![Surprised :-o](./images/smilies/Christo_pull_hair.gif)
![Surprised :-o](./images/smilies/Christo_pull_hair.gif)
![Surprised :-o](./images/smilies/Christo_pull_hair.gif)
I enjoyed yesterday too even though I was pissed off every session I went out because I do not know how to pass these stupid slow cornering mo-fo's!!!El Diabro wrote:Thanks Striple! Dude, you're a beast out there!!!
Thanks to everyone who showed up today to ride and those that came to watch. Even though I didn't look like it, it definitely felt good to be surrounded by friends. Talking shop, track and all out BS was fun! Dave, thanks for the camera, my lil boy keeps asking me 'was that you? was that you there?' as people are passing me![]()
Just like every track day, today was another learning experience! I can't wait to work a few kinks out for next track season!!!
Don't worry about all that -- just keep on focusing on the basics. Speed is going to come over time, and when it does, you're going to have good technique, because you learned on a small bike. I cannot tell you how many times I have cursed the SV for denying me the little bit of extra power that it would have taken to pass some guy on a much larger bike. But -- it forces you to focus on the basics and to make up for the lack in power with corner speed and drive. If people park in the turns, then it is an opportunity for you to practice passing on the outside. Trust me, I know where you're coming from, and it is going to be worth it in the end!Telomere wrote: I enjoyed yesterday too even though I was pissed off every session I went out because I do not know how to pass these stupid slow cornering mo-fo's!!!I would have had A LOT more fun if I knew how to pass them (which made renting that lap timer completely useless). One of these days, I will learn to pass them and then maybe move up in levels.
Quoted for extreme truth.Striple wrote:Don't worry about all that -- just keep on focusing on the basics. Speed is going to come over time, and when it does, you're going to have good technique, because you learned on a small bike. I cannot tell you how many times I have cursed the SV for denying me the little bit of extra power that it would have taken to pass some guy on a much larger bike. But -- it forces you to focus on the basics and to make up for the lack in power with corner speed and drive. If people park in the turns, then it is an opportunity for you to practice passing on the outside. Trust me, I know where you're coming from, and it is going to be worth it in the end!Telomere wrote: I enjoyed yesterday too even though I was pissed off every session I went out because I do not know how to pass these stupid slow cornering mo-fo's!!!I would have had A LOT more fun if I knew how to pass them (which made renting that lap timer completely useless). One of these days, I will learn to pass them and then maybe move up in levels.
Thanks for standing in for the no show meatball!Stardog84 wrote:Thanks for making me feel so welcome. I had a great time and learned a lot.
It is easier said than done. This is going to take practice and I am sure that once I do it, I will be doing it all the time...it is just getting to the point to learn "when" and "how" to do it. I plan on staying on the 250 at the track until I get that technique down for the simple fact that once I learn how to do it on the smaller, more chattier bike, I shouldn't have a problem doing it on the 600. I don't want to learn how to pass on the outside on the 600 first. I would probably screw up and wind up in the flower patch on the side of the track, smelling them.Striple wrote:The key to riding a small bike -- especially a 250 -- is to maximize corner speed. Since you're basically riding around without an engine, you're going to exit a turn with a speed that is (at best) not too different from your entry speed. Learn to trail brake deep into a turn, and try not to overbrake. Remember, you don't really *need* to start braking at a certain point, you just need to be done with it before you reach your maximum lean angle. You can even get on the brakes earlier than usual, just apply less brake pressure. Then gradually trail off the brakes as you initiate the turn. You can use the same technique to outbrake bigger bikes, and put yourself to the inside of them, before they have a chance to initiate their turn-in (= not an inside pass).
Another excellent way to pass bigger bikes is to let them get ahead of you by a few yards, then set yourself up for a monster drive out of a turn, and place yourself smack onto their line in front of them. Unless you're on a big straight, most L1/L2 riders won't be able to pass you again until after the next turn.
Don't let your lack of horsepower frustrate you on the track (I know -- easier said than done, right?!). In fact, the longer you stick with the 250 on the track, the better it is for your development as a rider. Ask any expert racer, and they will tell you that you're doing exactly the right thing.
We totally need to do it again but this time, I want to follow youStardog84 wrote:I am glad that you were in lvl 1. Sorry.
I will have to keep ALL of this in mind next time and get with an instructor to show me how to do it. I understand what y'all are saying about staying back and then gain speed to pass them but it is easier said than done. I am sure that once I see it and do it, I will be able to do it all the time...it is just the initial getthing there that is my obstacle right now.Striple wrote:Good advice, fixxer. A few comments:
1) Right on the money. Keep your vision wide, regardless how many crazy riders are doing their shenanigans in front of you. This is exactly what will keep you from crapping your pants and running off or crashing when you get passed closely, stuffed, or parked in front of.
2) Yes, the reason why you should give them room on a smaller bike is because that way, you can work around someone parking in a turn. If you stay on his/her tail and they park it, then you may be forced to brake. The rider ahead of you may be able to use their engine to make up for the lost corner speed, but you won't. Now you're forced to spend another turn or two chasing the same doofus, when he/she really should be behind you wondering what just happened.
3) Totally clean, not even slightly dirty.
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5) Agreed.