North Auckland Street Skills - NASS

[R-Soul]

Agree with that (as I also have a big long wheelbase).
Your second point I guess what you're saying is choose a good line through the corner?
As Mark said several times always look where you want to go, and try not to focus on the tennis balls too much.

Also rear trail braking through the turn helps get more lean into those real tight corners.
I also find myself doing a lot of clutch control through a course like that...

Its one thing looking generally "where you want to go". But (and this applies to high speed and low speed corners - from the "Twist of the wrist" books) if you actually choose a specific point that you want to ride over or past, such as a mark or dimple, as your reference point (Keith Code calles it a "product" of your corner, because the product of one corner sets your up for what comes after it) it becomes a lot less vague, and the calculations backward along the line gives you a real place to start from.

It also gives you something to focus on beside NOt the tennis balls...
hehe that si kind of like saying "Dont think of a carrot". Who did not think of a carrot just then?

"Dont look at the tennis balls"
"what tennis balls?"
" you mean these tennis balls?"
*homer simpson voice* "DOH"

I guess its kind of like a goal kick in rugby. If you aim generally in the right direction between the posts you are not wrong. But if you narrow teh target to an exact point, then you will be more accurate.

[Clean_up]

any objections to bringing a pillion along one night? I realise slow speed tight stuff will be very tricky with a pillion, but probably wont try those with her on the back...would be awesome for her to listen in to tips anyway, and maybe someone could give some pillioning specific tips? im sure there are others out there pillioning that would like to know if they are doing it right, or how to do it better....on the bike that is

[Sharry]

Heck no, It would be useful for her to see and hear what goes on before getting on a bike and doing it herself. Plus a conversation on pillioning tips would be usefull for all including the pillion.

I won't be there this week as I have a birthday engagement with a friend

[hctseng]

For those who missed last week

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[youtube]JGgvd3OAYlU[/youtube]

[Neon]

Unfortunately not going to make it this week, will do my best to make the next one though.

[TOTO]

catch yas at the gas station peeps

[R-Soul]

I cant make it either - next time..

[Clean_up]

Awesome night everyone. Tats had a great time to, really enjoyed herself, and says she can finally put a picture to the stories I have told her about NASS. She will definately be coming along more often, it was really good to get some pillion tips, and to perform the exercises with her on the back. It helped to build our confidence as a rider and pillion combo, now i know i can do those things with her on the back, and she feels more comfortable knowing what both i and the bike can do better. Catch you all next week.

[p.dath]

Awesome night everyone. Tats had a great time to, really enjoyed herself, and says she can finally put a picture to the stories I have told her about NASS. She will definately be coming along more often, it was really good to get some pillion tips, and to perform the exercises with her on the back. It helped to build our confidence as a rider and pillion combo, now i know i can do those things with her on the back, and she feels more comfortable knowing what both i and the bike can do better. Catch you all next week.

I might bring along my pillion next time if there are going to be some female pillion regulars.

[Sharry]

After talking with a nearly newbie, now it is dark when we ride over to the carpark could we engage the policy of slowing down if the head light behind gets too far away. For those who have not had much experience on open roads, especially in the dark it is not nice to be left without a bike in front to use as a guide on corners.

[p.dath]

After talking with a nearly newbie, now it is dark when we ride over to the carpark could we engage the policy of slowing down if the tail light behind gets too far away. For those who have not had much experience on open roads, especially in the dark it is not nice to be left without a bike in front to use as a guide on corners.

If you slow down because the tail light in front is getting to far away then it will get even further away ...

[Sharry]

Thanks I have corrected it. The headlight behind.

[TOTO]

another option is to pair the really new riders who are in that situation with someone who will stay in front of them and this way the rest of the people can generally do their own pace. I'm happy to volunteer to do that., and stay in front of someone new to riding in the dark, as oposed to having the whole group held up. Opinions ?

[Sharry]

that is another option for sure. I am quite happy to do that also now that I have a good +90 bulb.

[retro asian]

Those with cruisers (there's more of them at NASS these days ), I think it's a bit more difficult as factory Cruiser lights aren't the best for night riding.
Adding extra lights +lightbar is a good thing to do, but extremely expensive.

A cheaper option is to buy a brighter than normal light bulb and also to realign your headlight angle.

Anyone who wants help with this, see the guy with the big fat blue bike next Wednesday.