"all work and no play makes jack a dull boy"

[subxero]

So was thinking about my riding a little today and this is kind of how i felt.

Since i got my bike in Oct. 2012 i have racked up close to 3000 miles. The vast majority of these miles have been highway and commuting miles. Most of my riding is done to and from work and on occasion in order just to get somewhere and back.
However this weekend i was lucky enough to get out and do some pleasure riding. Only second time i had gotten a chance, and i was able to find some great back country roads with no traffic and some nice turns. I had lots of fun and definitely went fast and everything felt good. But i could not help but think about my lack of experience in these kinds of situations. I am super comfortable on the highway, highwind, rain, night time, traffic you name it cuz i have done it all numerous times, but I find it hard to push the bike to it's full capabilities or even probably 80% of its capabilites on these back roads or twisties mainly due to my sense of caution with road conditons. It is hard for me to get over the foresight that around every turn could be....well anything.

In short, i need to do more pleasure riding and work on my twisties but keep it safe. Any suggestions other than going to the track? I am broke and not even sure how much a track day costs and am not sure it would be for me either way.

Was thinking about setting up cones in a large vacant parking lot or something of that nature.


cheers,

[Falcor]

It's actually a very good thing that you're cautious though. Once you become more familiar with the roads you'll know what to expect and be able to push you and your bike a little bit harder each time. Just be sure not to go TOO crazy on public roads

[Motofool]

I don't see any problem, Joe.

A track day will not give you X-ray sight to see around a blind corner or any other special skill to prevent an accident on public roads used at excessive speeds.

You are just being cautious where it is important to be so.
Maybe you could go faster and enjoy the ride more if you learn to use your vision and lane position in a more efficient manner.

Find some practical tips here:

http://www.lateralg.org/tips/apex1.htm

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ri...on-open-roads/

There are exercises in parking lots, specially emergency stops, that are challenging and can greatly help you increase your overall control and confidence.

[himynameisjoe]

I think this is where I am. Just not to your extent obviously. I'm not that seasoned yet haha

But I realized that the other day. I haven't gone on many pleasure rides, just work commute, and to pop down to store and what not.

[Falcor]

I go on pleasure rides at night all time time. The first few times I went out I wasn't too sure how much I should push myself. Over time though I started realizing what I was capable of and knew my limits and started having a blast on the few windy roads I can find in my area. Also, if you're going to go out and ride for fun you have to be prepared to switch to serious mode within a fraction of a second in case your bike does something you didn't expect or a cager does something they shouldn't be doing in front or next to you.

[red5]

This is what Sunday mornings are for. Most of my miles are logged during the commute so I agree that this only takes you so far. So on Sunday I go all the way downtown for coffee and a bagel. Then head out in a different direction each time for an hour or two then back home.

Obviously you're not going to push to far past comfortable on roads that you don't know, but just having the extra seat time on back roads that aren't straight and flat or stop and go will improve skills.

Also read anything put out there by Keith Code (the movie was really good too). Most is geared toward the track but there is a ton of stuff you can apply to everyday street rides.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by Motofool

I don't see any problem, Joe.

A track day will not give you X-ray sight to see around a blind corner or any other special skill to prevent an accident on public roads used at excessive speeds.

You are just being cautious where it is important to be so.
Maybe you could go faster and enjoy the ride more if you learn to use your vision and lane position in a more efficient manner.

Find some practical tips here:

Thanks!

I think this is what i need, just need to find the right parking lot and have some safe fun where i can push the bike and myself a little bit more.

[Domagoj]

Total control book has many parking lot practice sessions suggested inside. Might be a good idea to buy/borrow the book and try to work it out from there.

You need full gear. No half solutions here - you do not need track leathers (you can't go wrong with these of course, good fit track suit is amazing to ride in), but you need at least street safe armored gear.

Keep in mind that, while doing parking lot exercises, the risk of personal injury is minimal, but risk of bike damage is not so. Any form of "pushing" usually leads to some sort of a slip. This will all probably be in the range of a smashed blinker, scratched fairing or bent handlebar or gear lever. Nothing substantial - but it can at least make the ride home difficult. Frame sliders are your save in these low speed slips, so it might be a good idea to get those installed.

The road can never be as fun as the track is. The fact that you are afraid of what comes behind that blind corner just proves that you have enough brains for self preservation. There is absolutely nothing brave or great or fun in getting yourself killed or injured. It's just stupid.
You may not have enough money now, but eventually you will. Once you try the track, you will realize how confining and terrifying public road really is.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by subxero

Thanks!

