by photomike666 » Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:43 pm
Don't go hard on the straights trying to catch up, you will only arrive at the corner faster than you are used to. More crashes in the twisties are going in too hot and trying to scrub off speed, something unexpected in the corner and trying to scrub off speed, or getting on the gas too early and sliding out
Approach corners at a sensible speed, adjusting with throttle and a light rub of the brake if needed before turning in. Enter with a wide line for best visibility, apex with room to spare (head in side the white line) and cruise out.
Trust your tyres, good condition tyres have more grip than you expect. Even over damp patches! If you hit a small gravel patch, don't panic! Tensing up will force the bike off line. Soft hands even if it slides. It will grip once past the gravel.
Keep your elbows low and counter steer, this allows more control of the turn in. Practice this lots.
In traffic try and see drivers faces, both through windows and mirrors. If u can't see their face, they can't see you. Adjust your lane position accordingly.
As for wheelies, buy a cheap dirt bike and practice on grass. Wear a back protector. A cheap dirt bike & back protector will be cheaper than fairing repairs when you flip it. Perhaps practice on a mountain bike first to get used to feeling a balance point. Once on the dirt bike the trick is to clutch it up and catch it with the rear brake. Varying throttle and brake balance the bike. You could power wheelie and try and get the power matched for a balance point, but you will be going faster and not learning to prevent flipping using the brake. Again, lots of practice & probably a few crashes
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07 ZX10R since new, tracky TBA, KX450F, 87 CR250 restoration, GT MTB - I've got serious thrill issues, dude