I don't know when they start up again, but for a rider to have some fun and brush up on things. The "Biker down" course run by the fire brigade was fantastic. A full day at brands hatch for £50 ish 1. slow speed skills in the Brands car park with IAM including a slow race 2. Assessed ride outside of Brands in the surrounding area with IAM 3. 2 x 20 mins sessions around brands 4. Basic first aid for motorcyclists from Ambulance crews (removal of helmet) CPR and procedures 5. Rider skills session (classroom test/theory) fun though It was a seriously great day, if you want company Id happily do it again (would also be good for forum meet maybe)
I was having a similar confidence thing with my new GSXR 750. I came from a CBR600fx, so a significant change in power, but I really didn't like the handling of the Gixer. Was on the verge of selling it (after 3 weeks), then we went out one day and did circa 200 miles. Feel a lot happier on the bike. Agree with all the comments above, but you can't beat putting miles on the clock. My tyres are Bridgestone 016's, they don't get warm even when pushed. I had dunlop sportsmax on the cbr600, thought they were great. On the Gixer forums, their all talking about metzler M7RR's, so not sure which tyres to go for myself.
One thing worth a mention, a few years ago I was out with one of my mates on a then new R1 and I was on an old 98 T595 Daytona 955i, and when we got where we were going he came on to me and told me he couldn't stay with me in the corners and thought his R1 was handling like a bag o'shite (he'd just upgraded from his 3rd R6 onto an R1) and he asked me what I was doing to allow me to keep my lines in the corner when he was running wide everywhere etc.It turned out he'd never heard of counter steering and with a little advice he put it into action and could not believe the difference in the bikes handling! Not saying I'm some superb rider but sometimes a little extra tuition in certain areas can reap big rewards.
Agree with you all about the tyres, a good set is fantastico. I'm not sure there's a bad modern tyre for steady around town work, on the road most tyres will out perform their rider. Tried to find the artical about cal crutchlow blasting around a track on a stock fire blade with fantastic times, will keep lookin. GP riders, Cal never blamed his tools just got on with it, a lesson for me i think lol agree good tyres are fab
The thing is Cal could probably lap faster running on the rims than most of us mere mortals could with sticky tyres!
Ok had a few glasses of red, Cal has one good season left, my money on him next year to finish within the top five. Timing wrong for a full factory ride, he could have been chap, more than enough ability, red kicked in again lol
this seems like a good price? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MICHELIN-...848410?hash=item419e8bfc1a:g:Q~4AAOSwo6lWJOxs thinking new tyres... as can sell the ones on the bike i guess..
It is, but it's not the total cost unless you can fit them yourself. I think you’re in London? Depending on location try FWR or Watlings for a fully loaded cost, taking the wheels in loose will save money as normally around £16 each to take off and refit. I fully agree with everything that's been said about getting some miles in, riding in the wet and most importantly how poor the Qualifiers are. I was commuting and getting out at every opportunity but over the past twelve months haven't rode much for various reasons. It's made a huge difference to how I'm riding now when I do get out, something I plan to sort over the winter/spring. I'm another fan of PR4's, awesome all weather/all round tyre. Yes the super sticky tyres are great, when you can get them warm enough and on dry roads- Useless in the cold and wet, especially if your confidence isn't great and you’re not riding quick enough to get any heat into them. Try to put the cost of the replacement tyres into perspective. They should be a priority over all that nice stuff we all like such as bling, brake upgrades, QAT's, exhaust, flux capacitors etc. The tyres and a suspension set up will get the best out of the bike and indeed you.
No offence intended Sam, but I can't believe this is still a topic. You must have the proper tyres for the road and conditions, they are your only contact point with the tarmac, other than your ass when a cheapo set let go, we are all on a budget, but as a comparison, I tried a set of BT016 Pros, super grip in warm, dry sunny days, s*ite in any other condition, total mileage life to near canvas 1500, PR4 superb in all conditions, and apart from the big balls egos, enough in them for 98% of road use, one of the dearer tyres on the market, average mileage is between 7 & 9K, simple man maths suggests they are actually one of the cheapest tyres out there per mile. The Ditchfinders did not even make the road on my Blade, got the dealer to swap them out before delivery. I ride down wet, slimy, leaf and crap covered lanes every day and the PR3s & 4s have never let me down. So a bit of extra outlay up front, is far cheaper on the back end when you factor in long mileage life and better than most other tyres grip and security, especially as we now have 5-6 months of crap riding ahead of us.
