Riding Tips?

I need some help.. This is my first sport bike and I'm having a blast.. I've owned dual sport bikes in the past and ride a dirt bike pretty regularly.
I'm slowly starting to push myself with the new bike and have been reading online some riding tips.. The problem I'm having is I'm starting to overthink stuff. Like I'm trying to do to many things at once. The riding position is different than I'm used to and I'm trying not to devolop bad habits. (example)
I find myself pushing against the handle bars with stiff arms alot. When I try to relax my upper body through turns I realize I'm not looking ahead far enough and end up losing my line through the turn. What do you guys recommend to start with.. I live in Placerville Ca. and have lots of twisties to practice on.
Thanks in advance.

BTW. I'm planning on track days next spring and I know that will help alot, I just don't want to develop bad habits in the meantime.

 

I'm not convinced by your last point that a track day will help a lot. It may just reinforce bad habits.

An MSF course, or one of the more advanced courses by Code or Spencer, seems like a good idea.

-Mark

 

Yep - MSF ARC, or Lee Parks ARC or Keith Code or Spencer training. Sounds like you are an advanced rider so you may also want to consider either a Keith Code or Kevin Schwantz trackday that includes some classroom training.

 

has anyone done the "Stayin Safe" course of larry grodsky?

I've heard very little about it. I found out about it from HSTA.

any opinions?

too much a beginner course?
too advanced?
just right for an intermediate rider?

thanks, in advance.

 

To keep things simple while you are awaiting your soonest possible MSF course:

1) Practice raising your eyes and looking further out where you want to go.
Focus on actually raising your helmet and not staring at the road directly in front of your wheel.

2) Counter Steer.
Push the insider bar. "Push right to go Right, Push Left to go Left".
It's simple and it works.
NOTHING will give to greater confidence and enjoyment of the ride than learning to counter-steer firmly.

As mentioned:
Get yourself signed up for the soonest MSF course.

*FWIW - I started riding in the area.
Hwy 47 is great from Downieville to Yosemite.
I also fondly remember Salmon Falls Road.

 

Tom - there's an MSF Experienced Rider Course this Sunday (10/21) down in Sac. Might want to check that out, I may go myself to the 12:30-5:30 session. Last I checked, there were a few spots open. Here's their phone #: 916-366-7233.

 

Street riding 101

The one thing I notice most on group rides is Noobs taking the wrong lines and bad braking, when I say bad braking I meen they will fly on the straight away's and grab a hand full of brake entering a corner and upset the chassis making the transition not smooth, smooth is good and smooth is faster.

By far most common mistake I see is taking the wrong lines through corners, a newer rider will make himself work twice as hard as an experience rider in the twistys, work on taking the correct line through corners like this and the smoothness will come...

 

Hey Mellow Dude - How is it in Ohio? Hope the riding is good there. I will check to see if there is anyting Lee Parks, or Keith Code have near you. There is a school "Fastrax Racing and Schools" that has trining for street and track racing. Check this link: http://www.fastone.com . Contact Information:
Mail :
Fasttrax

1919 Balmore NW

North Canton, Ohio 44720



Email: todd@fasttraxlive.com



Phone: 330-412-9111



Fasx: 330-494-8398

 

Hey Mello Dude - Check the Keith Code SuperBike School. He is based in Ca but does clinics throughout the US. This season he was in Mid-OH for two sessions. I highly recommend Keith's trackdays - you will learn a lot!!!! Where the hell is Mid-Ohio????? This is Keith Code's school link: http://www.superbikeschool.com/

 

Larry did pass. He was in Texas and hit a deer:frown: I believe he was on a new bike he purchased and was riding it back to PA or OH? Anyway, his wife and the instructors that taught Stayin Safe are keeping the classes going. I read a review on Motorcycle Consumer News and it sounds like its pretty good. Totally aimed at the street and street skills. However, its about 700.00 bucks for a class. Not saying training is not worth the money. Just an FYI.

BZ

 

There are a number of books specific to sport bike riding techniques- some better than others. Do a search on Amazon Books for the following titles:
- Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track
- Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques
- A Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding
A twist of the Wrist 2 is an excellent book, the others are OK.

These books are well worth the investment and cover basic riding position, line theory, counter-steering as well as some of the physics behind how suspension and rider need to work together. Still, there is no replacement for saddle time and at an approved high performance riding school.

 

There ya go was just going to throw that out there, good job. Plus go find Reg71 on here, he'll straighten you out..

 

I have one piece of advise.

Ride within your own limits. You & ONLY YOU know what they are. You'll know when you're ready to step up the pace. As a MSF RiderCoach, I fully recommend the BRC & ERC. You'll probably be surprised at what you'll learn.

I think I got a little teary eyed looking at this turn. There are NONE like this in the entire state of NJ.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Wow! thanks for all the responses guys. I was a little afraid I'd get flamed.
I'll enroll in one of the classes you guys mentioned asap.
Like I said, I really don't want to develop bad habits as it takes longer to unlearn and start over.

SWS, I'll check amazon for the books you mentioned.

 

Good answer! Learning is always a good thing. I'll have my VF1000F going again next season, we'll have to meet up sometime on 50.

When I was racing I was also an instructor for the AFM, I think I still remember how to ride!

 

Hey Mellow Dude - I am with ya. I am a veteran rider too, but I am also a student for life. I will keep you posted if I there are any plans to do Lee Parks ARC in your area. How was the training at Code's - I have a lot of respect for him and want to go to one of his trackdays.

 

I took the ARC in Frederick, Md. the most important lesson you take away from the class is the need to practice. good, nonetheless. the community colleges usually have parking lots big enough to meet the bill.

it appears that the Stayinsafe class and Keith Code instruction costs about the same.
I'm anxious to improve my skills, but I cannot decide which is best.

thanks for opinions and experiences.

True, Jersey doesn't have those roads. However, how many have a bona fide rodeo, and a flea market that specializes in stolen goods.