racer
-
Posts
1,135 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by racer
-
-
Yeah, Biaggi. That's what I recalled. I thot that was pretty funny.
I guess being linked with Valentino and playing it up for the media couldn't hurt Casey's career either...
-
I think Kevin answered all of these questions. But...
Yes, different size, weight and power all affect the preferred or fastest line for a given machine. The bigger the bike and the more powerful the motor, the "thicker" that line might be depending on riding style for overall speed. But, there will really be one line that is most efficient and puts the least amount of stress on the tires.
The smaller, lighter and less powerful the machine is, the more critical entry/corner speed becomes, hence, the less the line can be squared-off and the "thinner" the line will be. Watch a 125 race sometime. Unless there is a battle for position, all the bikes will run a single line that is literally about three inches wide.
-
I missed all that. I was living overseas without access 2003-2004. i didn't bother to turn the TV on when I got back. And now that I'm hooked up with torrent protocol and similar download sites for movies , I don't have much use for cable TV. I have free basic cable included here, but, I wouldn't bother to hook it up otherwise. How's that old Simon and Garfunkel song go? "I gather all the news I need from the weather report..."
I'll try to track down those races you mentioned, acebobby.
I vaguely remember something about a couple of racers getting into it in the stairwell between the podium and the post race interview TV broadcast room not too long ago. Maybe I was watching an old race I downloaded. Everyone ended up in front of the cameras in the interview room looking ruffled and redfaced. I thought that was somebody else...
-
I don't know what it means that your bike "can't compete" with jap inline fours. Do you mean in handling? Or are you planning to race?
Either way, I would suggest not getting a litre bike like a ZX-10 or R1 for your first track bike. Smaller is better until you have mastered your track riding skills. I suggest nothing bigger than a ZX-6 to start with. It's plenty powerful and you will get much more for your money in riding skills training and have more money to ride with, too.
-
I agree. I dont think Rossi rode overly aggressive. (Not like when he hit Gibernau anyway) Rossi just road like the seasoned champion he is. Rossi knew he couldnt run away from Stoner, so he road a defensive race and out foxed him
Right. Like a true master, Rossi used the tools available and made the best of the advantages he did have... better on the brakes in this case... and did everything he could to keep Casey behind him. He immediately came back after every pass, never giving Stoner the chance to get away. Although, I have to say that Rossi's bike seemed faster than it did in practice. Sure, he made up a lot on the brakes, but, aside from the front straight, Casey didn't seem to be really pulling him much anywhere. Rossi couldn't have made up the difference from qualifying all on the brakes, eh? I'll have to re-check the qualifying/practice times. I thought Casey had a major gap on him at the pole.
Hopefully Stoner will not let Rossi get under his skin and chalk it up as a lessoned learned from a true master. Then that rival the media has always wanted will happen.Heh. I missed Rossi hitting Gibernau! (Uh-oh!)
When was that? -
Hey Dan,
I wrote my previous reply half awake over morning coffee and I think I missed an important point you made. You said that this is happening in most corners.
I wonder if you have enough reference points (RP's) and a clear plan for your sub-products (SP's), like a turn point and apex? Are you moving your attention from your turn point into the corner before you turn? And if you are moving your attention around within the wide view? You said you took Level 1 at Silverstone... have you read the Twist of the Wrist books? Are you familiar with these terms?
Not having enough reference points can give you a feeling of being "rushed" at your turn entry. And not having a clear turn point or plan can leave you feeling uncertain.
Regards,
racer
-
Hey Tweek! Welcome back!
I'm glad to hear you are healing well and looking to start more trou... erm... another thread.
Kevin, Ricky and Bobby said it all really well... but I'm still gonna boil it down to one line and add 2 cents:
There is a difference between the fast line and the winning line.
-
Thanks for the link, 2big.
I don't know if I would call it a spat. When Stoner didn't shake his hand, Rossi patted him on the shoulder and said, "This is racing, 'k?" in a manner that could be construed as patronizing I suppose. Stoner shook his head and said, "No" to the handshake. And then replied, "Ok, this is racing. Be seein' ya" to the pat on the shoulder.
Whatever. I know some people might say Rossi was/is smug. I don't feel him that way at all. But that's me. On the other hand, I think Stoner came off looking pretty bad. I mean really. Like a pissy little girl in a snit. Sorry. I really can't get behind that sort of thing at his level. So, I don't really have much sympathy for Casey. He chose this career. He gets paid mega-bucks to do what he loves. And at the end of the day, he WON second place! If Vale did something wrong then file a protest. If you can't run with the big dogs... get a job. But don't use the winner's podium to whinge on international TV.
