| Author | Message | ||
     Austinrider |
A local photography company takes pictures at some of the track days and has posted some of me. They have the companies watermark on em until you buy them. Thought I would share pics of me on my XB9SR on the track. http://www.hart-photography.com/MotorSports04/lstd0204tws/fgd/albums.html The fanny pack is actually where I keep my video camera for my helmet cam. | ||
| Bomber |
Austin . . .. another rider that sits his ass on the bike and rides! this hole leaning off thing came about after I learned to ride (and race), and I never really got the hang of it! If it Mike the Bike didn't have to drag a knee, neither do I ;-} | ||
| Daves |
http://www.momentumphoto.net/eprc/03aug30/0940/pages/EPRC_AUG_MAM_0234.html This is from last years Aug track day at MAM. Momentumphoto.net did the pictures. Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Austinrider |
Bomber - Im working on getting my ass off the seat. I've only been riding for about 6 months and that was my 3rd track day. The XB is my first bike ever. On my 4th track day I was getting more and more off the seat, finally to where I had my thigh over the seat and half an ass cheek hanging off. Im focusing on form, breaking and accelerating properly thru the turns. I know the speed will come as I get better. I dont push myself to get a knee down, I know that when it happens it happens. Any other constructive criticism is welcome. | ||
| Daves |
Try some Michelin H2 tires. Keep working on hanging off the bike. Don't crash. Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Bomber |
Austin . . . no critism meant, brother . . .. looks like you're doing great! crashing sucks (Dave's right again), so ride your own ride, don't get pressured, and keep a clear head . . . focus on being able to place the bike where you want it, and don't ride with Aaron Yates! ;-} | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I actually got yelled at by the instructors at the trackday I was at for trying to get off the seat. They told me I was using my body weight to pull the bike through the corner instead of using enough counter steer, which apparently was fine with the types and weights of bikes I rode in the past but not for the XB or as they put it any of the new bikes with "real tires" or weights that were double mine. | ||
| Austinrider |
Is funny you mention dont get pressured. Some of my friends are encouraging me to get into the lvl 2 classes from here on out. They say the lack of people standing up on the brakes in the turns will help me. Im more worried about getting buzzed and being to slow on the track. Im going at a good pace now, alot better than before, but at the same time - Im still learning. Every lap is a learning experience for me. While I feel that I can push myself a bit further, and hold back because of the guy in front of me (especially in the turns, seems Im pretty quick in the turns compared to the others in my group) Im a little leary of it still. I figure when Im consistently seeing that the people in front of me are holding me up, then I will see about moving up in groups. This may all be mute now though. I picked up a Honda CBR F4i as a track bike. Gotta learn to ride that bike on the track now. I hope I can get some of my ontrack footage hosted somewhere so I can show you guys my videos. They are rather large, as they are a compilation of each track day's sessions. --Austinrider | ||
| Bomber |
Austin getting pressured is easy, and a good way to rack up some bills you'd rather avoid . . . only you can judge when you're ready to move up (when I go to track days, I most always try to start at the back of the pack -- I figure I don't want to ruin someone else's good time, and, if I'm faster than some, I can always pass) . .. . F4s are sposed to be great trackdogs . . . .enjoy yourself, and remember that the only rider you're competing with is you! | ||
| Austinrider |
Im using Metzler Sportech M1's in that pic. They have had 4 track days on them. Now, Im not the most aggressive rider so they arent shredded up, but they are worn to the edge (Ride the Edge!). Anybody know how to tell when you need to change your track tires out? Other than when you slide off the track because your tires let loose in the turn. Dave, what would a set of those tires run me? 120 front 180 rear | ||
| Daves |
A set of the H2 lists for 385.90 I'll do a set for you for 328.01 That's 15% off. I love the H2s on the track! The profile is just right, you can scrape your pegs,hard and not run out of tire! The grip is outstanding. It's time to change your tires! Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Gonen60 |
very cool images.. the photographer has a racket going, 25.00 dollars for an 8x10...wow !!! | ||
| M1combat |
Wycked... You mentioned that to me the other day as well and it makes no sense (although I can attest to the fact that I'm not as good as nearly anyone else). The only reason I say that is because after reading "Total Control" by Lee Parks and "Twist of the Wrist I" by Kieth Code they both explain that when you move your bodies center of gravity off the bike it allows you to hold the bike more upright which means that there is more contact patch. Also, this allows more corner speed at the max lean angle... I could be wrong though. | ||
| Daves |
You are correct M1. By hanging off, you lower the center of gravity of the bike,keeping it more upright and on the tires so you can safely carry more speed thru the corner. Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Blake |
Phil, If you look closely you'll see wear markers on the race tires. When you hit those, it's time to trade 'em for a new set. Suggest running one level softer front than you have in the rear. They'll wear about the same rate that way and you get additional grip up front which is always a good thing. | ||
| Blake |
Looking Good!  Phil in good phorm!  Bring her up to OHR for some fun as soon as you get your license?  | ||
| Blake |
Dave, Your XB9R looks scared. It's eyes are closed. Lazy sucker, left your turn signals and kickstand mounted? That's just extra drag and weight! How you gonna whoop Cecil if you don't start paying attention to such details?  | ||
| Austinrider |