I think this is what i need, just need to find the right parking lot and have some safe fun where i can push the bike and myself a little bit more.

You are welcome

Check these as well:

http://amgrass.com/

http://www.msgroup.org/articles.aspx

[Jiggles]

Well let's be honest here, you're having trouble pushing the bike to 20% of its capability and you should go to the track

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by subxero

In short, i need to do more pleasure riding and work on my twisties but keep it safe. Any suggestions other than going to the track? I am broke and not even sure how much a track day costs and am not sure it would be for me either way.

Was thinking about setting up cones in a large vacant parking lot or something of that nature.

Having fun is what it's all about yo.

With 3k under your belt, you don't have to jump straight into track riding to continue to learn. There are plenty of skills you can work on while keeping it safe and legal on the streets. But really.... enjoy the time you have now being new. It's truly one of the best times.

Going slow:
Nothing wrong with doing as much parking lot practice as you can. Especially the brake skills, figure 8's and conscious counter steering.

Going faster:
First watch TOTW2.

Next would be to gear up and leave your ego at home.

Next skills to work on could be visual skills and line selection. On any given corner there are multiple lines that can be taken and still obey throttle control rule #1. You know what that rule is right? Do you know how to decide what line to take? Do you know the pro's and cons to different lines? When/why would you use one vs another? Be mindful of where you turn in the bike, early vs late.

After that, go for a ride in the rain or on wet pavement. Take it slow and easy, because it's only a matter of time before you get caught out in it. Might as well meet it head on. It forces you to be uber smooth. I was reminded of this when I did a track day in LITERALLY a hurricane. I had to check myself many times to be really smooth on the inputs.

Track:
Doing a track day is about continuing education. A lot of riders forget that or see it as only going fast. Find a track org with a good school aspect, seriously helpful coaches or with a trusted friend that can answer any questions you have. Imho it's the safest and fastest way to learn to get the most out of your bike AND more importantly yourself.

The track is expensive... to tell the truth. You might get away with only spending $200-$300 by having everything ahead of time and sharing a ride with a friend. I have spent nearly 1k on a weekend at the track going solo.

Keep rackin' up those miles and learn to listen to your bike. It's always saying or whispering something.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Having fun is what it's all about yo.
.................Keep rackin' up those miles and learn to listen to your bike. It's always saying or whispering something.

Excellent post !!!

[gitoy]

Originally Posted by subxero

In short, i need to do more pleasure riding and work on my twisties but keep it safe. Any suggestions other than going to the track? I am broke and not even sure how much a track day costs and am not sure it would be for me either way.

move in my neck of the woods...

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by gitoy

move in my neck of the woods...

ftfy

[csmith12]

lol, awesome Jiggles!

[subxero]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Well let's be honest here, you're having trouble pushing the bike to 20% of its capability and you should go to the track

You know what they say, 78.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot, and "60% of the time....it works everytime!"

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

ftfy

win

[nycsteve]

Nice thread. I feel the exact same as the OP. That is why I enrolled in CSS level 1 in May. Also, I'm signing up for my first official track day in april. I do agree with folks who say to set aside seat time for twistie roads. In the summer I rode a few weekends in a row to/through Bear Mountain/Seven Lakes/Harriman State Park and felt much more comfortable. After not riding the twisties in the last few months, I feel as though I can't do what I was doing during the summer. I have I season (13k miles) under my belt with at least 80% of that commuting.

The good news is, that I feel like I can get out of a jam much better than before (emergency swerve or brake) and I feel much more comfortable around other bikes.

[rojoracing53]

When a few of us started racing the YSR50s, on non race weekends we'd go to a metro link parking lot and setup a track with soccer cones. The lot was the size of 4 football fields with zero light poles or parking blocks just flat asphalt. It quickly when past just learning basics to full on staged races against friends and we even had a few Leo's show up to spectate. Most riders would crash once per visit but in full leathers and a top speed of 55 with nothing to hit its quite safe. After like 8 back to back weekends of this the 5 riders that frequented the parking lot races went from mid pack beginners to surpassing the current experts.

[subxero]

@rojoracing53 That sounds like a blast. I would definitely consider picking up a small cc used bike that i would not mind laying over to do something like this.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by gitoy

move in my neck of the woods...

I am sooooo jealous right now!

[rojoracing53]

So who wants to go to Argentina with me to practice my cornering.

[nycsteve]

Let's go. Right Now. Seriously.

[csmith12]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[EternalNewb]

Dang. Can I bring my s14?