what did you do to your vfr today?

As much as I love doing the twistys. flipping the bike one way to the other is a hoot, getting my knee on the ground ain't as important. Besides, it really doesn't say much other than, yea baby I did it. Then there's risk assessment on the street is sketchy at best. Lint hopefully knows the condition of the road and it doesn't change..much. but being it's a public road one never knows is it worth it? My best for Lint here, still SMH. it's all good, until. That all said, on the track it's used as feelers, helps one know where you are and what needs to happen next, that's a whole other game. Then thats a hell yea, as its nice to know.

 

Even on the track it doesn't mean much. Most of the instructors at Laguna Seca last week were hauling ass and I didn't see any of them touching a knee. In fact there was one student, let's call him "Rider X", who I think really wanted to do this and you could see his over exaggerated body movementd and extended knee trying to touch it down. One time coming around my corner (turn 5) it was really noticeable, so I made a mental note, so that if/when he came by again I'd see if he was doing the same thing and I could let the instructors know. On this same run, a call came from turn 8..."We have a rider down!" and the first thing I thought was, Rider X went down, just as soon as that thought went through my head, the voice on the radio said, "Rider X is down...". The call came from track control to wave the yellow flag. Another rider went down the next and we had to red flag the track. Both riders were OK but I really believe that Rider X was more interested in touching his knee down than following the instructors/curriculum.

Although I have touched my knee down on a few runs at the track, I never really feel the need to try and do it on the streets, that is not to say that Lint is doing anything bad, I just don't see the need for it. Is it cool, yes, many think it's the pinnacle of riding a sport bike. I think that if one is wanting to drag a knee they have every right to try and do so, provided they are being safe about it, nobody I know wants to be like Rider X!

 

Knees are one thing - elbows are much more fun - although its usually best to not have the wife on the back as that usually gets a slap...

 

Certainly has more experience and nerve than I do. Last time my knee touched the road was when I hit an oil slick on the Crest. My knee, the whole leg, my ass and other various parts!!

 

Good take D. This came to me during a conversation on one of those track days where guys and gals where comparing knee pucks, OML.. other things come to mind too. but one said, and it made sense, since he's looking out in front as the line to stay on, he brought it up that he used his knees to feel where he was in the lean angle, not that one doesn't know, but yea ok, but body position is one thing that's important in executing a corner as smooth as possible. Working it to get your knee into the pavement isn't necessary to make a great move through the corner. Just my thoughts I'm no where near expert, just a feeling I have.

 

FWIW, my purpose in getting my knee down is twofold.
One, yes, it's cool, yes it's fun. Yes, I get a little braggy about it. It's something I've worked on for a while and it's only after a couple of passes at a much slower speed to make sure the pavement is clean with no surprises.

Two, I do it specifically for the purpose of reducing lean angle. If I carried this speed with my body upright, I would be lowsiding very quickly. Especially with the PR4 rear tire. I know this to be true due to having the backend get instantly loose on me a number of times.
With my weight low on the bike, and "hanging off" I am able to reduce lean angle while carrying more speed/acceleration. Additionally, the bike is MUCH more stable and when it's done correctly, my knee is hitting the ground, not my boot slider, my foot pegs or my centerstand, all of which have touched down, a bunch, and the centerstand has unweighted the rear tire a couple of times mid turn.
When it's done correctly, everything works better. More grip, less lean angle, much lower center of gravity and no bike parts trying to wad you up into a ball.

The Coolio factory is there, but for me it's a matter of pragmatics. Also, knowing how, I have a lot more confidence in knowing I'll be okay if I come up to a decreasing radius turn, or a sudden sharp turn.

Oh, another thing I just remembered. It makes braking/trailbraking in a turn, or just going into a turn a Lot safer, as you have less lean angle because you're more on the center of the tire, and, if you're bracing yourself with your knee into the tank, your center of gravity is much lower and it's A LOT less pressure on the handlebars which stabilizes the bike a lot too.

Plus, it's really f*cking fun.

 

It's a double edge sword, less lean angle means larger chicken strips, little to no chicken strips means more lean angle...

 

True. After my last spirited ride, I was using less lean angle and my wear was farther from the edge and that shows me I was riding safer.

 

My take is: You pay for the whole tyre may as well use it - lol

 

You be the judge, however I don't feel like I'm dangling of the bike a ton. Just trying to keep the bike up a little.
When I look at this I see I should have had my upper body lower to the tank and farther off the bike. I'm still working on that part.

If you zoom in you can see how close hard parts are to touching. This is why I hang off the bike. I could and should actually be off of the bike more, I could have carried more speed with less lean.

 

If you are using every last bit of tire you have no more lean left in the bike. You are effectively at 100%. If anything happens you have no room for adjustment. Fine for the track but I'd hate to run with that mentality on the streets.

Leaning off the bike to offset lean angle is a great way to increase corner speed, and allow yourself extra "wiggle room" in case of error or other issues. I can stop my pegs from scraping by putting more of by body weight into the turn. "Kiss the mirrors" I've always been taught.

 

Not bad form, especially for one your size my comments are more from a safety perspective, not your riding style. yes one needs to get off the bike more leaving the bike more up right. which in turn gets you closer the the pavement, hence why one might drag a thing or two. H, I was bouncing the center stand from what Justin saw from behind, I never felt it, so was close, yet didn't feel the need to get off the bike more. Just IMO on the street it's risky. Yea I know to much preaching, you're old enough to make your own decisions with risk assessments, but, wasn't this the same road the 6th gen had issues Just saying .

 

It's all good. Yes, I did hit oil on this road, a different part though.
I always make a few slow passes before to make sure the road is clean. It may not look it, but I'm actually quite cautious.

You're not preaching btw. I completely understand your intention. Hitting the centerstand means you're leaning too much. Believe me, once it hits the pavement, you're millimeters from crashing. I try to reduce that as much as possible. Even in full gear, crashing can hurt. If nothing else, it hurts the wallet!!!

 

Well. It wasn't today but last weekend, I crossed the 130,000 mile point and I treated the bike with a brand new custom built Rich's seat. Eventually I will get around to cleaning the bug guts off her.

 

Lint--- YOU NEED JAMIE!!!!!!


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Indeed I do!!!

 

I'll secnod the Jamie thing.. Randy you where so close yet.......................

 

If it weren't for the Ferry, I could have come over Monday as I had that whole day to waste.

 

Today? IL to Black Hills.

 

Well have not posted much since the race clips.
My rear tire... continental road attack 2, has become toasted. 3000 miles later.
Not much better than the ContiMotion tire set I had been on before. Grip however was night and day.
Now 95% of this tire has been 2up with the lovely Miss Carmen on the back doing fun runs up and down Glendora Mountain Road and HWY 39 to Crystal Lake for a grilled cheese. Yes... you must stop in and say hello to the owners. They love the motorcycle community.