Wow, this post is seeing traffic. Cool. Thanks for the pointers Blake. I got a set of race take offs at home. I will probably mount em up on the XB for the Buell Track day at the end of the month (free plug - all texas Buell riders should come on out for that!). I'm not sure about the CMRA license. I've thought of gettin the associate member license just so I can get the cheap practice sessions at OHR. course, it is also the furthest track from me in Austin. 1 weekend at OHR is 1 day with LSTD. Thaks for the words of encouragement! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
The problem M1 is that I was more concerned with getting my knee down then I was about countersteering. You can't corner a bike fast just with lean. In essence that was what I was doing. On smaller lighter bikes I was able to corner quick because my body weight out over the pegs fought the bike wanting to stand up so I would "pull" myself through the corner. When I was doing this at the track on the Buell I didn't get the desired effect and ended up running wider and wider because I wasn't using enough counter steer for the turns. Once I settled down, listened to my instructors and used more counter steer without worring about dragging my knee, my cornering speed rose. As my instructor put it also, when I get my corner speeds up high enough I will know when I need to put my knee down and it will come naturally, it won't be something I need to work at doing. | ||
| Daves |
I don't think I'd need anything else taken off my bike to beat Cecil! I've lost 16lbs now anyway so I gained 2 HP thru my diet. I was down to 176 yesterday! Whooo hoooo! Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| M1combat |
Ahhh, so the issue wasn't necessarily that you were hanging off, it was the stretching the knee out there at such an angle that it would pole vault you into a high side if it DID touch... That or I'm confused... Maybe this one... You were hanging SOOO far off the bike that you weren't allowing enough counter-steer to take place... Fixing the problem would bring you back to a more natural position on the bike and be "far enough" at that speed/lean angle. I'm probably still confused... Don't worry about it. | ||
| Dynarider |
Unless you are currently dragging hard parts, there is no reason to hang off. You hang off so you can move the center of gravity, this allows you to carry more speed thru the corners while allowing the bike to stay slightly more upright. In other words you lean out so the bike doesnt have to lean over so far. And Bomber dont worry, I dont hang off either. Cut the kickstand snubber off so the stand doesnt drag, & with my big ass feet I just grind the hell out of my toes before I touch any hard parts down  Dave will & has kicked my ass on the track but he was the only one I wasnt able to keep up with. | ||
| Austinrider |
I was dragging hard parts. I was dragging the feeler on the pegs. Took em off. I started dragging the peg a bit. Replaced it with the peg from an XBxR (duh!). No more scrapped parts or toes. Wycked - I think Im doing the same thing, using my weight to steer the bike more than countersteering. I dont run wide, but Im not hard out on the gas like I need to be either. Thanks for that, I will try to focus more on countersteering next time Im at the track. | ||
| M1combat |
But if you don't hang off aren't you more likely to lowside? As I understand it (which is probably not at all, I've never been on a racetrack on a bike...) the tires will offer more grip the less you lean the bike so once you get to the limit (based on lean angle and speed) you can hang off which will decrease the bikes lean angle and increase your limit (thereby allowing more corner speed). The more you hang off, the more you increase your limit. I'm not sure what's best when you AREN'T at the limit. I would guess staying reasonably centered on the bike so as to be comfortable and not work too hard moving around... I think you will find the people who lean out the farthest out of NECESSITY, not interest in grounding a knee, will have the highest cornering speeds. I'm not trying to argue with anyone... I'm just trying to make sure MY head is straight. | ||
| Blake |
Phil, You forget about Hallet? WAY farther from Austin than OHR. Here's what some of the other guys from Austin do... Load the bike up ahead of time and drive to OHR straight from work Friday evening. Camp/sleep in your truck. Ride all day Saturday, then head home or leave first thing in the morning on Sunday. Dave, THAT'S the kinda response I like!  One other comment, in the photo, it sure looks like you could maybe use some beefier front springs. You look like a pro in that pic. Way cool. I gotta get some less dorky leathers...  | ||
| Blake |
And a less dorky number plate... And a less dorky rider. hyuk. | ||
| Dynarider |
Once a bike is up to speed, unless you lean it so far that you are dragging hard parts or are actually on the sidewall of the tires, you wont lowside. Plenty of professional racers have never felt a need to hang off the bike. Its more of a personal choice. Some people need to utilize it, others dont. All depends on your riding style at the track. I have never felt comfortable hanging off, I will scoot over a bit on the seat & allow a bit more weight on either side of the bike, but the whole knee on the ground thing just isnt for me. The only time me knees hit the ground is when I have fallen off the bike | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Maybe this one... You were hanging SOOO far off the bike that you weren't allowing enough counter-steer to take place... Fixing the problem would bring you back to a more natural position on the bike and be "far enough" at that speed/lean angle. That is it in a nutshell. Its like the instructor said, when I get enough corner speed and lean angle combined that I need to lean off to keep from lowsideing I will know it. Which as Dyna said is when your dragging hardparts. At this stage its better to keep your weight centered on the bike until you get the right combination of corner speed and countersteer going. | ||
| Blake |
I don't drag knees much anymore. It ruins my concentration. The pegs scrape once in a while, more on right hander turn 8 as the belly pan scrapes first on the left turns. | ||
| Dynarider |
Blake, I think the leathers are fine. The helmet on the other hand has to go. |
