Questions...

[GregGorman]

Have any questions? Ask!:smile:

[GregGorman]

OK. So no public questions... fine. PM me then. This is about getting better and not about me appearing smart, a know it all, or making you feel stupid. I was stupid once... I don't think I've been cured of it either.

[seatec]

Ok, so run me through my first track day. what should i be paying attention to. Defiinately not speed.

[GregGorman]

Relaxing. Being out there at the track for the first time can be intimidating. The best advice I can give you is relax and breathe. Think of it as a hassle free street ride.

As for the other riders, don't get caught up in the usual beginner class mistakes of drag racing down the straights and parking it in the turns. That leads to crashes real fast. Even if you're on a ZX-10 and someone is on a 600 it can be difficult to pass if you're only allowed to pass on the straights. If you're being held up by someone in the corners, just pull into the pits, count 15 seconds, and go back out.

On the flip side of that, don't look behind you and try to give room to others to pass. That makes you unpredictable. You're expected to hit certain points on the track. A faster rider is already calculating where you'll be and then you roll off the gas and look behind you. Bad things man.

Be predictable. You have some idea of what a good line is. You may turn in 15 feet early, you may run wide at the exit but if you're basically doing Out-In-Out, you're predictable.

Now, how to improve. Get Twist of the Wrist II. Read the chapters on throttle control before you get there. First session, practice that. Read the chapters on Steering before you get there. After the first session, review how you did on throttle control and then review the steering chapters. In each successive session, work on the specific parts of the steering.

Use light or no brakes. Brakes can really overload the senses fast. You'll have enough sensory overload. I'd suggest 2 gears, 3rd and 4th the whole day.

Of course one session you'll want to wick it up and use everything you got. I'd suggest the 2nd session after lunch. Definately not the last session of the day.

Also, you'll want to get your knee down. Read the chapters on body position so you really understand what you're looking for with your body position. Practice it when you're riding on the street, just moving your body left and right in a straight line. Remember, any tension in the arms will cause a steering movement and upset the bike. The arms have to be loose. When you get to the track, just use the position you've practiced and don't think about getting your knee down at all. If you try to force it you'll be taking attention away from the rest of your riding and will most likely be getting your knee down when your arms are tense and you're off the throttle. Not the best situation. Everytime I go to the track, the first time I get my knee down it scares the hell out of me.

Drink water.

Relax. It's a fun street ride with no cops and an ambulance real close.

Breathe. It's surprisingly easy to forget.

You know how to ride. Go out there and ride.

Oh, and relax.

[seatec]

So, you really want me to relax? lol. thanks Greg, ive read the first TOW so i guess ill pick up II today and go over the material

[DeV]

what about running a 600 out there... still 3rd and 4th gear most of the day?

[admin]

I spent my first day with at the track with our 1000s
did not know crap for the track only for the streets.
after lunch we were trying to go faster and faster sorry Alex but I left you in the 1/2 lapper then lol..
anyway it was more of getting used to the track and to get used to not being afraid of the fast long straight away and the corner that I always misjudged.
In the first few laps I Had to look at my speedometer big mistake. But after a while it was so much fun Id did not want to get off. But I and Alex did go 2 times with the new riders and the learning how to ride ...Itr was good to see th apex etc..
then It was of to intermediate and the trying that fastest group and then back to intermediate.
When the freaking super motard kept passing me I was about to go home. The found out later they guy was pro lol..
Anyway have fun just fun nothing to prove most people will pass you but hold your lines and just worry about you..

[bsicilia]

ant you will have track guys in your group they will help to show you the lines. they will help with any questions you have once you pit. they will also if you ask do a lead then follow laps so they can watch your move ments your lines , see if your feet are on the pegs right , help you with your body position,

just be smooth and consistent look threw the corners and at jennings connect the dots

they have good markers around the course. that will help you with braking points (if your using them) , and also lines.

just go to have fun ride at the pace your comfortable , and the first time you feel you knee hit. its loud and you will feel the grinding of the puck , and it pulls a lil on your leg dont panic just stay steady on the throttle and finish your corner

[seatec]

cool. i have a sneaky feeling im going to enjoy hits track weekend.

[admin]

I gurantee it..
listen and learn and don't blow up on anyone and you will be ok lol:action-smiley-083:
You will for sure have a great time I wish I was there with you

[admin]

http://www.clearwaterbiker.biz/photopost/data/2/P8147861_SM.jpg

[GregGorman]

what about running a 600 out there... still 3rd and 4th gear most of the day?

The secret of speed is being able to sense your speed and accurately set it. That doesn't mean you know you are doing 55mph at the apex of a corner. It simply means you know whether or not your going too fast, too slow, or just right for your skills for the corner you're approaching.

Setting your speed for a corner is so difficult to do because the brakes are so powerful. Your bike will do 0-60 in around 2.7-3.2 seconds. It will do 60-0 in about 1.2-1.5 seconds.

It takes almost all of your concentration to get the bike to do 0-60 in 3 seconds. Don't believe me? Think about the last time you did maximum acceleration. What were you concentrating on? RPM and shifting? How much attention did you have on the condition of the road? Intersections? Other cars? Do you even have a picture of anything other than the tachometer and maybe a little bit of the road in front of you? How would you like to do that only to have to make a 90 degree turn when you hit sixty?

Now, reverse it - 120mph to 60mph. You'll do that same level of acceleration with only HALF of your maximum brake pressure. How much concentration do you have left over to accurately judge your entry speed? Your turn point? Your apex point? Your exit point?

The typical scenario is entry speed is low because the rider was on the brakes too long because they were going way too fast for the turn and were scared. But, because the brakes change your speed so fast, he stays on the brakes too long before he realizes he's OK.

Also he's afraid of running off the track so he's already turned in. Now he's going to run wide at the exit. He's already at HIS max lean so the only thing he can do is to continue to slow down.

He finally feels he's got the turn done, realizes he's too slow and gasses it hard down the next straight.

This rider has problems with the front sliding, the rear sliding, brake fade, suspension setup, excessive tire wear and he's 10-15 seconds off an expert race pace. All as a result of him being unable to correctly sense and set his corner speed using brakes.

Go out there and ride. There's nothing wrong with that - really. Me, I want to get better. That means improving my corner speed and my ability to judge my corner speed. If I can't set the correct corner speed with light or no brakes in 500ft, how can I expect to set it in 100?

By staying in 3rd and 4th gears your doing a few things. You're not really using the engine as a brake. It makes a lousy brake anyway - wrong direction. You're not likely to get into trouble with too much throttle in the corner so you'll feel comfortable getting on the gas sooner. You're not getting all wound up because you're at high RPM so you'll relax more and have more attention available for sensing your corner speed.

Did I answer the question? Goodnight...

[seatec]

I gurantee it..
listen and learn and don't blow up on anyone and you will be ok lol:action-smiley-083:
You will for sure have a great time I wish I was there with you

Why don't you concentrate on your short commings and i concentrate on mine. :wink: