What is "Fast"?

[kensuem]

You read lots of posts as to bikes being fast in corners,but just what is considered to be fast?
If corners are marked at 45,75,or 85,just what would be a "fast" speed to take that corner at? It would be nice to get a range of opinions on this.

[98tls]

As fast as your capable/comfortable of taking them.........anything faster will hurt.......:mellow:

[Colapop]

I consider that the 'fastest' riders I've seen (watched a couple at Taupo recently) are the people who ride smoothly. Consistent speed through the corner without chopping down too hard on the gears or braking then letting the brakes go or braking at the wrong point in a corner. The best advice I've heard about going fast is to start off by going slow and getting it right. As you become smoother and more relaxed you'll get faster.

One of the smoothest riders I ever saw was Uncle B. He would glide up and down the Taka's without even looking like he was trying and he was quick too. So relaxed though... (Hell of a bloke too)

[vamr]

As fast as your capable/comfortable of taking them.........anything faster will hurt.......:mellow:

Knee scraping is overrated.
Getting your helmet down is the new black.

[Chisanga]

If you want to know what fast is ... follow me through Twilight Road and make sure you record me with a Video Camera..

When you get home hit 'play' then 'fast forward' ...that's fast.

If you hit 'play' and forget to hit 'fast forward' you might mistakenly think that your video is stuck on 'pause'.

Hope this helped :)

[1vanvan1]

You read lots of posts as to bikes being fast in corners,but just what is considered to be fast?
If corners are marked at 45,75,or 85,just what would be a "fast" speed to take that corner at? It would be nice to get a range of opinions on this.

Fast in my opinion is over double the signpost speed

[skelstar]

Well theres several types of fast:

* Rides a GN250 and keeps up with GSXR250s fast
* Rides a sport-tourer/budget bike and beats sportsbikes fast
* Rides faster than all the local sportsbike riders fast
* Club racing fast
* Nationals racing fast
* Aussie/Euro/US/TT racing fast
* MotoGP/WSBK fast

Its all relative bro. Just don't try be more than you are right now eh?

[yod]

If you want to know what fast is ... follow me through Twilight Road and make sure you record me with a Video Camera..

When you get home hit 'play' then 'fast forward' ...that's fast.

If you hit 'play' and forget to hit 'fast forward' you might mistakenly think that your video is stuck on 'pause'.

Hope this helped :)

what he said

[TygerTung]

Fast is an opinion, the bike isn't fast, only the rider.

I would consider a 2 stroke 250 to be bloody fast, to me it is, to somone else it isn't.

Who cares as long as you have fun thats the main thing:scooter:

[Brett]

Fast is what you become once you have achieved being 'smooth' in the handling of your machine.

On the track, fast is the Zen feeling when everything is working how you want it to be...I could say when you have the rear sliding under power exiting, under braking etc..but that could also come down to lack of control. Some of the fastest riders are purely smooth in their flow between corners.

But that is just my modest opinion.

[wil]

fast is !! THE PERSON IN FRONT that you just cant catch... and someone will always be faster..nomatter who you are:yes:

i always think that fast looks so smooth and unrushed

[Chisanga]

"Fast" is not nearly as important a concept as "fast enough"

My bike isn't regarded as being "fast" by most people, but it is "fast enough" for me :)

[McJim]

"Fast" is not nearly as important a concept as "fast enough"

My bike isn't regarded as being "fast" by most people, but it is "fast enough" for me :)

Your bike is plenty fast enough - 155kph is a real possibility and is definately too fast for Twilight Road.

[The Stranger]

You read lots of posts as to bikes being fast in corners,but just what is considered to be fast?
If corners are marked at 45,75,or 85,just what would be a "fast" speed to take that corner at? It would be nice to get a range of opinions on this.

You want a definitive answer on this one.
Hit M1CRO up for a double next time he is down your way. We often chuck people on the back of his bike with him to demonstrate what a bike is capable of.

He is down your way quite frequently of late.