My own general opinion of the on-track events is that while what happened in the corkscrew was unfortunate, it certainly wasn't intentional. And though I can see why Stoner wouldn't be happy about Rossi's riding technique on the day (obviously... he was faster yet lost), I really don't see what he has to complain about. But then I've found myself facing the fists of unhappy competitors in the paddock more than once... he he he. Maybe I'm missing something somewhere.... ?
Club racing we all have to go to work on Monday, so, we try not to put each other into situations where we would have to choose between contact or running off (not that anybody did that); but... at their level? Please. Indycar racing has a rule against "unavoidable contact" or some such thing, but, handlebar to handlebar fairing bashing is what people want to see. That's what makes it exciting. That's what makes it motorcycle racing.
Bottom line, while it isn't mano a mano, motorcycle racing is definitely tete a tete and all that implies from the physical to the psychological and everything in between. Rossi won the psychological game by about lap two. He succeeded in rattling Casey and pulling him off his square right from the start. You could clearly see it in his riding. Rossi spent days setting us up, even telling the TV cam's that he didn't have a chance of winning (THAT should have been a clue that something was afoot!). Casey probably wasn't expecting to see Rossi after the first lap, much less be treated to a heaping helping of the wilder side of full moon Vali coming back at him from the apex of the corkscrew and hot on the brakes everywhere else. Most importantly, Casey allowed himself to be rattled. He became emotional. And remained emotional. Of course. He's a young man. And whether or not Rossi intended it, Casey handed that advantage to him. (What's that old saying about age and guile or wisdom overcoming youth and vigor?)
Trust is a major part of being able to go handlebar to handlebar with another rider, but, I didn't see Rossi force Casey off, make any contact (intentional or otherwise) or leave him without an option anywhere. In fairness to Casey (as if he cares what I think), I will watch the race again tonight. Maybe I missed something.
So, um... do you have an opinion about any of that, 2big? Do you think Rossi's riding was "over the top"? What about Stoner's interview?
Hey, what did Danica Patrick say to that chick last week? "It's not my fault you're slow...". HAHAHAHAHA. She kills me. What a shame she married her manager instead of me.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag.../07/post-2.html
Oh... and was that a security person blocking Rossi past Stoner on his way out of the interview so that he couldn't approach him again?
-
Hi
I done my level 1 at silverstone in the uk last year however i still have a problem at the initial turn in to most corners
the main problem is when i am about to turn the bike (lean it over) i get a sudden sensation of how fast i'm going even if it's only 60 mph and i back off the throttle too much and enter the corner too slow and sometimes reach for the brake!!!
I dont get this problem with slow corners eg. hairpins etc it's only when going fast!!!!
any advice on this will be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Dan
Hi Dan,
If it is happening in a fast sweeper, it sounds like a survival reaction. Your body telling your brain instead of your brain telling your body, so to speak. IMO, your body can get away with this because your logical brain has no evidence to logically override the body. If it is a matter of holding it open or carrying more speed into a fast kink or sweeper, I find the best solution is to give your brain a helping hand and find some concrete evidence to the contrary to convince your brain that what you want to do is, in fact, possible. For instance, talking to other (faster) riders about what gear they are using or what they are doing with the throttle, etc. Or you can watch the corner up close, look and listen for brake points, turn points, gear changes, throttle control, etc. The bottom line is that if you KNOW you can hold it open or carry 4th gear hard, then it is easier to grit your teeth and force yourself to go for it the first time.
O-o-or you can continue to just grit your teeth and hope for the best...
Seriously though, like Bobby said, the "no brakes" drill is a good way to develop your entry speed and move forward one step at a time.
That said, some of this may be a mere matter of perception, practice and seat time. The "speed rush" will dissipate over time and the faster corners won't freak you out so much. For instance, you refer to "only 60 mph" in your post as if that were slow. Do you remember the first time you rode 60 mph on the motorway? Did it feel slow?
racer
-
OK showing my ignorance-- what is "in parc feme?"
C
From Wikipedia:
"Parc fermé, literally meaning "closed park" in French, is a term used to describe a secure area at a Grand Prix circuit where the cars may be stored overnight. According to the FIA Formula One regulations, the area must be "sufficiently large and secure so as to prevent unauthorised access to the cars, while allowing scrutineering to take place.
