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You're talking a full INCH less trail. That's huge. I know that you hold a basic belief that all bikes are the same--and to an extent they are. The issue is how fast things happen. The Ninja has 1.5 inches less wheelbase, has the front tire tucked in closer under the steering hand AND has 1/2 a degree less rake.

It's gonna turn faster, be more response AND to top it all off, you're going to have your wieght heavily on your arms in the roadrace crouch--meaning it's a whole different enchilada. It'll brake and turn and accelerate just like any bike, it'll will just do it much faster than you're used to.

Geometry/Physics/Design guys: If I've junked up the science here, feel free to correct me!

The BEST thing for you to do is ride one. Then you'll feel the differences.

Also remember you can't turn the handlebars are far. They are designed to be maneuverable at higher speeds, not those you'd find in a parking lot. Also many of the newer versions (CBR600, R6, GSXR600) have weird protrusions form the tank that make turning to full lock awkward since the tank literally pushes your wrist forward.

storysunfolding wrote:Also remember you can't turn the handlebars are far. They are designed to be maneuverable at higher speeds, not those you'd find in a parking lot. Also many of the newer versions (CBR600, R6, GSXR600) have weird protrusions form the tank that make turning to full lock awkward since the tank literally pushes your wrist forward.

EXCELLENT POINT! And remember also, on the KLX your hands are, what? 32 inches apart? On a sportbike they'll be, 20? 24? Which means the equivalent movement of the bars creates more turn. You know the basic gemetry, the further from the axis you are, the greater arc you need...

Here are a few more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATfgPs7Glt8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-wTLgvSTvY

and another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9fMYEHSLU

When I teach at a place with two ranges side by side, we get all the instructors and range aides in the box as students show up. No one has issues with the exercise at that point. Talk about psychological!

When I teach at a place with two ranges side by side, we get all the instructors and range aides in the box as students show up. No one has issues with the exercise at that point. Talk about psychological!

You mean riding the same 'box' at the same time? Hmmm. Interesting.

P

Mostly while conversing so we don't use the dual sports.

storysunfolding wrote:and another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9fMYEHSLU

When I teach at a place with two ranges side by side, we get all the instructors and range aides in the box as students show up. No one has issues with the exercise at that point. Talk about psychological!

Apparently I've seen every practice video on youtube outside of Asia. I wish there were so many nobody could watch them all. The rate of new ones being added is very low.

On of the things I don't have is anyone to follow or follow me through patterns. I'm sure that helps a lot.

Usually when a vehicle is designed to go faster and make wider turns the steering is less sensitive than for slower and sharper turning situations. For some reason a motorcycle designed to go fast needs more sensitive steering?

I watched a few people balancing their bikes at a stop for a moment then proceeding without putting a foot down. I'm thinking an exercise for that would be to use the throttle in place of a foot and go slower and slower as balance improves.

Harris Neils little 40 page quick motor police course advises to have the habit of ALWAYS starting off from the left foot and ALWAYS going to the left foot when stopping. I decided to adopt that although I still haven't figure out why that one foot is recommended and always the same foot.

In the beginning my stoppinig foot would be somewhat random, left or right. Then I noticed I can land on the left foot most every time if I "countersteer" at the last moment, turn the wheel to the right so the bike leans left.

beginner wrote:

storysunfolding wrote:While obviously still learning, I like this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3ns_82h ... annel_page

Figure eights are much harder on sport bikes.

I'd guess he's been practicing that for a while. 'Perfect circle' figure 8s are harder than just staying in a box and crossing at the same point. I'm not working on that style yet, too soon.

Why too soon? What are you waiting for to tell you it's time? I started doing figure 8s and double U turns using parking spaces right away. It's a big part of my slow speed skills to work on when I first break the bike out from the winter, and I try to make it back to do once a month during riding season. What I do isn't the perfect drawn circles that guy is working on, bit by placing cones and trying to hit the same spots it's pretty much the same thing.

I watched a few people balancing their bikes at a stop for a moment then proceeding without putting a foot down. I'm thinking an exercise for that would be to use the throttle in place of a foot and go slower and slower as balance improves.

I learned these as "Pause stops." I practice these every day on my commute to get out of my neighborhood. Unless I'm in traffic or otherwise nervous about something, I try to pause stop at every stop sign.

As for always using the same foot - what you practice is what you'll use subconsciously after a while. I do this because the area I live in is fairly hilly, so the right foot is almost always on the brake.

beginner wrote: Harris Neils little 40 page quick motor police course advises to have the habit of ALWAYS starting off from the left foot and ALWAYS going to the left foot when stopping. I decided to adopt that although I still haven't figure out why that one foot is recommended and always the same foot.

Which side it the brake pedal on? That's your answer.

P