Coach me!

[Krackeye]

Ok. So here's a vid from my best lap the other day. Lap 6 if you want to fast forward. Sorry, stuffed up the editing plus the sync is a little off with the data. And yes although wobbly the lap timer was secure.


So, what are the obvious areas for improvement. I know entry to T1 is an issue.
No need to be kind. Let me have it!

BTW, it's an 09' Blade.

[Mr.Ed]

I got nuffin' but the bike seems to be hella stable!! Barely a wobble between 3/4 which is rare... Congrats!

[Krackeye]

Maybe there's an idea right there Ed. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough between 3 and 4.

[Marshy]

That is one nice-handling motorcycle!! Very very smooth, and holds a very tight line with no effort, particularly through turn 1 and a few other turns. A couple of pointers:

1. You need a quickshifter. Really, you do. It will make a lot of difference to your ease of riding, and it'll cut your lap time. The time spent rolling off and on again, particularly down the straight (and the back straight) makes a big difference. The ride is much smoother too - no jerking forward-and-back on gear changes.

2. The forks are just a little too soft under brakes at T2 and T9. You're bottoming out, and that's why the tail wags. If you haven't changed it from Wade, that'll explain it. I'd add a couple of turns of preload, and a couple of clicks of comp to the front. You might need slightly heavier springs. I have a couple of questions I'll take offline (eg how much do you weigh).

3. Inconsistent apexing (eg wide on T2 on lap 6, tight on lap 7). When you get it right (eg T1, T5, T6, T8) it's tops, but you're too wide in T2 and T4.

4. Square off T12 just a teeny bit more, to maximise drive onto the straight.

5. Get a quickshifter. I know a guy....

[Krackeye]

That is one nice-handling motorcycle!! Very very smooth, and holds a very tight line with no effort, particularly through turn 1 and a few other turns. A couple of pointers:

1. You need a quickshifter. Really, you do. It will make a lot of difference to your ease of riding, and it'll cut your lap time. The time spent rolling off and on again, particularly down the straight (and the back straight) makes a big difference. The ride is much smoother too - no jerking forward-and-back on gear changes.

2. The forks are just a little too soft under brakes at T2 and T9. You're bottoming out, and that's why the tail wags. If you haven't changed it from Wade, that'll explain it. I'd add a couple of turns of preload, and a couple of clicks of comp to the front. You might need slightly heavier springs. I have a couple of questions I'll take offline (eg how much do you weigh).

3. Inconsistent apexing (eg wide on T2 on lap 6, tight on lap 7). When you get it right (eg T1, T5, T6, T8) it's tops, but you're too wide in T2 and T4.

4. Square off T12 just a teeny bit more, to maximise drive onto the straight.

5. Get a quickshifter. I know a guy....

I like all of this. ^^^
I spoke with Glenn Allerton. I was asking about how much the forks were compressing as the rubber marker was about two fingers width from the bottom. I had been told it should be about 1 finger from people obviously not in the know with the Blades. GA said that the Showa tubes physically stop about 12mm from the bottom so 2 fingers is in the ball park anyway. I had taken some comp off but after the chat with Glenn went back to where it was. Last session of the day less tail wag.

Frank Pons has set the bike up Nick and you're right. It's on rails. The way the rear Bridgey wears is text book.
I need to get comfortable using the rear to control the front lofting as well.
I do love this bike. it's a joy!

Thanks Nick. That's all solid advice.
And Nick, can you talk with this guy you know who knows a guy and pm me deets for the QS.
BTW I'm 80kg

[stevem]

Marcus, You might be able to use more of the track as opposed to riding in a lane. I notice you are in a 1/4 of the track where I would ideally have my knee over the ripple strip and tyres using all the road ( t4 for instance, double apex 2 to be close to the left on exit to open 3. T1 knee over ripple on the left and exit right out to the right , 9 also) . Riding edge to edge I think straightens it all out a bit . There is time there.

[Marshy]

And Nick, can you talk with this guy you know who knows a guy and pm me deets for the QS.

