[jonathan]

I know i suck at wheelies... really I havent ever been interested in them other that watching others do it.

When we were ripping around annacis I felt I was riding WELL within my limits and I had no trouble keeping up with whoever was infront of me... as Ive never really been in a group ride, and all my nomral buddies are more of newbies than I am...

Did anyone notice anything WRONG with my riding during the turns ?

I do notice that while I like to have the balls of my feet resting on the pegs, nobody else seemed to do so and were hanging their toes down... I was under the impression (through SBN) that this was bad posture...

So my real question... how sketchy was I in the fast turns ? did anyone notice any faults ?

I did notice on that one onramp, Canadian Gixxer had his whole body leaned off to the side with his knee out...

 

[adamantium]

First off, it was too cold. Nobody could ride within any limits because of traction. Secondly, I think we're all fairly green, so none of us are all-star bike riders.

I didn't really follow you, so I don't have a lot to say.. other than I was able to chase you down only because I was maybe going a little faster than I should've.

As far as the feet thing, I noticed that too. I think ride fairly horizontal to the ground as far as my feet go. I think it might just be the shorter guys? I could be wrong, it's certaintly uncomfortable for me to put my feet down like that.

None of us needed to hang off our bikes, or put out our knees, although it's always fun to do so. Especially considering we were all on 600's, save one 750 and they're all very agile bikes. If it were a bigger heavier bike, then I might see the need... I see guys on TL1000R's hang off a little more than I do, mind you they're also smaller guys so maybe they need to for better weight transfer.

I'm going to recommend you pick up "Twist of the Wrist 2" by Keith Code.. I just picked it up, and can't put it down.. great book. You'll have to order it from Chapters ($30CDN) or find it on Ebay.

Can't wait to ride again - it doesn't look good though, I'm leaving for the states next Friday, and the weather looks the shits.

Oh ya, and I suck at wheelies too.
Practice makes perfect.

 

[jonathan]

Yeah, once I get my full leathers...



anyways once I really do get full leathers I want to start doing track days, and following some really experienced knee dragging type riders through the twisties... or have them follow me and get pointers...

someone told me blitz or someone went down by accident doing that,

 

[adamantium]

someone told me blitz or someone went down by accident doing that,

I can't say that I've seen Blitz ride, but I heard he had a real rough start.

 

[LimitedEdition]

Ya you should rest the balls of your feet on your pegs when riding .. Thats what I was TOLD from experienced riders. Move your foot forward when you need to shift/brake. Otherwise you could easily catch your TOE on the pavement during left turns if you keep your foot pointed downward and your heel on the peg.

 

[Guest]

i've done that! And it scares the crap out of you the first time, and after that you never forget to move your feet into the proper position!

 

[thr1]

i rest the balls of my feet on the pegs too and only slide down to shift/brake

 

[FastMickey]

Racers always put the balls of their feet on the pegs, as to achieve the full tuck position.

 

[CG]

I know i suck at wheelies... really I havent ever been interested in them other that watching others do it.

When we were ripping around annacis I felt I was riding WELL within my limits and I had no trouble keeping up with whoever was infront of me... as Ive never really been in a group ride, and all my nomral buddies are more of newbies than I am...

Did anyone notice anything WRONG with my riding during the turns ?

I do notice that while I like to have the balls of my feet resting on the pegs, nobody else seemed to do so and were hanging their toes down... I was under the impression (through SBN) that this was bad posture...

So my real question... how sketchy was I in the fast turns ? did anyone notice any faults ?

I did notice on that one onramp, Canadian Gixxer had his whole body leaned off to the side with his knee out...

Couldn't tell how you were riding, I was up front with Atom and Adam

Yeah I like to hang off the bike, i'm not a big guy (5'8 143-145pounds), so it helps in my balance and turning....

Just ride how you feel like riding, dont try to imitate.... do what makes you ride faster.... when I go into sharp turns, I just hang off the bike, stick my toe on the peg swivel it a bit so knee is angle out a bit and let it rip thru the corner.... When I stick my toe on the peg, I use it as leverage to help push the bike into the turn. I feel much more comfortable hanging off the bike like a monkey than just sitting in the middle of it.

As for the wheelies.... the ones I did that day were my second wheelie I ever did.... I dunno what people are finding hard about em.... well, I dunno, I think you guys are just hesitating, kinda something in your mind that scared and thinks the bike will come up really fast and flip or something.... you have to lay on the throttle for it to come up.... Dont worry about height, you will know if your gonna flip or not.... once you get to a certain point, it feels strange, I dunno what it is, but the bike feels very light, that is the point I chicken out and let it back down....

 

[Ryan R]

that is the point I chicken out and let it back down....

Your quest continues to find the balance point. Almost though:tredmill

 

[CG]

Your quest continues to find the balance point. Almost though:tredmill

I wonder if that feeling i'm getting is actually the balance point?? just need to find a way to hold it at that point.... I wonder if doing standups wheelies are easier to hold the balance point??

 

[atomlowe]

Jonathan....sorry dude, I never really noticed. I spend most of my time at the front. I do know that from what I saw @ Annacis your a capable rider. The only points of wisdom that I could give you is practice looking through the corners. This will help you to keep a line through the corner. I find that I do it all the time and even when driving my cage.

I ride on the balls of my feet all the time. I find that I feel the bike alot more doing this. It allows me to feel the pegs more than when I use the arch of my foot. I don't like the feeling of flat footing on the pegs. I also find that weight transfer is better and corning feels better. If you leave your toes down and you corner hard, theres a larger chance of dragging them and possible injury. In the city at low speeds I sometimes do flat foot just because your on the brakes and shifting alot.

One last thing, don't get yourself into the habit of trying to keep up with the guy in front of you if you don't know the area, don't chase anyone into the corners. The rider ahead may know the area and may not know your tagging along. He may know of some hazzards ahead but you may not have any knowledge of these. Its better to ride sections slower first and know what lies around the corner before blazing through them blind. Set your pace according to your abilities and not the person in front of you.

With that being said, I have absolutly no problem riding with you again.

BTW: where are your buddies and are they signed up yet...


atom

 

[Kit]

As many of you will find out when speeds and lean angles pick you you will have to be on the balls of your feet for the inside foot

as it doesnt take long before you will be dragging your toes if you keep the arches of your feet on the pegs

look at the pics of superbike guys you can see that they are weighting the pegs with the tips of their toes,

this is a bit extreme but youll get what i mean

 

[Harps]

i've done that! And it scares the crap out of you the first time, and after that you never forget to move your feet into the proper position!

hehe, I like hanging my toes down like that in regular "around town" type riding...sometimes it gives you the false feeling of dragging parts through the corner. In more aggressive riding I always keep the balls of my feet on the pegs, otherwise you end up touching the ground on every corner.

Hey, has anyone (more experienced than me) ever had this situation: When you're over so far (and I feel like I'm not going to make it) that you're dragging your pegs through the corner, but then if you put your toe-sliders to the pavement it helps you feel more stable through the corner. Is that right? Are you actually more stable having that extra little point sort of holding you up? Or is it just in my head? I've never touched my knee down yet(no sliders)...that would probably help even more.