Sounds to me like YOU'RE the one enjoying his machine...OMG...not another Rook!Hooligans.....criminals....both of ya .

"300 corners in 37 miles"....okay...so....when are we leavin!?.

I posted up on my YouTube channel the Kookanusa run...it's a 34 minute video....and the distance is 57 miles from the start to the town of Libby.I stopped at the Dam...that's about 15 miles from Libby.I counted 67 turns(with a couple 'kinda turns' left out).67 turns in 17 minutes of video.So that's...what....another 17 some minutes of curves at the 17 minute point.At least as many...maybe more.So I'm guessing here..that run has somewhere in the neighborhood of....140 nice curves in it...and they're mostly fast corners...not severe twisties.Makes for an excellent day out.HOWEVER...the freezing temps over the Winter really play havoc with the road surface.It's not like it was 3 years ago....lots of stuff like you were talking about in the surface.I couldn't really roll like I wanted....not being there for a season of Winter..then going there the other day...for a 'scout run'.The turns and such used to be really nice...smooth...not anymore.Rough...holes....big azz cracks running longitudinally.Not good for yer front tracking at speed.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/8/2012 @ 7:57 PM *

I'm gonna make it over for the TT someday, just a matter of time!

You know...IF you do...I'd maybe want to go with ya.You mean...take our bikes?That would be a thrill.I love watchin those guys rip that road up.WAY awesome.And they're riding....what size?You see those guys doin the wiggly there...that's what I was tryin to have SOMEONE here explain just what that is.I firmed up my suspension...the wiggle I was getting(like those guys at speed)is virtually gone now.Makes carving much more enjoyable!

The difficult part of tuning that out...is replication.Temps...speed...road temp...tires....all that stuff can change quickly.In the morning or whatever for example...I 'could' be rollin really hard in a particular corner...and get some of that going on for a few split seconds.Same corner,same speed,same line...four hours later...nuthin.smooth as glass.IDK.I try to get as few varibles goin on as possible.Body position,speed,lean,....I think right now she's set pretty close to being what I need.High speed cornering smoothness...and straight away....smoothness and 'plushness'.Everything goes UP cornering...forces...gravity...cg..all that.Centrifugal forces...g's in the corner.If ya get er TOO stiff...she's not comfy that much on the straights...where I do most riding anyway...getting from curves to curves.But she's nice right now.VERY.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/8/2012 @ 8:08 PM *

They have 600cc and 1000cc races at the TT. After the race, anyone is allowed to get on the course and ride as fast as they can. I'm sure it would be very expensive to import your bike with you. You would have a zillion equipment changes that would also need to be addressed and you would need to get an Irish drivers license or something like that, I guess.

It would be a lot of fun to go and watch though.

Sheesh Rookster...I don't wanna just watch!!!Money...yep...I know.Spendy fer sure.But think how cool it would be to make a 'country run' experience out of it.You know...cruise around over there for a bit?(Is it REALLY an island?)

I'm torn right now...IDK IF I should reinstall my exhaust again...with the newest Brock's map...and the sound insert...I've no idea just how much that deal will soften up that muffler...and I REALLY don't want to install all this stuff again only to have a pipe as loud as before.Any experience with the noise inserts with a Brock's pipe?Steve at Brock's said.....3 to 5 decibels...I've NO idea what that will sound like.Any thoughts?(I know...what does THIS have to do with 'hanging off'????)...nuthin.Absolutely...NUTHIN .

I guess I could install it without the PCV and just see what she's gonna bark like.Maybe I'll do that.IF ONLY I could get by without removing the radiator.....the hoses and such...that's what really takes the time.And if she isn't quiet enough?Then...well,I don't even like thinking about having to do all of it over for nothing..AND that PCV...yup....it's a simple install...BUT....it takes baby hands to get at the couplings to hook em up.GEEZ!

I have the bodywork removal and install down fairly well now...that goes by pretty easy(Thank God)...But goin through the teardown of exhausts...that is a bit of a pain.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/8/2012 @ 10:54 PM *

Grn, it most definitely is an island, a rather small one and probably like no where else in the world. It is located in the Irish Sea, smack dab between England and Ireland. From what I've heard there is no speed limits on the island, go as fast as you like.