[Disco Dan]

Try the strangers arm, thats fast ;) :dodge:

[sAsLEX]

I consider that the 'fastest' riders I've seen (watched a couple at Taupo recently) are the people who ride smoothly. Consistent speed through the corner without chopping down too hard on the gears or braking then letting the brakes go or braking at the wrong point in a corner. The best advice I've heard about going fast is to start off by going slow and getting it right. As you become smoother and more relaxed you'll get faster.

One of the smoothest riders I ever saw was Uncle B. He would glide up and down the Taka's without even looking like he was trying and he was quick too. So relaxed though... (Hell of a bloke too)

You can teach a fast racer not to crash......... but getting a slow rider quick is alot harder.....


quote from somme famous guy some time

[Kflasher]

I consider that the 'fastest' riders I've seen (watched a couple at Taupo recently) are the people who ride smoothly. Consistent speed through the corner without chopping down too hard on the gears or braking then letting the brakes go or braking at the wrong point in a corner. The best advice I've heard about going fast is to start off by going slow and getting it right. As you become smoother and more relaxed you'll get faster.

This is the key right here, the more smooth miles you cover your speed will come naturally.

[NighthawkNZ]

apparently...

doing 55 in a 50 k zone is fast or
doing 75 in a 70 k zone or
doing 105 in 100 k zone also
doing 44 past a school are all consider fast... thats why mt plod issues speeding tickets

[beyond]

If you mean how fast compared to the signposted corners, which is what I assume you are saying, then most good riders will be able to take signposted corners at around double the posted speed if they are smooth and experienced.

You can push it harder if you know the road well.

Now, here lies the main problem. Around 99% of the corners in this country have severely conservative speed figures and even in a car you can take them a hell of a lot quicker than what they say. I assume they are posted for worst conditions such as a greasy road after a long dry, in the rain.

However there are 1% of corners that are actually listed at the correct speed for ideal conditions. e.g. Some 35kmh corners are definitely 35kmh corners. Not many around but when they do come out and you don't know the road, you are going to leave signs of your passing if you get exuberant. :)

[skelstar]

However there are 1% of corners that are actually listed at the correct speed for ideal conditions. e.g. Some 35kmh corners are definitely 35kmh corners. Not many around but when they do come out and you don't know the road, you are going to leave signs of your passing if you get exuberant. :)
Its a bit of a regional thing too. I've noticed that some SI corners are quite accurate too.

Lets face it. The posted limits are often about the surface not just the shape of the corner...and you've got to leave yourself a bit of room for "adjustment" too.

[Hitcher]

"Fast" is faster than I'm prepared to go.

[yungatart]

Fast is all relative , and IMHO vastly overrated!
When I ride at 135 kph on a straight road on my EL that is fast - for me!
When my 16 y/o son rides a 'busa at 220 down the back strait at Taupo that is fast for him!
I see the issue as being competitive against yourself, not others, and pushing your limits , not comparing how you ride with someone else!
If you can improve on one aspect of your riding every time you go out, you will get better, and eventually faster.
Some times to go fast you have to slow it down first!

[WRT]

Around 99% of the corners in this country have severely conservative speed figures and even in a car you can take them a hell of a lot quicker than what they say. I assume they are posted for worst conditions such as a greasy road after a long dry, in the rain.

However there are 1% of corners that are actually listed at the correct speed for ideal conditions. e.g. Some 35kmh corners are definitely 35kmh corners. Not many around but when they do come out and you don't know the road, you are going to leave signs of your passing if you get exuberant. :)


Its a bit of a regional thing too. I've noticed that some SI corners are quite accurate too.

Lets face it. The posted limits are often about the surface not just the shape of the corner...and you've got to leave yourself a bit of room for "adjustment" too.

It's often more than that, "hidden" dangers such as side streets etc seem to have an influence on what a corner gets posted at.

Also, you will often notice that in a sequence of corners, they seem to post a corner early, as though they dont expect you to accelerate coming out of the corner. So you'll go around one corner that was posted 55, think to your self "that was easy", then have sphincter tightening moment when you go to blast the round next one.

