rashad
Registered
Here we go:
Getting the suspension dialed in has been a learning experience.. Im really starting to enjoy the bike and "get used to" the power curve... I mean really:
I texted Kevin. Kevin has a kawi green 636, bone stock. Kevin will pull away from just about anyone who hasnt done a track day, unless youre on a drag strip. Truly mastered the art of hanging off the bike; truly still learning but a very good rider on a very light bike.
I rode over and met him at his place, and after some grub, we headed off to hit 44 and 554(think amish paradise meets tail of the dragon).
On 44, Kevin lead, and on the first turn, leaned over to the edge of my CT2, the rear end hit the yellow line (not going fast enough for my lean, being a scaredy cat with the throttle)and it slid out.. no worries, no panic, dirt bike instinct... everything cool. Next turn, wheres Kevin!? Damn hes fast.
Once on 554, Kevin let me lead and watched me do my thing on the first run. He then critiqued me on what he saw:
"The bike is leaning very well. You aren't."
"huh?"
"you have no chicken strips.. NONE... that means you are going to lowside if you try to lean that bike any further. You need to hang off the bike more."
I will admit, the New Image seat is not designed for my ass to be sliding back and forth on it...but its doable.
Next run, I started to hang off..first a little....then some more.. then I went back into my bad habit and learned a lesson...
I came into a hot right hander (my weak side) and didnt hang off enough... the bike went over the yellow line for a second! I learned my lesson real quick.
Then it happened:
Fear dissappeared. It was replaced with concentration, as I thought about form and technique. Then speed started coming naturally, as if by some magic ballet of feel, smell, adrenaline and primal engine scream. I was doing it. I was getting better... the right way.
Not by trying to play catch up and then scaring myself around every shaky corner with no real agenda or form (read: not FUN)..but by non competitive, practice and repetition. I was taking corners higher in the revs, and it wasnt even conscious at first... using the throttle for control felt natural. My right ass cheek was the only part of me touching the far LEFT of the seat, and vice versa. My knee couldve touched the ground which is why I need leather pants and pucks.
The best part? Im on a Hayabusa. I can have as much fun as Kevin(almost)..and then go on a 400 mile trip. He was impressed how fast I was on such a big bike.(busas cant corner!)
Im still learning. But man is it fun. I really would love to do trackdays, but I am thinking about getting a second beater bike for that. I am doing the one thing that scared the crap out of me in the beginning... Going fast around corners. But this time, I am doing it right. The chicken strips are only important to a point I am told. The faster you can corner with the bike still upright, the better control you have, and the better rider you are.
All in all, It was a good day.
-Rashad.
Getting the suspension dialed in has been a learning experience.. Im really starting to enjoy the bike and "get used to" the power curve... I mean really:
I texted Kevin. Kevin has a kawi green 636, bone stock. Kevin will pull away from just about anyone who hasnt done a track day, unless youre on a drag strip. Truly mastered the art of hanging off the bike; truly still learning but a very good rider on a very light bike.
I rode over and met him at his place, and after some grub, we headed off to hit 44 and 554(think amish paradise meets tail of the dragon).
On 44, Kevin lead, and on the first turn, leaned over to the edge of my CT2, the rear end hit the yellow line (not going fast enough for my lean, being a scaredy cat with the throttle)and it slid out.. no worries, no panic, dirt bike instinct... everything cool. Next turn, wheres Kevin!? Damn hes fast.
Once on 554, Kevin let me lead and watched me do my thing on the first run. He then critiqued me on what he saw:
"The bike is leaning very well. You aren't."
"huh?"
"you have no chicken strips.. NONE... that means you are going to lowside if you try to lean that bike any further. You need to hang off the bike more."
I will admit, the New Image seat is not designed for my ass to be sliding back and forth on it...but its doable.
Next run, I started to hang off..first a little....then some more.. then I went back into my bad habit and learned a lesson...
I came into a hot right hander (my weak side) and didnt hang off enough... the bike went over the yellow line for a second! I learned my lesson real quick.
Then it happened:
Fear dissappeared. It was replaced with concentration, as I thought about form and technique. Then speed started coming naturally, as if by some magic ballet of feel, smell, adrenaline and primal engine scream. I was doing it. I was getting better... the right way.
Not by trying to play catch up and then scaring myself around every shaky corner with no real agenda or form (read: not FUN)..but by non competitive, practice and repetition. I was taking corners higher in the revs, and it wasnt even conscious at first... using the throttle for control felt natural. My right ass cheek was the only part of me touching the far LEFT of the seat, and vice versa. My knee couldve touched the ground which is why I need leather pants and pucks.
The best part? Im on a Hayabusa. I can have as much fun as Kevin(almost)..and then go on a 400 mile trip. He was impressed how fast I was on such a big bike.(busas cant corner!)
Im still learning. But man is it fun. I really would love to do trackdays, but I am thinking about getting a second beater bike for that. I am doing the one thing that scared the crap out of me in the beginning... Going fast around corners. But this time, I am doing it right. The chicken strips are only important to a point I am told. The faster you can corner with the bike still upright, the better control you have, and the better rider you are.
All in all, It was a good day.
-Rashad.