It has it's own Parliamentary form of government and is largely populated by ex-racers, racers, wannabe racers and plain old motorcycle nuts.

They close the entire 37 mile TT course (public road) once a year during Race Week. All traffic is one way during that time and anyone can get out and ride the course on Mad Sunday after the end of the races.

It is considered the most dangerous motorcycle race in the world and averages two fatalitites per year. There is a huge cemetary full of racers who didn't make it and statues all over the island to commemorate the fallen heros. The race has been held for over 100 years!

Former GP stars like Agostini and Joey Dunlop raced the TT back in the old days but the modern crop like Rossi and company will not race it, way too dangerous for their liking. Takes a special breed to go fast on this course.

Guys like John Mcguiness are the best racers in the world, avearging over 132 mph on the 37 mile TT course with over 300 turns on public roads. Other than a few strategically placed hay bails, the top racers are hitting speeds of over 200 mph sometimes inches from stone walls and trees....and spectators. If you lose the front end or highside here you are probably dead...that simple.

I know one guy racing the TT this year, Chris Sarbora... Would be sweet to know two more.

Any experience with the noise inserts with a Brock's pipe?Steve at Brock's said.....3 to 5 decibels..

If it is 3-5 decibels that should be a lot., I guess. every decibel, the sound doubles in volume or something like that. I'd google that to get more precise info.

I have a Tsukigi noise reduction insert for the busa and that thing is ~ 14" long and wrapped with packing. From whjat I have been told, it quiets the pipe down pretty much. (guess i better get that pipe on the busa one of these days. it's been over 2 years.)

Thanks Rookster.I'm waiting anyway....gonna be ridin two up here tomorrow...girl from work wants to go.That pipe would be plain ole obnoxious for her...sitting on the pillion.I do love my stock mufflers though...I COULD ride without a helmet and plugs and be fine sound-wise.(yeah yeah...I confess...I did that...across the street in the big azz parking lot warming up the chain for my Chain Wax application.Kinda cool actually.....well....okay....maybe not

Using that math it almost calls for one to use correct body position on the street. Having a 10% margin of error on the street is a blessing.
I have done dozens of track days on the 14. Setting up body position before entering a turn allows this skinny guy to turn with supersports unless the guy is a top racer.
So on a spirited street ride I do the same to give Me that much more variables for the unknown I find out there. Usually a rock or pavement imperfection. I tend to tighten my line in right handers to avoid moving towards the oncoming lane. Granted not many will ride a hyperbike as hard as I do but it is a asset to know and practiced correct technique. And the only place to really improve high speed skills is at a track day with good instructors.
I highly suggest a couple of track days to those of you havent done one. It WILL change everything you do on the street.

* Last updated by: skiffman on 5/9/2012 @ 4:47 PM *

I'm curious...okay...and honestly not trying to be a smart azz or anything.I have NO DOUBTS about the learning a guy can do on a track.My only question here....what makes a track so much different than riding the same kind of 'layout' the street can offer...and actually,having only ONE lane to ride in...it would seem that the street would be an ideal place to learn what to do or not to do...considering a guy who realizes that it IS the street...and not a track?I say this because turning is turning....apexing is apexing...late braking is late braking.Holding a line is holding a line.I don't see really any difference between the two...EXCEPT...no oncoming traffic...no oil patches(hopefully)...no sand or gravel...stuff like that.So how does a track day(s) actually 'help' a guy 'get better'.You can't ride the street like the track...in theory anyway...so...how does it benefit a street rider who's already paying attention to 'most' of the track techniques anyway? I may be really dense...IDK...but I'm just not seein this correlation.Ya..the fun factor may be somewhat different...(I don't know if it would for me personally)...but,yeah,I could see guys having more fun not having to deal with the other stuff.

