Morning B. I’d like to pick your brains if you don’t mind.
Last time out at Silverstone I started feeling like I couldn’t go any quicker around the corners or I might lose the front - and in fact I did have a couple of small front end slides (midcorner) in the last couple of sessions. I think I might have been trying too hard to hang off and get my knee down, which had me hanging onto the bars (which might have caused the front to push a litlle???). Do you know why the front could have been pushing, or why it felt to me like it would?
Also, how do I know if I’m getting to the limit of traction?
i’m not b , but have you had your suspension set up by one of the track day specialists (focused event useally have good people) , as these feelings can usally be down to poor set up , and if its set correct you will proberly get your knee down when your not expecting it which is the best way as your concentrating on rideing rather than your knee . ps i’m atill not b
Hi Fridayman…you’ll know when your reaching the limit of grip when the tyres start moving around more and the bars will flap very very slighty. When this happens don’t tense your grip on the bars, snap the throttle shut or grab the front brake. This will upset the balance of the bike. Keep your upper body relaxed by locking yourself into the bike with your outside leg, this will take any negative input away from the bars.
Another thing is to practice going into a turn a little slower but getting on the gas a little earlier (this will reduce the chance of a front end slide and also balances the grip between the front and rear tyre) .
Getting on the gas earlier will mean you’re quicker at the end of the straight…just what you need at Silverstone
I also meant to add that hanging off can often cause a rider to put pressure on the bars, this will cause a lot of problems, keep a check on it and make sure your arms are loose.
Hey Westie, not seen you for a while, catch up at Donington
My suspension has been setup by Race Lab (FE’s sussy guys).
I think that I need to take a step back, slow down a bit and hang off less so that I can learn to relax my upper body again. And maybe get some thicker knee sliders
‘Taking a step back and slowing down a bit’ are are quite often wise words. It’ll help you be more relaxed, you’ll have a much better recall of each corner lap after lap so will learn the track well and the speed can be increased.
You’ll also remember what you did right or wrong on a corner so can correct it.
I reckon its like Westy said, it’ll happen when it happens and you shouldn’t be aiming for that as it detracts from the more important element of hitting the apexes and not running off the track
I dunno…I rode Sherrie’s R6 (on the road) and it felt like I could touch down if I wanted to…Why is that B?
Anyway, I’ll be looking to learn Silverstone and not crash and if I touch down…Cool
I’ve had the suspension setup to have the nose dip on the brakes then stay down until I get back on the gas (increased the rebound), so the bike is turning OK. I think that I am the problem. When I try to hang off I don’t feel secure on the bike and end up hanging onto the bars. Last night on a run to Alton I was doing exactly the same thing again. So how can I get more “clamped” onto the bike? My outside leg doesn’t feel like it is “hooked” into the tank. Someone has suggested raiseing the pegs…?
Another way of getting more clamped into the bike is to lock both legs into the tank as hanging on the bars will push the front tyre. Stomp pads will help as dannyboy says.
I’m definitely more stable on the bike if I clamp the tank with both legs (I do this on the road). Can I do this and still shift my weight to the inside?
Locking youself in with both knees and hanging off is ok to do, just doesn’t look as flashy sometimes. On the plus side it lets the bike steer how it should and find its own way as you won’t now be pulling or pushing the bars.
You’ll also now be able to hold on with a lighter grip, have more feel through the bars and not be snatchy on the throttle (which a tight grip may cause)
Coming to think of it i remember your better half Rizlasv having this sort of style…she was quick too
It works for me on the road, so I’ll do it on track too.
Yes, that’s the way Ness rides and I couldn’t keep up with her going round the long right hander (Club I think). The instructor did say that she was pretty much on the edge of the tyre going round there and that she needed to hang off more (which immediately unsettled her).
i definately wouldn’t advise gripping with both knees…(not that i have any qualifications to give advise). This will indeed make you stable on the bike but will turn your upper body away from the turn and is pretty much unnecessary.
Try doing it in stages i’d say rather than going for the full monty wet weather hang off style. Shift a third of your bum to the inside and keep you outside leg relaxed but against the tank…let the inside leg hang but do not force it towards the floor. Move your shoulders into the corner keeping your inside arm flexed and the key part…your head looking where you want to end up…this draws the whole body into a positive position allowing you to get a wriggle on and stay relaxed and loose. Try creating this position on the sidestand…maybe get a mate to put some weight on the back if necessary. Key is to be comfortable and breathe
Again i’m not a qualified instructor or anything…just trying to make life easier
Locking both knees into the tank (especially in Fridaymans case) will be a much safer option to what he’s doing at the moment and also he might discover what the problem is It’s a good technique to get a rider to relax their upper body and let the bike do what its meant to.
Turning your upper body away from a turn is not always a bad thing, Doohan and Schwantz practiced this and Doohan often locked both knees to the tank.
i wasn’t saying don’t or do hang off. Just that i don’t see how focussing on gripping the tank with your knees will promote a positive and relaxed riding style…actually the oposite…theres not hanging off and theres death gripping the tank with your thighs.
Hey ho any which way works has gotta be good. Most important thing is that you enjoy it.
