This place needs a fresh thread.

OK, my last track day was also my first on-track low side. I was settled in at full lean, feeling good, feeling relaxed, nowhere near the brake and ZIP... the front end goes out. If it was my input that dumped it, it could only have been a slight chop of the throttle on my part.

So. I'm heading to Road Atlanta in a week and would like to work on some throttle control exercises. Can some of you "Seasoned Veterans" give me some tips or pointers, something to try out or keep in mind for a few laps that may keep me more aware of proper throttle control and weight distribution? K.C. isn't too specific in TOTR. The only thing I could come up with on my own would be to deliberately overbrake going into a turn so that I could be sure of keeping positive thottle all the way to the apex. I don't know if the dudes behind me would appreciate that too much.

Thanks

Never....Never Chop the throttle...be SMooth....roll it on gradually...

Not sure I understand your braking thing i.e. "over brake"...

At any rate...get your braking done, unless you trailbrake, then asap roll on the gas...don't chop it...a steady right hand will go a long ways... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And did I mention...? Be SMOOTH.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have fun... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

What I meant by "chop" was letting OFF the throttle slightly mid turn, maybe a bit of the unconscious "Fear-Throttle" link, and weighting the front end a bit too much.

By "over braking" I meant scrubbing off too much speed so that I would have to accelerate towards the apex instead of trying to maintain constant throttle.

What I meant by "chop" was letting OFF the throttle slightly mid turn, maybe a bit of the unconscious "Fear-Throttle" link, and weighting the front end a bit too much.

By "over braking" I meant scrubbing off too much speed so that I would have to accelerate towards the apex instead of trying to maintain constant throttle.




Here's a rule I go by....The gas is good for the bike....your bike will work better if your on the gas...barring any trail brakeing...get your braking ect done before the turn, tip it in, and get back on the gas ASAP...as in gradually roll it on, you'll find that your bike will hold a tighter line, and be much more compliant....letting off the gas tosses more weiht on the front, not good...try this, go into a med speed turn( 50-80- mph.) and try coasting through, then in the same turn, after you get turned in, roll on the gas...and see what happens...

This applies to the really slow turns especially...most newer riders stay off the gas and wind up running wide...course they prolly have a death grip too, but rolling on the gas will allow the bike to turn so much easier, provided your not ham fisted.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I never maint. a constant throttle, as in 70% all the way through a turn, I'm slowly adding more as I get through the turn, when I'm at "That" point where I'm starting to stand the bike up, I'm adding as much throttle as I can, until there ain't no more left.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not sure of your skill level, but if your tipping it in a quick rate, the above should work for ya, If on the other hand, you turn in too early, you could have problems...

one thing i've found out for throttle control and smooth movements http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif stand up wheelies

bad comment i know - but its kind of true though


but i'm a slow in fast out guy, and i use the throttle just as hammer4 explains. while i may not be as fast as him, the technique is the same. I try to get in the corner and established. Once i know I am, and I know I'm done with all the braking, i'm slowly immediatly and gradually on the throttle trying to get her upright as soon as possible so I can be as WOT as possible.

The other responses pretty well cover it, but here's a bit of an idea: When I'm doing drills that could affect other riders, I opt to go out with a slower group. I let them blaze ahead of me 10 -30 seconds to do their thing. That clears the track for me to go as fast or slow as I feel like without having to worry about anything but the task at hand. If I start to catch up, I stroll the next straight. If I'm being caught, I blast off to create some space. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Please keep in mind that there are other things that can cause an unexpected lowside. You can be at constant throttle and off the brakes but if you take the wrong line through the turn then subconciously increase your lean angle to get back on line and make the apex you can still run out of contact patch. Were your tires up to temp and at the right pressure? On a warm day your tire pressure can fluctuate ten, possibly fifteen percent and that can make a front tire hard enough to skate. Just saying there could be another explanation.