I wouldn't expect my 500 plus lb bike to handle on the street or track like a literbike.There's just some things she won't handle.I wouldn't go to the Dragon and expect to rip like I would on big curves and such.I mean...KNOWING your bike will do this or that....and exploiting that on a given road....how is that somehow different than running a track course?If you're saying....'well,the street is just too iffy or dangerous to be carving like at a track"...I'd have to disagree.I'm not saying...run the street like a track.That's pointless really...and asking for trouble.But riding 'sanely' and riding the curves with spirited riding...how's that different?I'd say..the street is the best place to learn to ride in the most open ended variable situations a guy might come across.You can't ride the street like you would a track....balls out to the next curve...hit yer brakes and roll in like Mladin or Rossi.But using the same techniques...ya...a guy can do that easily on any given road he's on...considering it'll let him.

IMO,riding a bike is more about intuition and 'feel' rather than cut and dried formulas for getting from A to B.A guy can feel when he's doing things right.Street OR track.I've got a big ninja....not a Harley.It's gonna allow a lot more risk...street or track.How far do I want to push?EVERYONE has their own idea of 'pushing'.And actually...it's NOT a rule of owning a bike like ours to 'blast as hard as you can and ride like Rossi' everywhere you possibly can.The great thing about our 14's...they're fun and exciting at highway speeds and cornering.Being able to up the ante is icing on the cake.But a guy doesn't HAVE to do that...not at all.I'm getting 'almost' as much fun out of carving at legal speeds as I do at..well...illegal speeds.It's all what ya want.I stopped going from A to B as fast as possible.I'm finding by doing that that I don't necessarily feel I NEED to prove to myself...'hey...I'm rollin like the Pros'...shit...they're Pros...gettin paid to drive like they do.And they don't ride like that on the street...that's for sure.I gets busy when I feel it's okay...ya..I do.But I've stopped 'going fast' just because I can.Well...not totally sttopped okay...but....eased up some...on the straights.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/9/2012 @ 5:25 PM *

Well a couple of saying come to mind.
Practice doesnt make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
Monkey see monkey do.
A bad habit is harder to break than learning the correct way.
The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

As I said, track days make a world of difference. Its almost impossible to describe how much your riding will improve from them. As a Old (56) racer I know.
What I do on a track day to improve while riding at 85% makes my riding at 50-60% on the street that much better.
The military does repetitive drills so a man will react properly under great duress.
Same thing with instruction at a track day.
At a track day you dont have to worry about dirty pavement, oncoming traffic, LEO's, Dogs, kids, wildlife, LEO's oncoming cars, blind corners, LEO's and as I painfully found out, its great to have a ambulance minutes away.
You can practice trail braking for lefthanders (for example) over and over. And then have a speed expert show you the correct way and practice new technique over and over.
I literally drilled into my head what the limits of my hyperbike in corners were. Then I modified the suspension and relearned those limits. I have posted pictures of my kickstand, shifter, mid pipe and oil sight glass ground up from the lean angles from the track. Cant find those limits on the street, only the track.
After 4-5 trackdays I was having great fun leaving 100 ft. blackies as I drifted out of 120 mph corners. Obviously not a street skill but I have found myself in increasing radius corners and have tightened my line line by stepping out the rear without the 'normal' highside because I know at what rpm vs. lean angle I can do this.
And thats one of the best parts of track days. Its NOT a race. You can work on your weak skills and play with your strengths. As a old MXer-flat tracker I can slide most anything. But I sure needed to learn proper road bike body positioning!!!
Its not unusual to enter a canyon curve with too much speed. We all have done that. By practicing trail braking on the track this eyeopening mistake is easier to recover.
These bikes with their excellent brakes, massive lowend torque, long wheelbase and lowish center of gravity are very forgiving. But you have to know their limits and the only way to learn them is in the safe environment of a track day.

Look, Micheal Jordan was a gifted athlete. But he became Micheal by tons of practice. Millions of jumpshots, free throws, cross overs etc. over and over.
You think Phil Mickelson just makes those outrageous shots up at tournaments? Nope, he practices with mounds of balls.

You want to be a better rider? Practice. And for the street that is learned at the track. With good instruction.

