How low can ya go

[SheMonster]

Go do a track day, preferably one that you can rent out or borrow an inline 4 600. There is no comparison between a monster on the track and I4 600.  My CBR is so much more composed and confidence inspiring than my S2R 800 on the track. Without a brake and suspension upgrade to my S2R I won't take it out on the track. You won't have any chicken strips on the 600 unless you wreck on the first corner. The only thing that sucks about the track is riding on the street becomes ultra boring.

But the thing to keep in mind is that because of the Ducati engine design, you stand to learn a lot about control and suspension travel thanks to the amount of engine braking that is involved with riding a Monster. Inline 4's are great bikes, but strictly in comparison to a Monster, they offer little to someone who wants to really have a learning expierence. Body position is more important than speed - a track day is fun for riding fast - but you can't ride on the street like you would on the track - so learning more about lean angle and body position at low speeds will apply better to real world riding.

[semyhr]

Honestly though, I'd say that speed is less important that posture and position. You can easily put a knee down on a turn going only about 15-20 miles per hour. Granted, that's a tight turn, but I've done it and was quite suprised when I realized just how far out of position I had been all along. Check out Lee Parks book Total Control and the section on the 10 points of turning - better yet, if you get the chance, take the course it's not that expensive (really) and worth every penny.
These little techniques make a BIG difference. And you abosolutly do not need to be going 100mph to get down there.

I didn't mean throttle as in going a lot faster but if you apply throttle while turning it will remove tension from the suspension and the bike will be a bit higher. The bike slows down while turning because of the smaller diameter of the outside of the wheel so the throttle will just keep you at the speed you were at before the turn but it will make the bike a little higher.

[duc996]

But the thing to keep in mind is that because of the Ducati engine design, you stand to learn a lot about control and suspension travel thanks to the amount of engine braking that is involved with riding a Monster. Inline 4's are great bikes, but strictly in comparison to a Monster, they offer little to someone who wants to really have a learning expierence. Body position is more important than speed - a track day is fun for riding fast - but you can't ride on the street like you would on the track - so learning more about lean angle and body position at low speeds will apply better to real world riding.

+1, speed is easy to achieve if you have confidence in the way you handle your bike.Now why do people make a real big deal about the strips?Just  curious.

[pespina]

+1, speed is easy to achieve if you have confidence in the way you handle your bike.Now why do people make a real big deal about the strips?Just  curious.

The answer to your question is simple... Because your buddies make fun of you at every rest stop  (although in my case it might have more to do with the fact that my chicken strips are wider than my rolling strip)

[mbalmer]

I am made fun of for my chicken strips. It's interesting to read threads about the topic. Most people say don't worry about having the strips. Unless you go to the track you should have them. Yet, at the same time, it's very uncool to not use every bit of tire. Good riders may use all of their tires, dangerous riders may use all of their tires. Good riders may have some chicken strips, dangerous riders may have some chicken strips. It's not really a fair way to judge anyone's ability.

[grandpa nate]

I am made fun of for my chicken strips. It's interesting to read threads about the topic. Most people say don't worry about having the strips. Unless you go to the track you should have them. Yet, at the same time, it's very uncool to not use every bit of tire. Good riders may use all of their tires, dangerous riders may use all of their tires. Good riders may have some chicken strips, dangerous riders may have some chicken strips. It's not really a fair way to judge anyone's ability.

+1.  Chicken strips should never be used to judge rider ability.  Shit, people shouldn't judge you anyway (unless you are a hazard to other riders or yourself of course).  As long as you are enjoying the ride "f" what others think.  [moto]

[Xiphias]

I am made fun of for my chicken strips. It's interesting to read threads about the topic. Most people say don't worry about having the strips. Unless you go to the track you should have them. Yet, at the same time, it's very uncool to not use every bit of tire. Good riders may use all of their tires, dangerous riders may use all of their tires. Good riders may have some chicken strips, dangerous riders may have some chicken strips. It's not really a fair way to judge anyone's ability.

That sucks. I've never ran across any big pricks at the track for the most part. The guys and gals who are really fast have all  seem to be pretty helpful.

[Jetbrett]

I've never been made fun of for having chicken strips.  Even if I was, I wouldn't trip about it.  For me, having them is a bit like not being able to get a knee down.  Eliminating them is more of a way to gauge progress.  It is a long way from perfect, but its something.

[the_Journeyman]

I've always had that last 1/2 - 1/4 inch left over.  Never been bugged about it ~

JM

[swampduc]

Out of curiosity, what does it mean if the strips are bigger on my rear tire (1/4 - 1/2") vs. the front (almost gone)? Thought it was usually the other way around?

[Jetbrett]

Out of curiosity, what does it mean if the strips are bigger on my rear tire (1/4 - 1/2") vs. the front (almost gone)? Thought it was usually the other way around?

Me too, but it does look like there is more wear on edge of the front tire than the rear.  I'm not sure what this means if anything. 

[Spidey]

Out of curiosity, what does it mean if the strips are bigger on my rear tire (1/4 - 1/2") vs. the front (almost gone)? Thought it was usually the other way around?

It doesn't mean anything.  It's virtually impossible to "read" chickenstrips.  It's a factor of your suspension, your weight, the profile of that tire make and model, your bike set-up and weight distribution, your riding style, etc.  That said, do you trail brake into turns?  That'll affect your front chicken strips.

Seriously, I wouldn't spend time thinking or worrying about chickenstrips.  I can't tell you how many racers I know that have 'em.  They don't mean anything.  But I understand the urge to have a bike that has little or none.  It's not really rational, but we all care at least a bit, right?

[Howie]

Me too, but it does look like there is more wear on edge of the front tire than the rear.  I'm not sure what this means if anything. 

I was getting more wear on the edge of my front tire.  In my case it was from backing off the throttle and occasional trail braking on on/off ramps because the car in front of me would be slowing through the curve.  Now I leave more space between the vehicle in front of me when I enter a ramp so I can stay on the throttle.  Problem solved.

[swampduc]

Hmmm... don't think I trail brake too much, but do back off on throttle sometimes. Thanks for the answers. <end threadjack>

[Ducatista]

Out of curiosity, what does it mean if the strips are bigger on my rear tire (1/4 - 1/2") vs. the front (almost gone)? Thought it was usually the other way around?

The primary factors in determining the proportion of chicken strip size on front and rear tires are front and rear ride height and front and rear tire size.  In general the Monsters with a 160 rear will have a bigger chicken strip on the rear than front, and vice versa for the ones with a 180 rear.  Again, bike geometry will be the other primary factor.