August 6th, 2019, 04:16 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Palmer 8-4 and 8-5-19
Calling @csmith12 if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here!
It's been awhile since I have given an update....I am currently in Ware, MA roughly 10 minutes from Palmer Motorsports. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with @adouglas, @Ducati999 and his wife, and many other awesome people. It started out a bit nerve wracking for me, my heart was about to pound out of my chest while waiting in line for follow the leader with red group. I was behind the control rider for the first lap, and then got left behind on the second! I finished the lap by myself and came in. The guy handling pit out had seen what happened and was kind enough to set me up with another control rider for the next session. I have to say it felt great to be able to sharpen my riding skills without having to worry about cars and stop signs/traffic lights, just ride and feel the bike and what I'm doing. Yes, I was very slow the first day getting used to the track and the uphill/downhill, but I progressively picked up my pace. My best decision was to participate in the evening track walk at the end of Sunday. Having Tony from TTD point out the line, and what to do and not do helped so much on Monday. I found I was doing some of the things he said not to do, and that I was already doing other things that he was saying we should do in other areas. My main thing I had to work on monday was on a couple of the right hand curves (it's always right handers that are my issue ) I found that the steering was feeling much harder than it should be. My left arm was tensing up and fighting my right arm while countersteering. I had to consciously tell myself to loosen up the left arm while turning. It made those right curves it happened on a lil wobbly at first, but I got better with it. I had a lot of fun, I now know what 75mph feels like (never been on the interstate, and speed limits in my area are super low) and also how great the lil ninja feels in the higher rpms. I had been used to keeping her around 8,000 on the street, no higher than 9. I didn't hit redline this weekend, but she was between 11 and 12,000 on the front straight in 4th gear. After taking Adouglas advice to keep her in third and see how it felt, the straight was the only time I shifted up past it. His advice helped a ton. I am now officially a track addict. I don't care how long the drive is, I love Palmer and Tony's Track Days so much that I am going to try to hit it once a year. pics and video to come!
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 Last futzed with by Koala; August 6th, 2019 at 02:14 PM. Reason: got my follow the leader sessions mixed up |
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August 6th, 2019, 04:41 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Takara
tires after first day, finally getting scrubbed in! all the bikes together
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 6th, 2019, 05:46 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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https://youtu.be/7hEBgQXAkMk
last session of Monday. I left off the very beginning since there was a yellow group crash right as we were lining up, and we had to wait a bit.
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 Last futzed with by Koala; August 6th, 2019 at 06:02 AM. Reason: put wrong day |
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August 6th, 2019, 06:04 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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how my tires looked at the end of Monday
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 6th, 2019, 11:46 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: SW VA
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436
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So much awesome!
Welcome to the addiction. |
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August 8th, 2019, 04:41 PM | #6 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 8th, 2019, 05:09 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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any words of wisdom, sensei?
I got lots of great critique and advice from Ant and Mr. Fist, but would love your input as well. Ant mentioned he had talked to you, and knowing I still have the free track day, I might be able to make it out this season to Mid O, but it will probably be next year. I changed jobs a few months ago, so that left me tight money wise, and the company didn't hit the new goals for our profit sharing bonuses...so no extra money at the moment. I would still prefer you to be there when I go anyways.
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 9th, 2019, 01:41 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Awesome pics are on the way!!!! Arcy Kusari of On Track Media has put up the Sunday shots, I'm just waiting for Monday so I can buy and share
He made a total newb look fabulous
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 9th, 2019, 10:26 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
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Ooh, yeah, post the pictures!
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August 11th, 2019, 09:35 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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I got pics!!!! I ordered all of them since it was my first time on the track. I wish there were more, but that is my fault due to not riding all the sessions. I did Sunday off of one hour of sleep. I rode the 3 before lunch, took adouglas' advice and skipped the after lunch, and went for the 2 pm session. My exhaustion hit me while out on that one, so I made the decision to end it for the day. With all the crashes that happened throughout the day, I did not want to add another to the list. I got 5 in on Monday, but a worsening migraine kept me out of the very last one.
So, here we go My favorite of the group, Sunday some time before lunch. note to self - don't put hair in low bun, leaving it in the low pony gives the illusion of speed note from ducati999 - starting to get crossed up. I noticed this in the pics as well, adding to the list to work on lol from Monday's follow the leader session @Ducati999 close inspection of my pics leads me to believe that the damage to the left frame slider and fairing most likely happened when I dropped her a few months ago. It could have been on the way up to you guys, but I doubt it. I'm shocked I didn't notice it before.
