Author |
Message |
Staindus
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 12:35 pm: |
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Mothers Day morning I went out for a ride with my bro-in-law and friend for my B-day. I have been reading up on proper riding techniques and with the suspension finally set up correctly (including correct tire pressure) I had the best ride of my life. We went around some roads in northern NJ and up around bear mt area. I really got into it and managed to keep up with the GSXR1000 (he was not pushing it too hard thankfully) without feeling like I was riding above my abilities. I owe this board a great big thanks (I know this is a common story) for helping me get my suspension and head in check. After the ride they guy ridding the gixxer told me he was impressed that I kept up with him on the Highway and twisties (like I said we werent pushing it) I now understand how it feels to be "on rails" in a turn, and now I just want to keep getting better and smoother and cant really see why I would want to upgrade performance wise, for me on the street it seems very able but I guess we will see if I sing the same tune after a couple of years. And the sickness begins, My bro-in-law and I are already talking about track days. |
Interex2050
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 12:38 pm: |
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congratulations be safe have fun Track days will prove to be epic! |
Brumbear
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 07:18 pm: |
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I love the days you hit the UTOPIA rides if you will. Just don't get upset or push it when it doesn't go right it will happen but thats what makes the good ones great!!!!!!!! |
Xbeau12s
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 07:23 pm: |
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It's nice to see those chicken strips get smaller! |
Johnnylunchbox
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 08:37 pm: |
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It's nice when you just click with the bike and make a perfect turn. Almost like skiing. |
Slaughter
| Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 08:47 pm: |
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I'll echo the thought you already posed on track days! Go with an operation that will offer instructors who will follow and lead you - and you can ask questions of them between sessions. You can't believe how much more relaxed you will feel KNOWING there's no center line or oncoming traffic... really frees up your mind to concentrate on your riding. Awesome reading about your experience! |
Jumpinjewels
| Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 11:42 am: |
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Had my first track days in Utah and it was incredible. Almost no chicken strip left. After being on the track, the street felt a lot more comfortable (except for the gravel and other cars) Will be going back to the track again. Have fun |
Dustybueller
| Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 06:27 pm: |
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Jealous about the awesome ride. But that's more because I have yet to get my Buell. Quick question...whats this chicken strip I keep hearing about? |
Piersurf
| Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 07:21 pm: |
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mmmmmm Nah just playin Basically its the edge of tires that dont touch the ground durring a turn leaving a strip.
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Staindus
| Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 08:15 am: |
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I still have the strips. I dont think I was going fast enough to have to lay it down that far. I still get the feeling that I will go too low and lose traction. How do you you know where the lean limit is? |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 08:53 am: |
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"And the sickness begins..." You have been assimilated. Resistance is futile. "How do you you know where the lean limit is?" If you can drag a knee, an elbow, and then the side of your helmet... you've just gone past it. Actually, if you incrementally increase your speed and agressiveness in the corners, the limit of adhesion is more forgiving than you'd think. You have to approach your limits slowly and always think about an escape route if you have to go off line. You could highside or lowside very quickly if you spend too much time riding over your head... stay within your comfort area and most of your fast rides will leave your head feeling great and your bike (and body) undamaged. An instructional racing school may be your best bet at the point you are at. I wish I had taken my own advice! |
Staindus
| Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 01:05 pm: |
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"If you can drag a knee, an elbow, and then the side of your helmet... you've just gone past it." LSHIJPMP. I had a couple of things that irked me. In a slow tight turn my front tire hit a bump or something and felt like it moved a bit, then on a bit faster turn my rear tire felt like I rolled over a rock and stepped out a tiny bit. Leaning over I felt comfortable and in control but always had the thought of lowsiding in the back of my head. So I dont think I will grow a complex of my chicken strips I would rather have a way out. On the track I assume it would be a different story. It seemed to me that the gsx-r had to lean a bit more than I did in the tighter turns. Does that make sense or is it because of the shorter wheelbase? (Message edited by staindus on May 18, 2007) |