Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 7:53:42 GMT 10
Open it to go faster, close it to slow down. RIGHT / WRONG - SORT OF!
Most riders look at the throttle simply as the "go-fast" thingy and wring its next but cant understand what it is really doing besides scaring or thrilling them. In fact the throttle opening and closing and being smooth and deliberate is far more than just adjusting speed. You are altering how your suspension responds, how much traction you have and how you can exit faster that you’ve ever imagined.
Because an engines delivery or reduction of power affects the motorcycle so much; especially in the middle of a corner, the throttle can be used as a tool to help your bike's chassis work better. When the motorcycle is under power, there are several factors that work in your favor.
a) The chassis is more stable as the engine's spinning internals add more gyroscopic effect for stability.
b) There is less load on the front end, allowing the suspension and tire to work better in concert as well as reducing the risk of a front-end crash due to “push”.
c) Opening the throttle affects the rear-end squat characteristics improving or destabliizing the suspensions action resulting in increased or decreased tire grip at the rear
It's important to know that the act of opening the throttle doesn't necessarily mean you will speed up. The initial application of power is usually not enough to overcome the byproduct of braking (reduction in speed), the motorcycle will continue to lose speed until the engine and drivetrain speed returns to equal or greater force in reaction to the braking or off throttle forces.
In faster corners, the throttle needs to be as much as 20-25% open before the bikes suspension settles and acceleration returns. Expert-level riders have the throttle open well before the apex of a turn, while the motorcycle is still slowing down (because of tire scrubbing).
Aspect for you to experiment with:
Find a straight stretch of clean clear, cop free road or track, practice closing the throttle and then smoothly opening it just enough so that you are still slowing down but you can feel the slack taken out of the drivetrain. Do this without using the clutch if possible. keep working on it till you can do it without a thought.
Braking is important related to control and throttle:
When you are braking, you should be gripping the tank with your knees, utilizing your core muscles and keeping weight off your arms; keeping your elbows bent. This will give you better control of the brake-to-throttle transition. Releasing brakes gradually and in a progressive manner as you lean into the turn while the cornering forces increase results in some additional slowing (tire scrubbing). Once you've completely released the brake lever but before you reach full lean is the time to begin rolling open the throttle. You want to keep the off throttle coasting with no brake or throttle to a minimum, (because the suspension is now upset) and how smoothly you open the throttle initially is just as if not more important as when you close it. (Smooooooth)
Tested technique:
This time tested technique of improving the brake-to-throttle transition is to leave your two braking fingers on the lever while you open the throttle. This takes a fair bit of practice to accomplish smoothly, but can make or break your drive in slow corners where you have less time to release the brake and apply the throttle. This also allows you to begin experimenting with trail braking (CAREFULLY)
Optional Technique: (I am unique - yes, damaged goods)
I am a bit different in my preferences as I ride with my hands on the bars making and OK hand gesture on straights to keep the bar input relaxed and then transfer to the above described and make all body position adjustments as early as possible as I prepare for entry.
!! Proper brake and clutch lever adjustment is key to this being a happy or unhappy event. You need them to be exactly where they feel right so you don’t have to reach for the levers. They should be a relaxed opened hand distance (I prefer to use the second pad of my fingers (middle phalanx). I do this partly because I prefer how it feels, and I have damaged hands, neck, back.... so, screw you beaten up nerves and be damned, Ill make it work and do it my way; and it works.
FEEL - WTF Is he talking about?
I always talk about feel. Some folks understand or assume they understand. Feel is your ability to learn what is happening at all levels without thinking about it but responding smoothly related to the way the bike communicates with you. Example I can actively feel my tires biting the aggregate, can feel when they begin releasing grip and can feel my suspension optimizes when everything is in rhythm. I can feel suspension loading as I trail brake. I can feel it get upset and make very smooth adjustments.
!!! You can feel it too, you have to tune your brain to filter out the unnecessary and become more attuned to the subtleties. Much like how you teach your eyes to look a mile ahead, to see a truck in your periphery, identify a threat and respond in accordance. You do it, focus on it. It makes a great experience even better.
Scenario:
A long sweeping corner; holding the throttle open just enough so that you maintain a constant speed, avoid the temptation to grab a handful of throttle if you think you are too slow. It's better to smoothly and gradually apply the throttle for two reasons:
1) You won't have to abruptly close the throttle ending up in loosing hard earned momentum and speed. A 1/10th of a second of throttle hesitations or back off can set you back 3/10ths – 4/10ths to regain the lost momentum. In a competition scenario, this takes your from 1st to 3rd in a blink of an eye.
