Monumentous riding event has occured!!!!!

[Veloce-Fino]

Out riding today after work (half day got out early!) so it was already a good day. Decided to hit up swamp creek road which is a great local road through the woods and really got on it.

For the first time on my 696 I drug the foot peg on the left hand side. The toe of my riding boot also drug slightly. When it happened I didn't know what was going on and for moment was freaking out. Was a cool feeling to be that low.

I have read that the 696 has among the lowest stock rear set height so I guess I will be needing a new set of rear sets for when I attack the track for the first time this summer.

I know This is commonplace for many people but I am not an expert rider and for this was a big deal for me. 

[mitt]

Usually there is still a lot of room for cornering improvement based on body position, not lean angle and new parts for new riders.   

New riders like to stay on the seat and lean the bike over.  Look for some advanced rider body position photos, they can hang off the bike while keeping it more upright, avoid dragging anything, and hold good speed through the corners.

Something to think about.

mitt

[Veloce-Fino]

Usually there is still a lot of room for cornering improvement based on body position, not lean angle and new parts for new riders.   

New riders like to stay on the seat and lean the bike over.  Look for some advanced rider body position photos, they can hang off the bike while keeping it more upright, avoid dragging anything, and hold good speed through the corners.

Something to think about.

mitt

Agreed, I do use a certain amount of "ass sliding" where my quad will be on the seat and my ass is mostly off the seat but in this case I was fairly centered. Sure I could have gotten off the seat a bit but I like the idea of dragging a peg. 

[Monster Dave]

Congrats on the excitement!

I agree with what Mitt said - Now, really focus on your body position - dragging hard parts is a signal that you're not quite in the right position.

I like these pics for referencing body position that were taken of me a short time back at the Lee Parks Total Control class. In the first picture I did scrape my rear exhaust slightly, but if you look at my position, you can still see that if I dropped my outside elbow just a bit more that I could have gotten further off the bike and been in a slightly more correct body position (that would have saved my hard parts).
  


I was in a much better position in this pic:



Conversly (as Mitt pointed out), check out Lee's body position:






In any case - it was a momentous moment for you!!! Congrats! Now keep work'n it!  


Ride Safe! [moto]

[fastwin]

Nice ZRX Kawi! In the fastest color too!! Lovin' mine. [moto]

[the_Journeyman]

Scraping parts (and not crashing as a result) rocks.  I was out 2-up with my wife on her bike (me piloting) and as we came up on a couple turns near our house we drug one of the exhaust pegs.  It's a bit of a rush.  Granted, the bike being WAY under sprung for the both of us played a role but it sure was fun! 

Before you spend money on rear sets, spend money on a) suspension work and b) a track day.  You'll be well served 

JM

[Veloce-Fino]

Scraping parts (and not crashing as a result) rocks.  I was out 2-up with my wife on her bike (me piloting) and as we came up on a couple turns near our house we drug one of the exhaust pegs.  It's a bit of a rush.  Granted, the bike being WAY under sprung for the both of us played a role but it sure was fun! 

Before you spend money on rear sets, spend money on a) suspension work and b) a track day.  You'll be well served 

JM

By suspension work do you mean tuning or parts? Other than a new rear shock/spring what other suspension mods will benefit a normal rider?

[orangelion03]

By suspension work do you mean tuning or parts? Other than a new rear shock/spring what other suspension mods will benefit a normal rider?

If you weight anything north of 185, you would probably benefit from stiffer springs front and rear, maybe lighter weight fork oil (at least my 06 800 was overdamped).  Then adjust your ride height and sag.  A lot cheaper than new forks and shock, but even if you end up going that way, it's a solid start.

[Veloce-Fino]

If you weight anything north of 185, you would probably benefit from stiffer springs front and rear, maybe lighter weight fork oil (at least my 06 800 was overdamped).  Then adjust your ride height and sag.  A lot cheaper than new forks and shock, but even if you end up going that way, it's a solid start.

What if you are 148 clothed and about 160 in full gear.

[Porsche Monkey]

What these guys are getting at is dragging hard parts can get dangerous fairly quick. Hard parts don't move and can cause you to leverage the tires right off the ground. As fun as it may be, technique sounds to be lacking. Leaning off the bike to the inside will make you a faster rider while using less lean angle. There is some recommended reading such as Lee Parks Total Control.  Have fun but be careful.

[the_Journeyman]

Depends.  Proper fork springs & proper shock/spring makes a HUGE difference.

JM

[KnightofNi]

come out on a groo\up ride and watch tony(tunp), john(slitherin), or greg(gregmo). they have great position.

and if you can get in on one of the track days you will learn a whole lot.

[Popeye the Sailor]

What these guys are getting at is dragging hard parts can get dangerous fairly quick. Hard parts don't move and can cause you to leverage the tires right off the ground.

[Porsche Monkey]

Riding technique and Harleys do not go hand in hand.

[Monster Dave]

...but the dangers of scraping hard parts is properly demonstrated.