It's hard to say! and i'm not one to just toss out the " lets blame it on the tires" but in this case we may have too...not that it was the tires but just we have no info to work off of!
Experienced Track Racers: How Not To Lowside?
Hi guys,
Yesterday, I went for my first track day. The track was a lil too bumpy at one of the corners... Anyways, at the very end of the track day, I lowsided at that corner. Thank god I had my frame sliders on and my A-Stars full suit on, or else I would be lying in bed for a week!
Now my question is how to avoid a lowside?? Especially, when you feel that you are about to lose control of the bike...
Are there any usefull parts that should be considered for the bike to help avoiding a lowside??? Plz advise.
Thanks in advance.
Yesterday, I went for my first track day. The track was a lil too bumpy at one of the corners... Anyways, at the very end of the track day, I lowsided at that corner. Thank god I had my frame sliders on and my A-Stars full suit on, or else I would be lying in bed for a week!
Now my question is how to avoid a lowside?? Especially, when you feel that you are about to lose control of the bike...
Are there any usefull parts that should be considered for the bike to help avoiding a lowside??? Plz advise.
Thanks in advance.
81 - 89 of 89 Posts
It's hard to say! and i'm not one to just toss out the " lets blame it on the tires" but in this case we may have too...not that it was the tires but just we have no info to work off of!
By the way, reading a few more postings up when you mention that it was just a smooth letting go of the rear, I get the feeling that your rear suspension is too stiff, with your rear tire way to inflated. This would give such a sensation as neither the tires or the rear shock would flex or give under acceleration. Rather than the suspension dealing with the squating on the rear under acceleration, or the tires deforming to get more grip on their edges, they both together were just too rigid and just slid away. If the suspension was a bit softer perhaps, allowing the bike to squat, you would have felt first the bike itself flexing to accomodate the acceleration forces on the rear. If then you pushed even hard and slid the rear you would have felt it slip away, which you would have known is now the limit. That fist squatting of the rear would have been felt through ur bum and legs on the pegs and you would have known you were doing it right, but any more and it may be too much. What happened to you instead looks like no indication was given at all do to it being too rigid and then suddenly it lets go on you. However that being said....even knowing your bike doesnt move or flex, when it should is a feeling itself that you should have known as a sign in and of itself. So now you know....if it feels too stiff and "wooden" as they say....especially the tires...you know the bike won't give you enough feedback when you need it.
Hey Masri Biker,By the way, reading a few more postings up when you mention that it was just a smooth letting go of the rear, I get the feeling that your rear suspension is too stiff, with your rear tire way to inflated. This would give such a sensation as neither the tires or the rear shock would flex or give under acceleration. Rather than the suspension dealing with the squating on the rear under acceleration, or the tires deforming to get more grip on their edges, they both together were just too rigid and just slid away. If the suspension was a bit softer perhaps, allowing the bike to squat, you would have felt first the bike itself flexing to accomodate the acceleration forces on the rear. If then you pushed even hard and slid the rear you would have felt it slip away, which you would have known is now the limit. That fist squatting of the rear would have been felt through ur bum and legs on the pegs and you would have known you were doing it right, but any more and it may be too much. What happened to you instead looks like no indication was given at all do to it being too rigid and then suddenly it lets go on you. However that being said....even knowing your bike doesnt move or flex, when it should is a feeling itself that you should have known as a sign in and of itself. So now you know....if it feels too stiff and "wooden" as they say....especially the tires...you know the bike won't give you enough feedback when you need it.
It's nice to know about you! Thanks first of all for your time.. I see your reply is considered one of the longest replies in this topic, which means you had to put extra time in it. All that is highly appreciated.
I will email you my details so we can meet up sometime either in Toronto or at
Cayuga track... I have to say, after experiensing the track, I enjoyed the riding more...
I think I will still need to do the suspension to match up my wieght and will need to change the tires.. The thing is, if you look at the pictures that are posted here of that guy who had a lowside, my bike was way up right considering his position, but still got lowsided... I understand I need to know the limits and that's true, but I feel that these bikes have way more capabilities than that. I now know that not having the correct psi has dif. contributed to the lowside.
Anyways, this whole thread has helped me understand that I need to be more careful when riding corners..
I have just ordered a race railz from powerstunt :mrgreen: just to be in the safe side in case I missed what the bike was telling me.
I know y'all have already heard of this book but it's called "Total Control" damn fine book
I haven't! lol... Who is the author? Do you have a link to it or something?? Thanks.I know y'all have already heard of this book but it's called "Total Control" damn fine book
you can get it at any major book store for like $30, I personally have learned alot from it.
Thanks man. There's also another good book that's called "A Twist of the Wrist" v2. by Keith Code... I came to know anout it from this thread.. Thanks to the guy who advised me to have a look at it..you can get it at any major book store for like $30, I personally have learned alot from it.
if your back tire went first it sounds like you need to work on throttle control. but if you are going to wreck you chose the most enjoyable way to go
81 - 89 of 89 Posts
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