There's a link in my footer

[Krackeye]

Marcus, You might be able to use more of the track as opposed to riding in a lane. I notice you are in a 1/4 of the track where I would ideally have my knee over the ripple strip and tyres using all the road ( t4 for instance, double apex 2 to be close to the left on exit to open 3. T1 knee over ripple on the left and exit right out to the right , 9 also) . Riding edge to edge I think straightens it all out a bit . There is time there.

Yes! This is something I need to be more conscious of. I think this is a bad habit from days when I would just trundle around happy to be out there not worrying about being quick. Thanks Steve. All great advice for the notebook!

[zoidberg]

Yeh wow. Great advice Steve. I think I do similar to what you do Marcus. I will get a camera on this friday and go for some advice here too. Your bike is so settled mate! No advice from me, other than slow down! I want a 40. And a 39.

[BR]

Firstly, you are faster than me so this isn't a criticism....
Given that the speed is accurate, actually in kph, and you are on a 1000, you should be getting to a higher top speed down the straight. (There are 600s getting to 270 down there in Supersport) That would be an easy win....right?

[Carl-52]

Lol zoid, follow me on the 6th for 40s and possibly lower! Krack, your exit of t4 is deep and it kills your speed around t5 as you are tight going into it. Really work on staying on the t4 curb and that will then open up t5 for you. Also t2 and t9 you had a wide line. Double apex t2 and get right on the last bit of curb for t9. T12 your apex is early which costs you time onto the straight. And like Marshy said, get a qs!!! makes it o so easy, i realised this when i rode the wet r6 without a working qs at asbk hahahaha

[Ruckos87]

Lol zoid, follow me on the 6th for 40s and possibly lower!

This!!!!
It'll be a conga line he'll follow you, I'll follow him.
I tried following you last session and u pulled a PB on me...,

[zoidberg]

Copy that Carl! Slow down for a couple of laps and I'll try and see where you go. Quickshifter is on my list. If only i knew someone that knew a guy.

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[Krackeye]

Lol zoid, follow me on the 6th for 40s and possibly lower! Krack, your exit of t4 is deep and it kills your speed around t5 as you are tight going into it. Really work on staying on the t4 curb and that will then open up t5 for you. Also t2 and t9 you had a wide line. Double apex t2 and get right on the last bit of curb for t9. T12 your apex is early which costs you time onto the straight. And like Marshy said, get a qs!!! makes it o so easy, i realised this when i rode the wet r6 without a working qs at asbk hahahaha

Was the exit from t4 the 1st lap in vid (which I fucked up) or in general. And yes, T9 requires some apex attention. Thanks Carl.

[Krackeye]

Firstly, you are faster than me so this isn't a criticism....
Given that the speed is accurate, actually in kph, and you are on a 1000, you should be getting to a higher top speed down the straight. (There are 600s getting to 270 down there in Supersport) That would be an easy win....right?

yeah, top speed was down that day. I've seen 260 via the timer.

[Stu23]

Do you get your ass all the way to the back of the bike under hard braking........ that might settle the rear under braking as i could see the rear moving around a bit into 2 and 9 for example and it upset your turn in. Other than that a few corners as has been mentioned already just need a little tidy and you will be really shifting like seriously quick !! ........ oh and get a quickshifter aye

[Carl-52]

I tried following you last session and u pulled a PB on me...,

sorry about that one plumb, the planets aligned and everything was screaming push! so i did hahaha Im just chilling this day, getting stu going and playing on another used tyre

[Carl-52]

Was the exit from t4 the 1st lap in vid (which I fucked up) or in general. And yes, T9 requires some apex attention. Thanks Carl.

In general Krack... get your knee over that t4 curb and stay there for ages, resist the temptation to crach the gas harder. This will help you stay over to the right and open up t5... (also negates the bumps )

[Stu23]

hey your not the only one on used tyres !! i cant remember what the front has done and the rear is a used Marty gift

[Carl-52]

yeh but you're slow... it could have been worse, could have been my hand me downs!!!!! BAHAHHAHAHAHHA

[Stu23]

anyone want a pain in da bum 21 year old puurlease get in touch

[zoidberg]

If you throw in his bike with the sale, I might be interested. Good fertiliser from young bones.




