Dragged a Knee today - - First Time!

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Emmm

New member
First trackday will not be your last take it nice and easy don't concentrate too much about dragging a knee concentrate on being Mr smoothy and enjoy the day.
 
Loosing comes after Virginity .....congrats on the scrape. Make sure your head is getting off the center of your tank and you are not just leaning the bike for the sake of getting your knee down. keeping your head in the center of the tank or even worse opposed to the opposite side is the biggest danger when getting lean angle. if you fight the lean and don't lean your head to the knee down side you will be on dangerous ground and have a good chance of low-siding. Work on getting your head out to the mirror around turns and the knee will come naturally and touch down more safely. confidence is good, but always take a step back and reflect on mechanics and if you aren't feeling it the next time out, don't worry about the knee down save it for the next trip out. Have a friend take picts....once you see your mechanics in a picture you will be amazed at all the little things you can see that you are not able to when riding. BTW, don't let what's his face get on your case about using a car park.....looking at his avatar...he is the last person you want to be taking advice from. Study his avatar and do the EXACT opposite. Notice how badly he is fighting the lean (his head is damn near over to the outside mirror)...he is meerly trying to get his knee down for the sake of getting his knee down and not working on his mechanics. Track is the easiest place to get your knee down since there is so much space, so it is not like a car park is something to be ashamed of. Some people are track snobs and think a few track days make them the authority and even if their head is touching the outside mirror around a turn they feel they can judge you.
 
What Lowend said is absolutely right! AND you definately need to take lots of pictures! You will be amazed at your form (or lack there of) when you see yourself for the first time. Practice being smooth and consistant and you will improve dramatically! Don't worry about forcing the knee down...remember you are leaning off the bike so that it can go through corners with less lean angle which allows you more speed and traction.

Here's a picture of my first track experience...stuck to the bike like glue. Then a picture of my 2nd track ride and my first time dragging a knee! Ahhh...the memories!!
 
five1, notice how Tonyous is looking through the turn and what's his face is fixated on the outside of the track. Tonyous is right on with this and it maybe the single most important factor in cornering.
 
Also look at his arms..

The first one looks like he's going.. FARRRKK I can't get this any more turn.... elbos look locked and arms stiff..

Second photo looks like arms are loose and flappy..


51 is doing this all out of Lee Park's book, which is oretty good.. I've been reading that for a month now.. ( on 3rd read through toilet study hahaha)

All in getting over as per the excercises is pretty good at less than 30 MPH..
 
Congrats Five1. Great idea practicing in a controlled environment. I still practice in a parking lot, but set up cones in a circe and drag me knee around the entire circle. You'll learn a lot about your suspension and how the bike handles when you're hanging off. That will translate to faster track times. You can also work on your trail braking and exits by using half the circle.

Good Luck!!!!
 
Thanks for the support and the tips. I know i'll come back a much better rider. I already introduced myself to one of the instructors in another forum. He said he would work with me individually on the track, riding in front and behind me at different times to instruct and eval my progress. It's gonna be a good time.
 
Ha.. Sorry to bring this one back out but laughed my a$$ off reading it.. How did I miss this one.?

Congrats Five1 for getting where you wanted in a safe & sane matter.. Nobody has suggested a Track School, so let me be the first. You'll learn more in a good track school in a matter of day's than a life time of hard knocks of street life..

I been telling another member that for some time, but it just don't stick.. Won't mention any names cause Flow will get mad at me..

Btw Flow.. You have draged knee's I seen ya.. And your belly and your back and your nose and...........



Peace-Bro

RC
 
Sooo my new suite shoud arrive next week.. what do I mean.. my FIRST suit..

It will have shiny new pucks.. sooo.. Dragging knees on the street is not me.. Track days are out of my current budget..

We have a decent parking lot at work..

is it acceptable to bring in a mates chinese thumper biks, set up hats and run 8's till the pucks scrape up??

OR

attach them to my shoes and srive down the highway with the doors open..


hmmm... Might just give them to 7 or Bevan to scrub in for me..

hahahaha..
 
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