Proper Technique

From a safety standpoint... try and master it. I can't begin to tell you how many riders out there that I see on a daily basis that cannot perform the most basic and important riding techniques...
But I'll be damned, there gonna try and ride those wheelies if it's the last thing they do

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MSchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Proper Technique

From a safety standpoint... try and master it. I can't begin to tell you how many riders out there that I see on a daily basis that cannot perform the most basic and important riding techniques... </TD></TR></TABLE>

MSF teaches it when I was there. But, most riders do not even bother with MSF because they know how to ride already.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbogixxer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

MSF teaches it when I was there. But, most riders do not even bother with MSF because they know how to ride already. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually MSF teaches you to kep your fingers off the brakes and never brake mid-corner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Actually MSF teaches you to kep your fingers off the brakes and never brake mid-corner.</TD></TR></TABLE>

mhm

 

My memory is pretty fuzzy about MSF, but I'm pretty sure they mean to keep your levers covered when you're in an area where a lot of shizzle can go down - ie, urban areas. Otherwise, they recommend keeping your fingers on the grips.

But then again, I'm getting old...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Actually MSF teaches you to kep your fingers off the brakes and never brake mid-corner.</TD></TR></TABLE>
true..brake before turning and roll off the throttle while simultaneously using you entire hand to apply the brakes..(to ensure your not on the throttle while braking.)

sport techniques tell you to cover brakes and clutch at all times to reduce reaction times.

 

my msf course taught me to decel before corner, and roll on through corner, not letting off. They actually deduct points for rolling off the throttle in the corner.

As far as braking in a corner, they said to try and avoid it, but if you need to straighten bike and apply rear brake, only if you can striaghten.

That was a month ago or so.

They also taught me to cover brake and clutch with 2 finger.

 

I learned to to cover the front brake with my middle finger. It feels weird at first but it works great, plus you still have your pointer,ring and pinkie fingers to hold on with. I read in a magazine that Mat Mladin rides this way.

 

Interesting.

My MSF instructor got on me for riding with "Proper Technique" then. Looking back now, I'm sure his reasoning was (mostly pertaining to new riders) in order to get the full motion and concept of letting off the throttle before applying the brake. I took the assumption that this positioning would leave you vulnerable.

 

I was taught in my MSF to not cover the controls, keep full use of your hands for modulation of the handlebars??

 

Environment should determine your hand positioning IMO.

If you're cruising along an uncrowded highway, it's probably not necessary to be covering the clutch. Ditto the brake (blasphemy!), even.

But in urban areas (my riding), it's essential to have both hands covering the controls because you are using them every 5 seconds.

 

touche ^^^

While traffic is stopped in the fast lane, and I'm in the carpool cruising by I catch myself hovering the brake.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Actually MSF teaches you to kep your fingers off the brakes and never brake mid-corner.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends on the bike.

An old ******* will need a handful of brake to slow it down, a new bike will need 2 fingers to loop it. As for covering the clutch I cant see its a big issue. Track stuff should have slipper clutches and quickshifts so you only need them on the downshifts, and thats a maybe.

Before entering any turn you should attempt to have all your braking and shifting out of the way, brakes are your enemy and you are not in control of any bike unless you are off the brakes and on the power.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Depends on the bike.

An old ******* will need a handful of brake to slow it down, a new bike will need 2 fingers to loop it. As for covering the clutch I cant see its a big issue. Track stuff should have slipper clutches and quickshifts so you only need them on the downshifts, and thats a maybe.

Before entering any turn you should attempt to have all your braking and shifting out of the way, brakes are your enemy and you are not in control of any bike unless you are off the brakes and on the power.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you should write a mini book for your track tips and such. always giving good tips.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .paul &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

you should write a mini book for your track tips and such. always giving good tips.</TD></TR></TABLE>

His opinions aren't the golden rules, luke does give a lot of advice but there are often more then one way to do things. As rider skill increases so do the number of
ways to do things also does. Different situations require different actions to achieve the best result.

Top level riders trail brake all the way to the apex in most corners then apply the gas.