[Disco Dan]

I see the issue as being competitive against yourself, not others, and pushing your limits , not comparing how you ride with someone else!
If you can improve on one aspect of your riding every time you go out, you will get better, and eventually faster.
Some times to go fast you have to slow it down first!

Now thats good advice!

In order to be 'fast' you have to be able to go 'slow' very well and you can only compare your own riding with yourself - everyone started out diferent, diferent skills, bikes, teachers and even mindset.

I would not class myself as being 'fast', but rather 'quicker' - quicker than when I first started.

There is always someone better than you at something and always someone worse.

[skelstar]

Also, you will often notice that in a sequence of corners, they seem to post a corner early, as though they dont expect you to accelerate coming out of the corner. So you'll go around one corner that was posted 55, think to your self "that was easy", then have sphincter tightening moment when you go to blast the round next one.
Good point! ...actually thats something I learned last trip is that when you have a sign indicating a series of corners, its not ness the first one that they think is the "55".

I know this sounds like the above post, but is subt different.

[Freakshow]

Fast is when you are screaming inside your helmet "THIS ROCKS WAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOO"

[Toaster]

"Fast" is not nearly as important a concept as "fast enough"

My bike isn't regarded as being "fast" by most people, but it is "fast enough" for me :)

Very wise dude.

[Toaster]

It's usually accompanied by a download of poo into one's pants.

[skidMark]

If you want to know what fast is ... follow me through Twilight Road and make sure you record me with a Video Camera..

When you get home hit 'play' then 'fast forward' ...that's fast.

If you hit 'play' and forget to hit 'fast forward' you might mistakenly think that your video is stuck on 'pause'.

Hope this helped :)
bwahahahahahahaha nice

i dunno what fast is

i consider myself slow

i usually take 65kph corners at 120

have been known to take them at 150 though

hope that helps cheers

[Disco Dan]

bwahahahahahahaha nice

i dunno what fast is

i consider myself slow

i usually take 65kph corners at 120

have been known to take them at 150 though

hope that helps cheers

*shakes head*

[TS99]

Fast is what feels good for you.

It's all been said before, it really is just:
- when you break out in a mad grin from ear to ear inside your helmet
- when you're smooth and not breaking loose
- when you're a little quicker on the same corner, than you were yesterday

Enjoy it, stay ON your bike & stay upright! :yes:

[Kittyhawk]

Its an image thing. You can look very relaxed and smooth going into a corner and be doing double the speed limit. Or you could be to tense and slow right down to accomodiate the corner not bin it and look uneasy about it all.

It's all about judgement. What the bike can and cant do, the riders comfort zone, and conditions of the corner.

[toycollector10]

There's painfully fast when you crash.
There's lethally fast when you crash.
There's wickedly fast where you crash and live but someone innocent dies.
There's stupidly fast where you try to keep up with your mates and die.

Then there's tragically fast when your relatives and family and the people who love you bury you.

What a boring old fart I am.

To all you speed racers out there, leave it for track days where you can hone your skills and get to know your bike well. Because, (1) there aren't any cages coming the other way, (2) everyone is going in the same direction, (3) you know exactly what the surface you are riding on is, (4) there aren't any walls, gutters, drop-offs or lamp posts on a track and (5) it's safer than being on the road.

And before you start flaming me off I'll tell yet that I would rather be old and boring than young, pretty and dead.

[avgas]

Knee scraping is overrated.
Getting your helmet down is the new black.

Nah , thats for nana's. Scraping the plate, and the brake light and having the front in the air is the way to do it.

[Freebird]

Milk, milk is fast its usually ‘past-your-eyes-ed’ before you see it

[skidMark]

you did what with a gerbil?

[skelstar]

What a boring old fart I am.

Suspect age has nothing to do with it...everyone just has different reasons why they ride.