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[Stu23]

haha he dont have a bike !! ROFL hahahahahaha he borrows mine and his mums !!!!! hahahahahaha

[zoidberg]

No deal.

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[Krackeye]

Yeah Stu. I've been conscious of doing this. i was going in the wrong direction with setup. I'll try the adjustments marshy mentioned.

Do you get your ass all the way to the back of the bike under hard braking........ that might settle the rear under braking as i could see the rear moving around a bit into 2 and 9 for example and it upset your turn in. Other than that a few corners as has been mentioned already just need a little tidy and you will be really shifting like seriously quick !! ........ oh and get a quickshifter aye

[Krackeye]

haha he dont have a bike !! ROFL hahahahahaha he borrows mine and his mums !!!!! hahahahahaha

Boom tish!

[Linden]

anyone want a pain in da bum 21 year old puurlease get in touch

God help me ... I'll swap you a grunting 16yo (with a broke collar bone) that way I'll be 5 years a head - even throw in his XR and M600 as a sweetener - only 100hours to go for Ps

[Krackeye]

So I was mulling over all this great advice on the way home from work and and what I liked most was that all the suggestions are risk free. Mostly track position, setup ect. No body has said "brake later, accelerate harder, lean further". Essentially free speed if I can put most of it all together. Thanks TT gang.

[Mr.Ed]

Well you can add tuck in properly on the straight cause that top speed just doesn't add up! Hahaha

It's actually only 1/2 joke tbh, cause I see loads of ppl who just won't tuck behind the screen... could never understand race bikes with dark screens!

[Marshy]

I see loads of ppl who just won't tuck behind the screen... could never understand race bikes with dark screens!

Dark screen + dark visor = zero vision.

Ummmm, I try to tuck behind the screen! Unfortunately my fat tum-tum gets in the way. Not that I'm quite in his league (yet) but I remember Philby Lovett telling me he was much quicker on the bike when he lost some weight. I wonder how much of it was getting more fully behind the screen?

[Krackeye]

Well you can add tuck in properly on the straight cause that top speed just doesn't add up! Hahaha

It's actually only 1/2 joke tbh, cause I see loads of ppl who just won't tuck behind the screen... could never understand race bikes with dark screens!

I think a QS will show big improvements in top speed and also a sneaking suspicion I'm not using WOT. Top speed (260??) is only a bit higher than what I was getting on the old Suzuki.

I just punched all these suggestions into the optimum lap velociputer and I should be doing 1.28's.

[Bashman899]

Another thought is that you're gripping the bars too much under heavy braking. By trying to engage your core and/or grip the tank with your legs, you can relax your arms and let the bike do all the work. If you're putting weight on the bars ie. Arms are stiff to help stop your body sliding forward under heavy braking, then you're preventing the front from moving to compensate for the forces over braking etc. Resulting in that force being transferred to the rear, hence the rear moving around on you.

[Linden]

Well you can add tuck in properly on the straight cause that top speed just doesn't add up! Hahaha

It's actually only 1/2 joke tbh, cause I see loads of ppl who just won't tuck behind the screen... could never understand race bikes with dark screens!

Hidden Valley sitting on the Duck tail of my monster (and barely seeing due to eyes look through top of head = blurry) gave me 1/2-1 sec and 5 -10kmh

Ummmm, I try to tuck behind the screen! Unfortunately my fat tum-tum gets in the way. Not that I'm quite in his league (yet) but I remember Philby Lovett telling me he was much quicker on the bike when he lost some weight. I wonder how much of it was getting more fully behind the screen?

Ie belly in seat cavity

[stevem]

I think a QS will show big improvements in top speed and also a sneaking suspicion I'm not using WOT. Top speed (260??) is only a bit higher than what I was getting on the old Suzuki.

I just punched all these suggestions into the optimum lap velociputer and I should be doing 1.28's.

