Learning to Ride (Track vs Street)

[Trip]

Originally Posted by DLIT

So you're talking about street riding, as in, riding at a respectable pace and barely leaning through corners and such? Street riding for Harleys and street riding for sportbikes are two different things.

I'm gearing all my posts towards people that are interested in track riding/going fast.

Yes, street riding isn't necessiarly aggressive riding. It isn't race line. It's a different technique. If you want to go 100%, the track is the place to learn, no doubt.

[DLIT]

Originally Posted by Trip

Yes, street riding isn't necessiarly aggressive riding. It isn't race line. It's a different technique. If you want to go 100%, the track is the place to learn, no doubt.

That's what I'm saying. I never go 100% on the street. But I use the street to practice certain things that help me build a good base so I can work on it more at the track. And you can practice the outside-inside-outside lines on the streets, too. You can apply track riding aspects to the street, easily.

[CrazyKell]

Originally Posted by Trip

Is that really street riding though? I would say no, just an extension of track riding. I would also say a higher percentage of harley riders are better street riders than sport bikers. Why? Because they obey the rules of the road and are generally safer riders, where we are hooligans.

I'd have to strongly disagree with you there.

After talking to 2 mechanic friends and watching my father do a "cruiser school" on the track, I think cruiser riders are far less skilled than sportbike riders.

Sportbike riders understand braking power, lean angle, and other fundamental concepts of what their machine can do.

A lot of cruiser riders ride their bike like it's a car and don't understand a lot of concepts that are second nature to sportbike riders (because they have to be).

[Trip]

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

I'd have to strongly disagree with you there.

After talking to 2 mechanic friends and watching my father do a "cruiser school" on the track, I think cruiser riders are far less skilled than sportbike riders.

Sportbike riders understand braking power, lean angle, and other fundamental concepts of what their machine can do.

A lot of cruiser riders ride their bike like it's a car and don't understand a lot of concepts that are second nature to sportbike riders (because they have to be).

You don't need to be able to run a fast gap time to be a good street rider. There are a lot of people who can't ride aggressively that are far better street riders than someone who can put up a good time at the track.

[CrazyKell]

Originally Posted by Trip

You don't need to be able to run a fast gap time to be a good street rider. There are a lot of people who can't ride aggressively that are far better street riders than someone who can put up a good time at the track.

Nowhere did I mention speed. I'm not talking about being fast.

[the chi]

You probably do that even without the motorcycle.

It sounds more like an issue of self control than skill in the way you are stating it though. You can make the choice to NOT blast past people, to not tailgate, to be a courteous rider and share the road, that only takes courtesy and manners, not skill.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by the chi

You probably do that even without the motorcycle.

It sounds more like an issue of self control than skill in the way you are stating it though. You can make the choice to NOT blast past people, to not tailgate, to be a courteous rider and share the road, that only takes courtesy and manners, not skill.

I would say courtesy and manners are a skill.

[the chi]

Really? Thats an interesting viewpoint.

I would consider them traits you develop as you age but should be something ingrained and taught by parents and learned as part of social growth. I know ya'll think I'm too nice and too PC, but for me, social courtesy and respecting others is a big thing, and applying it to my riding is just an extension of how I try to live my life.

Kind of a Golden Rule type thing.

I try to consider both sides of the matter. Do I want to be the asshole that scares a possible newbie off the road? And how would I appreciate being the newbie that was spooked off?

[Trip]

Originally Posted by the chi

Really? Thats an interesting viewpoint.

It can be both a trait and a skill depending on situation. It is something that can be learned or something that is picked up from environment. It can be honed skill and that is put to great efficiency in marketing and sales type medium.

[Mudpuppy]

I guess it goes back to the age old question to squid or not to squid?

I save my speed for the track and the track gives me a safe place to push the limits.. on the street I ride pretty casual unless its a back road or something and even then I don't push the limits i just ride at a moderate pace instead of a death crawl like you do around the city.. too many variables on the street to be riding unsafe.. and really i have better things to spend my money on than traffic tickets - like track days and tires..