[Ralph]

Usually you could double the speed of any of those "recommended" speed signs and be safe but every now and again they mean what they read.
Personally I think reading the road is a better idea than reading the sign.
After all you can only as fast as your comfortable as it's all down to the rider I believe.

[Ralph]

What a boring old fart I am.

Nothing wrong with having an opinion, We all probably think it.
Agreed track days are a great way to upskill. :yes:

[Macktheknife]

Fast... why? I would rather get there and go "DAMN that was fun!" You don't need to do light speed to get that feeling.

[NighthawkNZ]

Usually you could double the speed of any of those "recommended" speed signs and be safe but every now and again they mean what they read.



Depends on the bike and its cornering abilities... (Sports bike will out corner a cruiser.)
Depends on the rider and their corning abilities...

[aff-man]

Speed is all relative...

Some would consider me fast...some would consider me slow.

As previously said.. there is always someone faster.

It is ok to go that little bit extra to try and increase your speed BUT the part that most people (and especially new riders from my experience) tend to miss is that you need to realise when you are trying to force it, and then pull back. If you try and force extra speed by accelrating hard/ braking hard all you are doing is unsettling the bike more and heightening your chance of something going wrong. Riding with someone a little faster than yourself and following lines / braking points etc is a good way to learn how to go fast.. and the track will get you to know the limitations of your bike.

[R6_kid]

Alright i'll put it like this:

some people i ride with think i am fast...

I see people that i ride with that i think are fast...

These people know people that they think are fast (compared to themselves)

Now, these people go and race... they come in the top 5 at a local level... then there are people faster than them.

These people race at a national level and come in the top 5 at National Race meetings... the dude who is winning is 'fast'..

Now the top 3 of these guys will get bored of racing in NZ after a while... they go race in Australia and run mid-pack. The guys up front - they are fast.

These guys go and race in superstock racing and are 'fast'... at he end of the season the guys at the front move up and run mid-pack in Superbikes... teh guys up front of this they are fast.

Then these guys will go and race in MotoGP... their luck will vary... but the dude at the front - He is the fastest in the world.


Kinda puts it into perspective. Truth is, at the end of the day, you will probably never see 'fast' on the road as these guys will have the sense to not be on the road. However you will ALWAYS find someone faster than you, if you can't you either aren't looking hard enough or you are the new MotoGP World Champion.

[yungatart]

Depends on the bike and its cornering abilities... (Sports bike will out corner a cruiser.)
Depends on the rider and their corning abilities...


Umm, you need to come to Hawkes Bay and ride with us, one of our guys will show you what a cruiser can do!

[McJim]

You want a definitive answer on this one.
Hit M1CRO up for a double next time he is down your way. We often chuck people on the back of his bike with him to demonstrate what a bike is capable of.

He is down your way quite frequently of late.

If you get the chance to sit pillion with M1CRO please wear bicycle clips or tuck you trousers into your boots - don't want the shite running down the fairings! :rofl:

I'm not fast BTW - I'm just happy to have a motorbike!

[Patch]

What is fast?? a mere opinion which is highly overrated.

Why does a racetrack not post the corner speeds?? :shit: hmmmmm




Speed is all relative...

Some would consider me fast...some would consider me slow.
fast or slow bro, who cares - your just old :dodge:

[NighthawkNZ]

Umm, you need to come to Hawkes Bay and ride with us, one of our guys will show you what a cruiser can do!

One of the guys here knows how to handle a cruiser as well and give a few of the sports a run for their money...

[aff-man]

What is fast?? a mere opinion which is highly overrated.

Why does a racetrack not post the corner speeds?? :shit: hmmmmm




fast or slow bro, who cares - your just old :dodge:

you're what 40 something now.... Well you look it.

I always find it amusing that generally as a rule the really fast guys never try to say how fast they are. Well with one or two exceptions.

[90s]

Depends where you are talking about fast.

In my mind, I am the fastest thing on wheels.
On the road ... not so much.

And in bed?