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
August 11th, 2019, 10:11 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: SW VA
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436
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Get that butt moving!
Side to side...get it over to the edge of the seat. Take the curb feelers off and use your toes to feel that edge. If you put the tip of the peg under the ball of your foot. You can rotate your knee out easier. Otherwise looking great! Right turns are easy to get crossed up in. It’s an uneasy feeling turning that way. |
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August 11th, 2019, 10:35 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Quote:
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 11th, 2019, 10:45 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: SW VA
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436
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Atleast get your chest down, drop your inside elbow and kiss the mirror
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August 11th, 2019, 10:51 AM | #14 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Quote:
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 11th, 2019, 11:02 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: SW VA
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436
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Good!
I’m not a fan of stopgrip. Look for the stuff made from jetski deck foam (Hydroturf). It’s more pliable and seems to grip leather really well. TOT....took me a min, but thats funny! And acurate |
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August 11th, 2019, 11:08 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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you got it quicker than I did lol! I kept seeing it on the TTD Facebook group, and finally had to ask
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 11th, 2019, 08:53 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
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Nice!!!
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August 12th, 2019, 07:07 AM | #18 | |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Quote:
You're sitting bolt-upright on that bike, and that's the only reason you can see because you've got your helmet rotated forward a bit AND you're wearing sunglasses. Your eyes should be (at most) centered in the helmet eyeport. You should be able to look as far up as you can without the helmet or glasses frames getting in the way. Consider getting a tinted shield so the glasses frames arent a factor. When you put your bike on the stand and get TOT to practice body position have your helmet and sunglasses on. Take note of what you can see when you're down in the position. Can you look ahead to the horizon or are you forced to look down at the ground in front of the bike? Note that if you obstruct your upward vision you have to crane your neck and you can only go so far because the back edge of your helmet hits your neck. Other things I see in your shots: Your arms look like they might be a bit tense. Were you getting any arm fatigue? I think I mentioned this at the track... I struggled a lot at first with putting too much stress on my arms, which puts unwanted inputs into the bars, which upsets the chassis, which makes the bike unhappy, which makes you unhappy. A big advantage of TOT is that you're supporting yourself with your core and your torso. Your arms can be very relaxed as a result. Your lady bits are right up on the tank. That's going to limit your ability to get low. Try scooting your butt back. You need to be forward in the seat when you're at a stop to reach the ground but once you're riding you never need to be there. A good rule of thumb is a fist width between the tank and your crotch. Picture a jockey riding a race horse. Very mobile, carrying weight with the legs rather than planting butt solidly in saddle. I never have a sore butt because I don't put too much weight on my a$$. Re the helmet, observe:
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. Last futzed with by adouglas; August 12th, 2019 at 08:19 AM. |
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August 12th, 2019, 03:01 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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I see what you are saying about my helmet. Normally before I go out, I check in my car window to make sure I haven't moved it too far down on my face. As for my sunglasses and sight, I never thought about it because it's never been an issue on my street rides.
No arm fatigue whatsoever. I did mention to Cassie on Monday morning that I had noticed on turn 4 and 9 that the steering seemed much more difficult than it should have been. I had made the connection on my own that my left arm was tensing up and I was fighting myself while trying to countersteer. Once I consciously started telling myself to loosen up that arm on those turns, it was better. In my last session video you can see the effect of this, especially on turn 9. I seem wobbly on the turn. that's because I was trying to get used to doing the turn while having no fight going on/keeping my left arm relaxed. I did not notice this during any of the left turns at all, my right arm stayed relaxed. Maybe I did have some overall tension throughout the weekend off and on, but never anything to where my arms were sore or tired. I don't normally ride with me lady bits right up on the tank. Normally I am the way Chris taught me, I can put my fist between me and the tank. However, my leathers were making my bum slide any time I got on the throttle, so I scooted up so my legs could lock me on better as needed. I've got in my notes, body position and staying loose up top are two of the many things for me to work on when I make it out next. I will be grabbing my helmet soon and checking out the sight with my glasses on in a bit
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 12th, 2019, 03:32 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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Hey, you're doing awesome for starting out! No need to rush and learn everything at once! Just relax and have fun! You'll improve without even trying! Especially with your awesome coaches. More videos!!!
