okay...need a little help on leaning...

alright, I know I'm pretty much a rookie (less than a year on a bike). I've heard all the "you shouldn't have gotten an R6 as your first bike" speeches....that bein established, let's move on. When I ride, I know I'm learning and I focus alot on riding technique. I am measuring the majority of my riding level by my chicken stripe. With less than a year riding, I have about a little over 1/2" left to go to the edge. I am wondering, for those pro's out there, am I making decent progress? Am I where I should be at my skill level?

There is an area that has some nice curves (moderate speed ones), decent pavement where I go to practice at least 3 times a week. I feel like for the past few weeks, I am at a standstill. I haven't progressed much and I'm wonderin what I'm doin wrong. I actually have a little further to go on the left hand side. I feel less confident taking left hand turns. Do any of you pro's have any pointers? I am not trying to rush anything, but I just feel like I'm not doing any better lately.

Sorry to tell you this, but if you're measuring your progress by the chicken strip on your tire, you're most likely riding over your head already. There is no way for me or anyone else to know where your skill level is unless we see you ride.

Yeah, the best thing you can do is attend a track school, such as CLASS or STAR (which is my favorite.) And then attend some track days. The best thing about schools is you'll be taught the proper technique, and as you stall at a particular level, good instruction can help you move forward.

Anyone can learn to lean a bike way over. But there is much more to riding than lean angles. Speed comes all by itself as you learn and apply proper riding technique.

CLASS is excellent for street-oriented riding, as that school tends to offer a wider view of riding. STAR is also good for street riders but Jason focuses a lot on specific technique, track lines, leaving room for errors (which we all make), body poistion, and a host of other issues. Jason's instructors are the best, and they love helping students, and it shows. it's a great experience.

See above...


Many fast guys do not scrub the edges of their tires.
They are fast because they use their bodies to turn, allowing the bike to stay more upright which leaves more tire on the ground and keeps the bike more upright for driving out of the corner.

Go to a track day and you will see instant progress.

ahh haaa...thank you...actually, I'm sorry if I made it seem as if that was the ONLY measuring stick I used, but it I do (or rather....did) think that the farther down, the better....I guess this is not the case....I don't feel AS bad for not bein down there...unfortuneatly...I do not have a track ANY where near me. I would LOVE to do some track time...anybody know of any in central SC area?

Take it easy on a rookie....but I guess it comes with the territory...bein the newbie....I think I'm bein as smart as I can be about it and I welcome all critisiscm....hey, it'll only make me better...

Thanks agian....and feel free to give any additional pointers....

Not meaning to be hard on you, are6. lol

I'm not a fan of Keith Code, but reading Twist of the Wrist II is not a bad idea. Plenty of good stuff in there.

Dunno about tracks in your area. How about a search for track schools, track days, etc for SC?

We just hate to see a new rider make the same mistakes we did.

In SC you are "relatively" close to VIR and Road Atlanta.
NFMP is a weekend trip, as is Summit Point or Pocono. Putnam Park might be doable too.

Hey, you guys are great...I really wish I had someone around here that was good that I could ride with...unfortuneatly most of the riders here like to cruise up and down our little "strip" to pick up chicks on these big liter bikes they barely know anything about....no helmet, shorts, t-shirt...chromed out EVERYTHING, strecthed to all hell and shitty sounding cans...I try to get some people to ride with me on some of the nice backroads we have here but they all just want to look good on their bikes and straight line it all day....too damn boring for me. The fun is in the twisties...hey, I like women too and it's a known fact...women like bikes...but I'm a married man...so there goes that idea...(if my wife saw me ridin another chick on my bike.....WHOA! Serious damage control and no ass for a week! LOL!)

I've taught myself everything I know...but sometimes...it's good to have somebody better than you to ride with. I'm just finding it difficult to gauge my progress...

I'm gonna look into that book, I'll probably order it online or something...

Luna, yeah, Road Atlanta is about 4 hours away so that isn't too bad, but I really wish there was something closer to me that I cold just hit on a more regular basis. That trip would have to be a rare occasion to Atlanta. I've called around and there are NO road courses in SC at all, but bikes are so big here...it doesn't add up...I guess everybody just wants to look pretty instead of actually "ride"...

Anyway, thanks again...

Dood did you follow the weed sign?! :b

CMP? Carolina Motorsports Park? Kershaw, <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> South Carolina<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->??

NESBA!!

Dates........Track.....................Member/Nonmember Price
6/15/2002 Carolina Motorsports Park $150 $215
6/16/2002 Carolina Motorsports Park $150 $215

Intro is free!

Check the site man! Click ME!

Unfortunately, I can't make it. You'll have a blast, not a bad course either!

many many thanks.......i will check this further...

Try looking up the Ed Bargy school in Atlanta. I know it's quite a drive from you but in order to go to track days, it's inevitable really to make some kind of a trip. The Bargy school uses Talladega (AL), Road Atlanta, North FL Motorsports Park (NFMP) and I believe Roebling also. A lot of racer friends have recommended the school and a few pro racers have graduated and teach there as well (i.e. Mike Smith, Pascal Picotte's former team mate). You can also check out the Kevin Schwantz School, also at Road Atlanta. It's a lil pricey but you are learning from the pros (Kevin of course, Lee Acree and Opie Caylor - both AMA racers are among the instructors). I plan to attend the Bargy school myself sometime in the summer or fall then proceed to do track days.