Essentially, cars in this area must not be touched by anyone without express permission of the FIA Stewards."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_ferm%C3%A9
I suppose that the FIM version is slightly modified. If, for instance, there was a mechanical protest or claim filed, the bikes would be moved to a secure garage area. I don't know the rules for MotoGP but being a Formula type class, there probably aren't many things to protest anyway. But here in the US, all races used to be "claiming races" where, for instance, any bike in a controlled class like Supersport could be protested or claimed. The top three were subject to a post race tear down as a matter of course and the top ten were subject to random teardown inspections to look for signs of cheating like tooling marks on the mating sufaces of the head or cylinders, etc. If the winning bike failed a teardown inspection, the result was disqualified and, if claimed, the owner lost the bike. It helped to keep down the likelihood of fat wallet winners (ie. spending mega-bucks building exorbitantly modified bikes) if they can be claimed for $1 or whatever. I believe the term originated in horse racing where a post-race sale price had to be declared prior to the race. In motorsports it works a little differently as the price is set by the samctioning body and is the same for all bikes.
-
Stoner did refuse to shake Rossi's hand in the 'parc ferme'. Stoner was getting ready to do an interview, when Rossi walked up to him with his hand out and a smile. Stoner shook his head and said no, no, and turned back to the interview obviously upset.
The US telecast was live. I'm sure it was later edited out for PR reasons. I was disappointed we didnt get to see the 'official' after race interviews.
Hey 2big--how did you see that, and the rest of us didn't?
C
Probably because he watched it "live" and the rest of us watched the edited post-production version that was broadcast later.
I watched the Eurosport broadcast again and the announcers do vaguely refer to something in parc ferme that the viewers don't see on camera.
-
Forum experts: OK, how come sometimes when I quote/reply to someone it puts their quote in a box, and sometimes not?
Best,
C
Hi Cobie,
The basic BB Code form for quoting is:
to open and [/quote ] to close. The difference between the open and close is the forward slash preceding the word "quote" in the closing. The slash denotes closing in whatever form you are using, ie. italics, boldface, etc. In my example above, I left an extra space after the word "quote" so it wouldn't activate the feature and you could see the difference. When using the code you will need to eliminate that extra space to make it work. Each quote must be opened and closed individually. In your above post (#17 in the thread), your opening quote had a slash, so it didn't work.If you click on the "BB Code Help" button at the lower right of the posting/editing field, you will find some other frequently used BB Code forms. You can also click on the "Reply button to see the codes used by other posters spelled out as it were. For instance, you can see how to add names, post number and date/time stamps to the opening quote code that the software adds automatically. I've been meaning to drop you a note to point it out to you. Sorry I didn't get to it sooner.
Regards,
Bill
-
everyone watching the BBC saw it with there own eyes, and he definately did refuse to shake Vales hand!
OK then. I'll download the BBC feed after work tomorrow night and check it out. If it is true, I think it's pretty poor sportsmanship and professionalism on Casey's part and reflects on everyone in the paddock. He is young and he was undoubtedly upset about the way he beat himself. So taking that and his other positive attributes off-track into consideration, I can reserve any judgment and hope he learns to control his emotions in public for his own sake and the sake of the sport in the eyes of the public. The bottom line is that he made his own bed and lost fair and square. That's racing. At his level, he should know that.
-
Ok, back on topic again.
Another athlete for whom pivot points are critical is a baseball player when throwing (pitching) or hitting the ball. It's the same deal.
Where does the pitcher's throw begin? The arm? The shoulder? The wind up?
Where does a batter's swing start? With the bat? The elbow? Does the batter wind up sort of like the pitcher does? Does his torso contribute to the force of the swing?
-
I downloaded the Eurosport feed today and there was no "exchange" between Rossi and Stoner in parc ferme. Saying that Stoner refused to shake Val's hand is a mischaracterization that implies Rossi offered his hand and Casey refused to shake it. That never happened.
Actually, it did happen - right in front of the BBC camera in piarc ferme and in front of the BBC guy who was waiting to interview the three podium finishers. Sadly, although the coverage is available online via BBC i-player, that won't work for you if you are outside the UK...
I can download the BBC broadcast feed just as easily as Eurosport. I'll watch the BBC feed when I have time but the Eurosport feed never left parc ferme as I recall. So unless you saw it with your own eyes, I'd be interested to hear your source directly.
-
ok this is just a thought, I really dont know but like the discussion!
I was just reading TOTW2 and reading chapter 19 I started to wonder, could this be a form of pivot steering the moto gp guys are doing?