2) The most common area where the chance of a highside is likely because of abrupt throttle movement upsets chassis, affecting traction as it slips and regains traction abruptly. !! Be smooth with throttle corrections, avoid completely closing the throttle if possible, you can brake hard and still have your throttle partially open and ready to respond to the progressive release of braking forces !!
Say it with Me – SMOOTH!
The smoother you can apply the throttle or any input or adjustment at any point during your ride the better. Ideally, you want just enough power taking up the slack in the drivetrain, unloading some of the weight from the front wheel and reducing speed as you near the apex of the turn and your chassis is fully stable and maximum grip at your tires.
Smoothly maintain and then roll into the throttle so that you reach your minimum speed at the apex and can add speed from there. Practice this in longer, faster turns, where you have more time, momentum and ability to make corrections smoothly as needed.
With the throttle already open at the apex, the slack taken out of the drivetrain and the suspension settled and ready for acceleration, you will get a very rapid and powerful sensation of drive out of the corner than you would otherwise feel. This sets you up to focus on your next turn which you should already have in your sights (LOOK and add 10% exaggerated head rotation)
!! Practice Practice Practice !!
Getting smooth, precise and rolling into the power smoothly not only pays off in reducing lap times but it makes you a better, safer and more confident rider. And when you have it wide open, rear tire gently sliding to the fringe and the front wheel floating a hair off the tarmac; the sensation when it touches down with a gentle wiggle is exhilarating (this is where your OK hand gesture and damper are your friends).
WARNING:
When you decide it is competition time, remember that you are going to be doing all of this with your bike and other bikes and bodies mere inches apart at very high speed. You do not want to be the guy who grabs a handful and tosses it, collecting 3 - 4 of your competitors with you. Bad stuff happens - really fast at high speed, faster that you can imagine. Boom (shit just went south) Trust me, they aren’t going to be happy, you aren't going to be very happy either!!
Happy motorcycles love…SMOOTH…SMOOTH….SMOOTH
Have a great run gents. Keep learning; I learn every day and refuse to stop (because If I am not learning or trying something, that means I’m over).
Best to all as always. My day is done, out the office door and I am hopping on the 8 for a rip through the local canyon and then a swim!
DG
Most riders look at the throttle simply as the "go-fast" thingy and wring its next but cant understand what it is really doing besides scaring or thrilling them. In fact the throttle opening and closing and being smooth and deliberate is far more than just adjusting speed. You are altering how your suspension responds, how much traction you have and how you can exit faster that you’ve ever imagined.
Because an engines delivery or reduction of power affects the motorcycle so much; especially in the middle of a corner, the throttle can be used as a tool to help your bike's chassis work better. When the motorcycle is under power, there are several factors that work in your favor.
a) The chassis is more stable as the engine's spinning internals add more gyroscopic effect for stability.
b) There is less load on the front end, allowing the suspension and tire to work better in concert as well as reducing the risk of a front-end crash due to “push”.
c) Opening the throttle affects the rear-end squat characteristics improving or destabliizing the suspensions action resulting in increased or decreased tire grip at the rear
It's important to know that the act of opening the throttle doesn't necessarily mean you will speed up. The initial application of power is usually not enough to overcome the byproduct of braking (reduction in speed), the motorcycle will continue to lose speed until the engine and drivetrain speed returns to equal or greater force in reaction to the braking or off throttle forces.
In faster corners, the throttle needs to be as much as 20-25% open before the bikes suspension settles and acceleration returns. Expert-level riders have the throttle open well before the apex of a turn, while the motorcycle is still slowing down (because of tire scrubbing).
Aspect for you to experiment with:
Find a straight stretch of clean clear, cop free road or track, practice closing the throttle and then smoothly opening it just enough so that you are still slowing down but you can feel the slack taken out of the drivetrain. Do this without using the clutch if possible. keep working on it till you can do it without a thought.
