getting on the power out of corners.  The squeals occur more the further the video goes on - clearly looks like a kid with a new toy who's starting to play around with it!  The one at 3:40m (ish) sounds like he's backing it in, but not sure if this is the case later on - the one at the 7:09 mark sounds like it's coming from the front as he steers, decreases steering and the bike's roll angle before getting back on the steering and power.

    (I'm sure if Keith has a look he'll blow that idea out of the water, haha!)

  11. Your Bonneville will, obviously, feel more upright than the BMW RR but in your first session (assuming this is your first time at the school) the first couple of laps are slow-speed, follow-the-leader 'sighting laps' which allow one time to adjust to riding position anyway.  The first session is usually spent getting used to the track and lines, getting used to the bike, and still early in the day so tyre and track temperatures can still be cool - point being it's not worth going flat out immediately.  The coaches really know their stuff and are fantastic at looking after you so you will get a lot out of it whichever bike you ride.  

     

    • Thanks 1
  12. Hi and welcome!

    El Colibri covered it quite extensively above.  I would add that my first time at the school I used their bike but was apprehensive about riding a sportsbike as I thought it may detract from the learning experience, but they are excellent and surprisingly user-friendly ("pussycat" was the term used!)  This was the previous generation S1000RR - maybe someone else on here who has ridden the 2020 version has feedback on it?  During the first couple of sessions the bike is in 'Rain' mode (reduced power, more forgiving throttle response) and the option to move it up to 'Sport' mode is available later on but, to be honest, I left it in 'Rain' all day long during level one and two and got on perfectly with it.

    With regards to the skills learned on a sports machine, they do transfer easily to other bikes and I've put them into practice on various ones -  Bonneville, ADV's, Enduro, Vintage and my 300 single.

    Alternatively, you are familiar with your own bike so don't have to adjust to another one - there is no such thing as the 'wrong bike'!😉

    • Thanks 1
  13. On 11/19/2020 at 1:24 AM, Keith Code said:

    This thread started me thinking. Dangerous, I know.

    Some riders, very good ones, claim they just know where the tires are and can hit a tight apex. I can't but I'm happy for them.

    Knee to curb is workable, or, more descriptively, Knee Over Curb. 9 out of 10 students reap substantial improvements with that drill.

    AS Hofoot said, she can't see the tank on her small bike and if body position is good, with head low and turned in to the corner, it may be similar on a big bike. The more "GP" the body position the less tank you'll see.

    One other thing just struck me as a possible device for estimating the location of the tires in a corner. It's the position of your outside foot.

    Look at Yakaru's shot at Streets, or any shot in the thread, the outside foot is very close to being perfectly over the rear contact patch, not quite directly over it but that would give you a safety margin if it was a help. I say "if it was a help" because I have no idea if this would work for anyone.

    You could call it a research project at this point and I hope to try it out for myself as well.

    Keith

    I liked the sound of this too so thought I would try it out before writing.

    I like the idea of using the outside peg to 'triangulate' a point of the tyres' contact patches to the peg, to create a better idea of where the bike is placed, pretty much as El Colibri found.  Also, that our awareness of using that outside peg should already be 'switched on' if we are pivot steering (which I assume we are).  As it's new to me, I did find my attention was then slightly focussed at the rear of the bike, which then felt like it was playing catchup as the bike moves forward - perhaps this is just how my faulty cerebrum is wired! But will keep at it...  

    I have used the 'tank over curb' before on the track, but found it takes up too much attention on the street.  Admittedly, I am 5'11" on a small 300 so I do need to glance down to see the tank.  

    • Like 2
  14. On 11/6/2020 at 1:04 PM, lebedo said:

    Yes it does! Sorry for the wrong word. Press would be bxetter, wouldn't it?

    Thanks

    Hi Olivier,

    Bienvenue!

    With regards to Pivot Steering/Power Steering; in Twist II video, the analogy of a fencer using their rear foot as a solid foundation describes the technique well.  As Cobie said, it is more about "bracing" the lower body and engaging the core - not to push the body forwards, but to prevent it being pushed backwards when we add steering input.

