posted August 24, 2009 06:49 PM
Schooled One of the local dealers had a sportbike ride tonight so I thought I would tag along. I rode on one last year and was surprised then how hard these guys rode. One guy even dumped his ZX-9 into a cornfield going around a corner. After a year of riding the 14 I thought I would try my luck again. Maybe I am just getting old but man I had everything I could do to keep up with these guys in the corners. Straights were no problem. Granted I was not riding wheelies at 120mph like the rest of them but I could keep up. After a few hard corners a guy on an R6 dumped pretty hard and the bike hit a tree doing some pretty substantial damage.
Is this normal or do I need to take some track lessons? The roads we were on were bumpy as hell and I was nervous on almost every hard curve we hit. 2 rides and 2 wipeouts seems like a bit much. Clue me in here, am I missing something??
posted August 24, 2009 06:59 PM
The 14 isn't the best bike for twisties but does just fine once you get used to the twisties with it. I suggest practicing on a nice twisty road that is pretty vacant, but trackdays will be best to let you become comfortable with high speeds and leaning at high speeds. Thse guys sound like they are riding outside their limits anyways . Any goood rider on a 14 should be able to make them eat crow.
____________ '06 Passion Red ZX-14
posted August 24, 2009 07:07 PM
Edited By: JDC on 25 Aug 2009 06:10
I am a novice. Have been to Willowsprings a few days taking the corners schooling and it really helped... but those youngsters have a lot more grit and fly through those corners..
I'm too cautious to fly like them... but on the other hand, I am still here in one piece!
posted August 24, 2009 07:10 PM
I also wonder if I should adjust my suspension settings. I am 210lbs and never touched the settings and bought the bike new. Any suggestions?
quote:I also wonder if I should adjust my suspension settings. I am 210lbs and never touched the settings and bought the bike new. Any suggestions?
By all means have the suspension adjusted by a professional suspension shop like racetec . Look up a local shop that specializes in suspension tuning , should be no more than $40 . It will make the world of difference. Then make sure you have good tires such as michelin pilot power 2ct's . You will have a bike capable of doing most anything ,aside from more seat time learing twisties suspension adjusted to your weight and tires will make a world of difference!
____________ '06 Passion Red ZX-14
quote:I am a novice. Have been to Willowsprings a few days taking the corners schooling and it really helped... but those youngsters have a lot more grit and fly through those corners..
I;m too cautious to fly like them... but on the other hand, I am still here in one piece!
Ooh willow springs ! My favorite track! I might add also that I think it's designed for zx14's lol ____________ '06 Passion Red ZX-14
posted August 24, 2009 07:46 PM
65 days till I get my liscence back and I'm going to be very selective who I ride with!
____________
Doug Mackay Australia
posted August 24, 2009 09:27 PM
the stock supension is sprung and damped for a 140lb rider.
Get it revalved and resprung, the only thing that will prevent you from riding it as hard as them will be BRAINS, and ground clearance.
Anyone who pushes their bike to the limits on the street will only do it for so long before they crash
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
quote:I am a novice. Have been to Willowsprings a few days taking the corners schooling and it really helped... but those youngsters have a lot more grit and fly through those corners..
I;m too cautious to fly like them... but on the other hand, I am still here in one piece!
Ooh willow springs ! My favorite track! I might add also that I think it's designed for zx14's lol
Its my favorite as well.. but it is the only track I've been to!
posted August 25, 2009 04:46 AM
Imho I wouldn't try too hard to keep up with them, you will just be the next one in the hospital.
____________
Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
posted August 25, 2009 04:55 AM
To clarify, I don't think I would have had any problems if the road would have been smooth. All the kids (18-26?) were in that 150lb range. There was even a girl riding two up with another girl on a ZX-6! It is probably just that I turned into a pussy without knowing it over the last 10 years, wife and three kids might do that to you. The fact that out of two rides I saw two bikes get totalled tells me they might still be running a bit hard. I should have known when looking at their back tires before the ride. Not even a hint of a chicken strip and they all had the little balls of rolled rubber hanging on the edge.
I have a great shop right down the road that I will take it to to have the suspension adjusted.
There was another 14 rider who could not stop talking about how great the TRE is. I told him to just pull the flies as he already had a PCIII but he would hear none of that.
posted August 25, 2009 05:27 AM
I stay the F*CK away from rides like that! Riders you don't know going full out like your on the race track. Some one is bound to get killed. Hope it's not you. Last ride like that I tagged along on some one did get killed! I will never ride with that type of group again!
posted August 25, 2009 06:16 AM
I think you are looking at this the wrong way honestly. Sure some additional training is always good and yes get your bike set up for your weight. But as far as thinking you have turned into a pussy over the years because you cant keep up with these riders who dont have chicken stripes and blaze corners - yet two of them crashed on a ride. Sorry man but in my opinion they cant ride cause if you cant make it back you only have half the riding equation.
