"Backing" it in the corners ! ! !

[r6_philly]

It is well put. Although some of our inspiration for finding a way to do it is because - we have progressed enough up the skill ladder to find the rear end of our bikes wanting to over take the front end. So instead of let it be and one day bit me, I rather found a way to control it so I wouldn't get tossed. The other option is to break earlier so I don't start turning with the brakes on. But the best part of my riding is late on the brakes, and into the corner, and as I work to improve my riding, and my set up, I found me going deeper and deeper and bikes more and more sideways. I rather do it under control.

So to me, getting the bike misaligned is a by product of my riding style. And I Rather make it a positive than a negative. I want to control the rear, and give myself a better exit angle.

I rather favorite sliding out of corners. I have been driving a rear wheel drive truck for years. I slide around any sharp turns when I drive. That is what I am use to. It gives you more space to exit, and a better line. So when I want to carry more speed through the corner, but not want to run wide, I start to experiement with sliding out. It start to take shape, and it really helps me getting faster. I never thought about trying to slide because it was cool, I did it to increase my corner speed potential and not run wide and crash. Well it does look cool, in the car or on the bike, but I learned how to slide in the car because I want to make an U turn without backing up twice...

It is perhaps shallow and dangerous to follow, emulate, and attempt styles/techniques just because others do it, or maybe it looks cool. But sometimes we can figure out a need for a new technique if you actually think about your riding, and what you are doing out there, AFTER you come off the track. I try to improve my riding by analyzing my riding bit by bit and try to come up with better ways to go around a track, and somethings, cool or not, just make more sense, or is unavoidable. Back it in, and sideways out, it seem like what would fit my style, so I want to master it and put it to use, only when I need to.

My goal is to be an skilled and intelligent racer, not just a fast racer.

[r6_philly]

Dave,

I noticed in the SS race and the Superbike race that most front runners that they showed used the line that I "tried" to describ. Go closer to the left side, almost to the grass, than going out wide on top of the track. They can do it better than I can, but that was the line in my head, maybe I didn't describ it right. Go across the yellow lines while sticking to the left, almost against the grass, then go out wide to 3/4 to the right side, then make a sharp turn in.

[Super Dave]

I think you need to watch the turn in.  And they are going probably 25MPH+ faster than you.  

[R6Chris760]

SuperDave Osbourne (remember the guy?...j/k),

All this speaking of late braking has started me wondering.  If the rear wheel lifts off the ground while turning in is it a geometry/suspension problem or is it just trying to brake too hard?  I was bucked off heading into turn 7 at BHF last year when the rear lifted as I was straightening up after the kink and I let it swing out a little too far and got highsided.  It was not from a jerk on the front brake either... been there done that..

[Super Dave]

Probably a set up problem at some point.

[Bernie]

Probably a set up problem at some point.

Any ideas what kind of set up problem?  I've done that before as well.

[Super Dave]

Well, yes, but at this point, I defer to two things...  my school.  Second, for set up, 4&6 at http://4and6.com.

Sorry, but at some point, guys, I've got to draw a line on this one.

[tzracer]

The rear wheel lifts because too much load is being shifted to the front wheel too quickly. ( I prefer Tony Foale's term of load transfer rather than weight transfer - it is more descriptive of what is really happening)

Could try a few things.
Raise the front
lower the rear
raise fork oil level (affects last third of travel, forks will dive less - try 5mm at a time)
increase rear rebound damping (rear will rise slower as load is transfered to the front wheel)
increase compression in the fork (this will slow the rate of fork dive)

[Bernie]

Thank you for your input gentlemen.  Dave, I'd love to take your school.  I think it would do me a world of good.  But, I am way over in the Mid-Atlantic region, and I don't think I'll be able to make it out your way.

[Super Dave]

I understand.  It is a long drive.

I do have some guys that will come from the east to do it though.  It is pricy just to get here...especially with the cost of gas anymore.

[Bernie]

Perhaps I'll get tired of running the same old lap times this year and make an effort to do something about it!

[Super Dave]

I can never make complete promises on what you'll accomplish, but sometimes it comes to execution;  you've got to do it.  

And sometimes revelations come in small bits that make a difference.  I might have a different way of looking at things than other people.  Hopefully, it makes things a bit easier, and, ultimately, cost less money.  Experience can be very costly.  Believe me, I've spent a lot of money learning a lot of things.  Wish I had met some people earlier in my racing career.