Totally agree. Self taught CSS took me from back to front of smaller bike racing. But that's because it was key to brake early and carry lots of apex speed, be on the gas before the apex mostly. Where's eon my 1000 that wasn't as effective and, although I have practiced quite a bit, trail braking is just so difficult for me to overcome.
Yeah I gotta say - I must have read the CSS books I don't know how many times (mainly Vol 2) before the dates came with CSS, and a load of times for the following couple of years and I'd dip into it for years after that. It's been difficult for me (and still is) trying not to go through the apex on an open throttle, and not open it again until I'm pushing the bike back up a certain amount just to get more meat before piling on the torque. Exactly the same with braking right into the apex, scares the bejesus outta me TBH. Both of these key techniques are at odds with the CSS approach - which feel a lot more of a 'friendly' and 'safer' way to go about it! That reminds me... must order some new cacs
Last year was the first time in years I have done track days and enjoyed them! Because it's the first time in years I'm not chasing times or analysing everything to improve
I find i have to keep reminding myself that there isn't necessarily a correct way to do things. When I first started I was convinced the Simon Crafer method was the way to do it because it worked so well on The Fireblades at the Haslam school and on the Yamaha R1 I had for a few months that I couldn't turn on the brakes. When I got the Panigale and tried to do the same thing I was too slow on the apex and would get on the power too early which got quite dangerous. I think it might have been @bradders who first told me on here about trail breaking? It took a while but once I managed to work out how to do it and carried more speed into the apex my riding got way better and much safer. I find I have to learn the same lesson every six months or so as I get quicker through the apex. Yet again now I've got plenty of safety zone on the corner entry but I'm on the ragged edge on exit and high siding too much. I find it more difficult to be brave enough to push the front than I do to push the back despite three pretty big high sides in the last year!
Had a good evening tonight. Working hard on keeping my elbows low. Helps get the inside shoulder down I'm finding. Also practiced bliping throttle on down change which smoothed things out a bit.
Watched some of this today. The bit about 8min in about arse off but not upper body and therefore twisting and putting the weight in the inside bar sounds like exactly my issues.
Get happy with plonking your arse off the side of the bike well before you begin braking, then get comfy with your head falling into the corner, then think about doing it at a bit higher speed. Indy evening jobbie?
PS, if you did mean Brands Indy, to be honest I've been twice and had enough of it. Too small, either keep lapping or getting lapped. And big groups of riders grouping together. And to much M25 to get there/back.
I liked Brands but never won a trophy there - my favorite tracks were Pembrey (five trophies); Lydden (three trophies) and Snetterton before they altered it (five trophies) - I like Snetterton the most; I could have rest down the long straight. Pembrey took ages to get to, Lydden nearly as bad - Snetterton; just up the road.
Just been out. Elbows low definitely helps. Is it just me or is road riding a bit dull after a track day :-/.