    Hope that helps a little and maybe see you at school in the future!

  15. If they don't ask they won't get😉

    Selling from £31,000 here in the UK, with an additional £4,000 for the MSport Package - which looks like a lot of billeted levers, rearsets, lever guards ( all courtesy of Gilles by the looks of it), carbon wheels and engine casing sliders.  Works out to around US$39,000 and $5,000 according to the exchange rate, standard RR here is £15,500/$19,600

    Street legal with straight cut gears?!

  16. Hi Merritt C

    You'll love your time on track with the superbike school!

    I disagree that the Two-day camp is too intense for first-timers.  I attended a two-day camp with just 10 months of riding experience and loved it.  The coaches will look after you on-track, as will course control and the instructors in the classroom too.  They are a great team who want the best for your time there.  Personally, I found the two-day camp really lets you soak up all the information like a sponge then practice at your leisure in your own riding time.  You also have two days with the same coach to improve your riding at your pace, as opposed to going flat out on one day and burning out!  The 2:1 student:coach ratio is fantastic as you get a lot of track time with them which was the selling point for me and worth the extra cash!  

    I also agree with yakura that you can get more from being in a dedicated learning environment for those two days so there is less time spent travelling to and from track on different days, but, as she points out it depends on your learning style and schedule.

    The kit they use is great, boots, back protectors, etc.  I haven't ridden the 2020 BMW RR but the previous versions were amazingly user-friendly.  I was picturing ending up in A&E having never ridden a sportsbike or been on track before, but they were actually easier to ride than my own.  

    I have done one-day schools also and they are great, but after having done a camp it is very obvious there are fewer track sessions, less time with the coach on track and there are more bodies on track.  The only issue I had with the camp was at the end of the very last session of the last day I was gassed!  You sound like a fit lady (fitter than I was!) so I doubt you would have any dramas there - I would say turn up rested, hydrated and go for it!

     

    • Like 1
  17. On 6/18/2020 at 11:35 PM, Hotfoot said:

    I was so happy to find out, today, that A Twist of the Wrist II is available on Amazon Prime Video now! You can watch it instantly, here is a link to it on Amazon Video (or you can just put A Twist of the Wrist in the search box) :

    Thanks for the heads up!  

    I agree that showing each of the survival reactions in turn, and the cumulative effect, with the all-too-predictable outcome (going into the scenery!) really hits home how small mistakes can add up.  This was a real "ah-haaa" moment for me and something I recognised in my own riding which is what prompted me to come to school in the first place.

    Favourite part - a Harley rider, in full leathers, quick flicking it on the street!   That, and the fact that you got Julian Ryder - the voice of MotoGP - to narrate the film.

    What I found most eye-opening were the overlays of the riders going through the 'esses' (one quick flicking, and the other not) and the result, not only of line but lean angle too. 

    On 6/25/2020 at 11:36 PM, Cobie Fair said:

    Really everyone should ride the NO B/S bike, at least once.  The little fine-tuning adjustments riders make to keep the bike pointed exactly where one wants, not even aware that they are being made,  become crystal clear when one rides that bike.

    Aye!  Agree with you here. I find doing something the 'wrong' way is a good tool to learning the right way.

    One of your coaches once gave me a tip to keep my non-steering hand on the tank so steering becomes purely one-handed.  Great drill!  What this highlighted that I was very right hand dominate (I am right-handed) and that my left turn was really weak and clunky. So, even when pushing with my left my right hand was doing the lion's share of pulling, which I was oblivious too.

    • Like 1
  18. I like some Sex Pistols now and again, but man, that's exhausting to watch!  

    Faffi, there is a pretty interesting documentary called 'Road Riders' (a shoot-off from the film 'Road', about the Dunlop's racing story) about the Irish road racing scene focussing on the club level and weekenders - the other end of the glory scale of the TT!  I think it could be on Netflix...

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