South Carolina?

[The General]

Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure. 

[magge52]

Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Most excellent travelogue fintip, great photos. I picked up my 92 FJ just last weekend but it was no where near the excursion you are enjoying. Just an 800 mile round trip in my truck from NH to DE up and down 95 on the NJ tpk thru NYC, CT. ugh

The best part was enjoying some good smokes and listening to the Bruins come back in the 3rd period to score 4 unanswered goals and beat the Canadians.

Critiquing your riding? I'm no expert but hangin' your arse off-leaning yourself into the turn instead of the bike-is a good start, keeps the bike more upright to maintain the biggest contact patch, kinda sorta like this...



Definitely do a track day (or 2 or 3...they get addictive). You will reap huge benefits for your street riding skills. Find one that includes classroom instructions to get the most of the day, here's a good example fishtailridingschool.com.

Looking forward to more of your trip.

[fintip]

Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure. 

I rode dirtbikes for a long time before I ever got on a streetbike. Could this be the source? Am I bringing a dirtbike habit over? (I'd never heard of this.)

[Country Joe]

Kyle,
A track day is not necessarily the best first step in your rider training. ((That is not to say that you shouldn't do one as soon as you are able).There is a considerable number of good books such as Total Control by Lee Parks, Twist of the Wrist 1&2 by Keith Code, Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough, Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch and many others that can help you
instill good riding skills and habits.

Believe me, I don't claim to have any greater street bike skills beyond managing to not kill myself so far. But the exercises and skills discussed in these books, as long as you consciously practice them, will only make you a better, safer and more
capable rider.

Joe

[mark1969]

Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

[ribbert]

Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

Mark, I'm not sure what you're referring to as "track skills" but the riding principles of racing on a track and riding on the road, even riding like an old woman, are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road. They make you a better and safer rider.

Where ever you get it from, learning the basic golden rules is a must and treat every ride as an opportunity to practice them so they become second nature.

Noel

[fintip]

I know you didn't mean it as an insult, but it wouldn't be a first step in my rider training. I have quite a bit of experience for my age, starting on dirtbikes back to age 11--and not just back in the pasture, we used to go up into really rough terrain in arkansas every year when I was a kid and just ride all day. I was the only one on a dirtbike usually, everyone else was on a 4 wheeler, so I had to ride pretty hard to keep up--fording streams, up and down steep grades on loose gravel on cliff sides, etc. I used to pop a pretty good wheelie, too. (Not so keen to do those on the FJ...)

I've bought 6 bikes in the last 2 years, apprenticed at a cycle repair shop, taught people to ride. When I finally got my street license, I got a perfect score on both the written and the driving portion of the mandatory safety class (only one other guy also accomplished this in my class of 16 or so, another guy with a lot of dirtbike experience). I've researched the HURT study in depth and taken notes on it. I have two iron butt certs, have ridden from Austin to Mexico city, Seattle to Austin, and now SC to Austin.

I'm talking about track days, because riding the dragon is basically track skills.

Riding back, I kept thinking that if I had a bunch of money, I'd probably not ride a bike everywhere. Heard of two older guys with a lifetime of safe riding under their belt who had serious wrecks recently, both not their fault, one died, other might live, might not... I'd have a track bike and a comfortable car, and then an FJ for taking scenic trips and daily trips.

(I have heard of all the books you have mentioned, and have leafed through them. I don't mean to say there isn't something I could learn from those books--this is a life long endeavour, and there's always room to improve. But I do believe that track experience, learning more about fine tuned control at the more extreme end of the spectrum of how the bike responds under high speed and high breaking situations, would be a suitable next step.)

Anyways, wish I could have ridden with you in AR. Too bad it didn't work out.

Arrived back in Austin last night. Woke up and did some martial arts classes. Work tonight, so bad to the grind.

I'll do a writeup on the rest of the trip to give those pictures some context soon here, need to take a nap... I'm worn out.

One thing: the windshield on this bike makes an incredibly noisy airflow for me, even with earplugs in. It's exhausting. I end up spending my time riding long distances just trying to adjust my shoulders and head and upper body in all kinds of weird positions to make it quieter, but it really wears one out and detracts from the experience. Even a naked bike is better. If I just stand on the pegs and get in clean air, it's not a problem. This bike has a targa. What other options do I have?

[The General]

Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure. 

I rode dirtbikes for a long time before I ever got on a streetbike. Could this be the source? Am I bringing a dirtbike habit over? (I'd never heard of this.)

Yep. 

[Arnie]

Fintip,

You basically have two options on getting a quiet flow of air.
Either get (or make) a windscreen that's high enough to pass the airflow over your helmet
OR cut the windscreen down low enough so the turbulent air is below helmet level.

I've chosen both :-) 
I have an extender on my FJ that is 7" taller than the stock windscreen and pushes the air up over my helmet
and
I have an Aprilia Shiver with a tiny windscreen that leaves the airflow below helmet level.

[The General]

Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

Mark, I'm not sure what you're referring to as "track skills" but the riding principles of racing on a track and riding on the road, even riding like an old woman, are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road. They make you a better and safer rider.
Where ever you get it from, learning the basic golden rules is a must and treat every ride as an opportunity to practice them so they become second nature.
Noel

Ummmm....Noel, I would agree with all the above, but perhaps not your choice of text "are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road". I totally agree with Mark though, regarding the order of fun solutions, and offer the following example which includes a particular learning difficulty I have.

