PDX GSX1300R

[sixpack577]

I've never seen it done at any other race level either....and generally when I see it in Moto GP it is done by a very chosen few-the points leader didn't do it...

Yep, and the TT is the only racing I wait all year to see.
Closed public snake path, passing within inches of brick walls, bumping at over 200mph, just holding the throttle wide open, and rag-doll riding it/holding on just enough not to fall off, and letting the bike dance around all it wants.
To me, that is the most incredible motorcycling spectacle to ever see.
Nothing against Superbike or MotoGP...but they pale in comparison.

 

[Bumblebee]

Yep, and the TT is the only racing I wait all year to see.
Closed public snake path, passing within inches of brick walls, bumping at over 200mph, just holding the throttle wide open, and rag-doll riding it/holding on just enough not to fall off, and letting the bike dance around all it wants.
To me, that is the most incredible motorcycling spectacle to ever see.
Nothing against Superbike or MotoGP...but they pale in comparison.

Those guys sure don't have time to dangle their legs....

 

[sixpack577]

Those guys sure don't have time to dangle their legs....

I think they just dangle around the whole bike, lol.
Suprisingly I've been saved from several street and many a dirtbike near misses by riding the same way(of course not at that level), by hanging on like a wet noodle, letting the bike do what it wants, and never giving up.
I hate watching 'target fixation' crashes, as I'm yelling "Hold it Don't quit!!!"

 

[Bumblebee]

I think they just dangle around the whole bike, lol.
Suprisingly I've been saved from several street and many a dirtbike near misses by riding the same way(of course not at that level), by hanging on like a wet noodle, letting the bike do what it wants, and never giving up.
I hate watching 'target fixation' crashes, as I'm yelling "Hold it Don't quit!!!"

When I raced competitively, there were times when in order to hang with the fast guys you had to ride to the very edge of your skills.....it was amazing just how fast a person could ride with the right combination of skill, luck and bike settings...

 

[sixpack577]

When I raced competitively, there were times when in order to hang with the fast guys you had to ride to the very edge of your skills.....it was amazing just how fast a person could ride with the right combination of skill, luck and bike settings...

Absoloutley
I've unfortunately yet to be to a track day, but chased and passed many an ametuer racer through the mountains here...as well as had my azz handed to me.
But I have found myself many a time riding above my skill level trying to keep up, and that is thrill in itself.
Most of those days are behind me now.
And to have my Dad remind me "Remember what Clint Eastwood said? a man's got to know his limitations"
I still rip and roar about, but honestly I enjoy sitting side saddle, one hand for throttle, and creeping through the country side at 20-60mph, rarely seeing any traffic.
A wide-open 1st and 2nd rip, or a wheelie...then back to cruise mode.

 

[LC4CARL]

I recall some epic off-road battles where I was just along for the ride. Kind of trying to focus on next corner and not really seeing the terrain in front of me. So exciting.

I would love to see a TT race. Do those guys really memorize all that track?

 

[Bumblebee]

I recall some epic off-road battles where I was just along for the ride. Kind of trying to focus on next corner and not really seeing the terrain in front of me. So exciting.

I would love to see a TT race. Do those guys really memorize all that track?

Many of them bicycle the track to memorize it....

 

[sixpack577]

I recall some epic off-road battles where I was just along for the ride. Kind of trying to focus on next corner and not really seeing the terrain in front of me. So exciting.

I would love to see a TT race. Do those guys really memorize all that track?

It's not a track...it's 27 miles of public roads.
For Sunday's races they have to wait until church is out, lol, but it's just the way of life there(My Ma lived and worked there for 6 years, late 60's/early 70's).
I don't know about memorizing the whole thing, but I'm sure that type of rider brain does a good job at it in general, and most of them have ran the road many times anyway.
Consider what makes them better than everyone else...it's their reaction time.
Pretend you're driving and watch a first person veiw; can you keep up with it?
I wish I could!