Sounds like you've got a real head-battle going on there Whatever you can do to retrain your brain into believing the bike will lean and not slide out from under you has to help, and as good as the stock dunlop are, if getting new tyres boosts your confidence then it's worth it. I've now done 2.5k on the fitted QIIs and have been impressed with their dry performance, but they weren't that great on a wet trackday. On the last bike I had a set of Bridgestone T30EVOs and I couldn't fault them - would probably veer towards the S30EVO on a blade though. I would definitely recommend getting some time on track to get your head back in the game - that biker down course sounds perfect. While it's cold and wet though, might be worth hanging your hat up and just watching this:-
Did Ron Haslam race day at Donington. Learnt an awful lot. Had great fun and confidence increased many fold as a result of what I was taught. Definitely recommended.
Sam, I know how you feel, having come off my bike on Diesel. Knocked my confidence for 6 and found I tensed up when coming into left hand bends, to the point where I wasn't leaning at all, and almost met an oncoming vehicles from time to time. Very scary times.... I fixed this by attending a full instructor novice track day at Snetterton through MSVT, where I received one-2-one instructor input for the whole day, and helped me get my confidence back. We had a chat about what I wanted from the day, and then we devised a plan with follow laps and being followed laps, in 5 20 min sessions. A quite expensive day, at around £300-400 quid, but well worth the cash. If it wasn't for this, then I'd still be struggling I think. No road riding will help the confidence because your brain will tell you that you came off in left or a right hand bend and you'll tense up without realising it. That's what happened with me though. But only you can choose the best option for your riding life. Oh, and I used and currently use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's and love em. On my 2nd set and are a good tyre.
I'm suffering a loss of confidence on the bike, I think its down to crashing hard on oil at Oulton which has left me with a sore / swollen ankle (Doctor cannot find a problem even with an MRI scan) and then again being taken out at Oulton in Feb this year - although neither my fault (perhaps better judgement / forward observation would have avoided the oil slick one and perhaps avoiding target fixation the second). I've tried miles and felt like hanging up the keys at times, friends I've not seen for a year or so have said 'what's happened to your confidence, you're not riding like you used to at all' and try as I might its not returning, I may do an advanced riding refresher in the spring (or start all over again) as need to build the confidence
Sounds crap. Nothing worse than not feeling relaxed on the bike. Makes it really unpleasant. Track time is probably going to continue to stress you out as you'll be stressed about other riders too much. I'd seriously think about doing a day with Ron haslam. Its obviously more than a normal track day, but having an instructor worrying about who's on track and making sure you have all the space you need will really help you to focus on what you need to and start to trust the bike again.
I had a moment a couple of weeks back. taking a round abt which I know at a good speed (very good). Suddenly felt the front folding under me, it happened very fast and (I think) I instinctively reduced the counter steer, the bike stood up and we were off the hook. later when I checked the tyres (pilot powers with 4500miles on) the front had tarmac marks well over the edge and I don't know how we managed to fing grip on the tyre wall! I had been round the same place before on almost full lean without any issues. BUT I think the difference was this time I was more on auto pilot, not concentrating enough, not in the zone. I would say if it is not something external, diesel, ices, ... and your bike is in good mechanical order and not pushed beyond its limits, then it is the rider. Either you are not concentrating/ in the zone or too nervous/ stiff. This will make the bike handle like a pig. Remember the rider has the biggest input on the bikes handling. as suggested by many other members, miles and miles. Take it easy, ride and rediscover your bike control and become comfortable with the bike responses and your inputs and gradually push the boat out little by little sometimes going too slowly for the lean angle will loose the front wheel and you will low side
