Getting better on my Yam - how?
Discussion
Just been reading the blipping throttle on downchange thread.........
i can't do this.....whats more - having done 700 miles on my new R6 it is occuring to me that i'm not great on a bike. Granted i've never had any bike of this calibre before - and i'm a bit cautious but I need to build confidence.
The bike has a slipper clutch - so not end of the world i can't blip on downchange just yet - but what is important is i get better.
What tips do you guys and gals recommend?
I race cars - and so have a good understanding of physics, grip etc - but it isn't translating to the bike. Or maybe i'm just being too cautious.
I was thinking California Race school in the new year.......any other thoughts?
i can't do this.....whats more - having done 700 miles on my new R6 it is occuring to me that i'm not great on a bike. Granted i've never had any bike of this calibre before - and i'm a bit cautious but I need to build confidence.
The bike has a slipper clutch - so not end of the world i can't blip on downchange just yet - but what is important is i get better.
What tips do you guys and gals recommend?
I race cars - and so have a good understanding of physics, grip etc - but it isn't translating to the bike. Or maybe i'm just being too cautious.
I was thinking California Race school in the new year.......any other thoughts?
california superbike school is fantastic for learning how to get to grips with a bike, and learn about where the limits are.
But I'd say there's better further training to be had elsewhere for road stuff, not had any further training so can't help there. But CSS is fecking ace from a fun POV
Pick up a copy of a twist of the wrist, it's certainly worth a read and costs pence.
A lot of it, infact I'd say most of it comes down to experience. Confidence comes with experience too. I've no idea how much you have, but putting milage on the bike worked wonders for me.
blipping on downchanges isn't the be all and end all of anything, it's awkward and takes some getting used to. Cast your mind back to when you started heel & toeing, or left foot braking if you do that.
If you're desperate to learn how to blip on the downchange, think about the mechanics of what you're doing, break it down into a list of events.
1) brakes
2) clutch in
3) throttle blip
4) shift down
5) clutch out
Nothing stopping you from doing it, it's just co-ordination and practice. Practice it slowly, talk yourself through it if needs be, and once you get the knack of how it's done then just keep doing it.
700 miles isn't a lot at all, less than a weeks worth for me, so you're still very much in the 'getting used to the bike' phase I'd suggest.
I think once you get out there and build up some milage and experience, you'll find confidence comes naturally, as does ability to some extent
But I'd say there's better further training to be had elsewhere for road stuff, not had any further training so can't help there. But CSS is fecking ace from a fun POV
Pick up a copy of a twist of the wrist, it's certainly worth a read and costs pence.
A lot of it, infact I'd say most of it comes down to experience. Confidence comes with experience too. I've no idea how much you have, but putting milage on the bike worked wonders for me.
blipping on downchanges isn't the be all and end all of anything, it's awkward and takes some getting used to. Cast your mind back to when you started heel & toeing, or left foot braking if you do that.
If you're desperate to learn how to blip on the downchange, think about the mechanics of what you're doing, break it down into a list of events.
1) brakes
2) clutch in
3) throttle blip
4) shift down
5) clutch out
Nothing stopping you from doing it, it's just co-ordination and practice. Practice it slowly, talk yourself through it if needs be, and once you get the knack of how it's done then just keep doing it.
700 miles isn't a lot at all, less than a weeks worth for me, so you're still very much in the 'getting used to the bike' phase I'd suggest.
I think once you get out there and build up some milage and experience, you'll find confidence comes naturally, as does ability to some extent
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 23 October 20:06
RacerMDR said:
I race cars - and so have a good understanding of physics, grip etc - but it isn't translating to the bike. Or maybe i'm just being too cautious.
Hi mate -I'm not surprised to read this - before getting into motorbiking I had owned two Caterham Sevens (one a race spec car) and a tuned Lotus Elise. I've done so many trackdays that I've lost count and taken instruction from people such as Don Palmer - so I like to think I'm reasonably competent behind the steering wheel.
It didn't translate to biking for me either initially - the only thing that did translate was my roadcraft and reading of the road; useful experience even if the "car control" stuff didn't translate to two wheels.
The best advice I can give is to take further instruction, read good articles in bike magazines (I personally like the technique articles in Superbike and Ride each month) and finally; just get out and ride as much as you can.
Sometimes I do silly little things when I'm out riding, but take it on board and learn from it. The post test training I've been doing has been like changing from a black & white TV to colour; an awakening - can't recommend more training enough (but I'm the sort of person that just loves taking driver training; I'm like a sponge in that respect!).
Guess what I'm saying is - you aren't alone in your situation bud
Soss
I think the easiest way to learn it to start with (which is slightly different to StuR's) is to :
1) Clutch in
2) Change down
3) Blip throttle
4) Clutch out
That way you have the gear change out of the way already and can concentrate on the throttle blip and letting the clutch out. You can practice this off the throttle under engine braking and take your time over it. Obviously you'll want to be honing it into a swift simultaneous action.
1) Clutch in
2) Change down
3) Blip throttle
4) Clutch out
That way you have the gear change out of the way already and can concentrate on the throttle blip and letting the clutch out. You can practice this off the throttle under engine braking and take your time over it. Obviously you'll want to be honing it into a swift simultaneous action.
It is very worth looking at some road based advanced training such as IAM, RoSPA, Honda MAC etc. These courses will not only teach you the road craft skills that will keep you alive but will also go through the machine handling and control skills that will make you smoother, more relaxed and quicker in your riding.
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