ZX-11 D - Safety rant

[JOHN SOLIDAY]

The only problem with late/wide apex's on city streets, or mountain roads like here in Colorado is the center of the lane.  Where I ride is you cut the apex across your own lane from the outside to the center lane divider you cross, what is usually a bit of fine sand or gravel.  Now if you are experienced and understand it'll slide a bit as you go through it and hold your line that's OK.  For inexperienced riders something like a sudden slide of the front (that will end in milliseconds if you hold your line as the sandy area is crossed) can freak them out and then THEY crash the bike.  I've heard this story before and just want to point out there is nothing better than experience, i.e. no simple ways of riding fast and safe.
 
John (there is no such thing as street racing once you've really raced, on a track)



> From: coldinvt at gmavt.net> To: gpzlist at micapeak.com> Subject: RE: ZX-11 D - Safety rant> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 10:18:06 -0500> > "...we came across a decreasing radus turn. =o "> > I hear that! That's why I'm a big fan of the late apex. By staying wider> in the turn until you can see its exit, you are prepared by having extra> time & space should things occur, like; a)it's a full-pucker, decreasing> radius corner that goes on forever (you know the one, with the limited sight> line and maybe a new bump or a dog or a football thrown in for good measure)> or 2) some ignoramus is over the yellow line as you're exiting. Staying> wide allows you a longer view through the corner and further into your 12> second "intended path."> > There is no right way to ride EVERY time. Your lane position, cornering> lines, speed... They're dynamic - ever changing to suit the situation. You> shouldn't ALWAYS ride in the left third of the lane. You SHOULD be looking> for the safest place to be, whether it's on the right for a gravel truck> coming the other way (and maybe some road rager about to pass it) or a> bicyclist swerving to avoid a chipmunk. Don't ever think you need to be in> one particular place because someone told you, "that's where you ride."> > Holy crap! I could go on all night!!> > "Ride your own ride" - Another great reason to group ride with a 2-second> minimum following distance instead of the 1-second stagger... Of course,> bunching up to the stagger is safer in many situations (we're being dynamic,> remember?), but on the open road... ahh the sweet, seductive open road...> *sniff* enjoy the ride! *sniffle* Okay... I'll go to bed now.> > Still froze in VT,> Rob> > > -----Original Message-----> From: Jerry Clair [mailto:darkclarity2k at yahoo.com]> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 7:52 PM> To: Kawasaki GPZ1100 discussion> Subject: Re: ZX-11 D> > priceless stories!> Kinda like when, I got spooked in Indiana, I was pounding the turns> all day when, we cane across a decreasing radus turn. =o> I stayed in the back of the pack the rest of the evening!> "Never ride beyond your skill level">