You know...I can't think of ONE instance where I would need or want to spin the rear in a corner on the street.Same with lofting while coming out of a curve on the street.Or leaving darkies.So a guy goes out...on the street.Big bike like the 14...massses of power.Great brakes.Bunches of torque.You mean to say that he couldn't learn just as well the in's and outs of cornering,braking,trailbraking...shifting midcorner,hitting his apex with techniques the Professionals use...feathering the front brake...the rear?Body position?I'm not trying to take anything away from anyone who loves the track...not at all.I can see certain advantages to riding track and practising these skills.I guess this kinda sounds like..."you'll(and I don't mean me personally)never be at the top of your riding game without getting on a track where it's 'safe' to practice these skills'....I can't agree with that kind of presumption.But also...having never BEEN on a track...or any of that...I REALLY can't make a solid case for 'not going'.I try to practice what I've read and heard and seen(as you say....monkey see,monkey do)...yup...not ashamed to say it at all.You can learn a lot just by watching and studying someone else.I've locked rear brakes at various times,in various situations.I've practiced and practiced 'out there' doing trailbraking...shifting...all that.Body positioning at LOTS of different situations...still do....different speeds....different gears...rpms...all that.That's what makes it really fun for me.And I want to emphasize..."fun".It's not a race.Not for me anyway.Just having fun learning about my bike.Hoping and trying to not get killed doing it!

You know...the more I think on what you've said...the more it does make sense.I would have to agree with ya...doing track days can make you a better safer rider.No doubt about it.I can see how 'finding the limits' like leaning and stuff on a track would give you a better sense of what you could do 'out there' in a given situation.I can see that.Yup....I can.Unfortunately...I'll probably NEVER get to a track.I'm just too far from anything that I could possibly 'set up' for a regular part of being a better rider.I wish I could...now.Hearing what you've said.You've changed my mind on this thing.Thanks.Honestly.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/9/2012 @ 6:39 PM *

Glad you can give it a second thought.
I was firmly convinced I was a very very good rider until I went to a street skills day with a friend that was new to street riding. Man, I learned so much. Realized I forgot a million things and had developed some bad habits I couldnt see. Then I got my 14. And realized I had a bike that would take Me from cruising to immense trouble in the flick of my wrist. I also wanted to go to Bonneville. So I started doing track days to get accustomed to life over 150.
Once again I learned I had some really dangerous techniques for riding this powerful of a machine. Dangerous at any speed. And I had a bike that went way over a 100 in second!!!!!
Not all track technique is suitable for street. But proper body positioning is definitely at the top of the list of what crosses over.
Lots of small stuff a guy never thinks off.
Hell, putting Stomp grips on my tank makes a huge difference in braking ON the street.
Being able to grip the tank lightens up my hands so I have gentle countersteering imputs and lightens my grip to allow the 'design' of the bikes geometry to take over.
Being able to do maximum 'hanging off' comfortably to keep my bike more upright while riding in rainy Western Washington is a valuable skill I grew accustomed to at track days.
Many folks dont know that a quick flick to do a turn on street is actually safer than a arching turn. Learned that a street skills class and perfected the technique at my 1st track day.

Only in the US do drives actually believe that passing drivers ed is all they need to be a good driver.

Riding on the track has several advantges. You can focus 100% on your riding
No animals will be running into the road
you have no side traffic to worry about pulling out of a driveway
You can haul the mail through a blind corner and not worry about being surprised (corner workers will let you now if something happens well ahead of you)
The surface is usually good with no debree on the track
and the biggest of all at a good track you have plenty of runnoff so you can safely leave the track and if you keep your head you'll be ok, on the street if you leave the pavement you have mailboxes, signs, trees and guardrails that are not forgiving.

