practice day/track day

[Cloner]

You don't get faster riding with slow folks, Craig.

As to the slipper clutch, JJ, it won't get rid of lash issues. You should learn how to practice the art of "throttle-blip-for-the-downshift-whilst-braking" to overcome that.

You can safely downshift without upsetting the chassis by blipping the throttle before smoothly releasing the clutch, whether the brakes are engaged or not.  Blipping (not revving....but blipping) helps match the engine's RPM with the tire's RPM so it doesn't upset the chassis when you downshift.  It doesn't work if this sends the engine beyond its mechanical limits, exploding the engine, but as long as you're not banging down three gears and letting the slipper (that you don't have) do all the work it's fantastic.  

Practice first without the brakes....just release the throttle in the upper half of a gear, then pull in the clutch, bang a downshift, blip the throttle, and ease out the clutch.  Do this until you can do it all smoothly and without spending time thinking about it.  It needs to be second nature.  Eventually you'll be blipping as you employ the lever to downshift simultaneously, but you don't have to start out that way.

Next, practice the same thing, but with mild pressure on the brakes in a non-critical braking situation (like in a parking lot or on a straight road with no traffic).  This cannot be done using the "four fingered braking" techniques learned in MSF, so you'll have to try something new which only works on modern bikes with good brakes.  Use either your index finger, or your index and middle finger to apply the brake.  (I, personally use my middle finger only, with my index finger laid on the brake lever pivot....but I'm odd like that)  keep your ring finger and your pinky finger wrapped (loosely....just like you were using all four fingers....no "death grip" required) around the throttle and lightly blip it with your thumb and two smaller fingers whilst downshifting.  Strive to keep constant pressure on the brake lever throughout....which is easier with a single finger on the brake, imho.  Your braking finger(s) should extend as you blip, then flex back to its (their) natural braking posture as you release the throttle.  

At first, you'll be very jerky.  The pressure on the brake will either increase or decrease during this exercise until you get the hang of it, and that's why you do it in non-critical situations.  However, the skill isn't difficult and it comes quickly.  Most folks tend to increase pressure during this technique, so make sure there's nobody immediately behind you if you're practicing on the street.  You might stop more quickly than you'd like, or startle them with a jerky application of the front brake.  

Good luck.  Holler if you think it doesn't work well for you and I'll explain how slipper clutches are for pussies with too much money.  

[JJ]

Great knowledge Scott, thanks! I'll have to read this about 10 times and then practice, screw-up, read it another 10 times and repeat! But, I'll get it figured...

[Ratfink749]

Another great referance if you dont already have them are the Keith Code books, Twist of the Wrist and Twist of the Wrist II.  Both are full of lots of great track and road riding info. (mostly track)  I've read them 2 or 3 times now.  Rev matching works wonders on the track!  Before I learned how to I had a few instances of the bikes rear end coming around and getting squirrely on me.  This last trackday I had my rev matching down fairly well and it slowed and turned without upsetting the tire or chassis much at all!

[JJ]

Another great referance if you dont already have them are the Keith Code books, Twist of the Wrist and Twist of the Wrist II.  Both are full of lots of great track and road riding info. (mostly track)  I've read them 2 or 3 times now.  Rev matching works wonders on the track!  Before I learned how to I had a few instances of the bikes rear end coming around and getting squirrely on me.  This last trackday I had my rev matching down fairly well and it slowed and turned without upsetting the tire or chassis much at all!

Thanks, I have both volumes and I'll read them again. I have managed to blip as Scott suggested and it works...but I have to perfect it with high speed braking...It is an on and off thing for me...exhaustion plays a bit of role too...Sometimes, I have turned in towards Scott's infamous corner post and felt that I fell off a sky...its like a mind game...rather than the narrow corner radius it seems like a BIG SEA...must be exhaustion with heat...MIRAGE as they call it!

[crat996]

You don't get faster riding with slow folks, Craig.

Good luck.  Holler if you think it doesn't work well for you and I'll explain how slipper clutches are for pussies with too much money.  

Thanks Scott. So, do you think I need to move up next time? I think I passed almost everyone the last 2 sessions I ran. I guess I could try the next group and if they are too fast, I could always go back down, huh?

BTW, the GSXR came with a slipper. It's pretty nice to have. And I'm not a pussy.

[Cloner]

Thanks Scott. So, do you think I need to move up next time? I think I passed almost everyone the last 2 sessions I ran. I guess I could try the next group and if they are too fast, I could always go back down, huh?

You were definitely the fastest guy on the track the last two sessions you rode except for a couple of control riders.  That said, don't move up until you're comfortable.  I still like to ride with the intermediate group occasionally.  That way you can ride with friends and you always have someone to pass.

BTW, the GSXR came with a slipper. It's pretty nice to have. And I'm not a pussy.

Real men join the Army.  You are a pussy.  End of discussion.   

