power of revs

[Paul_E_D]

Obvious, but still a moment

At my practice spot are some big, sandy bowl turns with incredibly steep walls. It looks like it should be so easy to get a bike around these things, but I have struggled to really get comfortable for years. Yesterday there were some pretty quick guys there and I was chasing them around and on one lap I took an extra downshift going into the bowl. as a result, when I got on the gas I was in the top part of the revs and everything just fell in place. Rear tire spun just enough to rotate the bike, but not throw it sideways so as to lose drive. I rocketed out of the turn like never before. I repeated it a bunch of times and it worked every time. It's as if the high revs prevent the bike from spinning out because you are up on top of the torque curve. the revs also seem to stabilize the bike through the bumps.

Anyway, looks like I'm going to practice riding the whole place one gear lower.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I Hate Those Damm Bowls

[Paul_E_D]

I did too, but I love em now!!! Super fun to send a huge plume of sand and then exit like you were shot out of a gun!

[JettaJayGLS]

The amount I crash in berms just attempting to ride MX probably will stop me from trying this, haha. But logically, yes it makes sense. Are you on a two stroke or a four?

[Paul_E_D]

4-stroke, and yes, falling in these corners is always what held me back. Technique still needs to be there, but the revs can cover for little mistakes.

[csmutty]

Are you talking about the right hander after the whoops section and immediately after that small jump? I Sucked at that one hardcore. Horribly uncomfortable.

[Paul_E_D]

That's the one. Braaap!!!

[OreoGaborio]

[csmutty]

So just rev it and dump the clutch you say? Me hafta try. Didn't winterize the KTM at all and started her up today first kick.

[Paul_E_D]

I didn't say anything about the clutch. Come in hot and downshift twice(or whatever gets you to the top third of the revs), stand in attack position until you're 1/3 of the way around the bowl, then sit and gas it up at the same time... I don't use the clutch.

[csmutty]

I know..but I wanted to wheelie out of the corner.

[OreoGaborio]

Damn squids

[Paul_E_D]

In that case, clutch it up!

[Paul_E_D]

Enough talk... time to RIDE!

[Paul_E_D]

Wirelessly posted

Confirmed! I've been rolling in HIGH a gear everywhere. I had been listening to some bad advise to short shift in the whoops. This had me rolling around off the power everywhere.

Problem is when the bike gets out of shape there's nothing to bring it back. High revs are like a rubber band that snap the bike back into line.

[Kurlon]

Wonder if that'd work for my WR... wait, I have to get out of 1st first...

[lrrs313]

Wonder if that'd work for my WR... wait, I have to get out of 1st first...

Twisting the throttle works on any bike. You should try it sometime! I'll be over to 207 soon to make sure you're not the only slow one on the track.

[csmutty]

Wirelessly posted

Confirmed! I've been rolling in too low a gear everywhere. I had been listening to some bad advise to short shift in the whoops. This had me rolling around off the power everywhere.

Problem is when the bike gets out of shape there's nothing to bring it back. High revs are like a rubber band that snap the bike back into line.

That there is the downfall of riding a 4t. Bet you never had that problem on the one too fife.

[backinthesaddle]

Biggest problem I had on 250 and 500 CR 2 strokes was revving like a 125 and beating my self up but feeling fast and enjoying the sound of a screaming engine. Hot setup in whoops and rough is to run it a gear higher and fan the clutch on the bigger 2 strokes. Never rode an MX 4 stroke but from what I am told working the clutch doesn't do what it does for you on a 2 stroke. I don't think running a gear higher in the whoops is bad advise in all cases.

Saw a new YZ125 and YZ250 2T at the dealer today and visions of vet mx filled my head.

[maxim_X]

I'm relatively new to dirty riding. But there are some spots around that have exactly what you describe. I have a big heavy bike, which I figured wasn't the best for the situation. But, I'll try your suggestion. Thanks for the hot tip.

[Paul_E_D]

FYI, I'm riding a 250 F and I'm an intermediate MXer. Not sure it's gonna work for a beginner, so start in the lower gears when trying this.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Best advice for a beginner in turns that are not pure sugar Sand is get your balls On the tank to get your weight on the front Wheel and get all your breaking and downshifting done before the turn and if possible before the breaking bumps Entering the turn. Get you leg up and out high next to the front wheel. The purpose of putting your leg up is Balast (SP?) and distribution of weight Not to dab and catch you if you start to fall.(use your throttle for that) 99% of newer dirt riders (Me included) sit way to far back on the seat and wonder why they always crash in turns.

Try to Stand as far into a Corner as Possible And try to sit and get your leg out and turn in one motion. Its S.E.T.T Stand, Extend,Throttle,Turn.

Im not an expert but The expert I take lessons from taught me this. And I hardly ever crash in Corners (except the one Paul is talking about I crash in that corner 98% of the time cause it is pure EVIL)

[backinthesaddle]

Watch videos of Dowd, Henry, and Keller at southwick nationals they are sand masters. There is a youtube channel full of motocross nationals (
The Motocross Vault), JoJo might be a bit harder to find. http://www.youtube.com/user/teyblyy/featured

[Paul_E_D]

Oh, I grew up watching those guys live at southwick. Watching is one thing, doing is another... It's a pretty tough specialty to master. That's why I posted this thread. Getting into the upper third of the revs has been a revelation to me, even though I know theoretically what it does, I was still resisting getting there for various reasons.

[backinthesaddle]

Agreed re watching vs doing. Those guys make it look so easy. Southwick was the toughtest NESC track I ever raced. Tough specialty for sure. Probably why southwick national has best finishes of any national for local riders, you just don't see locals racers at most other nationals crack the top 10, or 5 for that matter like fast NESC guys do at southwick national.