* Last updated by: heathun on 5/9/2012 @ 7:50 PM *

With all those 'things' going against a streetrider....ironically...that just may be a big part of what's keeping me alive when I go out and roll!However....I don't(and I mean this)spend much time thinking about those things.I mean..I think about em...ya...like what's behind that crest ahead and curve...ya.But the other stuff...animals....guy crossing into my lane...stuff like that...I can't do anything about that....I just try to remeber...push left,go left....push right,go right...simple as that sounds,it's amazing how there are SOME times(maybe one in a thousand or more)when I've found myself actually doing that wrong in a tight 'better do something NOW' situation.It's easy to forget the way the bike actually steers at speed.It's so instinctual to use countersteer...something I rarely think on.But....I've lapsed a couple of times...only saved her by braking and slowing just enough to 'miss' the inevitable.Here's one...a common one....gets a lot of people killed.You're coming up on a curve.You see it...but you feel you're going over yer head.You get a jolt...you're in it before you can say...shit.You're leaning in,but that guardrail is moving in at ya quickly.Closer...you've not much time now to take action...better hurry up.You're TRYING to look where ya want to go...but yer periperhal vision is screaming at ya..."it's gonna nail ya,look how close it's gettin!".There's gravel on the shoulder,the rail right there.You HAVE to countersteer...you have to...and POSSIBLY slow up some.But it's happening way to fast to do it all.Whattya do?If ya hit the brakes,yer sure to slide and nail it.If ya slow,that still won't stop your trajectory.Not in time anyway.So whattaya do?One option really.COUNTERSTEER...NOW...take yer chances on sliding...but push NOW.I've had that happen...more than once.I should know better.In my mind...I do know what to do.When reality hits and you just KNOW yer gonna be lookin at a trashed bike....within seconds.That's where yer mindset kicks in and you remember the simple phrase...push left,go left(while simultaneously easing off that throttle...easing off...nothing drastic).The key?Don't friggin get yerself in that position first!Easy to say.I'm being reminded all the time...especially with my new bike....better to ease in than hit it balls out and THEN try to change history!

Maybe I have a too simple thought process going on when I'm riding.I think....'well,shit...if some guy crosses into my lane and I can't see it far enough ahead,like a midcorner drift or something...shit...I'm gonna get slammed no matter WHAT I try to do"...fatalistic maybe.Same as with a deer or somethin.They're out there...people hit em all the time.Been my experience however that most of the strikes I've seen...that deer ran INTO the driver,not the other way around.So...I accept it and pray..yup.And keep my eyes open...mostly.I know I've gone by three or four deer right off the side of the road...and didn't even actually 'see' em..they blended so well with the plants and stuff.THAT's a scary feeling.You know they're around...just like those dui's and stuff...you can really only do so much on a bike.They do tend to skid rather than stop like a car.So I try at times to wind er down ,without ruining my tires or skidding...right at the edge....so's I can feel what the bike's doing as it's 'getting ready' to do whatever.I think that's helped me...I know it has in at least 4 situations(at different times with different scenarios) that occurred very quickly(like misjudging that car's speed ahead...when it's actually slowing like...really fast and I'm still on the gas...and the bike is still winding up...shit...wtf am I thinkin...BRAKE....asshole...BRAKE NOW!!!!And close the friggin throttle!!!!Downshift...NOW!Brake....brake harder.Oops...tad bit o skid...okay let up some...there...you're gonna make it...she's .......stopping...yes.[fuckin LUCKY prick you are this time...better PAY ATTENTION slick!]) seemingly from 'out of nowhere'...a wake up call?IDK...probably.I'm just yammering now.I've been 'lucky' for sure...maybe I did everything right?(except for think ahead??????)

In all this gardrail talk...I forgot to mention one BIG thing...FEAR.Yup....gotta say...it's a scary feeling....That corner was also one o those...well...off camber deals...very subtle...you don't see it first tightening up on the exit,but then it goes into a left hander at the top,flat..not banked like the rest of the s.Effectively creating an off camber turn.Right where ya need it to be a nice banked angle...something you can boomerang through and get a good final exit with.Nope...not THIS one.Catches me offgard almost everytime.I mean...I KNOW it's there,I'm rollin into it...but everytime I think as I'm beginnin my lean to the right there,that it's NOT gonna squeeze me into the other lane.Over the double yellow....banking hard to the right...harder...HARDER!The key with this one is...go in slower,get yer apex quicker...and transition faster to the upcoming lefty.Quite the curve...I'll tell ya that.There's 4 of em along this one road....all just after a nice big deep sweeping corner and 200 or so foot straightaway.EASY to build up speed VERY quickly and then...boom...there she is.The other three don't have that decreasing radius thing going on.But THIS one..geez.PLUS...it's visually an uphill...but in reality...it's a slight drop as yer goin through it.The river to the side and down there a ways...it's going DOWNHILL.The whole road is going downhill...but it doesn't look like that in certain places.So the bike can pick up speed like real quick an ya kinda don't see it happening...till yer at that decision point...ya...it's a scary curve.Lots happening right there with that 's'.

