RE: [ST] In Search of the Illusive MC Content

["Andrew F. Kay, Jr. " <captainquack@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I have put the pegs down on my ST on several occasions, both on the
track and the street.  Having said that, I'm not an advocate of that
sort of aggressive riding on public roads.

I think the hardest part of learning to be a BETTER rider or driver on
public roads is to never assume.  By that I mean, don't make the
assumption that a particular situation will simply never occur.
Murphy's Law is omnipresent and what can go wrong, will, sooner or
later.

You need to be able to brake to the maximum capability of your bike's
suspension, brakes and tires without giving up control.  Attempting to
learn this maneuver while approaching a lane-blocking concrete truck at
50 mph is not a good survival technique.  Someday, you will be forced to
lean your bike to the point where it grounds.  If you have no idea of
how that feels and how to handle it, bad things will happen.

People who ride at moderate paces, assuming that simply not driving
aggressively will keep them safe, are living in a fool's paradise.  The
majority of accidents, car and bike, are low speed, local driving.  It's
not the 100 mph crash that's going to get you, statistically, but the
trip to the local bike shop for a part, going 35 mph when the Mercedes
wagon driven by a sober but not very alert citizen pulls in front of
you.

Practice every aspect of your bike's handling and braking.  Grind the
bits, brake so hard the front tire lets go or the assend goes up, skid
the rear tire until you stop and make the bike go where you want it to.
Learn to avoid target fixation.  As Rupert points out, you must do the
right thing without having to think about it, using skills that have
been so ingrained that they are nearly autonomic.  Practice, practice,
practice, whether on the track, a local parking lot or the highway.  

Forgive the pontification, many of you are much better riders than I
will ever be (or ever was).  But there is no room for complacencyy on
the public streets.

Assume They are trying to kill you; remember even paranoids have
enemies.

Andrew F. Kay, Jr.
Riders of the Lost Empire, LC,  13355 79th Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948
www.lostempire.com   andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
"Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife, throughout the sensual world
proclaim, one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a
name." Thomas Osbert Mordaunt, 1730-1809



- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Rupert Galea
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 9:55 AM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ST] In Search of the Illusive MC Content


> As far as hitting pegs.  The ST and RS really aren't designed for
maximum
> lean angle.  

Meanwhile you get to improve your skills in a controlled environment
usually with instructors available. You also get a better understanding
of the limits of your bike. So when, for whatever reason, you find
yourself entering a turn too fast on the street you will have the
confidence to ride it out rather than stand it up and go into the
oncoming lane.

Rupert



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