I would find other people to ride with as they are totally unsafe riding like that and not looking out for everyone in their group; ie if you are pushed beyond your comfort zone trying to keep up you will make mistakes.
posted August 25, 2009 06:41 AM
Rich this comment, " It is probably just that I turned into a pussy without knowing it over the last 10 years, wife and three kids might do that to you." is called wisdom! I think you understand that per your choice.... If you want to live a faster life, then may I suggest a drag strip?
posted August 25, 2009 07:17 AM
Sooner or later someone is gonna get seriously hurt on that ride NO DOUBT! After last nights ride I am not sure I ever want to ride with them again but I always like to try to take something positive from my experiences. With that said, getting the suspension settings correct and working on my high speed cornering at my own pace is my next goal. I don't intend on driving like an idiot as I have already had one bad wipeout when I was younger.
I appreciate the honesty and the help here guys. Thursday night is the cruiser ride for us old guys. I will give that one a try and let you know how it goes!
posted August 25, 2009 08:35 AM
If you want to race go to the track - this conversation is obsene..... think about your wife and kids prior to death wish riding on the street..... for real!
Kevin
posted August 25, 2009 08:53 AM
I don't want to race, don't want to die and think about my wife and kids everytime I sit on my bike. I do however want to become a better rider hence the reason for the post.
I watched a ZX-14 suspension video and made some adjustments to my bike. I am going to take it out for a ride and judging by how far my front suspension was off I think it will be loads better. Thanks again for all the suggestions guys!
posted August 25, 2009 09:54 AM
If you were not in your comfort zone then that was not the type of ride you should of been on.
On group rides like that I usually start in the back and work my way through the pack to where I fit in by then the faster guys are gone if I'm not in the front and the slower guys are behind me.
At least they are having single bike accidents but it would be just as easy for a few riders to be affected.
I can't afford another addiction like going to the track so I practice on roads and off ramps that I'm familiar with by myself.
There is a set of clovers right by my job I run through just about everyday to and from work.
I may not be comfortable at full tilt but at least I've practiced enough to be able to do it when necessary.
____________
To Do List:
CONTINENTAL US DONE
Hawaii - I’ll rent a bike there, MAYBE
posted August 25, 2009 03:43 PM
I used to ride with a group like that, mostly younger guys. They had at least one guy die every season, and a wreck almost every ride. It was mainly young guys trying to prove their manhood by riding over their heads, trying to beat the other guys riding over their heads. Pretty sad really. I learned alot about what sportbike riding (and life) SHOULDN'T be about from that group lol. I actually feel bad for the young guys. I'm so glad I'm not a kid anymore
posted August 25, 2009 08:42 PM
Edited By: ZX11D on 26 Aug 2009 04:43
quote:...... One guy even dumped his ZX-9 into a cornfield going around a corner..............
And he was actually lucky one. Now, try to fly off the road into a canyon full of boulders
Some of the best riding roads in So.Cal are right beyond my backyard. There is a certain beauty riding with a great group that is composed mostly of experienced riders, riding for years without an incident. On the other hand, most of the accidents I have seen involve group riding, sometimes producing multi-rider pileup. A sad scenario indeed. As suggested by other members, stay away from such rides. Pick your group and remember, you are not out there to prove anything to anybody.
____________
'94 ZX-11
'07 ZX-14
posted August 26, 2009 07:26 AM
blah blah blah... this is so typical how the responses fly all over the place. Every bike board has this same conversation with drastically opposing views on it, nearly every single week.
As far as hanging back in the corners and blasting the straights: stop risking your life and license for no f*ing reason!!! Idiots blast down every straightaway. The skill is and has always been in taking the corners. Some would say that leaves the 14 at a disadvantage. And if you are a smaller, under 200lb rider that is true- to ride it hard you must be able to quite literally throw it around. So some track time is definitely in order for you!
Riding with guys faster than you on a ride like that will put you in an ambulance. Period. Get your skills up there BEFORE doing a "Fast" ride, or joining the Fast Group on a bigger ride!
I've led or rode tail on alot of "Fast" or group "A" rides. Seen a few guys who were veteran street and track guys crash infront of and behind me over the years, but the VAST MAJORITY of guys I've seen wreck were riding over there heads trying to keep up with there friends, or trying to back up there mouth by riding with guys alot faster than them. Some of them ended up dead.
ride last year: Had a bunch of hotshot's behind me; with the exception of Gilberjj who freely admitted he was a newer rider (though he did well), all were veteran riders with lots of years under there belt.
First vid was after a couple fun roads had already been run and the riding order established, with with me leading and making a point of generally staying below 100mph and only using the midrange rpms on a very fun tight road.
Second video is at the stop after the first video (only half the group had arrived). Keep in mind 3 things:1: I am 6'5", 320lbs. 2: Riding a so-called non cornering heavy pig ZX14. T3: hey are all veteran riders who consider themselves fast.
Third video I told them to lead and I would hang back. To me the Risk / Reward scale just doesnt even up with this kind of riding- Give me a technical road any day.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
posted August 26, 2009 09:07 AM
Edited By: ZX11D on 26 Aug 2009 17:13
Hey Stick, you were not standing on a step-ladder when taking video of your riding buddies, were you?
Just kidding big boy, great videos. ____________
'94 ZX-11
'07 ZX-14
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posted August 24, 2009 06:49 PM
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