Chicken Strip

[JonKerr]

I think with me, the biggest obstical is trust in the equipment. Will the tires stick? That sort of thing.

I understand the physics of the bike (centrifugal and lateral forces applied) and yes I see the pics and videos of you guys on the forum taking curves with conviction and confidence but it still doesen't dissuade my brain to tell me its ok yet.

I really want to know what it feels like to drag a knee but my brain keeps telling me I'm an idiot.

I am getting there. Its just a slower process for me than most I think. I'm not a "caution to the wind" type.

I have Twist of the Wrist I and II (DVD) scheduled for delivery Monday and that is where I will start (hopefully) my eventual transformation from a crusier to a sport rider. Or at least "sportier".

I expect a lot of change in my skill level by the end of next season.

If your brain is telling you that, don't push it. When you push it beyond what you're comfortable doing, that's when the survival reactions kick in, and that's what generally will cause a problem. Lee Parks does a good job of talking about your personal mental limitations and how to cope with them.

Don't be in a rush to drag a knee. Dragging a knee (properly) is a byproduct of using proper technique and applying it at higher speeds. Using proper technique and smooth riding to get around turns clean and fast is the goal, not dragging your knee on the ground.

 

[RoadTrip]

If you are unable to drag a knee and you still have chicken strips, then all the other sport bike riders will laugh and point at you, so that should be your main goal when riding.

Of course, if you just wanna have fun and ride safe, and don't really give a shit what others think, then you could go that route as well.

 

[Detrich]

Here's my counterpoint... To me, whoever gets home safely after a ride with body & bike fully intact, wins... Ppl who make fun of other ppl who aren't as good riders are just pompous assholes. Everyone rides their own pace and who cares who's better? Safety comes first and everything else is secondary.

A few of my friends all went to track days the past month or so for the first time. And, we had a lotta debate and argument over it b4 they went. I refused to go with them, because I don't feel ready yet. And they gave me shit for it... Why didn't I go? For one, everyone else I know who's gone has crashed. So, it made me nervous. Second, given the way I ride- which is very tame & safely- I feel I can still safely & slowly work on improving my skills "for the time being." Track can wait for when I'm more ready to attempt it...

Now, here's what happened. After track day, all 3 of my friends now know how to drag knees & are riding extremely well... Ive seen all their videos & the pix, and yes- they all improved SO SO much. And, yes I'm jealous... -BUT- that said... 1 friend crashed the first track day and the other 2 both crashed the second track day. All their bikes are royally fucked up with lotsa of damage. And, they all got hurt too... So, yes, they are much better riders now- way better than me. But, I haven't seen them in like a month now, because they have no bikes to ride. And, they still have some physical soreness... Worse is now they are all kinda pompous about it too.. like cuz they do track they are the experts <lol>. What gives? So I'm shit just cuz I didn't go to track n didn't crash my
Bike? What kinda fucked up logic is that???

So my counterpoint is... I hope it was worth it to them... Its a personal choice. And to me just not worth the risk... Ok, so I'm not as good as they are now. But, I enjoy the nice weather and fresh air. My bike is still fully rideable. And, I don't need to go get x-rays of my leg and chest. And, I don't have to spend hundreds of dollars fixing my bike..,

Am not saying track isn't good. I know it has it's place n merits. Just that I don't feel it's worth it to me to wreck to learn how to go from being intermediate to advanced. And track day fir me will come when I feel ready.

 

[JonKerr]

The problem with the situation your describing isn't you or the track. Its your friends. Dicks will be dicks weather they know how to ride or not. Going to a track day isn't a guaranteed crash. I know a lot of guys who go to the track a lot without laying their bikes down. What probably happened with those guys is they got some instructions, felt some real speed, and got in over their heads before they'd practiced their new found skills well enough to push to that level.

 

[dart1963]

I really want to know what it feels like to drag a knee but my brain keeps telling me I'm an idiot.

I am getting there. Its just a slower process for me than most I think. I'm not a "caution to the wind" type.

Been riding for two years, 39K miles... no knee touching, heck, only dragged my foot pegs 2-3 times.... I have no incentive to push myself or my bike just to drag my knee... most of my riding friends did not start until they hit the track, and they've hit the track about 6-8 times this year (addicts). I am hoping to get out there next year, but not to drag my knee, to have some professional riders give me advice on my form and to get muscle memory on turns once I am riding right...

 

[iSpoolin]

I have about 1/8-1/4" on the left side and about 3/8" on the right side

 

[BrueThru]

If your brain is telling you that, don't push it. When you push it beyond what you're comfortable doing, that's when the survival reactions kick in, and that's what generally will cause a problem. Lee Parks does a good job of talking about your personal mental limitations and how to cope with them.

Don't be in a rush to drag a knee. Dragging a knee (properly) is a byproduct of using proper technique and applying it at higher speeds. Using proper technique and smooth riding to get around turns clean and fast is the goal, not dragging your knee on the ground.

I guess the way I should have phrased it is to say that I would like to posess the confidence to ride like that.

I know I'm just begining my journey on the sport side of riding and am looking foward to the skills that will develope over time.

And as you say "dragging a knee is a byproduct".

 

[See red]

if everyone wants a good laugh, i could go out and take pictures of mine.

LMAO! I was thinking the same thing! I also tour my bike, I don't really do the whole track, speed racer thing. I also have so many straights it's borderline sad. but oh well.

 

[Mr Citrus]

LMAO! I was thinking the same thing! I also tour my bike, I don't really do the whole track, speed racer thing. I also have so many straights it's borderline sad. but oh well.

Same here!