The turn..at 35:36.Road condition right there...scaling cement(broken pieces of it right in the setup line for this turn) right in the entrypoint where you neeed maximum traction to get er leaned in enough.If there'd been an oncoming cage..I wouldn't be writing this.Be careful you guys....BTW...looking at this sends a shiver up me spine everytime.Twice now I've had this happen(at that same curve)...both times...the road was empty...BUT.....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/9/2012 @ 9:14 PM *

I've done that on a much smaller scale. A lot slower and much tighter turn in thickly wooded area. If a car would have been coming, I would have been roadkill not to mention what might have happen to the person in the car. i ended up on the shoulder of the wrong side of the road gasping breathing a sigh of relief.

As far as the track, I find that there is no other place that I have to ride where I can corner at my hardest for 15 minutes straight. On the street there is somethin that will make me slow down, other than my own limitations or those of the bike, every 30 seconds. The prolonged high speed lets me get into a groove that I never can on the street.

I must say, as illegal as it is, there are more than a couple high speed experiences that you can do on the street that cannot be duplicated on any track I know of. Grn, I would say if you feel pretty safe from the popo on your roads there, that is the place to do what you are doing. 130 mph on many tracks is no big deal for 95% of the bikes that ride there. The only thing is, it is about 10 seconds at triple digits and then you have a corner that you had better start braking for. Where you ride, you could do 130-160 and never touch the brakes. There is one exhilerating high speed adventure that you need an open road to enjoy.

I came roaring up onto the expressway tonight right behind some guy on a white liter bike. There was very little traffic. At least 4 lanes all open, at times you have two 4 laners converge and then it really is sprawling asphalt all around no traffic at night up and over under over passes over underpasses..........we have some beautiful blue and purple lights that shine up on the walls and pillars-----schweeeeeew! That dude was flying. I think he musyt have been doing close to a hundred up ahead of me.

There are some great street experiences but I find they usually can't last like track riding. And I never even think about how many points I have left at the track. lol

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/9/2012 @ 11:29 PM *

GRN, I'm not harping that should be riding the track. I really don't care whether you do or not. However you are participating in a thread where people are talking about hanging off their bikes and dragging knees. If your doing that on the street you won't be around very long, that was my only point. You cannot run a pace on the street that you do on the track and get away with it for long and the experience and control that you learn from that pace is well worth it.

I love riding the stree and I ride hard when I do but a track is without a doubt a safer place to push the envelope anf learn the limits of yourself and your bike.

Ya....I hear ya.One BIG reason why I'm NOT gonna be 'pushing to the limits'....heck...we all know anyway...thse bikes are far more capable of handling what they're designed to do than most of us will EVER even approach.Me anyway.There is ALWAYS the chance of the 'unexpected' happening on the road...we live with that and ride with that.I've been adjusting my riding on the roads lately.That vid clip is a big reminder for me.

"If your doing that on the street you won't be around very long",(knee dragging and hanging off).I'm not even TRYING to do that knee thing anymore.I don't need to.Hanging off...nah...I've already said before...doing that(for me)doesn't add anything to my riding as is.I certainly don't need to get any faster....I go too fast as it is.But I'm getting better at restraint.Hell..it's a street bike.It's not the Isle of Mann or something.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/10/2012 @ 8:23 AM *

.Hell..it's a street bike.It's not the Isle of Mann or something.

I'm not sure what all they do to the bikes but AFA the motor, I think you could get done what they have done for less than the price of turbo. My guess is that the engine would have a much reduced life (maybe you would too- ).

