'Ere 'ere is the EAR Megathread

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Originally Posted by kellyjo

Is it a large group of you going up there?

Im dead jealous, AR10s got me longing for more extended rides, unfortunately my bank manager doesnt think its a good idea, and Jeffs bank manager is starting to agree with him, idiots!!

Four of us:

Me - SV1000S
Brother-in-law - SV650S
Father-in-law - Bandit 1200S
Uncle-in-law - GSXF600

So a nice little group - we are going to leave at about 7am and then stop for breakfast on the way and basically take all day getting there. Out for a meal with family who live up there on the Saturday night - off to a bike meet that happens somewhere above Blackpool on the Sunday morning and then take a nice scenic route back

Should be about 6-700 miles in total - cant wait - only done 1800 miles this year in total as it is!! lol

Sounds like the perfect biking weekend, you'll have a blast

Im thinking of going back to the guy i did DAS with last year for a couple of hours training, see if he can get me round corners a bit faster and with a bit more confidence. I dont think it'll take much, i still occasionally get in a pickle and revert to novice mode - back off and grab a handful of front, doh!! I think maybe im a bit too rigid on the bike, i probably (definitely!!) need to relax a bit and move my body around a bit. Hes such a great bloke and will just tell me straight, im sure if he was behind me with coms he'd help no end.

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I am surprised with all your experience that you are still struggling. Certainly having someone who knows what they are doing watching you wont do any harm - its not as if you need an excuse to get out on your bike!

I dont really struggle, I feel I should be faster and smoother than I am. It also seems that the more familiar I am with the road the worse I can be so Im probably over thinking it. Im hoping that a couple of hours with a man 'in the know' will just highlight a few things and make me more consistent.

Jo,The one thing you are not giving yourself a chance with is that your bike is still "new" to you.
Probably cause I am an old duffer but it takes me about 5000miles till I feel at one with the bike,all the little handling quirks,engine braking and acceleration in each gear,tipping into corners etc.
The little things that you do without thinking but all end up making for a smoother faster ride and more confidence inspiring.

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Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

Jo,The one thing you are not giving yourself a chance with is that your bike is still "new" to you.
Probably cause I am an old duffer but it takes me about 5000miles till I feel at one with the bike,all the little handling quirks,engine braking and acceleration in each gear,tipping into corners etc.
The little things that you do without thinking but all end up making for a smoother faster ride and more confidence inspiring.

All very good tips...

Also tyres can make a massive difference - my Uncle-in-law had Michelin Macadams on his GSXF600 for about 8000 miles - he never got on with the bike and often moaned about the handling etc - but he is a cheapskate so never took our advice to fit new tyres - eventually he had to at MOT time and swapped to a pair of Continental Road Attacks - its like a new bike and none of us mind having a go on it now - its put confidence in the bike itself as well as the rider Just a thought...

I feel ive got to know the bike pretty well quite quickly, Ive done nearly 3k on it in 8 weeks but yes Mac, I may be trying to run before i can walk, i usually do, patience is not my stongest point!! I dont think it helps that most of my riding is with Jeff who started riding 20+ years ago, naturally i always feel he rides better than me making me feel inadequate and not up to scratch.

I was watching Cheryls (GruntyGiggles) riding at the AR and she could easily out-ride me having only had her license for a couple of months. I know I shouldnt compare, and its not a competition, I just feel that if I can improve then I should try.

I dont think tyres are an issue, its got 014s on it, which i had on the sv before i changed them to 021s, and the bike feels very stable and planted, even more so since I reset the suspension back to factory settings. According to Rictus thats where I should leave them for someone my size/weight and it does feel good
Having said that I think when they need replacing (2-3k miles time) I might go for Avon Storm Ultras as everyone seems to rate them.

Thanks for your comments guys xx

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Originally Posted by kellyjo

Having said that I think when they need replacing (2-3k miles time) I might go for Avon Storm Ultras as everyone seems to rate them.

Thats my plan - everyone rates them so I will try and get a set fitted over the winter

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Originally Posted by kellyjo

I dont really struggle, I feel I should be faster and smoother than I am. It also seems that the more familiar I am with the road the worse I can be so Im probably over thinking it. Im hoping that a couple of hours with a man 'in the know' will just highlight a few things and make me more consistent.

Maybe a track day with some guidance from an instructor would benefit you KJ?

But the other problem that could be holding you back is that in the back of you mind is your parental responsibities, even if its only subconciously.

When I was a lad (many moons ago) I could ride fast, scrape footpegs down, wear my boots out etc.

Now I tend to back off more than used too, and I'm cetainly not as good as I used to be.

I do fancy a track day, as I can go fast without worrying about cars and other traffic coming the other way

See this other post

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=156142

Thanks MZ, Jeff and I have discussed doing a track day and will, but probably not until next year as my leathers arent up to standard and theres no way I can get more this side of Christmas

Ive got a couple of hours booked with my DAS trainer on the 7th September and hopefully he'll pick up a few points that will help me be smoother and more consistent.

The time and money youve put into your bike, it deserves to be unleashed around a track