Body position

Honey Badger

...iz a girl
You go faster following a fast person because you have less to think about. You just do what they do without having to spend as much cognitive time gathering all the info for yourself such as ref points and when to brake/gas/turn-in.

Which works great until the person you're following is suddenly taking an, ah, "alternate line" :rofl
 

Tumbleweed

rollin' right along.....
You go faster following a fast person because you have less to think about. You just do what they do without having to spend as much cognitive time gathering all the info for yourself such as ref points and when to brake/gas/turn-in.

Well! ^^^^ That's the best simplified explanation I've seen. 'Splains much to my moto-brain. Tnx:thumbup
 

afm199

Well-known member
Well! ^^^^ That's the best simplified explanation I've seen. 'Splains much to my moto-brain. Tnx:thumbup

Ken Hill says something about that. Many riders prefer to follow, some to lead.

You can see followers and leaders in any MotoGp race. Valentino is a good example. He's a terrible qualifier and known for starting back in the grid. Then he chases everyone down from behind.

Jorge is the opposite, he desperately wants to get a good qualifying so that he can start from the front. If he gets in front, he runs away often, and he's known for it.

Different strokes. The guys following aren't bad riders.

Don't do this in an AFM race. :laughing
 

hypergirl

AFM #990
Ken Hill says something about that. Many riders prefer to follow, some to lead.

You can see followers and leaders in any MotoGp race. Valentino is a good example. He's a terrible qualifier and known for starting back in the grid. Then he chases everyone down from behind.

Jorge is the opposite, he desperately wants to get a good qualifying so that he can start from the front. If he gets in front, he runs away often, and he's known for it.

Different strokes. The guys following aren't bad riders.

Don't do this in an AFM race. :laughing

Thank you for this. I love to chase/follow. Is the funnest thing ever. Have always thought this made me somewhat “less than,” but now I shall kick that negative thought to the curb. :ride
 

Honey Badger

...iz a girl
Thank you for this. I love to chase/follow. Is the funnest thing ever. Have always thought this made me somewhat “less than,” but now I shall kick that negative thought to the curb. :ride

Not at all. I'm a leader. My fastest laps are always when there's someone behind me (that I want to keep back there) and clear track in front of me. That's when I'm far more likely to put the hammer down. No one behind me - nah, I'll get into cruising mode, but I'm not a great follower. And the last time I decided to let someone pull me into some corners, he ended taking one of the - ah - alternative - routes around the track LOL (thankfully I noticed in time to not join him).

Disadvantage of this is that I'm unlikely to get drug into going faster. I'm not going to learn a ton following someone else or trying to do what they're doing. This can really limit how quickly I can learn things. The advantage is that when I DO learn something, it is 100% repeatable and I can have very consistent lap times.

Someone who can do both well would have it made!
 
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Gravisman

Aspiring Racer
For my part, my fastest laps are with clear pavement in front of me. When I’m trailing I can get distracted by the other rider, target fixate, or just take non-ideal lines looking for a gap.

As far as vision goes, the best thing thing for me was when Keith Code put stars on my helmet. The idea was I should try to keep my vision wide enough to see both stars in my peripheral at all times. If ever I realize I can’t see the stars, then I know something has caused my vision to narrow, and I’m not seeing the whole track properly. So whether in front or in back I try to focus on keeping my vision wide enough that I can see my turn points and the next reference point simultaneously going into every corner. That’s how I keep my eyes up.
 

Holeshot

Super Moderator
Staff member
Good deal ill take a look at those. I got 4 days off CSS coming up in a few weeks so hopefully I can get the corrections I need there.

I learned HVAC the wrong way and spent 5 years relearning the proper way! That line resonates with me well...:thumbup

Jacob: Find one coach and stick with them. Don't keep coming here and asking a bunch of people you haven't ridden with or know their quality level what's what with the entirety of your riding. I say that not to be cruel, but because I know you're seeking improvement in a short(er) period of time and that can only be done at the track and with $$. You'll get good responses here, but you'll also get bad responses (for your riding style). The only way to tell how you ride and your weaknesses is really, to ride with you.

So that being said, while the internet can fix small problems, I don't think it'll be able to fix your bad habits in short time and without confusion. All I can add is:

1. Breath
2. Keep your eyes up and moving. Practice this driving to work.
3. pay attention to tension. Don't worry about body positioning; worry about your body tension
4. Video. Video is great for when you've improved to compare and see where you've improved. It's not the best for online commentary when it's onboard.

Other than that, schedule some trackdays and find someone to ride with. It'll be the best thing you've done yet. If you need names, we know the right people here, depending on budget.
 
Jacob: Find one coach and stick with them. Don't keep coming here and asking a bunch of people you haven't ridden with or know their quality level what's what with the entirety of your riding. I say that not to be cruel, but because I know you're seeking improvement in a short(er) period of time and that can only be done at the track and with $$. You'll get good responses here, but you'll also get bad responses (for your riding style). The only way to tell how you ride and your weaknesses is really, to ride with you.

So that being said, while the internet can fix small problems, I don't think it'll be able to fix your bad habits in short time and without confusion. All I can add is:

1. Breath
2. Keep your eyes up and moving. Practice this driving to work.
3. pay attention to tension. Don't worry about body positioning; worry about your body tension
4. Video. Video is great for when you've improved to compare and see where you've improved. It's not the best for online commentary when it's onboard.

Other than that, schedule some trackdays and find someone to ride with. It'll be the best thing you've done yet. If you need names, we know the right people here, depending on budget.

I think this school should give me a good idea as to how far I am interested in going. The mock races, the intensity of racing, race lines and starts, race passing. While on a much smaller scale. These things will either light more of a fire or ill decide its not for me.

I have been doing forums for about a decade. Several times went from new guy to the pointy end as they say. Even MODded for about 6 years.

Thanks for advice:thumbup
 
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