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Why Are Fast Guys Fast?

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!ThatGuy!

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
We all know that one must have proper body positioning, throttle control, and braking technique in order to ride at an intermediate to advanced pace for trackdays and racing. However, one can only move their body into the right position by so much. One can only brake so hard and have so much throttle control. So what exactly is it that makes the super fast guys go, well, super fast? Is it experience? Is it proper bike setup? But if it is those things, then why arent the old fuckers flying around like AMA guys? Am I the only one who has wondered this?

So, if there are any super fast guys on here, or anyone who knows some superfast guys, please let me know how you got that way. This question has really been bugging me especially as I watch CCS and AMA youtube vids. I know that practice makes perfect, but how does that explain the kids coming up thru the ranks by the time their 18? And those CCS guys have the same body positioning, braking points, etc as the AMA guys, yet the AMA guys would blow a CCS rider out of the water. What makes them tick? Im a bit tipsy so hopefully this line of questioning makes sense. Someone please cure me curiosity.
 
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#2 ·
I'd say balls... Confidence, courage, not being afraid to wad it up would probably give you a bit of an edge. Mind over muscle, just knowing you can go faster and then doing it.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
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#5 ·
Genetics play a part too. The guys who end up at top level can process input and convert that into the correct actions much faster than the average person. I watched a test with Michael Schumacher once - his eye-hand coordination seems superhuman. A few years ago he participated in an IDM race (German equivalent of AMA) on a wildcard just for fun - and finished 3rd, even with relatively little motorcycle track experience.

Practice can do a lot but practice plus genetics is what you need for the highest levels.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
So, technique, education, balls, practice and DNA is the recipe to be a top tier racer. Seems simple enough :facepalm.
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
nj01_6 said:
Education helps, too. Knowing what you're doing, and why, and when really helps.
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heaven knows I need a shit ton of this. LOL
 
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#11 ·
I'd say talent, dedication, unique sense of speed, full throttle control and experience which all adds up to full confidence in what your are doing on a bike are major factors that would make a fast rider.....and when reached this level bike performance will play apart.
I think it is common for most to have started early on small bikes and gone the grades towards becoming super fast.

At 52 I am by no means a very fast rider (and age is catching up), but fast enough to have won some local 2nd tier "Superbike" races in Thailand the last few years.

I got to my level simply because I have always ridden my bikes alot and been very kean on developing my skills rather than blinging out the bike for bike night purposes.........even though the mod bug hit me as well a while back :biggrin.....
I have studied books, taken a few schools and tried to obtain as much as possible on how to ride a bike fast, street or track.

When riding in some groups I am always amazed to see how many riders are actually lacking basic knowledge on how to ride a bike...above all 180HP beasts :eek:hmy
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
SPL170db said:
If it was easy then everyone would be a champion.....life doesn't work that way unfortunately.
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wouldnt be fun if it was easy! certainly would suck though for the guys who got all the other elements perfected, but lost out on the DNA aspect. Make it so far in a career only to get stuck in a rut at a certain point.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
George Carlin, biggest realist out there. love that guy. so funny.
 
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#17 ·
It's quite interesting the whole idea of "having more balls". Surely having that confidence in your skills and your machine is key.

Whats interesting is when I look at the sim racing communities I've been a part of. You can clearly see the whole "alien" idea going on there. Even though personal risk, smashing your machine up, etc, are not at all part of sim racing, there are still the guys that can just go so much quicker than anyone else. As in new car on a new track, after a few laps to figure the lines out, they are right up the top of the timesheets

It must be something to do with natural talent and reactions, because even without the risks, you can see the people farting around at the back of the group, slipping and sliding around and setting terribly slow laptimes (having fun of course though :punk). And they are trying as hard as they can (because you see them complaining on forums sometimes), yet they find it hard. I dunno, like pushing through some sort of mental block, or barrier :dunno
I dunno if "getting a feel" is part of reactions though, because when racing the 60's F1 cars around in rFactor2, some people just spin constantly, or overcook their slides. Whereas for me, controlling the drive out of a corner with the car just drifting a little seems ok, as well as doing it consistently.










inb4 "lol sim racing ***, durrrrrrrr" :biggrin

 
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#19 ·
SVS said:
Genetics play a part too. The guys who end up at top level can process input and convert that into the correct actions much faster than the average person. I watched a test with Michael Schumacher once - his eye-hand coordination seems superhuman. A few years ago he participated in an IDM race (German equivalent of AMA) on a wildcard just for fun - and finished 3rd, even with relatively little motorcycle track experience.

Practice can do a lot but practice plus genetics is what you need for the highest levels.
Click to expand...
Intangibles..............inherent abilities someone just posesses.
 
#20 ·
If your not born into it...Money... only thing it doesn't buy is genetics but hey who knows in 20 years. Money buys education, track time, race experience, built bikes, pays for travel, living expenses, wife doesn't bitch when she has plenty. All those things make you go fast but can't have any of it without money. I'm pretty sure most the top guys have never even held a normal job in their lives.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
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