CAM/BAD Track Day(s) 10/20-21 @ Summit

[Autohag]

I've had a chance to review photos, others' video, and my own video. Wow do I have some work ahead of me. Now, I'll preface this by saying I had less than 600 miles on the R1 prior to last weekend's track time, and most of that was slab and/or sitting on the Key Bridge. But still...

From the photos:

- I'm not leaned over as much as I thought.
- I look comfortable (but really am not).
- I'm dry-humping the tank most of the time.

From my own, forward-facing video:

- I'm slow to get on the gas.
- I brake way too early; and I'm too lazy about it.
- I don't go fast on the fast parts of the track.

From my own, backward-facing video:

- I appear to be looking through all the turns, all the time. That's good.
- I'm definitely humping the tank. I am too upright.
- I'm clearly more concerned about "hanging-off" than counter-steering.
- In the tight stuff I get stiff and ride like a make the beast with two backstard.

Gleaned from watching other video:

- My lines were mostly good, except
- In two places I consistently took the longest line possible without walking the bike.
- I spend too much time at neutral throttle (Ian also mentioned this to me).

So now what? Well, I gotta get back out there and work on this. Here are my priorities for next time:

1. More counter-steering. Adjust body position to support better leverage.
2. Move my ass back in the saddle a bit.
3. Get the bike leaned over more.
4. Get on the gas sooner.
5. Go faster in the fast parts, and
6. Actually use the brakes.
7. Don't sweat the slow parts of the track.

Some things I learned about the R1...

1. All I need, on Shenny, is 2nd gear.
2. It's heavy. Kinda top-heavy.
3. There's always more RPM left before redline.

That is all for now. I leave this here for posterity.

[Slide Panda]

Photos, video and other rider feedback are great learning tools. The lens is brutally honest about what you're doing on that bike and even more clean about lean, position and such that a fellow rider might miss or misinterpret.

Getting on the throttle earlier/more confidently is something that takes bit or work and practice in the sense of knowing that more speed can be held at point X and trusting yourself to do it. That was my main focus of attack this last time out. Slow and steady improvement and you saw how much a difference it would make in the B group. In the little/big bends I'd be on the throttle in a progressive wind-up from the top of the hill - adding seconds to the time that I was accelerating vs. folks holding neutral throttle, putting me out of the big bend 20+ mph faster than those folks. From the top of the hill to tip in for the big bend I was going through two gears.
- maybe next time out, crab a CR and discuss that you're trying to work throttle management / not coasting as much and get a few tow laps and few towing laps for feed back.

Regarding line - was the longest line the 'right line'? Long doesn't mean bad.

[Autohag]

Regarding line - was the longest line the 'right line'? Long doesn't mean bad.

^ True.

In the Corkscrew I consistently rode the same line; a line much longer than what others were doing (from what I've seen in various videos). It worked for me in that I always felt set up for the bend, but others took the second turn in the Corkscrew (the righty just for the Little Bend) shorter and with more lean. Now I want to go back there and try something different. 'Tis all.

Doing video is crazy helpful. It's fun to watch and yell at yourself.