What do you work on at the track?

[volcom415]

Are there any things in particular that you are working on, or have worked on?

How did you do it?

I always try and find a good line first and foremost. Finding proper turn in points, apexes, and exit points are key to unlocking a smooth lap in my opinion. These are things that I always have to work on and constantly remind myself.

Body position?
Throttle control?
Brake markers (need lots of work on this one lol)
shift points?
Gearing?
Suspension set up?
Geometry set up?
Looking through turns?

Just bored on a Monday and thought that if we shared some tips that have helped us out or some that you didnt like, maybe it would benefit us all?

-Sean

[MOTOXAZ]

I think you have more track experience than I do and I think I have only met you once if this is this the Sean im thinking of. Right now I am mainly working on body position. I need to bend my inner elbow and arm. good lines are always a must.

[green lantern]

Suspension set up, Brake markers, and Geometry set up. the bike is set up for the local tracks, may need a little adjusting to get used to the bigger track.

[Racers Photo]

All good point, Sean. My only recommendation is that riders only work on one, maybe two things max per session.

For a new track like Inde, first things first - just learn the track, learn the line, get comfortable with it.

[357Magnum]

All good point, Sean. My only recommendation is that riders only work on one, maybe two things max per session.

For a new track like Inde, first things first - just learn the track, learn the line, get comfortable with it.

Once I feel like I have a decent line, I have been working on body position. From the pics, I think I was doing a lot better than the last time I was out. Not really worried about being fast right now, just want to get my body position and what not in good habits before I work on being quicker. Felt like I was getting the lower half of my body off the bike last time...no needa work on the upper on the 20th.

[Jasonzilla]

My advice is DON'T spend too much time on BP. Get it right and start working on something else. I've found there is too much to BP if you really dig, and you'll fall behind other riders, like I have. Don't worry about getting your butt too far off the bike, or leaning so far your upper torso is parallel to the tank (unless you just want some nice photos). Get a good standard BP (Rossi has the perfect standard BP) and move on. It will be a work in progress, but it shouldn't be too much of a focus.

I'm focusing on the two step process of looking through turns and throttle control this weekend for the first half day, then helping a friends kid in the beginner group for the second half.

I'm always working on RP's. It doesn't take any time during the session, and although I've lost a book that had East in it, I usually draw the track and draw my RP's on paper. You can never have enough. I'm going back to Superstreet because I'm still weak from Valley Fever, but I'm still expecting to push wide having messed with my suspension, so I'll have my RP's to help me.

One tip I have that does help some people is to take some tape and write what you're working on and put it on your tank. Keep looking at it before you get on the track to drive in what you want to work on. I saw Jordan do it, and I even did it when I was at a riding school. Very helpful.

Thanks for starting this post. I go to another site that talks about NOTHING BUT riding, and have been hesitant to do it here because of the usual posts that are started, and where they usually go. I try talking technique with some people at the track, but there isn't much participation there either.

[volcom415]

My advice is DON'T spend too much time on BP. Get it right and start working on something else. I've found there is too much to BP if you really dig, and you'll fall behind other riders, like I have. Don't worry about getting your butt too far off the bike, or leaning so far your upper torso is parallel to the tank (unless you just want some nice photos). Get a good standard BP (Rossi has the perfect standard BP) and move on. It will be a work in progress, but it shouldn't be too much of a focus.

I'm focusing on the two step process of looking through turns and throttle control this weekend for the first half day, then helping a friends kid in the beginner group for the second half.

I'm always working on RP's. It doesn't take any time during the session, and although I've lost a book that had East in it, I usually draw the track and draw my RP's on paper. You can never have enough. I'm going back to Superstreet because I'm still weak from Valley Fever, but I'm still expecting to push wide having messed with my suspension, so I'll have my RP's to help me.

One tip I have that does help some people is to take some tape and write what you're working on and put it on your tank. Keep looking at it before you get on the track to drive in what you want to work on. I saw Jordan do it, and I even did it when I was at a riding school. Very helpful.

Thanks for starting this post. I go to another site that talks about NOTHING BUT riding, and have been hesitant to do it here because of the usual posts that are started, and where they usually go. I try talking technique with some people at the track, but there isn't much participation there either.
Jason, please elaborate more about the Keith Code two step process. I think people would benefit from your knowledge? How does it work and what are you looking to achieve by doing so?