Braking is important related to control and throttle:
When you are braking, you should be gripping the tank with your knees, utilizing your core muscles and keeping weight off your arms; keeping your elbows bent. This will give you better control of the brake-to-throttle transition. Releasing brakes gradually and in a progressive manner as you lean into the turn while the cornering forces increase results in some additional slowing (tire scrubbing). Once you've completely released the brake lever but before you reach full lean is the time to begin rolling open the throttle. You want to keep the off throttle coasting with no brake or throttle to a minimum, (because the suspension is now upset) and how smoothly you open the throttle initially is just as if not more important as when you close it. (Smooooooth)
Tested technique:
This time tested technique of improving the brake-to-throttle transition is to leave your two braking fingers on the lever while you open the throttle. This takes a fair bit of practice to accomplish smoothly, but can make or break your drive in slow corners where you have less time to release the brake and apply the throttle. This also allows you to begin experimenting with trail braking (CAREFULLY)
Optional Technique: (I am unique - yes, damaged goods)
I am a bit different in my preferences as I ride with my hands on the bars making and OK hand gesture on straights to keep the bar input relaxed and then transfer to the above described and make all body position adjustments as early as possible as I prepare for entry.
!! Proper brake and clutch lever adjustment is key to this being a happy or unhappy event. You need them to be exactly where they feel right so you don’t have to reach for the levers. They should be a relaxed opened hand distance (I prefer to use the second pad of my fingers (middle phalanx). I do this partly because I prefer how it feels, and I have damaged hands, neck, back.... so, screw you beaten up nerves and be damned, Ill make it work and do it my way; and it works.
FEEL - WTF Is he talking about?
I always talk about feel. Some folks understand or assume they understand. Feel is your ability to learn what is happening at all levels without thinking about it but responding smoothly related to the way the bike communicates with you. Example I can actively feel my tires biting the aggregate, can feel when they begin releasing grip and can feel my suspension optimizes when everything is in rhythm. I can feel suspension loading as I trail brake. I can feel it get upset and make very smooth adjustments.
!!! You can feel it too, you have to tune your brain to filter out the unnecessary and become more attuned to the subtleties. Much like how you teach your eyes to look a mile ahead, to see a truck in your periphery, identify a threat and respond in accordance. You do it, focus on it. It makes a great experience even better.
Scenario:
A long sweeping corner; holding the throttle open just enough so that you maintain a constant speed, avoid the temptation to grab a handful of throttle if you think you are too slow. It's better to smoothly and gradually apply the throttle for two reasons:
1) You won't have to abruptly close the throttle ending up in loosing hard earned momentum and speed. A 1/10th of a second of throttle hesitations or back off can set you back 3/10ths – 4/10ths to regain the lost momentum. In a competition scenario, this takes your from 1st to 3rd in a blink of an eye.
2) The most common area where the chance of a highside is likely because of abrupt throttle movement upsets chassis, affecting traction as it slips and regains traction abruptly. !! Be smooth with throttle corrections, avoid completely closing the throttle if possible, you can brake hard and still have your throttle partially open and ready to respond to the progressive release of braking forces !!
Say it with Me – SMOOTH!
The smoother you can apply the throttle or any input or adjustment at any point during your ride the better. Ideally, you want just enough power taking up the slack in the drivetrain, unloading some of the weight from the front wheel and reducing speed as you near the apex of the turn and your chassis is fully stable and maximum grip at your tires.
Smoothly maintain and then roll into the throttle so that you reach your minimum speed at the apex and can add speed from there. Practice this in longer, faster turns, where you have more time, momentum and ability to make corrections smoothly as needed.
With the throttle already open at the apex, the slack taken out of the drivetrain and the suspension settled and ready for acceleration, you will get a very rapid and powerful sensation of drive out of the corner than you would otherwise feel. This sets you up to focus on your next turn which you should already have in your sights (LOOK and add 10% exaggerated head rotation)
!! Practice Practice Practice !!
Getting smooth, precise and rolling into the power smoothly not only pays off in reducing lap times but it makes you a better, safer and more confident rider. And when you have it wide open, rear tire gently sliding to the fringe and the front wheel floating a hair off the tarmac; the sensation when it touches down with a gentle wiggle is exhilarating (this is where your OK hand gesture and damper are your friends).
WARNING:
When you decide it is competition time, remember that you are going to be doing all of this with your bike and other bikes and bodies mere inches apart at very high speed. You do not want to be the guy who grabs a handful and tosses it, collecting 3 - 4 of your competitors with you. Bad stuff happens - really fast at high speed, faster that you can imagine. Boom (shit just went south) Trust me, they aren’t going to be happy, you aren't going to be very happy either!!
Happy motorcycles love…SMOOTH…SMOOTH….SMOOTH
Have a great run gents. Keep learning; I learn every day and refuse to stop (because If I am not learning or trying something, that means I’m over).
Best to all as always. My day is done, out the office door and I am hopping on the 8 for a rip through the local canyon and then a swim!
DG