 

[sixpack577]

I'de be the guy on the TT suprising myself and everyone that I made it however far...and then crash spectaculary!
lmao

 

[Bumblebee]

It's not a track...it's 27 miles of public roads.
For Sunday's races they have to wait until church is out, lol, but it's just the way of life there(My Ma lived and worked there for 6 years, late 60's/early 70's).
I don't know about memorizing the whole thing, but I'm sure that type of rider brain does a good job at it in general, and most of them have ran the road many times anyway.
Consider what makes them better than everyone else...it's their reaction time.
Pretend you're driving and watch a first person veiw; can you keep up with it?
I wish I could!

...I should have said "route" verses track....

I've known one guy who rode on the TT and he said he was not even close to being competitive on it whereas he was consistently in the top 5 on our tracks here in our superbike series. He said it takes a certain mindset to ride that race.

Ya gotta love the sound of this thing....especially at 5:07

 

[sixpack577]

My bucket list is short...but the TT is at the top of it.

 

[sixpack577]

One of my favorites
Great perspective of speed

 

[Bumblebee]

One of my favorites
Great perspective of speed

A lot of those riders are relying on luck as well....many are riding to the brink of their bikes and their own capabilities...

 

[sixpack577]

A lot of those riders are relying on luck as well....many are riding to the brink of their bikes and their own capabilities...

to the brink??
How about wayyy past it, lol

 

[sixpack577]

You know when the Guy Martins and Michael Dunlops look rough through part of the course, they are riding at the edge of reality.
I can only relate it to my wheelie obsession.
120mph+ standup for a few miles has me laughing and loving life, it's just my thing, and in no way am I purposely tempting fate...but there's also the side effect of knowing that I'm on the razor's edge of life and death(not something I focus on) but it has a thrill in of itself.
Now, consider holding it wide open through the TT upwards of 200mph, with countless turns and obstacles, there's no real comparison, other than being in grave danger at the limits of your skill and what's possible, and my brain can't function that fast.
I'm always in awe watching those guys.

 

[Bumblebee]

You know when the Guy Martins and Michael Dunlops look rough through part of the course, they are riding at the edge of reality.
I can only relate it to my wheelie obsession.
120mph+ standup for a few miles has me laughing and loving life, it's just my thing, and in no way am I purposely tempting fate...but there's also the side effect of knowing that I'm on the razor's edge of life and death(not something I focus on) but it has a thrill in of itself.
Now, consider holding it wide open through the TT upwards of 200mph, with countless turns and obstacles, there's no real comparison, other than being in grave danger at the limits of your skill and what's possible, and my brain can't function that fast.
I'm always in awe watching those guys.

I've pretty much lived through all the "thrills" I can manage in one lifetime....

These guys riding like they do on the Isle of Man are on another level of thrill seeker.

 

[LC4CARL]

Ok, so how do we suspend the front without killing my self? Lift under the header or suspend from the handle bars?

 

[sixpack577]

You can lift under the header, or straps around the top clamp hanging from an overhead beam.
But, a front forklift stand is ideal, and allows for removal of the forks, vs the less stable front stand that lifts under the bottom of the forks.

The gold pin fits into the hole in the bottom of the lower triple clamp(throw a towel over the fender to prevent scratching it).

 

[sixpack577]

I've pretty much lived through all the "thrills" I can manage in one lifetime....

These guys riding like they do on the Isle of Man are on another level of thrill seeker.

I imagine so.
Trying to do near impossible tasks without you and your team getting killed cannot be the same, though I'm sure it has it's thrills in some ways.
That's a different mentality all together, I think that's obvious, even for those of us who have no idea what it's really like.
I think everyone is born with a purpose.
At what point in life did you realize spec ops was gonna be your thing?
Childhood dream, or you just kinda fell into it?

 

[LC4CARL]

Awesome / thx. Remind me to tell you the story of how I separated the engine and transmission / transfer case in my K5 Blazer to replace the trans input seal, using only a floor jack on the front and two jack stands on skateboards at the crossmember. I'm lucky to be alive...