[volcom415]

All good point, Sean. My only recommendation is that riders only work on one, maybe two things max per session.

For a new track like Inde, first things first - just learn the track, learn the line, get comfortable with it.
How would you tell a first time track goer to learn a new track?. How would they know what the proper line is?

[green lantern]

How would you tell a first time track goer to learn a new track?. How would they know what the proper line is?

pin the throttle and don't brake till you see god, oh follow the person in front of you lol jk

[revelations]

How would you tell a first time track goer to learn a new track?. How would they know what the proper line is?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiVCbMlXxNM&sns=em

[MisterH112]

1. Learn the track
2. Looking thru the turns - I find myself not being consistent
3. maintaining my lines
4. Braking at proper points
5. Body position - i feel my body position is pretty solid, but always need work.
6. trying to go just a touch faster each time - meaning once I feel pretty good about the track, I want to take the corner just a touch faster. (i'm pretty slow - so this works for me).

[Racers Photo]

How would you tell a first time track goer to learn a new track?. How would they know what the proper line is?

I don't pretend to know it all or that I have all the right answers, but I do have several years of experience as the novice/intermediate group instructor for one of the local trackday orgs. So, based on that, and having ridden with a few other orgs:

I think its really helpful for new track riders to do a bit of reading up on the subject. Books by the likes of Keith Code, Nick Ienatsch and Lee Parks all teach the fundamentals of line selection, which helps you on any track. And of course they all have lots of other great info about body postion, throttle control, braking and so forth.

Most trackday orgs have sighting laps for new riders. That's crucial IMHO. Hopefully you have a good control rider who leads the sighting laps at a pace appropriate for the new riders and shows them the right line.

Once riders get out on the track and get a session or two under their belts, hopefully the control riders & instructors are watching and helping the new riders find the right lines, with a few 'follow me' laps, or brief off-track consults between sessions, as necessary. I usually held a basic 'Intro to Track Riding' session with the new riders group (with handouts and Q&A) to ensure they had the basics of safety and technique to start from. Sometimes we used a whiteboard with the track layout to talk through the best lines for various corners.

Of course, the tried and true method of following someone just a bit faster than you can be helpful for most riders as long as they realize that just because someone is faster, doesn't mean they have it completely correct, either.

Hope someone finds all of that useful. :)

[volcom415]

All good info!

[green lantern]

man just go as fast as you can then when you crash back it down a step for safety lol just kidding everybody

[craqhead]

I may be different, but...

I choose ONE particular weakness to work on PER TRACKDAY, and work on it all day or until I feel I have conquered it.

Practice, practice and practice. Until it becomes second nature, practice it, period.

It may sound expensive, but to try to conquer all your techniques in one trackday is counterproductive IMHO.

My next trackday will be corner braking improvement, I suck at it amongst other things.

[Jasonzilla]

I love your take on the siting lap Dean. On a new/newer track I try to get out there. I've done Main once, so when I get to ride it again, I'm going to make sure I'm out there to do siting laps.

I "watch tape" (sorry, combine time) of the track, and although I know everyone says it doesn't really help, I believe it does. I'll also compare it to the map and figure what type of corner it is and how to attack it. I'll draw it out on a piece of paper so I can start writing down RP's, BP's, TP's. All in pencil so I can erase it. What I don't do is draw the "temporary" points. Sometimes there is mud, dirt, something non-fixed by the track I'll use for the day knowing it's not going to be there next time.

When I get out there I start out easy and either use the cones they have supplied, or follow someone who is riding easier than me so I can learn the lines, or what they like as the lines, and can adjust later.

It's been real successful for me, but I've never ridden a track as large or with as many turns as this one. I'm excited about it.

[green lantern]

but I've never ridden a track as large or with as many turns as this one. I'm excited about it.

Jason you need to ride Miller the full coarse 4.5 miles and you will think does the ef-en track ever end lol

[00Silv4.8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiVCbMlXxNM&sns=em

BEST track advice EVER!!!!