[NighthawkNZ]

And in bed?

way to fast... ???? apparently :dodge:

[Chrislost]

fast is a CBR400 catching and beating a group of 1L bikes on the corro loop... but then slow was that same bike on the straights as the big bikes went past.
fast was when he again caught and passed the bigger bikes on the next hill
muHAHAHAHAHAHA all i got to see was the guys tyre at the gassey after :gob: there were bits missing and other bits hanging off.

[Patch]

:bleh: you managed to wheelie ya 7 fiddy yet? :motu:

:nya: :nya: :nya:

[Mr. Peanut]

fast is a CBR400 catching and beating a group of 1L bikes on the corro loop... but then slow was that same bike on the straights as the big bikes went past.
fast was when he again caught and passed the bigger bikes on the next hill
muHAHAHAHAHAHA all i got to see was the guys tyre at the gassey after :gob: there were bits missing and other bits hanging off.

And you only managed to crash the thing four times?

[slopster]

Speed signs are not an accurate indication of the tightness of the corner. I know of a particular 65 corner that can be taken at 180 without getting a serious lean angle. Two corners later is a 45 corner were 45 is a pretty good speed to hit it at.

[Hitcher]

My brother reports that after having taken his family around the South Island in a campervan (oh, the shame), he now fully understands the rationale for indicated corner speeds: If the campervan is coaxed around a corner in excess of the recommended maximum, plates fall from the cupboards.

[more_fasterer]

fast is a CBR400 catching and beating a group of 1L bikes on the corro loop... but then slow was that same bike on the straights as the big bikes went past.
fast was when he again caught and passed the bigger bikes on the next hill
muHAHAHAHAHAHA all i got to see was the guys tyre at the gassey after :gob: there were bits missing and other bits hanging off.

That could only have been soss... nutter.

[roogazza]

Speed signs are not an accurate indication of the tightness of the corner. I know of a particular 65 corner that can be taken at 180 without getting a serious lean angle. Two corners later is a 45 corner were 45 is a pretty good speed to hit it at.

I suppose its the same outfit the cocks up the roads with strange white lines (painted islands and bicycle lanes) and then the big one, yellow no passing lines everywhere ! Maybe they just got a great deal on a shit load of yellow paint ? Gaz.

[90s]

Speed signs are not an accurate indication of the tightness of the corner. I know of a particular 65 corner that can be taken at 180 without getting a serious lean angle. Two corners later is a 45 corner were 45 is a pretty good speed to hit it at.

Cheif instructor on the RRRS course says he often follows those signs in MPH in the dry & Ks in the wet as a general guide.

But you are right - they are fairly inconsistant. We had several cars miss the tight downhill high-camber bend we live on and end up in the garden, inc. one 15yr old in his mother's BMW who got wedged between two trees. We asked for a council sign on the bend and the council were going to put 60k advisory up based on the 'fact' they thought the rd was a 70k limit. I wasn't - actually a 50k limit area, and they revised the signage to 25k.
So I always take these signs with a bit of a pinch of salt, but doing the coro loop for the first time with lots of cliffs I did give them the benefit of the doubt!

[Jinx3d]

I ride the way the corner feels it want to be ridden and notice that on the eixit I am usually doing a bit less than double the posted speed.

However, deciding the speed to ride based on the sign is looming disaster.

I ride touring tyres, I pass some people, others pass me. I see no reason that a capable person on stricky tyres shouldnt get to about 2.3-2.5 x the posted speed.

I'd guess that 3x would be next to impossible to do consistently on roads.

[orange dog]

Well there's a mix of opinions for ya...

As for mine, double the posted speed should be safe in the dry, although you will want to work your way up to it if your not sure.

And avoid girlfriends who sit on the back and chant: faster...faster...faster... when the pegs are already on the ground (physics was not a strong subject for her)

[boomer]

:bleh: you managed to wheelie ya 7 fiddy yet? :motu:

:nya: :nya: :nya:

wheelieing and falling off aint clever bro..... :whistle:

back on topic.. if you can keep up with The_Dover then your fast!:scooter:

[aff-man]

maybe a little.....

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