Going fast / the human element

[LC4CARL]

Just to share my thoughts as I've been 180 on a Brock's tuned 205 RWHP 2012 ZX14 and have had my Busa up to 160. There is one critical ingredient above all. That's the willingness to accept the fact that no matter how cautiously one goes over every aspect of their motorcycle, anything can go wrong. And the rider must be willing to accept their fate if something does go awry. Remember the golden rule: asphalt - your as, your phalt.

It's much like the mindset I have when shredding down gnarly singletrack on my MTB at over 35 MPH. Which by the way, is far and away more terrifying than ripping a moto up to 180. I am well aware that no matter how diligent I am ensuring my equipment is in proper condition variables are a very real concern. And so, I accept the fact that if I push my equipment to it's limits something could go tragically wrong. That's just all there is to it.

All that said, there will come a day my Busa hits 200.

This is a biggie.

Not exactly the same, but similar: There is a triple jump at Washougal that my buddy was able to double on. I really wanted to double as well, but always chickened out.

Over the next year I continued to race and stay in shape. And think about the double. At some point I had improved, but, perhaps more importantly, came to the absolute belief that I could clear the double. It was an odd, calming, mindset.

That day on my sighting lap, I rolled the triple, taking its measure. Then joyfully kept my speed up through the 180 leading to the ramp and doubled for the rest of the day. It was glorious.

 

[LC4CARL]

Agreed, as you just never know.
I snowboarded in my younger years, and several times I just went straight down the mountain, no turns, just as fast as I could go, when conditions allowed/no one in the way.
I remember being almost at the bottom of a very steep and empty slope, and out of nowhere came some clueless idiot on skies, from the side, the tree line, deciding to just ski straight accross the slope, instead of down to the chair lift...which wasn't very far.
I missed them by inches, as I had only a few seconds to try to adjust my line.
That would've been an extremely hard impact for us both.
I have no idea how fast I was going...but it was as fast as I could go.
That idiot reminds me of the deer that wants to walk out in front of you at 180mph too.
As you said, we don't know what could happen, and we have to be as prepared as we can...and often able to do little to nothing about it in the moment.

So much of life is chance / luck. Despite the chances I occasionally take, I am a believer in "making your own luck." Many of the suggestions here reasonably increase the chance of a successful outcome. But there is always the unknown. And that is what seperates a 'Busa man from the heard.

:-)

I have a friend that is "anxious." So much so that she does not work and limits going out to only the familiar. I cannot imagine. Within reason, it is the unknown that makes life interesting.

And you could have killed me Sixpack...

 

[LC4CARL]

"As you said, we don't know what could happen, and we have to be as prepared as we can...and often able to do little to nothing about it in the moment."

I'm going to put that on my helmet.

 

[Bumblebee]

Nothing worse than when you think you are going fast and someone catches and passes you.........that happened on my California Superbike Course in the '80s.....I was leading the pack of fledglings when the instructor chased me down and passed me like I was on the side of the track having a nap......

When we came into the pits, he had a big smile and said that is why he is the instructor.......

This all started when some of the students were talking smack before the race....I wasn't one of them but was the example......

 

[sixpack577]

So much of life is chance / luck. Despite the chances I occasionally take, I am a believer in "making your own luck." Many of the suggestions here reasonably increase the chance of a successful outcome. But there is always the unknown. And that is what seperates a 'Busa man from the heard.

:-)

I have a friend that is "anxious." So much so that she does not work and limits going out to only the familiar. I cannot imagine. Within reason, it is the unknown that makes life interesting.

And you could have killed me Sixpack...

View attachment 1708703

Well, fortunately for you...there won't be a next time...
As I have long since retired from winter sports, with the exception of safe ones, like riding 4wheelers on frozen roads, riding in sleds pulled by trucks, or just driving the truck, while doing donuts, figure-8's and drifting.
I also had to show the kids last year how to use the plastic sleds like snowboards, standing up and pushing one foot against the front, and the other to the rear.
I made it to the bottom of a pretty steep and long hill every time...only to fall and bust my azz after things slowed and leveled out...reminding me how I don't bounce like I used to...but I still showed up the kids...apparently you can't learn 70's and 80's childhood awesomeness from a cell-phone screen...who knew
Lmao

 

[LC4CARL]

We used to run our BMX bikes head long into snow banks. Bury said bike to the handlebars, while launching up and over and landing on our backs in the snow opposite. So much run.

Sadly my "selfie stick" was destroyed in the action...

You know, speaking of "muscle memory," I'm pretty sure that I can still do a 180* "bunny hop."