:53:

[Jasonzilla]

Jason you need to ride Miller the full coarse 4.5 miles and you will think does the ef-en track ever end lol

I was trying to sign up for the Yamaha Superbike School they host there, and I think they use the whole track. Not happening in the rare weekend I have off coming up.

[Jasonzilla]

"Yeah, that's a crab."



Might end up working on riding in wet conditions if the forecast is correct.

[MisterH112]

^ cheers to that.. i could use some pointers if anyone has them.

[ZiaThunder]

I work on all of it....

Just not all at the same time.

What I work on first depends on how well I know the track.

If I know it well and already have solid feel for the lines around the track, I'll work on body position, trail braking (working on braking lighter for a longer period of time). With that is focusing on be more effective with the controls, i.e. no coasting, being on the brakes or on the gas. No middle ground. That leads me to working on being smooth with the controls.

If I feel that I need to work on markers, then that is all I will focus on. Markers= braking, shifting (this one depends on throttle control and, has to be more malleable as it iis situation dependent) & turn in. The later, helps keep the lines consistent. If it's a track that I race at, I'll have multiples of each for each corner. There is the fast line, the track day line (usually the safest), and the defensive line = "oh no, ya ain't passing me line" (not blocking but it makes it very hard to get around me on purpose) I've found that reference points, keep me looking where I should and not fixing in on the wrong things.

Once I've got the bike set up, I don't have to make many changes, to gearing, or my suspension. But, that is track dependent, different tracks = suspension adjustments (some times) and the adjustments are usually not large. Same with gearing, once you have the gearing set for a track, there isn't much point to changing it.

Of course if I was faster, and had more skill. I'm sure that I would have to make a more adjustments.


Are there any things in particular that you are working on, or have worked on?

How did you do it?

[Jasonzilla]

@Zia Thunder

I was about to type a question earlier about the Sandia track in Albequerque(?). Who, besides SMRI, sponsors trackdays there? If I get a truck anytime soon I'm going to branch out, and I'm just trying to get ready.

[ZiaThunder]

@Zia Thunder

I was about to type a question earlier about the Sandia track in Albequerque(?). Who, besides SMRI, sponsors trackdays there? If I get a truck anytime soon I'm going to branch out, and I'm just trying to get ready.

Ummm, nobody. :72: This might be a good year to come on over, I heard that the track is making some improvements and we will be able to run different configurations now too. I'm really looking forward to seeing just what gets done and how it works out. If ya have questions, just ask.

If you know any women racers, we are trying to grow the WoW (Women of the West) series. We had/have races at different clubs, that past two years we've done this with MRA up in CO. Just haven't had much luck getting their women to travel. Last year only two of us did it. Made for a sad series.

[volcom415]

Miller is great, ran the 4.5mile config in 2007 with the boys and it was a great learning experience. Good track to learn how to pick up the bike and get on the gas.

Jason do you ever do the no brakes drill? I think it is a great way to find a rhythm and was probably one of the most key drills for me in getting faster.

[Jasonzilla]

I was really digging the no brakes drills. I'd have to move down to the Superstreet group to do it, but it helped me a lot. I may do it at Inde when I ride it for the first time. I was told that is a great way to learn a new track. I've always got my hand on the brakes, and even if I don't use them, tap them for comfort. The no brakes drill got me over that. Really started giving me confidence.

They were doing 4th gear no brakes for the first session, and that was really beneficial. I think on the BMW's they're going to 5th gear and going to the larger track in the outfield.

Have you done levels 3 and 4? I know 4 isn't anything new, but level 3 is BP, and I was wondering; if I'm pretty knowledgeable about BP, do you think it's worth it? I spoke with some people, and one told me the CSS is more defined with the drills than any other school he's been to. I want to do the Schwantz school, and want to do the Yamaha school mostly to ride the track. I want to do something this fall. Need a truck.

I never really thought about it until the school, but the pick up drill really got me comfortable with more throttle control coming out of the corners. Had a lot of fun working on it. During the pick up drill session my coach (Stu) didn't have a very large "you're doing this wrong" list. The whole two days was mostly throttle control and two step.

You doing Inde on the 20th?

[MaTTMaN]

hey jason. dont let not having a truck keep you from doing them man. im a phone call away.....id like to do some of those classes as well, seeing as i need a lot more work in track riding.

