CaptGino

Where to look on a track has become the hardest part of racing for me. I didn't have much experience on a motorcycle when I started racing 4 years ago, and the TWIST books helped me understand alot- and still do when I re-read them and apply it to my riding. I race the same 2 or 3 tracks all year long, and what I found (by going to a new track) was that I was using the refrence points to "cheat." By cheat, I mean that I knew that in a specific corner I could run to a certain RP and then brake, turn at the next RP, apex at the next, and so on. All of this could be done without looking very far ahead of the bike. I was having a very hard time improving my corner speed, and as you can imagine, when I got to a new track, I was lost. I am still working this problem, and using the "two step" method described in TWIST. Sometimes I remember to look farther ahead, but then I have the fear of running over the inside curbing because I'm TOO far ahead. The usual result is that I'll look down right before the apex and stand the bike up slightly (DOH!) Is there a way to overcome this? Maybe by shifting eyes to the exit but some attention to the apex as you pass it? I'm sure if you watched Valentino's mental "movie" he would be so far ahead of the bike it would be startling.

guys- each of you has some valid points, and I thank you all for your advice. Some things I would like to clarify, though. What I am feeling through the front is not chatter, but just a slight increase in vibration- probably caused by the tire "biting" into the road- I'm just curious if this is indicative of an impending loss of traction. second, I will agree that max lean angle is not necessarily the best way around a given corner, and that a quick turn in to the apex, and good drive are far more important- however, consider this: When you "flick it in", the angle you flick to will be dependent on two things- your entry point (i.e. how deep you go in) and your speed at turn in. So, assuming that you are using the correct turn in point and "flicking" it as quickly as you can, the fastest possible speed through that corner will be determined by the maximum angle you can lean the bike to. During practice, when I'm turning in more slowly with an increasing lean angle, I'm trying to determine where the max is- once I know that, it will be much easier to "flick it in" quickly to that angle, consistently. Understand, I'm not using this as a race strategy, but a learning process. Do you still think this is a crummy way to teach yourself? I guess I'll see when I get to the school. Also, I might add that I do not generally trail brake and the bike is new with top grade suspension. I have always been of the opinion that if it's not misbehaving, don't start changing stuff until you have a specific problem you are trying to correct. I think the best thing for me is to leave the bike alone for now so that I have a consistent platform to learn on. Again, thanks for everyone's input and advice, I look forward to hearing your replies. Gino

I'm an ameteur racer who has "hit a wall" in improvement. I have crashed a few times by losing the front on turn entry, and have now become ultra sensitive to front end traction. I usually feel my way into corners, off the brakes or with the throttle just cracked on, slowly increasing lean angle while trying to read the front. I know that this is a poor style of riding, but I was hoping that by finding a lean angle that is close to max, I could turn quickly to that angle in the future and thus corner more quickly and cleanly- but finding that "max lean" angle has not been easy. I have noticed that once I get to a certain lean angle, a slight vibration becomes noticeable from the front end (I am very light on the bars at this point, so I can feel alot through them). My knee is not even down at this point, so I am beginning to wonder how to find max lean angle and what sensations the front will give when it's about to fold. I am planning to attend a 2 day camp asap, but I'm still saving up at this point. Until then....any advice would really help.