There is 1:38's there quite soon. Your riding well man. Maybe an R6 throttle tube to get it to wide open easier.

[Ruckos87]

I've subscribe to this thread all good info on here.
Another fan of the QS here, and the quick Turn throttle


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[Mr.Ed]

I think a QS will show big improvements in top speed and also a sneaking suspicion I'm not using WOT. Top speed (260??) is only a bit higher than what I was getting on the old Suzuki.

:

The top speed thing could also be your gearing being a bit too long. Plenty of 600s hitting 260+ on the straight... mine got 261 on racechrono and it's almost stock so you should be seeing a fair bit more than that!

[stevem]

My speedo can show 286 and computime shows up to 294. Based on gearing commander the 286 speedo reading is correct. I have noticed an 8kph difference in top speed depending on how I come onto the straight. When you add it up around the track ie, top speeds, braking for turn 2 up to 240, into 4 190, into 6 190, into 11 over 200 your exit speed off the turns compounds pretty quickly. Like your exit out of 2 can have a +10kph difference at 4.

[nigelnobody]

Dark screen + dark visor = zero vision.

Ummmm, I try to tuck behind the screen! Unfortunately my fat tum-tum gets in the way. Not that I'm quite in his league (yet) but I remember Philby Lovett telling me he was much quicker on the bike when he lost some weight. I wonder how much of it was getting more fully behind the screen?

Soo.. clear visor tint screen ok?
Suzuki clear visor bubble is distorted/ninja clear vibrates badly or light tinted bubble(6'1)stuggle to get behind fully.

[Krackeye]

The top speed thing could also be your gearing being a bit too long. Plenty of 600s hitting 260+ on the straight... mine got 261 on racechrono and it's almost stock so you should be seeing a fair bit more than that!

The gearing feels great everywhere else. Don't use 4th anywhere other than down the straight and between 1 and 2. If doing the Nth circuit I briefly hit 4th down the back straight.

[zoidberg]

Sounds the same for me. I've only had one day with a GPS laptimer and I saw a maximum of 265 down the straight. My turn 11 to 12 sucks though, so hopefully I can fix that soon.

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[Carl-52]

lol last time at asbk apparantly i was doing 270 i think it said... speedangle top speed ever was 252 (did it 3 times). I think there are a looooooooot of differing gps speeds around

[zoidberg]

lol last time at asbk apparantly i was doing 270 i think it said... speedangle top speed ever was 252 (did it 3 times). I think there are a looooooooot of differing gps speeds around

Where do they get their speeds from? I for some reason thought they had a speed trap?

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[Carl-52]

i have no idea but i highly doubt i was cracking 270 down the straight.

[Marshy]

lol last time at asbk apparantly i was doing 270 i think it said... speedangle top speed ever was 252 (did it 3 times). I think there are a looooooooot of differing gps speeds around

But did it have lean angle data?? Because without lean angle, all other data is useless

Where do they get their speeds from? I for some reason thought they had a speed trap?

I believe they do. Not sure where/how though. Might be a Computime thing? Rather than permanently installed at the track. Not sure.

[simonr]

At ASBK they had another box set up on the pit wall which I assumed to be the speed trap. it wasn't where you would expect it to be though, still well before the end of the grandstand where most bikes are pulling peak kph, but no where near the finish line. maybe it was an average speed setup but they got the distance wrong

[BR]

If the computime times are out by close to 20kph then that is scandalous. Seriously. Those times go on the official record.

[Marshy]

I'd believe Computime over Lean Dangle.....

[Krackeye]

1/10 of a difference from official timing to my Speedangle. So technically my best is a 1.40.9

[Carl-52]

Time wise there was a tenth difference between my gps data and the computime data. Speed wise, there was around 18kph difference every lap. Dunno what that means tho hahahha

[zoidberg]

Probably where the speed trap is set. Was listening to a podcast today about motogp top speeds at places like Mugello.

It's generally set for cars, their top speed is later as they brake later. IE; pedrosa had is top speed there at around 330, whereas he was well over 360. 360 km/h... bloody midget.

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