[Jasonzilla]

hey jason. dont let not having a truck keep you from doing them man. im a phone call away.....id like to do some of those classes as well, seeing as i need a lot more work in track riding.
I want to do a two day in October if possible at the Streets Of Willow.

http://www.superbikeschool.com/schedule/

[MaTTMaN]

Of course you would say october! Lol. I'm not going to be able to free up anytime or money in the 3 months before our wedding man :/

[MisterH112]

Jason - I would be really interested in doing this camp with you.. I assume your talking about the 2 day camp.
I want to do a two day in October if possible at the Streets Of Willow.

http://www.superbikeschool.com/schedule/


Mattman - tell your future wifey that the camp is your wedding gift from her ;-)

Of course you would say october! Lol. I'm not going to be able to free up anytime or money in the 3 months before our wedding man :/

[Nero]

Mattman - tell your future wifey that the camp is your wedding gift from her ;-)

genius...pure genius :)

[hellion_locdogg]

I work on my pick up lines w all the ladies whos men are on the track... LOL

[Jasonzilla]

Jason - I would be really interested in doing this camp with you.. I assume your talking about the 2 day camp.




I was thinking the two single day courses. Less than $800. Something like Oct 9-10 or 23-24. I'll do September dates too. They're $390 a day, and you can do level one and two. The "two day" is $2250. I'm down with that also, just most can't afford it. And we need to get our bikes to Streets for the $800 two day. I'm doing one day on their bike so I can try out the BMW 1000S.

I'm definitely doing a school again this fall, CSS or another school if someone wants to go to something else. Just let me know what you're up for, whether you want to fly somewhere to do a new track, or what. I'm down.

With the $2250 days you'll get breakfast and a CRAPPY lunch, track times that you'll get at the end of your second day, all the gear (I'm still bringing my own) and the camera bike. That's $1,400 more. Even with this I personally don't know if it's worth it for people who have to scrounge up the change. The $800 two day would be totally worth it. Great coaching. Great drills to work on.

[Jasonzilla]

Of course you would say october! Lol. I'm not going to be able to free up anytime or money in the 3 months before our wedding man :/

Don't give her the option. Come watch racing when it's back on and I'll teach you how to treat your woman (see warning). You've got to know how to treat her before you get married.


WARNING TO ABOVE STATEMENT: I'm on my third wife, and that one's not really going so well. I take no responsibility for what happens in your relationship.

[MaTTMaN]

WARNING TO ABOVE STATEMENT: I'm on my third wife, and that one's not really going so well. I take no responsibility for what happens in your relationship.

im confused on this part buddy!? send me a pm or text. 480 295 6922

[MisterH112]

i know how to work them! lmao

genius...pure genius :)

[MisterH112]

I would rather take me bike just so I can get a better feel on it. learn more while i'm the machine i'm going to use. but lets talk about it and plan.

I was thinking the two single day courses. Less than $800. Something like Oct 9-10 or 23-24. I'll do September dates too. They're $390 a day, and you can do level one and two. The "two day" is $2250. I'm down with that also, just most can't afford it. And we need to get our bikes to Streets for the $800 two day. I'm doing one day on their bike so I can try out the BMW 1000S.

I'm definitely doing a school again this fall, CSS or another school if someone wants to go to something else. Just let me know what you're up for, whether you want to fly somewhere to do a new track, or what. I'm down.

With the $2250 days you'll get breakfast and a CRAPPY lunch, track times that you'll get at the end of your second day, all the gear (I'm still bringing my own) and the camera bike. That's $1,400 more. Even with this I personally don't know if it's worth it for people who have to scrounge up the change. The $800 two day would be totally worth it. Great coaching. Great drills to work on.

[DoubleBeez]

As long as I can go faster than Sean my mission for the trackday has been accomplished :35:

[Jasonzilla]

I would rather take me bike just so I can get a better feel on it. learn more while i'm the machine i'm going to use. but lets talk about it and plan.

We'll get a plan started. But honestly, the techniques you'll learn are going to be transferrable to any bike. I understand your concern, though. I wasn't worried about it because it's the same bike I have. I'm not missing the opportunity to get on that BMW one of those days man.

[R6S_2NR]

Let's try and stay on topic for threads that obviously aren't bullshit. Thanks -357