Cornering/ committment question

**TonyB** · 14th January 2008, 12:29

Since there are a few racers of note lurking within KB, I thought I'd ask a question directed at those at the pointy end of the field...

I went out to Ruapuna for the nationals- couldn't race, so I thought I'd watch and learn. I moved around the track, watching how the best in NZ take the corners at my local track.

I was over at the Kink/ Pothole, when I noticed something that would appear to indicate that the fast guys are committed in a huge way, that I will probably NEVER be prepared to do. It looked to me like the front runners were taking the corner at such a speed that even with max lean angle, there was no way they would EVER make the corner without getting on the gas HARD and using the power to significantly tighten the line. It looked like even the tiniest hesitation or roll off would send them out onto the grass.

So was I right? Is this what you have to do?

**Doogle** · 14th January 2008, 14:23

Yes Tony thats what you have to do.Look at it this way.They have a tool available to then to help them go faster. That tool being the power of the bikes ability to tighten things up.

**TonyB** · 14th January 2008, 14:36

So they are hard on the brakes right up to the apex- that part I can do.
But the speed they are slowing down to is actually too fast to make the corner without loads of throttle to bring the back end around....not sure I can do THAT part. Respect to those than can.

**007XX** · 14th January 2008, 14:48

I cam e to a similar conclusion when observing Craig Shiriff at both Taupo and Wanganui.

I seriously lack the testosterone (and balls

) to ride like that...

Very big respect to those who can.

**HDTboy** · 14th January 2008, 14:53

That's definitely the theory of it. What's the point of having a massively overpowered rear drive vehicle if you're not going to use it's tendencies to oversteer to help you?

**TonyB** · 14th January 2008, 15:44

Originally Posted by HDTboy

That's definitely the theory of it. What's the point of having a massively overpowered rear drive vehicle if you're not going to use it's tendencies to oversteer to help you?

Yeah it all sounds simple enough....getting yourself to actually do it at well over 150km/h, immediately after being HARD on the brakes right up to the apex to stop the guy behind you from getting past, fully leant over, on a corner with a hollow that upsets bikes that are going a whoooole lot slower, with a tyre wall not too far away...now THATS a trick!

**gav** · 14th January 2008, 18:10

Your monster will do over 150km/h?

**Doogle** · 14th January 2008, 19:44

If you want to try genuine fear try that same track on a GSXR1100.

**Sully60** · 14th January 2008, 19:56

Originally Posted by TonyB

Yeah it all sounds simple enough....getting yourself to actually do it at well over 150km/h

That's the difference right there. From their point of view it's about the right speed to get to the next corner in the quickest possible time at the right position on the track.
The difference between them and us is their "speed sense" (thanks Keith) and as mentioned before they use all the tools available to them to to make sure they're going the correct speed at the correct place:

**Tony.OK** · 14th January 2008, 20:44

Where do I find the "drifting tool" cause I really want one.

Those clips are impressive,am trying to picture my Honda doin that on left sweeper before the A1gp link at Taupo

**TonyB** · 14th January 2008, 20:48

Originally Posted by gav

Your monster will do over 150km/h?

Umm...

Originally Posted by Doogle

If you want to try genuine fear try that same track on a GSXR1100.

I've done many laps there on an FZR1000- close enough?

**cowpoos** · 14th January 2008, 21:02

Its funny tony...how every person thats answered your question is so far from being a front running or considered a fast guy...it even more humouous that they think they have the credentials to answer your question...

for fuck sake....its no wonder these's bullshit theorys and armchair expert ideals are so popular!!! because there's so many bullshit theorists and armchair experts...!!!

Tony...my advice...go to levels next weekend...approch the likes of Andrew Stoud and Craig Shirrifs etc...all very approchable and happy to talk to anyone...and ask them...you'll most likely be told the truth!!! and reasoning!!

**Sully60** · 14th January 2008, 21:14

Originally Posted by cowpoos

Its funny tony...how every person thats answered your question is so far from being a front running or considered a fast guy...it even more humouous that they think they have the credentials to answer your question...

for fuck sake....its no wonder these's bullshit theorys and armchair expert ideals are so popular!!! because there's so many bullshit theorists and armchair experts...!!!

I'll have you know I've a front running champion for many years in the Bullshit theory armchair expertise class Mr Poos. Who art thou?

Oh that's right, sorry Sir Poo's I bow down to thyne profound capacity in this area........

**cowpoos** · 14th January 2008, 21:21

Originally Posted by Sully60

I'll have you know I've a front running champion for many years in the Bullshit theory armchair expertise class Mr Poos. Who art thou?

Oh that's right, sorry Sir Poo's I bow down to thyne profound capacity in this area........

So your a front runner on modern superbikes???