Going into a left hand turn push almost all their weight onto the right hand foot rest and nothing on the left then pushing the left hand bar and quick steering the bike then setting the left foot on the footrest all in one smooth motion!
maybe the same thing cant be done on right hand turns as if the right hand side of the body was even a little bit unstable (foot not on the footrest) then that may affect their throttle control.
just an idea though I dont know!
I too noticed Bayliss really doing this a lot last week at Sachsenring and have been wondering. And then today.... surprise... I had an epiphany while riding my road bicycle... again. I discovered that I do the same thing when intially pushing off from a standing start and it is exactly like what you propose, acebobby. (Hey, your noodle works great!
)Here is what I noticed myself doing:
When I put my leg over the bike, I spin the crank backwards to line the pedal up high to prepare to push hard off the line and lock my toe into the clip. When I push off, I stand up with all my weight on the one pedal and (just noticed) that I leave my other leg dangle straight ... down and outward a bit. It isn't about my center of gravity per se but I am doing it (unconsciously) to help balance myself with 100% of my weight on the other pedal. While it doesn't really lower the center of gravity or anything, leaving my leg dangle down like a pendulum DOES offset my body mass balanced on the other pedal. Think about a tight rope walker using a pole... it's a similar deal. My weight is kept long (transverse and vertical) and low and as far as possible from the other pedal. And I leave it out there until I am all lined up and ready to start pedaling.
racer
-
*
Hey Racer--does the "*" mean something here...?
Cobie
It means I wrote something and changed my mind about posting it after the fact. (Nothing bad, just wanted to think more about it.) Since you can't delete the post itself after the fact, I used the asterick to fill the space.
What I wrote was a mission statement clarification of sorts that was essentially redundant. Unfortunately I forgot to save it and lost it. It was a decent piece of writing and I would have liked you and Keith to read it, it just didn't really belong in this thread. Perhaps your admin can go dumpster diving or someone with better computer skills than mine can find it or tell me how to find it again.
-
I downloaded the Eurosport feed today and there was no "exchange" between Rossi and Stoner in parc ferme. Saying that Stoner refused to shake Val's hand is a mischaracterization that implies Rossi offered his hand and Casey refused to shake it. That never happened.
What happened in the corkscrew was racing. Period. Sure, it was close. Sure it was an aggressive pass and Rossi overcooked it and ran off. But Stoner had full view of what was happening as it developed and every opportunity to avoid Rossi had he lost it coming back onto the track. That said, what Rossi did happens there on a regular basis and I have seen many other riders do it. To someone not fmailiar with that type of riding, it probably looked scarier than it was as Rossi bumped back onto the track. I admit I sucked in my breath watching it. That said, it was an awesome battle and none of the other passes had anything wrong with them.
Ironically, the last few laps of WSB Race 2 last week were WAY WAY WAY more aggressive and risky as Max Biaggi and Fabrizio overtook Troy Corser as his tires went off and then battled with each other. They repeatedly forced each other to back off and roll out mid-corner and risk running wide or off the track or choose to be hit. They also ran each other off the track at the exits if the other was on the outside. (That's racing!)
Rossi and Stoner were no match for that show. Casey's remarks sound like a whinging little kid. He needs to man up and take it on the chin. What a wanker.
ETA: It must have been the full moon. The announcers at the WSB race were daying the same thing as the Motogp announcers that it was the best racing they had seen in years and what everyone had been waiting for, etc.
-
-
I like Ithat racer, stop procastinating but doesn't everyone procastinate on a daily basis about something or other?
so then you can get what you want, a discussion on every ones take on the contents of the books! thats a great idea and will be of great help to me while learning the art of cornering , so since we are in the pivot steering thread then what better place to begin!
I have 2 questions for you!
1 Where does a boxers punch begin?
2 What is your interpretation of chapter 19 of TOTW2 and how do you put it into practice?
atb
Bobby
Hi acebobby,
It isn't what "I want", it's what I believe will be most helpful and effective for you, yours and everyone's education, including my own. I've committed hundreds of thousands of dollars and dedicated decades of my life to my own motorcycle riding education. In the interest of you not having to do the same, I will be happy to share that with you if you are willing to demonstrate the slightest degree of commitment. When you have read Chapter 19 of Twist of the Wrist II, I will be glad to share my perspective on any specific points you have questions about.
As for the boxer, I suppose the least amount of effort you could put forth would be to Google "boxing technique" and let us know what you find.
Cheers,
racer
PS - I don't think everyone procastinates about something on a daily basis. In any case, it's your education. Procrastinate all you want. You will learn as fast or as slow as you choose and get out of it as much as you put into it.