H.A.R.T (Patron is Mick Doohan) is an Advanced Rider training group and being sponsored on the Gold coast by the Local Council at only $60 for a full day. (includes a fantastic embroidered Shirt worth $60 by itself!). They insist you have to start at the beginners level, no matter what your experience. My mate Jim Talked me into escorting my 69 year old brother, who had just got his bike license, down to the council chambers and actually doing the course with him. Jim bet me a lunch that I would get something out of it.

We did the video watch on road safety and had a great day of riding including a terrific lunchtime get together. There were 4 instructors amongst us 20 learners and they observed our road manners. We each got a chance to lead the pack with the instructor directly following. (A fantastic course of three levels that I totally recommend.http://hart.honda.com.au/)

My turn came to lead with a great set of twisties coming up (incl 45klm/hr bends), so being a smart arse I asked if it was okay if I stuck to the speed limit (not a biggie) for this stretch (80klm/hr) and the instructor agreed. I rode them a little differently to my normal line cause I knew what he was looking for. (my head never came even close to the centre line). He later began his critique with asking me how long I have been riding, followed by the fact he couldn`t fault me despite his determination to get the old smartarse.
It would be rude and a complete lie If I was to say I didn`t learn anything. .... In fact I learnt the two best lessons on how to go faster on the road, than I have ever had in my riding career, despite having read all the books. (and it only cost $60!....oh, and a lunch with Jimmy!)

LESSON  1.
The old business communication Lesson had still not sunk into the practical conscious of my corporate Brain....When is a communication a communication?
a. When it is given? or b. when is it received?
(Answer b is correct). Why is it that so many givens are not received into our brains? ... the answer to this one is numerous, but has a term called "Noise". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_noise.
.....I had not got it into my thick skull (received) what I believe was the most important lesson for me, in riding quick (and safe) on the road.

LESSON 2 (A biggie to make happen for me anyhow... a revelation on corner line.)
I had often read about looking further ahead thru the corner blah blah blah. (noise).
I was bored at one stage following the "beginners" and decided to focus on something mentioned in that morning`s video.
I had to search for the pinpoint where the left hand tree line came together with the Right hand treeline when coming into a curve or bend in the road. (I had to identify it physically, ..... focus on it,...and continue to watch it change.
Up until this lesson, I reckon I did all that automatically anyhow. There was that "noise" again between my conscious belief and what was happening practically.

To physically actually carry out the procedure I discovered my helmet was not properly positioned on most tight corners and so I physically tilted it up with my left hand. (later bought a better fitting helmet with wider vision range...seemed to be more expensive than what I normally buy!) ... so I totally focused on that pinpoint...even though I was riding slow at the time!
What happened next, despite years of experience (including short circuit and motocross racing) was in my case, a complete change of approach angle....yet I hadn't done anything physically different with the bike. Just focusing on that pinpoint changed everything else as though my brain was somehow physically linked to the handlebars!

I could definitely go quicker with this new line. (Which wasn`t the object of the lessons Heheehe)....yeah I do it with food too!...if there`s 50% less fat, than I can have twice as much!  ...I digress sorry!...I`m waffling cause it`s mothers day here and my girls have taken mum out for treats...time ta play in the shed!...but I do hope this ramble contributes to your journey.

[aviationfred]

One thing: the windshield on this bike makes an incredibly noisy airflow for me, even with earplugs in. It's exhausting. I end up spending my time riding long distances just trying to adjust my shoulders and head and upper body in all kinds of weird positions to make it quieter, but it really wears one out and detracts from the experience. Even a naked bike is better. If I just stand on the pegs and get in clean air, it's not a problem. This bike has a targa. What other options do I have?

Kyle,

your FJ uses the same windscreen as my 89'. I have 2 windscreens that I use the most.

The first is for cold weather and long distance rides. Powerbronze flip screen. I am 5'7" tall and the wind hits me at the top of the helmet. No helmet buffeting and no severe wind noise. Also as a side effect, it keeps all the wind off of my body so I stay a bit warmer in the below 40* weather.



The second is my modified Honda CBR1100XX Superbird windscreen. With this one installed, the wind hits me at shoulder level. No helmet buffeting and in the warm/hot weather the added wind on my chest creates a cooling effect with a mesh summer jacket.



Fred

[fintip]

So the double bubble drops the airflow level considerably? I'm not in love with the look of the bubble, but I don't hate it.

I assume the '86 screen won't bolt on?

[aviationfred]

Photo of an 86'/87' windscreen. Notice the square leading edge.




Photo of a 88'-90' windscreen. Notice the radius leading edge.




I have not heard of anyone else using this particular model, but it looks like a very short non-double bubble windscreen. I know that the manufacturer make very high quality windscreens.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-spoilerscreen-windshield-for-yamaha-fj1200-88-90



Fred

[X-Ray]

Fantastic write up Kyle and what a bike, looks unreal! Oh and just concerning that photo of you with the slightly different riding position? I could see it straight away , and The General alluded to it as well. Anyone who has ridden enduros/ dirt bikes will know it as "weighting the outside peg", great technique for cornering on the dirt, not so useful on the street.

BUT, I still do it quite often because I can and it feels fine, ( really I think it's me wanting to get another dirt bike) 

[FJscott]

Hey Kyle,
Congrats on your new bike, looks like a great deal. What a great road trip for the honeymoon
I won't critique your style but what alarmed me was you weren't wearing gloves. If you don't have any,PM me your address. I'll send you a pair that are too small for me.

Thanks for sharing your road trip, brings back memories from lat years ECFR.

Scott