My typical corner

[roadracer162]

> My perfect corner

My Typical corner(read between the lines)

> There are many different styles of corners and riding them is so
> dynamic. Here goes.

Dynamic, yes!

> Approaching a corner hard on the gas down the straight watching to
> see the optimum RPM. I use sound of the motor, depth perception of
> the approaching corner and visual brake markers (#2 board, ripple on
> the pavement). I also set my feet on the pegs and ready my feel of
> the hand controls. I catch a glimpse of my turn in point.

The straights are for getting some feeling back in my hand that is so numb I
can't feel the brake lever at all.  Time to squeeze out some farts, too.


> Braking: I time the approaching brake marker close the throttle
> squeeze the brake lever usually with two fingers and accomplish most
> of the braking while vertical. Toes on the pegs I adjust my weight
> being halfway on the seat, upper body catching wind. Clutch
> depressed and gear selector being played upon with my left foot I am
> transitioning into the acceleration mode. I am still braking only it
> has dramatically tapered, still while vertical, allowing the
> suspension to load and recover for when I turn in. I sight my turn
> in point which is clear now, I sight my apex and I connect those two
> points in my head drawing an imaginery line through the two. I also
> decide where on the pavement my knee will be placed on the ground.

I wait for the first brake marker then make a sign of the cross before I
reach for some brake.  I still don't feel the lever, but the bike is up on
it's front wheel, chirping the tire over the ripples left behind after the
fist car race of the season.  I stick my knee out as I slam the bike over,
only to have my knee puck taken off by a late-braker.  You suck, Andy!



> Turn in: I have begun my turn which might look quick and
> uncontrolled but in my mind has been slowed to a graceful motion. I
> am at full lean angle now and I know this as my other senses tell
> me, toes dragging, knee dragging I move them up off the tarmac but
> maintain the same lean angle. My upper body moving forward in
> relation to my lower body, up towards the front wheel I lean in
> anticipation of getting on the gas. I am charging head first through
> the corner and not just hanging on for dear life. I sight the apex
> and compare it to the exit of the corner. I join those two points in
> my mind. I am off the brake by now and already on the gas holding
> and maintaining speed, the chassis is neutral.

As I turn in, the bike is wobbling all over creation due to trail braking
the front.  As more late brakers pass me, I accidentally knock them off
course.  I eye the apex, ease off the brakes, and as I roll the tire over
the transitional area with no tread, the front end slides gracefully towards
the weeds.  At full lean, with more tread, it hooks up again.  I stick my
knee out to drag the velcro that used to hold the puck.  Short term memory
loss!


> Mid Corner: I am where I envisioned and the sound of the motor tells
> me so, my visual perception confirms it, and the tactical senses
> approves. My throttle hand maintains this through a slight input of
> throttle. (If you're off the gas you're slowing). I watch the front
> for a slide and adjust speed or body positioning to compensate. If
> something feels different I am either going too fast or going too
> slow. Just before the apex I am starting to build on the throttle
> input and I begin to accelerate.

I am fucked!  I am 2000 rpm below the power band, and off course by 20 feet,
out in the marbles.  I downshift to a way-too-low gear, gas it, and slide
the rear a little (it's just a 400 afterall), and wonder if maybe someone
ought to invent a motorsport where all you do is slide around the track.  Oh
yeah, that's already been done, it's called roadracing.


> On the gas: Once turned I pick the bike up and to a more vertical
> position and pick the throttle up simultaneously to the point where
> when I reach the exit of the corner and I am at full throttle input.
> I gauge the throttle through this portion feeling the rear for
> traction.

I maintain full throttle, upshift mid-corner, and it only slides a little
(it's just a 400 afterall).  Tail-gating the late brakers, I notice that
they split left, right nad left.  I see directly ahead of me, my buddy lying
on the track on his back, trying to roll over onto his knees to crawl off.
I swerve to the outside, and keep full throttle with right hand and flip him
off with the left.
"You screwwed up my line!"   Oh wait, my line was already screwed up.
Sorry, man.


> Out of the corner: By now I am taking a breather and setting up for
> the next corner and hopefully ahead of my competition. I wait for
> them to pass on the straight only to do it all over again the next
> corner.

Well, at least I'm ahead of one guy!