-
@ Jaybird, ikonoklass, et al:
Here is the link to purchase the Twist of the Wrist books, video/DVD's and CD's right here on this website:
https://secure.echoalley.com/superbikeschool/store/
It is understandable that not everyone can afford the time and money to attend a superbike school session; but, anyone can afford $20 and there is no excuse for not taking some responsibility for your own riding education.
Just imagine how cool it would be if everyone here already had a handle on the basic fundamental concepts presented in the books so we could all engage in really interesting, meaningful and valuable discussions together about how to apply them, instead of long term members asking the same old questions because we haven't even made the effort to read the books.
C'mon guys. This is getting boring. It's not my job to read the Twist of the Wrist books for you. Demonstrate that you are serious about learning to ride and order the Twist of the Wrist books so we can move this game to the next level and have some real fun here!
/rant
Sincerely,
racer
PS - To anyone who intends to take the school: I cannot emphasize this enough... you will benefit at least ten times more from the experience (and return on your investment!) if you have already read the books before you show up to ride! Now stop procrastinating, click on the bloody link and order your school books and DVD's!
Do it now! There is no other time!
-
What's Pivot Steering?
Chapter 19 of Twist of the Wrist II is devoted to the concept of what Keith calls "pivot points" and Pivot Steering.
The pivot steering technique is about efficiency.In a nutshell, a pivot point is the point on the bike where you anchor yourself to push/pull on the handlebar(s) to intiate a turn.
Consider that the faster you go, the more force or effort it takes at the handlebar to change direction. And, at any speed, a "quick flick" requires a stronger push/pull than a lazy slow turn. So, what anchor or "pivot point" on the bike will enable the most stable and efficient (forceful) push/pull on the bars?
Hint: A similar action would be a boxer punching an opponent. Where does a boxer's punch begin?
racer
-
Wow. Just wow.
I've finally had a chance to watch the video clips and... wow.
The f1clipz vid that starts with Niki Lauda on the grid is amazing, especially in contrast to Nick Heidfeld in one of today's "modern" F1 cars. There is a downhill S-section (around 3:45 I think) where the 1975 cars clearly have their inside (or left) front wheel totally off the ground while pushing through a steep downhill left hand corner like a sprint car ... killer spot. It's amazing how loose the 1975 cars are everywhere, actually. The difference in ground effects is pretty clear when watching Heidfeld's lap.
The double apex nature of the Carousel can be heard clearly in both videos as both cars audibly back off the throttle while setting up for the second apex. Interesting that Heidfeld kept well off the concrete at the inside of the Carousel. It looked pretty bumpy from the on-bike video lap by the GSX-R 600. Probably some deterioration of the expansion joints since 1975, I expect. Reminds me of the old concrete highways around here. Bump da bump da bump da bump... or in his case, di d-di d-di d-di...
But, more importantly perhaps, what's really obvious in the BMW photo is that the angle of banking increases sharply in the center of the concrete strip. The bike stays down in the steeper part near the curbing, and the old F1 cars seem to be able to straddle it, while Heidfeld stays clear of the inside entirely. Probably due to a lack of ground clearance over the sharp transition more than the bumps, but, either will do to tear up the bottom of his modern F1 car, I suppose. Many corners have similar camber characteristics on race tracks. For instance, though it isn't quite so pronounced or offset with concrete, the inside of the International Horseshoe at Daytona comes to mind as a corner where the camber is significantly increased near the curbing and decreases the wider you get.
That is a great set of videos. Thanks again.
racer
-
Stop teasing me!!!
When was that?
So, Has Anybody Seen A Better Race (on Us Soil At Least) Recently Than
in School Questions/General Discussion
Posted
Well, I decided to download and watch WSB Race #1 of Round #8 from San Marino this afternoon (the race where Fabrizio took out Biaggi with Rossi spectating) and all I can say is WOW!
Honestly, all in all, IMO, the WSB races are FAR more intensely competitive and entertaining than any of the MotoGP's I've seen this year so far. The front six or eight riders are so good and closely matched on machinery with different strengths that every race (that I've seen) is a total furball. The leaderboard swaps out so often that I can hardly keep track of who is where from corner to corner. Of course, the WSB machinery lends itself to dicing it up and hanging it all out, but, man, it's truly inspiring stuff. God, I remember that feeling and it makes me wonder why I ever stopped.
I've decided that I am definitely getting a new bike and going racing again next year. With the demise of the AMA 250GP I should be able to find a newer TZ250 for < $5k...