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August 12th, 2019, 03:39 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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I'm a virgo. Two key traits of a virgo - we over analyze everything, and we are perfectionists. At Palmer I tried to tone that down and concentrate on a few things at a time. I think that worked, since I had a blast
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
August 12th, 2019, 05:53 PM | #22 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Keep doing that, once you have the basics down cold, then put on your perfectionist hat. To start out that way, slows down your initial growth.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 13th, 2019, 04:53 AM | #23 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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The thing that struck me about your onboard video was how good your lines are for a novice rider and how smooth you are... I wasn't seeing or hearing a lot of mid-corner corrections. You're clearly focusing on important basics and that's the very best way to progress. You can go a lot faster, everywhere. But that's as much about confidence as it is about motor skills. Something to think about as you advance. When you catch yourself thinking "gee, I didn't need to go that slow through there" instead of "crap, I blew that one" it's a sign that you've got the skill right and you have the ability to take it up a notch. "Sneak up on fast" is a favorite little chestnut for me. Get the skills right and speed will happen all by itself. You've clearly got the right mindset to be a better rider. You think a lot about what you're doing and prepare. You're not just SENDING it, yo. The trick is to pay attention to what's happening and know that you're ready to go faster.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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August 13th, 2019, 01:03 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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Heh, heh... I see... Very familiar with perfection as both my brothers are virgos!!! Hahhaahahh!!!
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August 13th, 2019, 06:13 PM | #25 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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@Koala
I will review what can be seen and get back with you. Work has me pinned down and need time to think before opening my pie hole and say something I may have to correct later. From what I can quickly scan in this thread thus far, looks like you got every penny's worth of fun, learning and friendship from your trip. And that is ALL that matters.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 14th, 2019, 02:42 AM | #26 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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Quote:
Another thing I did throughout the weekend, I was not using the brakes at all. Just rolling off as needed. The only time I introduced a little bit of breaking was the one time in my second to last session where I decided to try and pick up more speed on the straight and bumped up to 5th gear. I want to go back to working on that since going into turn 1 that time I was wobbly and just not right. So, pick up more speed in the straight (since the fastest I went was 75ish in 4th), get the 2 downshifts cranked out quick and be settled in time to be smooth into turn 1 is the goal. @csmith12 take your time lol. I've reviewed my last session a million times by now, and I see plenty of things I need to work on, but your advice will go a long way in helping me out. I know @adouglas and @Ducati999 helped a ton with their comments on what they saw while I was there and from looking at the video after. This trip was worth every penny, and worth suffering through the dark, rainy, fog filled long trip home. The track day organization, @ttd, the friends I got to spend time with, the many new friends I made, and the track itself, made it worth it. I don't think I would have been able to push through the anxiety about tech, and going out for the first time (the near panic attack in line was not easy to talk myself down from) if not for having adouglas, Ducati999, and his wife there as support.
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Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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August 14th, 2019, 08:17 AM | #27 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Something important to remember about Palmer that you won't find elsewhere (Mid-O, for instance) is that with the exception of Turn 9 (the super-cambered right-hand bowl) every one of he heavy braking zones is steep uphill. At the speed you were traveling it really is possible to stay off the brakes completely. You can even go faster without braking.
Learning to brake properly is a critical skill (says the guy who just busted his collarbone as the direct result of a braking error). It's also an amazing tool once you discover how to trail brake. One of the most eye-opening discoveries you'll make is how braking affects the chassis and handling. That only starts to make sense once you begin going fast enough for it to matter. As speeds increase, braking has an ever-increasing impact that goes far beyond just slowing the bike down. My crash happened not because I ran off or didn't slow enough... it happened because my braking error upset the chassis. If I'd braked correctly at the limit, I would have made the corner. One of the Mid-O exercises -- and my favorite from my trip there -- is the No-Brake Drill. You ride laps without touching the brakes at all. It really teaches you how to be smooth and also opens your eyes to how the bike behaves differently in corners when you don't brake. Read, learn, and think about how all this stuff fits together. Nothing is discrete. (adouglas turns and walks into the sunset, softly singing "the foot bone's connected to the shin bone, the shin bone's connected to the knee bone....")
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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August 15th, 2019, 02:44 AM | #28 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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@adouglas well said
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
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