Good form vs bad form - photos

[Triple J]

Looks pretty good. 

You're a bit crossed up there, and your outside arm looks a little stiff. Try to work on straightening it some and pushing the bike away from you. That's a hard habit to break though. I give myself the same advice every picture I see of me! 

Given that lean angle you should probably still be on the brakes as well...trail braking.

[Slide Panda]

Not 100% sure, but I think that photo is from part way between 1 and 2 on this map



So being off the brakes is right since the tightest turn (1) in that section is behind you.

Arms... Though will be rough. I've got stupidly long arms for my height. I stand a bit shy of 6'. Middle finger tip to it's opposite with arms parallel to the ground is almost 6'5" - so there's probably always going to be some extra arm...

[Triple J]

Makes sense on the corner...always hard to tell from pictures.

[Slide Panda]

..always hard to tell from pictures.

Yep, all about context.  Granted i was not pushing the braking hard that day either. But I'm pretty sure that's an 'opening up' section

[red baron]

I'll play along.


LOL

[manwithgun]

I'll play along.


LOL

Minis or are you just a Giant?   Of all of the racing and riding that I've done this year, I'm almost ashamed to admit that my stint on a KX65 produced the biggest grin...  6-hour endurance race coming up in a couple weeks!

[red baron]

KTM65.

I agree, huge grin.

[manwithgun]

Hmmm, that track looks familiar.....  Apex?
 

November 23 @ APEX - 6-hour Mini Endurance Race.  The field is a mix of road racers, MXers, sumos, wives, lushes, plumbers, the whole gamut...    Whip a team together or choose to do it Solo Ironman. Either way, come out and do battle with Team Man Chest Hair United!!!    Should have a much bigger turnout.  After 6-hours, the grin should be permanent, though you might not walk right EVER AGAIN.    DO IT.   If you need any details, just drop me a bell.  Jim @ 714.317.6413

[red baron]

Endurance, hmmm.
Yep, APEX.

[manwithgun]

Endurance, hmmm.
Yep, APEX.

Don't mean to spam the site but there's racing this weekend with the STTARS series at Apex.  5-10 lap sprint races.  Practice, heats, and mains all for just $60 bucks and just $20 more to add a class.   If you get a wild hair you should come out.  Peeps will be practicing Saturday and racing Sunday.  Supermotos, minis, just about anything... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=475103769275338&set=a.263286207123763.59690.245598728892511&type=1&theater

More info can be found at http://supertt.com/index.html

To validate this post and bring it back on topic,  both minis and supermotos are the perfect training tool for understanding motorcycle handling dynamics and grip.  There's a reason why on any given day in Southern California, you might find your self on track rubbing elbows with the likes of Max Biaggi, Josh Hayes, Melissa Perris, etc.   I tried supermoto for the first time last year for poops and giggles, and to get a better understanding of how a tire behaves at the edge of it's grip.  With the roadbike on the big tracks, I was discovering these limits, but the risks and consequences were obviously exponentially higher.  With the weight, travel, and reduced speeds of a supermoto, you are really able to find a level of comfort while riding well past a tires grip potential.  As my friend and pusher told me before my first session on a sumo,  "If/when you crash, that means that you've completely ignored at least 5 different warning signs the bike was trying to give you..."    These bikes telegraph their grip very well and the long travel suspension gives you a very large buffer for recovery once out of shape.  I never truly experienced front tire "push" until on a sumo and now find myself dribbling the front end like a basketball and correcting without giving it a thought.  Braking, trailing, throttle control, weighting, set-up,  I could go on and on but I already feel as if I'm wearing a plaid suit and trying to sell a used car...    Happy Riding!    - Jim.

[Triple J]

I'm so jealous you guys can ride supermoto. The track neighbors got ours shut down a couple years ago.  I'd be racing every weekend if it wasn't for those asshats.

[red baron]

so how was the race Jim?

[manwithgun]

so how was the race Jim?

Had a stellar two weekends of fun racing!  In the STTARS supermoto series I took wins in Unlimited and Vet30, managing to seal up a championship.  For the 6-hour mini race there were 22 teams entered and we managed to finish 4th overall and took fast lap honors with a KX65.   My personal highlight was battling the legendary madman Don Canet of Cycle World who was mounted on a modified 100 4-stroke.  Our differing powerplants would allowed me to pull him on the back straight but every lap he would divebomb me on the brakes into treacherous turn-2.  Splitting lappers through the infield was like a cage match until he finally flew off course attempting "The Impossible" pass.   I still crack up every time I think about it, and I'm sure that everyone involved came away with similar stories of valor! Drop me a bell sometime or PM me if you've got any interest.  There are two independent series that are starting in December and January so the opportunity is always there.  Or for sumo look up Socal Supermoto where for $199 you can dip a toe in and have photographic proof! 

Here are a few Monster pics to contribute to the thread...

[red baron]

Awesome shot.

[duc996]

Great shot