dolau
Junior Member
Confidence to corner far enough over to lose my chickeen strips
Confidence to corner far enough over to lose my chickeen strips
I'll admit, when I first started riding, I too cared about the so called "chicken strips" (though it was never about being chicken, but rather being skilled enough). Now, with new FZ6 in hand, the strips are still there after a month. Mainly because I've learned, as Misti hinted, that turning should be done by the least amount of lean necessary (am I saying this right?) If I move/shift my body to be more toward the inside of the curve, the CG is such that the bike needs less lean angle to acheave(SP?) the same line at a given speed. Less lean, more control, and more breathing room of remaining tred/lean possible just in case! Curves that used to consume the fringe, don't even come close with better CG positioning! (Not sure if all this is stated correctly, but in whatever way, it works.)
My main problem, after years of not riding while the young-ins grew up, is maintaining focus when faced with distractions that spawn from inherent fears. Like coming up on a turn, suddenly seeing a huge foray of rocks in my path.... my mind starts focusing too much on them, instead of looking through the curve like I should be. Or maybe it's a pile of wet leaves, or some other horid thing that has burned me in the past. I know from experience what I must do to get through the problem, but it's always tuff. It's so difficult to shake it off sometimes, and focus beyond the problem so I don't overshoot the turn, or put a leg down when there is no need. Funny how I didn't worry so much about these things when I was younger and cavalier, now with responsibilities over my head, it's my main problem.
Yes you have explained the body position and how it effects your "chicken strips" correctly
As for maintaining focus when there are distractions, this is a tough one that we all struggle with. Keith calls our reactions to these moments "survival reactions" and what we need to do is kind of train ourselves to "react" in a different way. Unfortunately the way we automatically react (by target fixing on the danger, by stiffening up, by rolling off the gas) is usually the WRONG thing to do so we have to fight that automatic reaction and teach ourselves to react differently.
In the case of staring at dangerous things that may be in the middle of the corner, we must force our eyes to maintain what Code calls a "WIDE VIEW" meaning we teach ourselves that even in the midst of danger we force our eyes to stay wide as opposed to allowing our vision to narrow down.
This can be practiced while riding or driving or even walking by noticing every time your vision begins narrowing, or seeing how much of the road you are able to see (with your peripheral vision and straight ahead) and working on seeing more.
How many of you guys practice "widening your vision" on a daily basis? How might this change the way you "REACT" when something is suddenly in your path?
Misti
Thanks Misti, this one really hit home for me this last week end. I noticed for the first time the corners I felt most confident in were the ones where my eyes were really wide, looking deep into the corner, pretty much at the point where I couldn't see further up the road. I was taking in the minute details all around, but concentraiting on the furtherest part I could see ahead. This combined with flicking my eyes back very quickly to check the road nearer the front of the bike, then back to where they were before. The thing that really stuck in my head was the feeling of my eye lids being almost as wide open as they could be. Every time I tried doing this I felt the same confidence, although on some corners it was hard to do, the fear crept in and then I would get distracted, or fixate on a tree, or other object before pulling my eyes back to where they should be.
Definately something I am conciously trying to do on all corners now! Really looking forward to attending stage 1 css finally at queensland raceway!
Thanks Misti and Mazer- yes I agree I am not really terribly worried about my chicken strips which are down to about 1/2" anyway and cornering is more about bike and body positioning and I am pretty happy with that.... its just...................................... my son borrows my bike and brings it back with none and when we ride together I can never keep up with him - or want to run at that speed- I guess its a father/son thing
:thumbup:Chicken stripps are yummy, as for having a little extra tire left on the sides? well thats a good idea
I found if I open my inside knee to the turn it also turns my hips into it, also placing your head somewhat between the windscreen and mirror, then your shoulders will also be turned into the turn, and a little extra weight on the outside foot peg makes it easier to maintain that position while also forcing my body to remain relaxed.
Maybe it looks a bit goofy i dunno (I don't tend to follow me) but it's sure neat when you feel the bike and suspension working underneath you.
Excellent! Have fun at CSS level 1 you will love it
Misti
1st. I still try to smooth out gear changing. Especially from 1st to 2nd
2nd. While leaning, its difficult to convince my brain that if I brake I will fall and that the bike is able to lean much more without problems, when I realize that I'm going a little bit to fast for that corner.
3rd. Wheeling. Very hard to master... still trying