trayson

EDIT: Scroll down to post #27 for more better quality pictures added!!


Okay, so at the last minute today after work, I grabbed my buddy and got him to take some action shots of me.

We were limited on our choices (a corner really close to my house) and definitely limited on daylight (we got out there pretty close to sunset).

Some of the shots came out blurry, and there's definitely room for improvement. BUT, it was the first real action shots I've gotten of myself and it was a blast to do and really cool afterwards to see pictures of me getting my lean on. It is nice to have a corner like this one 1/4 mile from my house.

We're gonna try and go out again and get some more shots in better lighting before the rain hits... Should be a blast.

Anyway, here's the pictures. Gosh it's fun to see things from outside the helmet!

mfrankpdx

Nice. I'm still in denial about rain coming though.

GirlNinja

Nice Pics, Nice bike!

And we dont talk about rain. :(

trayson

I hear that. Did you get the word from the insurance company yet?

There's no way that the bike's not totalled. freaking impossible. Hope it lines up that we can ride together again before the season ends... (if not, definitely next year)

trayson

Thanks. It's an almost stock (only flush mounts and fender eliminator) 2005 636, but I love it to death. coming from a carburated bike having the fuel injection and undertail exhaust is a dream. I'm actually HAPPY that my last bike got stolen spring of '07. Thank you State Farm for paying for most of my current bike!

GirlNinja

I have the same bike, same color too, And i need to get some flush mounts on it. And i have a Two brothers exhaust on it!
And its a amazing bike!

mfrankpdx

Dealer estimate was $9,500+. Haven't heard from the insurance company yet, but I already got a new bike... '08 Yamaha WR250X, a Minitard is what I like to call it.

Jersey John

Nice pics Tray. Looks like youre hauling assss.

TruWrecks

Nice bike. Nice lean. No learn to get your but off the seat, and get weight on the pegs so the bike will feel more stable in the corners.

trayson

Hmmm... Those things sure look funky when all I'm used to is a traditional sportbike. But I'm sure you'll have a blast on it.

not sure how fast I was going. Camera sure helps with the look though. I know I was at the bottom end of 2nd gear though & probably could have stayed in first if I wanted. I mean, it's "labeled" as a 10mph corner even though it's not nearly as tight as most 10's I've seen...

Butt off seat, Check. That's something that I've just been starting to work on over the last few rides. I've finally told myself that I'm running out of excuses for not having done a track day and that it needs to be on the 'to-do' list for next season. I know it'll really improve my riding if I do one. (money's been the only deterring factor) But honestly, thanks for the feedback--I'd hate to stay in the same rut and not improve.

Mr. P

FYI.. one of your front lamps is burnt out

fijiman

Nice pictures...!

bicycle_ben

your pictures make me want to invent smart headlights for bikes. they have headlights that angle into corners for cars but its a more complex problem on a bike because of the lean angle.

mfrankpdx

Wow good idea. They would also have to point down for wheelies!

bicycle_ben

oh trust me they would!

i want to do it right!

i want to do it so that it knows how tight of a turn you are taking and how fast you are going then points the light where you will be in 3 seconds or something

i would get all high tech and use accelerometers to figure out where to point the light so it can move and react as fast as you can turn and go from stoppies to wheelies. i would also need have some fail safe where spring presure or whatever will bring it back to center if something goes wrong

BigDave

Great pics!

Nicegy525

Nice pics Tray

A track day will really help you along next year so get out and do it!

trayson

You're joking, right?

Because I intentionally turned just the low beam on for the pictures... (although I have thought about buying that kit that makes it so you get two low beams and two high beams so it doesn't look like a headlight is burnt out)

bicycle_ben

HA a friend of mine got pulled over for having a headlight out (never mind the fact that they were designed to work like that) ... cop wrote her a ticket but since oregon law says a bike only needs one front light she got out of it in court

MCPSV1K

Put a yellow bulb in there, it would look really good. Nice bike btw

"H"

Hey! Cool pics! Keep up the good work!

02gixxer

First off, Nice pix! Is that a new suit? I need to get me some action pix. I dont have any Tray reminds me of a guy up here that can rip it with "velcro-butt" They ride fast and show ME how much you can actually "trust" the front tire!!

But ya gota get your ass off the bike, Literally Work on getting your your head and body lower.

In this pic your head should be covering the tripple tree area. Granted the lean angle is great! It just (to me) seems risky (not so much this set of pictures. In general, the way you normally ride, which is pretty damn fast!) Plus your speeds would increase and you would feel more comfortable pushing it (honestly, it does get more comfortable being all twisted up and leaning that far off) But for learning, someone once told me that if it feels comfortable, your doing it wrong?



My boss's friend made a prototype of a "lean machine" for ERC and ASS (puget sound safety). Its not pretty, but its functional. He is using the idea and going to make a nice one. I think you should sit on it and see what it feels like leaning that far off the bike. You also get the benefit of seeing what it feels like to transition from knee to knee ( left knee to right or vice versa). Its pretty cool.

Here is a little winter homework Get lee parks total control ( If you cant find it, I can get them from PSS for like $20-$25 or somthing) and read it. It has alot of great information in there, PLUS its all about street riding techniques.

http://www.leeparksdesign.com/eshopp...al_Control.htm

Oh I almost forgot. DONT FORGET to get your tires good and warm. You said this corner was close to home. That doesnt sound like much time to get the tires warm, plus the pavement temps are pretty cold too. I warm my tires by a short ride followed with a few sets of jamming the brakes (mainly front as usual) and a few sets of hard rolling take offs. Cold tires= no grip.

Have fun and be safe..

Mr. P

From a fellow 636 owner.. yes I'm f'n with ya

As for the unsolicited advice on your body positioning, you're doing just fine in my opinion. Unless you were practicing exaggerated body positioning to get used to hanging off the bike, I'm assuming the speeds (hard to tell) here in the photos didn't warrant getting off your seat.

trayson

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Hopefully I'll get out again today and get some cripser shots. I have a friend that's really into developing his photo skills that recently got one of the new Canon XSI's and a few lenses... Those are good friends to have.

New? Sort of. I got it this season off Craigslist for cheap. It's pretty light and comfy (Dianese of course). I wore the pants the last time we rode together. But I wore my Alpinestars jacket because I just feel better with the thicker Alpinestars jacket with the burly padding when I'm riding out in the boonies.

I wore the matching suit since I thought it'd look cool in the pictures! I also just scored those Alpinestars SMX boots off Craigslist used only THREE times by a 2-up passenger for $100! Score! And I just found a set of New Alpinestars Track Leather Sport Pants (blue/black/white) for $134 shipped! Retail = $380, so I jumped on them. Can't wait until they show up. They have the pucks on them so maybe if I someday DO get a knee down, I'll have the hardware to do it.

What can I say, I'm a cheap bastard that loves to get deals, and I'm a gear junkie.

ApexGirl

I've been looking on Craig's List myself for leathers but haven't found my size yet... sounds like you got a very good deal.

As for the earlier comment about getting your butt of the seat, I'm working on the same thing myself. Next year track day is a MUST.

Enjoyed the pictures, keep posting

CBRinPDX

I put 2 PIAA lights on my Bandit1200s and pointed them into the corners.. Worked really nicely!


Trayson, If you have a DSLR you may want to try a Neutral Density Filter and bump up the shutter speed a tad. IMO

trayson

You want more?????

I got more! We went out again today and had way better luck with the lighting!!!

I'm so stoked.









I am a wheelie NOOB!!!!!!!


Practice, practice, practice