| So you want to go fast? - Part 2 |
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To get a decent lap time on the track, you don't really need horsepower, but the ability to go fast around the corners, therefore suspension takes a major role, as do gyroscopic forces and the input from the rider, plus the power to weight ratio. A circuit I ride at regularly (Pembrey) has a series of sweeping flat bends and two hairpins, the lap record in our club is held by a 250cc machine, proving the horsepower v handling theory. . To go around a corner fast, firstly pick a reference point at which you are to turn (this may change as you get faster) so we will say it's the cone put out for you at your track day. Let's say it's a right-handed corner. Without using the brakes, say in third gear, aim for the cone, or a foot to the right of it, with your new found vision you should also be looking for the apex point (if you can see it), marked by another cone. When the front wheel is level with the cone you should already be pushing very hard with both feet on the foot pegs, There should be little or no weight on the seat at this time, this is transferring your body weight to a lower centre of gravity. At the same time push hard on the right hand handlebar and gently increase speed (this is counter steering) at this point you will be looking for your exit point cone and increasing speed. Practice this using all the gears up to the corner, working out how late you can brake (if you need to). Racers have to work these reference points out for themselves and be able to do it at every corner, with 25 others fighting for the same piece of tarmac! Remember that where you look is where you go, so if the guy next to you runs wide and your looking at him, you will run wide as well. Start off just on one corner if you like, concentrate on body positioning and trying to use all the tyre, If you are counter steering hard, the front tyre will be ruffled, right up to the edges. And also remember never come off the throttle after you have committed yourself to it, that's a recipe for a high side, if you have the bottle just push harder on the foot pegs and outside bar, the machine will always be more capable that the rider, that's a fact! When you get really good at all this, try pushing the bike away from you as soon as you get hard on the gas (between the apex point and the exit point) this will bring the bike to a more upright position and be more stable, but your body will still be in the cornering position, your head will feel like its scraping the tarmac but the throttle will be fully open. When you master this you will find the front wheel lift coming out of the bend, Carl Fogarty was a master of this, study the video and you will see what I mean. If you are privileged to have lightweight wheels this will decrease gyroscopic forces and will initiate the turn easier, plus suspension set up becomes more critical the nearer to the limit you get. |
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