Looks like you are getting a very good lean going with what you are doing. I guess we should all be able to lean as far in a high speed corner as we do in a low speed corner but here again, you are not going to find many corners that big on any track unless it is a giant oval maybe. My point is, considering how dead you could end up by crashing on the street at over 100, I think you are already pushing the limits about as hard as you can without going totally crazy. IMO, cornering at over 130-140 is something I don't think I want to do if it presents any serious challenges. I'll go all the way straightline and that is what peak hp is for, IMO.

Now it sounds like I'm building a case to support the notion that track riding is unnecessary. I'm not trying to do that. I just want to say that track riding has its limitations too. But also, I must mention a lot of those track guys don't even ride on the street after they get into track riding. I can totally see why because track riding is a lot more exciting than most streets and def the only wayto max on your real cornering skills. You will soon want a small bike if you get into track riding. Trust me on that.

After 4-5 trackdays I was having great fun leaving 100 ft. blackies as I drifted out of 120 mph corners.

When and where you doing track days this year, skiffman?... Think we need to get some footage of that for the guys here.

I'm pretty much a fixture @ Western WA's newest track, The Ridge... If ya come out, chances are, I'll be there. Only seen one zx14 there, and I know it wasn't you by your sig... It was a stock 2010.

I try my dandest to lean but I am plagued with corner phobia. The simplest little slow corner I try the butt scoot off the seat just to see what it is like and I start shaking so much that I actually have the wobblin.

I wish I had even moderate skills but the fear of falling down over rides my need to lean. I have had legal bikes all my life and for the last 40 years have had at least one running and legal bike to putt on but cannot break the fear to lean. I can play on the road and play dodge em on the hiway / roads but cannot and will not try to ride any place except clean up at the back of the pack. Doing a track day would have to be me on the track by myself because I would go off track to get away from people flying by me.

I love bikes and always have but fast and graceful I am not.

I envy you people that can

Dogo,
I havent done a track day in 2 yrs. Bought a zx6 track bike and went over the bars at Pacific at 120 between turns 4&5. (Newbies had stopped on the track & by trying to avoid them I biffed...,hard)
Did one track day at PIR to get back on the horse that threw Me. But have only done Taste of Racing at Portland since then. Want to do Grass Valley and curious about the Ridge (looks small for the 14) but my commercial fishing has taken center stage in my life. Cant afford another hospital stay at age 56!
But I am always SOOOO tempted to do a few once I come back from Alaska in August!!
I truly miss everything about them!!
My 14 still has the suspension that Barry at KFG did years ago. All I need is a set of grippy tires. Have already sown my leathers back together after the EMTs cut Me out of them. So we will see this August!!!

lytin,
Work on keeping your upper body relaxed 1st. Too tight of grip and too stiff arms is all I can figure would cause a wobble in corners.
Also in you want to 'hang off' try scootin 1 butt cheek off and move head out towards mirror BEFORE you enter a corner. You dont want to do major body shifts once in the corner. Try these small movements while on your kickstand to get accustom to them and you can do it smoothly.
Realistically,
it sounds like you need to study on proper cornering skills(throttle control, neutral throttle, braking, line selection, STAYING RELAXED etc.) long before you need to work on 'hanging off.

lytnin, You could still try a track day or a rider training session (they call 'em Championship Rider Clinics, here but anybody takes them). I'm sure you could learn to let the faster riders lap you safely if that worked out best for all. Look out behind you before you hit the straightaway if you see anyone just go slow and let them pass. Corners and braking are what you would want to work on anyway.....but we all know you would take at least half the front stretch for all its worth at least a couple times!! haha, looks like even the smaller bikes allow about 1/3 of the distance to scrub speed for corner 1. Take a training session just to get the experience. Everything is optimum on the track. The bike, mostly the tires and you will be 10X more focussed than you can possibly get on the street because of the repetition. Yoiu would be crazy to try. I know I did stuff that I never did on the street. Lost chicken strips for the first time..I still can't do that on the street. The track is just a different world.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/10/2012 @ 1:22 PM *

curious about the Ridge (looks small for the 14)