What where we talking about again..?

 

[two valleys moto]

This is a biggie.

Not exactly the same, but similar: There is a triple jump at Washougal that my buddy was able to double on. I really wanted to double as well, but always chickened out.

Over the next year I continued to race and stay in shape. And think about the double. At some point I had improved, but, perhaps more importantly, came to the absolute belief that I could clear the double. It was an odd, calming, mindset.

That day on my sighting lap, I rolled the triple, taking its measure. Then joyfully kept my speed up through the 180 leading to the ramp and doubled for the rest of the day. It was glorious.

Nice chief! I've had some similar moments with mindset when it comes to big features mtb'ing. Especially on the freeride side hitting crazy technical drops.

Bryce Resort in Basye, VA has a big 20' step-up that is quite intimidating to hit. To clear it you gotta be doing all of 40 MPH. It claims lot's of clavicles and other bones every season. I'm 95% the way there. Next season for sure! Then I gotta smash the Cupcake Drop at Snowshoe.

 

[two valleys moto]

Nothing worse than when you think you are going fast and someone catches and passes you.........that happened on my California Superbike Course in the '80s.....I was leading the pack of fledglings when the instructor chased me down and passed me like I was on the side of the track having a nap......

When we came into the pits, he had a big smile and said that is why he is the instructor.......

This all started when some of the students were talking smack before the race....I wasn't one of them but was the example......

Yeah, I can't imagine getting dusted like that haha!

The moment that really got me was when I had to take the MSF course to ride on post at Bragg back in 03. The instructor on a brand new Gwing at the time was dragging pegs like it wasn't nobody's business. Blew my freaking mind! To this day I am still not as good as she was.

I am definitely looking forward to a track day at VIR this upcoming warm season. Something I've dreamt of doing since I was a kid. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best childhood and so I never got a chance. My dad did say years ago he's seen me do things he's only seen the pros do. I dunno, I've never thought of myself as the best rider, but I take motorcycling very seriously. Just like firearms. Plus, I've spent a ridiuclous amount of time studying racing over the years. And now it's time to get on the track and see what I can do at the tender ripe age of 48 haha!

 

[Bumblebee]

Yeah, I can't imagine getting dusted like that haha!

The moment that really got me was when I had to take the MSF course to ride on post at Bragg back in 03. The instructor on a brand new Gwing at the time was dragging pegs like it wasn't nobody's business. Blew my freaking mind! To this day I am still not as good as she was.

I am definitely looking forward to a track day at VIR this upcoming warm season. Something I've dreamt of doing since I was a kid. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best childhood and so I never got a chance. My dad did say years ago he's seen me do things he's only seen the pros do. I dunno, I've never thought of myself as the best rider, but I take motorcycling very seriously. Judt like firearms. Plus, I've spent a ridiuclous amount of time studying racing over the years. And now it's time to get on the track and see what I can do at the tender ripe age of 48 haha!

I taught riding courses at the local college on weekends for a couple years....at the time I had a few personal bikes but normally rode my old Bandit to the courses when I could...

One day a frustrated student told me what I was asking them to do was impossible..........so I lept aboard the 'ol Bandit and railed through the course I had set up......I said if I can do that course on this pig, you should be able to do it on a 250.....

I never heard one more complaint after that....

 

[two valleys moto]

I taught riding courses at the local college on weekends for a couple years....at the time I had a few personal bikes but normally rode my old Bandit to the courses when I could...

One day a frustrated student told me what I was asking them to do was impossible..........so I lept aboard the 'ol Bandit and railed through the course I had set up......I said if I can do that course on this pig, you should be able to do it on a 250.....

I never heard one more complaint after that....

I've seen some solid riders on bigger bikes over the years, but to date I've never seen someone whip a Gwing like she did. She did call out us sportsbike guys though. Of course at the time I was on my 95 F3 and did just fine with the course. But she razzed us a bit. Good times.

Over the past few years I've taught a two buddies how to ride. All the way from pre-ride checks to passing the test at DMV. Other than that I could never be an instructor. Patience is a virtue so I'm told haha!

Though speaking about those buddies I had the privilege of teaching. I went with Neil to purchase his first motorcycle which was a 2nd gen SV650 standard. We converted it into an S. That was a fun project. I can't find any better snaps. That was back in 2018.

 

[sixpack577]

I have a Goldwing too, and I put full Traxxion suspension on it...if you wanna see what one can really do...

 

[two valleys moto]

I have a Goldwing too, and I put full Traxxion suspension on it...if you wanna see what one can really do...