By the way, if nobody told you today.....Thanks for your Service....Pussy.   

[crat996]

You were definitely the fastest guy on the track the last two sessions you rode except for a couple of control riders.  That said, don't move up until you're comfortable.  I still like to ride with the intermediate group occasionally.  That way you can ride with friends and you always have someone to pass.

Real men join the Army.  You are a pussy.  End of discussion.   

By the way, if nobody told you today.....Thanks for your Service....Pussy.   

I will give you that about the Army. I did join the "Chair Force." Your welcome. Thanks to all for their service. They guys overseas deserve it more than I.

[Cloner]

When are they sending your buttocks back to Italy?  Got any guest quarters?   

[crat996]

My report date is Jun '11. That's right around WDW btw. I think I might have to go hang out there for a few days. You are more than welcome there any time. Hopefully everything works out and I'm able to go. I should know in the next few months if the commander accepts me or not.

[Ratfink749]

(thinking out loud)  I need to find a way with being comfortable going faster.  I know the bike can do it, my technique is decent, I just need to make my brain think I'm going slower than I really am and find a way to trust the tires more. 

[JJ]

My report date is Jun '11. That's right around WDW btw. I think I might have to go hang out there for a few days. You are more than welcome there any time. Hopefully everything works out and I'm able to go. I should know in the next few months if the commander accepts me or not.

I had just found a track buddy and here you are running away...On the other side, we have a free place to camp in Italy?  Good luck and get back to NM. We need more people come to track...Street is another world and track is where you feel you are back to square one on basics...I'll have to start saving to do a lot of track days next year around US.

[Cloner]

(thinking out loud)  I need to find a way with being comfortable going faster.  I know the bike can do it, my technique is decent, I just need to make my brain think I'm going slower than I really am and find a way to trust the tires more. 

That's the hard part, Wayne.  The only way I know to get there is by saddle time.    [moto]

Only for one brief period in my life did I believe I was fast.  In fact, I was twisting the throttle, riding for all I was worth at Road Atlanta wondering just how much faster any sum-biotch on Earth could be, I was so fast.  I knew I was the fastest fukker in Georgia that day........then Doug Polen went around the outside of me in turn 6 about 30 miles per hour faster than I was going with my knee on the deck....followed by Scott Russell, Dave Sadowski, Jamie James, and a host of other AMA regulars, all before turn 7....which ain't very far.  I then realized that the difference between my fast and their fast is considerable, and that I might never get to their level....and I never have.

You are absolutely correct that fast is mostly in the mind.  I, personally, believe that some people are simply able to gather and process information a few nanoseconds quicker than the rest of us, and that those few nanoseconds make the difference between fast and really fast.  If you play video games much, you'll run across those same chops in people who can ALWAYS get off a shot a little quicker, or duck a litle faster, or jump a little farther.  We can practice, and thereby train our brains to interpret inputs in a more favorable order, and process them to a more favorable outcome, but I'm not sure we can alter the rate at which our brains are wired to work.

I say this not by way of making excuses, but simply because its the only logical solution I've found to the question of what causes the obvious differences in comfort among riders of similar experience.  Some call it the "go fast gene".  I'm well past lamenting the fact that I have a mediocre version of that gene....I'm just happy that I was granted some degree of this set of skills, which enhance my awareness of true skill so that I can watch in awe, and with humble appreciation, as true practiotioners of the Art of Speed ply their trade.

I'll gladly help any of you reach your personal goals in motorcycling, and in life, if I can, given my meager skill set.  That said, there's no replacement for personal experience, and the only way to get that is simply to "DO".  Meanwhile, try this:

Find a benchmark.  Set a goal.  Figure out how to reach that goal.  Reach your goal.  Reassess.  Set a new goal.  "Lather.  Rinse.  Repeat."

As long as you set tough, well defined, reachable, but realistic goals, this simple technique will serve you well for the rest of you life, and in any venture you might leap into.  

That's a little more than my two cents,

Cloner
ABQ, NM

[JJ]

  Absolute truth Scott! Thanks for being there and helping us...It helps in many ways and I'm grateful! I'm eager to learn, put more saddle time and get better if not be the best. I have come a long way in the last 3 years and there is so much more to go...

& on that note: I suck at every video game on the planet! Never been into video games...it was always bike, soccer & maybe math.

[nicrosato]

+1 to Cloner's screed. The goal should always be to get the most out of your ability, no matter what that level is.

[crat996]

I totally agree with Scott about seat time. I try to ride as much as I can. 1 so I can be faster and 2 to get the experience. I do feel I was much faster on the track this past weekend because I was comfortable out there. I just felt good on the bike. It was only the 2nd time on that bike and the 2nd time on that track but it felt good. I knew the track and the lines and I felt like I could just get out there and go. It will be different if they change the configuration on me:) I do feel like I am getting a lot better riding because I have been riding a lot lately. It's the seat time.