Manfield, 29/06/03

[Coldkiwi]

oooo, that doesn't sound good! what happened?

[wkid_one]

Nothing wrong with my line through the corner at all - just the fact I can't change gear part way through like I want to cause no clearance to get my foot under the lever - hence wanting upside down box.  I like the corner - just shit camber considering all the first part of the track is cambered and that isn't/.

[750Y]

just the fact I can't change gear part way through like I want to cause no clearance to get my foot under the lever - hence wanting upside down box.

Perhaps You could just look at calculating different gearing if that's an area where you are losing a lot of time due to not being able to change up?

[gpercivl]

You might want to try getting it into the gear you want before you crank it over for the corner. I usually change down while I'm upright braking hard and using the low gear for rear wheel enging braking.

This makes it much smoother when you're cranked way over at the apex as you're already in the right gear and should have already started applying power so that the rear is 'squatted'.

Changing gear mid-corner upsets the weight balance, attitude, and a few other things which can really compromise your traction at this critical point!

Cheers, Greg

[gpercivl]

The 190kph 'off' wasn't exactly fun, I was cranked over for the right hander coming onto the front straight at Puke during the F2 TT, when another rider came in underneath me and hooked up the leathers on my right elbow...instantly straightening me up into the wall

The bike hit the wall, and my body, the last wool bail! All I remember is seeing the fence come at me, then I was talking to Dad in the ambulence about 25mins later.

Needless to say racing can be dangerous but I came out with minor injuries and still have awesome fun at the track...

[bluninja]

Ouch.....I guess you won't leave room underneath next time

So got any clues for the lines at Manfeild in reverse?

TTFN

 

[wkid_one]

V'Twin runs out of revs even if I short change before the corner - unless I do in sixth - but I could run around the beginning of the corner quicker. 

[Kwaka-Kid]

hmm, i was previously changing mostly before the corners on pukekohe, but after reading keith codes twist of the wrist (And also own mechanical desicion) think of all that pressure of near redline downchaning/engine brakeing, the engine ISNT A BRAKE (as keith code states rather often) - altho i personally was using it was one, i have changed my ways, i have no real trouble on pukekohe with normal box, except for the left hander b4 front strieght i somtimes feel, i seem to get just near redline and want to change but its more the fact that i know i shudnt as when i take the next right hand onto the front streight on the ZXR400 redline in that gear (3rd or 4th, cant member) its about my limit for how far over i can lean (not very far) and end up shooting out a little further then often feels comfortable, so wouldnt want to be going any faster (i.e upchanging sooner and not just holding revs near redline for few seconds) atm with current (well hopefully will retire them and get new tyres) tyres on the bike.

Whats your guys opinions on turning the box upsidedown? i personally dread the thought, and think its not habbit/natural to do it the way it is and therefore will generally be faster during a lap.  however i understand a bit about the left hand corner thingy, i spose you are all leaning 10x lower then me as i reckon even the lowest ive been i can still get my big toe under there and change.

[Dave]

Piece of piss, I can't understand why roadbikes aren't all race pattern.I can get off my race bike(race pattern) and onto a motorcross bike(conventional) and then ride my Indian(left hand throttle,left foot clutch,right hand gear change) with out problems.
As all bikes feel different to sit on your brain gets used to which style you need for which bike your sitting on.
As you start to get better with more lean angle you'll find more tracks that you need to change up gears coming through long fast corners-Puke (left hander up to frt straight)Taupo (long l/h sweeper) manfield (left onto long track) ruapuna (sweeper onto frt straight) teretonga(long long horseshoe sweeper)
They all have one so you might as well get used to it.
When you first start racing, do 2 meetings to get used to the bike then change it-any longer and you'll start getting too familiar and not want to change.

[gpercivl]

I agree with Dave, your brain pretty much gets used to what riding style you're doing and adjusts accordingly. When I'm on my road bike with conventional shift pattern, then switch to the race bike once a month it's like flicking a switch in your brain and there's not a problem

[Coldkiwi]

i have yet to try switching the linkage over on the road but discovered I could almost by accident when adjusting the gear lever for my new race boots that didn't bend in the calf. It really makes a lot of sense although it could possibly be a bit of a pain having to lift it into 1st gear if doing a lot of city riding.. still.. i've mastered my commuting route into the city to minimise the lights so I should really give it a try