For everyday street or new track riders:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Before entering any turn you should attempt to have all your braking and shifting out of the way, brakes are your enemy and you are not in control of any bike unless you are off the brakes and on the power.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I agree that there are numerous ways on doing something - and everyone has their own opinion.

I guess in general - for instance like you and others who track their bikes - I like to read the tips you all have.

gets me psyched for my track day

 

Reading is good but remember that the Internet gives any asshat a platform to speak, including me. Be careful about whose advice you take, make sure you think about it for yourself and that the theory behind it makes sense to you.

Keep it simple the first day, set your corner entry speed early by getting your braking done before the turn in point. Roll on the throttle to maintain your speed to the apex then you can start to roll on the gas and accelerate.

 

I don't take everything and apply it was true. I do think about it, but so far what you and Luke have given advice on has been pretty much something to think about and apply.

I should have my book in tomrrow .. twist of the wrist 2 - heard that's a good read

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .paul &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I should have my book in tomrrow .. twist of the wrist 2 - heard that's a good read</TD></TR></TABLE>

Excellent read and it will give you a lot to think about and work on.

I suggest you make a quick list of topics as you read through it of stuff you need to work on. Once your done number them from most to least important and start to work your way down it one at a time.

Some of the best riding advice I've ever received:

It's hard to choke on small bites

 

Hopefully that guys technique will save him from Road Rash by not wearing his gear...JK

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jlacoy82 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was taught in my MSF to not cover the controls, keep full use of your hands for modulation of the handlebars??</TD></TR></TABLE>

ya, i got yelled at all the time in my MSF course because of this. But because of previous riding exp w/ my SV I always had the brake and clutch covered. She always made fun of me and one day in a corny manner said "Hows my little two fingered braker today?" It was so gay, but regardless I keep my controls covered as needed or if I feel im about to come up on a squirrly suitation.

 

I believe the instructors @ MSF discourage this because it more than complicates an already overwhelming process for most by adding an additional axis that has to be negotiated with the left hand. when you begin to cover, it greatly increases the chance for operator error, but the bottom line is that when mastered it is a life saver. But from what I am reading some STILL are not seeing what is happening in the pictures fully!

Train yourself to cover, but NEVER with all your fingers... always leave some "opposing finger wrapped around the grip at all times. whenever I see riders shifting or braking with ALL four fingers I get the chills. it really does not mater which fingers are being used to actuate the levers, as long as there is still a wrapped grip around the bar. It is this additional "axis" of movement that takes time to get used to, and even longer to master. I am modulating the front brake when I pull on one axis, twisting the throttle on another axis, and initiating a turn on yet another axis... All with (in this case) the right hand, and INDEPENDENT of the other movements taking place. In other words, when I pull on the brakes hard, I can still feather the gas(or Blip for a downshift) without making either movement effect the other.

it is more than likely the fouled flying four fingered cover technique that upsets the instructors so much... using four fingers to cover would leave you with NO secure grip on the motor cycle other than one, anyone know it?

I am at the point now where I ride around 100% of the time like this with no ill consequences, relaxing the muscles is key to keeping your hand from cramping

 

I rode today! yipee! And i did everything I was told not to do. I covered my brakes. I rode a 300ft wheelie. I let go of my throttle abruptly mid corner. Then I rolled it back on. And I looked the opposite way while making a U turn.

But I wouldn't be here if I didn't take MSF.

MSF is the best place to start.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Environment should determine your hand positioning IMO.

If you're cruising along an uncrowded highway, it's probably not necessary to be covering the clutch. Ditto the brake (blasphemy!), even.

But in urban areas (my riding), it's essential to have both hands covering the controls because you are using them every 5 seconds.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Me too, I've been riding off and on for 30 plus years and I'm not about to change now. Never had wreck on bike but have in car. This is was I call riding cautiously, works for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Top level riders trail brake all the way to the apex in most corners then apply the gas.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

At the highest level the ultimate lap would be without late apexes and trail braking. However in a race you cant follow the perfect line as you will be overtaken. A race is sopmetimes a compromise between a decent line and covering your ***.

I did mean for the road that its better to get it all out the way before you turn. A wise old man taught me that brakes were the enemy, thats the only way to think of them. Once you are on the brakes you are not in control.