Ducati Monster Forum

Hey everyone!
I finally got in my first track day of the season yesterday (my fourth total) and yesterday I finally starting to drag consistently through the turns.  I've improved by body positioning over my last track day. If you scroll down this thread, you'll see a photo of my last day last season:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42381.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42381.0)

I'm no longer dragging any hard parts because of the improved body positioning, but still have lots of work to do. What's difficult now is being consistent. Anyways, my issue is that as I drag, the bike just wobbles up and down.  Should I be giving more gas as I'm going through the turn.  Do I need to just be more smooth with leaning?  There were maybe two or three times in the day where the knee stayed down through the turn, but don't remember exactly what I did different then.  You can see pictures of me from yesterday in this link:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=8021364&g=0SEI009Y01 (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=8021364&g=0SEI009Y01)

what a difference one day makes!  I skimmed only once before yesterday, and now I'm down most of the turns. It helped to have an experienced friend follow me for a session and give some feedback. any other feedback is also appreciated

Uh . . . that does't sound right.  How hard are you putting your knee down?  You leaning into it or is the knee just skimming the ground?

Btw, now that you've got your knee down consistently, stop focusing on it.  Focus on body position and lines.  As you get faster, you'll likely find that you get your knee down less and less.

the knee is just skimming.  I don't try to force it down or anything once there's contact

Maybe the knee out and ass off the bike is something other than the ideal Monster position.....

Just trying to analyze and offer a second thought here [thumbsup]

If you're off that far it's not easy to control a bike that has too little weight and poor suspension up front.

There is, or should be, more lean angle available before you really need to hang off like that.

I'm larger than you, but I corner well without upsetting my bike at all - just by climbing the tank and pointing my upper body.

It's not necessarily the recipe for your improvement, but maybe it's worth a try....


This picture is before I started pointing my upper body - still plenty fast
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l394/stopintime/Langsving2.jpg)

There is a another basic element at work here, one with which a few may disagree with but, whatever. The Monster is basically out of it's element when doing track duty. The frame is more flexible than the Superbikes and the suspension is taxed to it's limits and beyond under racing conditions. It's a really good street bike and you can have fun with it on the track, but......   I had an Ohlins rear shock on mine and a three way adjustable front end. Got it tuned pretty good but nothing like my superbikes. Want an eye opener? Get on a halfway decently set up stock Suzuki/Yamaha/Honda and run a few laps. You'll see what I mean. My 848 is outrageous now but it cost a bit to get there. You may never totally get there with the Monster but you can still have a hell of a good time.  [moto]