View attachment 1708710

Nice! Props for shreddin one of those big ol Bettys. Other than riding my dad's Yamaha 1600 Silverado (last year before the 1700) and my buddy Larry's Ultra, I have extremely little saddle time with the touring gals. That said, I kinda really, really enjoyed the backrest Larry's Ultra has. It was kinda life-altering lmao!

 

[sixpack577]

Nice! Props for shreddin one of those big ol Bettys. Other than riding my dad's Yamaha 1600 Silverado (last year before the 1700) and my buddy Larry's Ultra, I have extremely little saddle time with the touring gals. That said, I kinda really, really enjoyed the backrest Larry's Ultra has. It was kinda life-altering lmao!

I couldn't have it as my only bike, I'm a die-hard sportbike guy for over 30 years now, with over 36 on bikes, started on dirtbikes and did some MX too.
I also have a Honda CRF230L dual-sport, but no longer have access to good off-road to justify keeping it.
I still love dirtbikes, but need to stay off of them, as I'm trying to live out the rest of my life with no new injuries.
I have my '03 Gsxr1000, and have kept and ride a friend's '18 Gsxr1000 since it was new...so that lets me enjoy a Goldwing.
I got it so my wife could ride comfortably, as understadably no women like being on the back of a 1000 for very long.
Now my daughter and stepson like riding it as well, but, I have found myself riding it more and more, and really come to enjoy how comfortable it is.
Stock...it was a marshmallow, and no thanks, I'll pass, but not suprisingly, full suspension transformed it.
If you want to ride it, I'll meet you on the Blue Ridge Parkway somewhere when it warms up...you'de be suprised what a thousand pound pig can do...
lol

 

[two valleys moto]

I couldn't have it as my only bike, I'm a die-hard sportbike guy for over 30 years now, with over 36 on bikes, started on dirtbikes and did some MX too.
I also have a Honda CRF230L dual-sport, but no longer have access to good off-road to justify keeping it.
I still love dirtbikes, but need to stay off of them, as I'm trying to live out the rest of my life with no new injuries.
I have my '03 Gsxr1000, and have kept and ride a friend's '18 Gsxr1000 since it was new...so that lets me enjoy a Goldwing.
I got it so my wife could ride comfortably, as understadably no women like being on the back of a 1000 for very long.
Now my daughter and stepson like riding it as well, but, I have found myself riding it more and more, and really come to enjoy how comfortable it is.
Stock...it was a marshmallow, and no thanks, I'll pass, but not suprisingly, full suspension transformed it.
If you want to ride it, I'll meet you on the Blue Ridge Parkway somewhere when it warms up...you'de be suprised what a thousand pound pig can do...
lol

Right on, you've definitely had a few moons on two. My dad put me on the gas tank of his old 70s Goldwing when I was three. He'd putt me around the trailer park in Minneola, FL. Riding has been in my blood since. Around 1987 my dad got my brother and I an old 77 XR 75. Got to ride it on and off for a couple of years in Alexandria, VA before the land we rode on got developed. After that it wouldn't be until I picked up my first street motorcycle a 1982 GS550 in 94 when I'd be riding again. I've only had a handful of motorcycles over the 30 years I've been street riding since then. All but two have been sportsbikes. There's just nothing like carving the twisties on one. That said, the LCL in my right knee very much prefers a cruiser riding position with forward controls these days haha!

For sure, we'll definitely have to try and cross paths during the warm season on the BRP. Having ridden a stocl squish 07 Gwing in the past and an Aspencade way back in the day I'm quite intrigued to see what kind of difference upgraded squish makes.

 

[sixpack577]

Right on, you've definitely had a few moons on two. My dad put me on the gas tank of his old 70s Goldwing when I was three. He'd putt me around the trailer park in Minneola, FL. Riding has been in my blood since. Around 1987 my dad got my brother and I an old 77 XR 75. Got to ride it on and off for a couple of years in Alexandria, VA before the land we rode on got developed. After that it wouldn't be until I picked up my first street motorcycle a 1982 GS550 in 94 when I'd be riding again. I've only had a handful of motorcycles over the 30 years I've been street riding since then. All but two have been sportsbikes. There's just nothing like carving the twisties on one. That said, the LCL in my right knee very much prefers a cruiser riding position with forward controls these days haha!

For sure, we'll definitely have to try and cross paths during the warm season on the BRP. Having ridden a stocl squish 07 Gwing in the past and an Aspencade way back in the day I'm quite intrigued to see what kind of difference upgraded squish makes.

Night and day difference