Welcome to NESR! Most features of this site require registration, including replying to threads, sending private messages, starting new threads, and uploading files. Click here to register.

Results 1 to 10 of 10

The Pace

  1. #1
    Posting Freak bmrider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Age
    53
    Posts
    746

    The Pace

    This may be a repost, but I just found it on another forum and thought people here might benefit from it:

    PACE YOURSELF
    The street is not the track - It's a place to Pace
    Two weeks ago a rider died when he and his bike tumbled off a cliff paralleling
    our favorite road. No gravel in the lane, no oncoming car pushing him wide, no
    ice. The guy screwed up. Rider error. Too much enthusiasm with too little skill,
    and this fatality wasn't the first on this road this year. As with most single-bike
    accidents, the rider entered the corner at a speed his brain told him was too
    fast, stood the bike up and nailed the rear brake. Goodbye.
    On the racetrack the rider would have tumbled into the hay bales, visited the
    ambulance for a strip of gauze and headed back to the pits to straighten his
    handlebars and think about his mistake. But let's get one thing perfectly clear:
    the street is not the racetrack. Using it as such will shorten your riding career
    and keep you from discovering the Pace. The Pace is far from street racing -
    and a lot more fun.
    The Pace places the motorcycle in its proper role as the controlled vehicle, not
    the controlling vehicle. Too many riders of sport bikes become baggage when
    the throttle gets twisted - the ensuing speed is so overwhelming they are carried
    along in the rush. The Pace ignores outright speed and can be as much fun on
    a Ninja 250 as on a ZX-11, emphasizing rider skill over right-wrist bravado. A
    fool can twist the grip, but a fool has no idea how to stop or turn. Learning to
    stop will save your life; learning to turn will enrich it. What feels better than
    banking a motorcycle over into a corner?
    The mechanics of turning a motorcycle involve pushing and/or pulling on the
    handlebars; while this isn't new information for most sport riders, realize that the
    force at the handlebar affects the motorcycle's rate of turn-in. Shove hard on the
    bars, and the bike snaps over; gently push the bars, and the bike lazily banks
    in. Different corners require different techniques, but as you begin to think about
    lines, late entrances and late apexes, turning your bike at the exact moment
    and reaching the precise lean angle will require firm, forceful inputs at the
    handlebars. If you take less time to turn your motorcycle, you can use that time
    to brake more effectively or run deeper into the corner, affording yourself more
    time to judge the corner and a better look at any hidden surprises. It's important
    to look as far into the corner as possible and remember the adage, "You go
    where you look."
    DON'T RUSH
    The number-one survival skill, after mastering emergency braking, is setting
    your corner-entrance speed early, or as Kenny Roberts says, "Slow in, fast out."
    Street riders may get away with rushing into 99 out of 100 corners, but that last
    one will have gravel, mud or a trespassing car. Setting entrance speed early will
    allow you to adjust your speed and cornering line, giving you every opportunity
    to handle the surprise. We've all rushed into a corner too fast and experienced
    not just the terror but the lack of control when trying to herd the bike into the
    bend. If you're fighting the brakes and trying to turn the bike, any surprise will be
    impossible to deal with. Setting your entrance speed early and looking into the
    corner allows you to determine what type of corner you're facing. Does the
    radius decrease? Is the turn off-camber? Is there an embankment that may
    have contributed some dirt to the corner?
    Racers talk constantly about late braking, yet that technique is used only to
    pass for position during a race, not to turn a quicker lap time. Hard braking blurs
    the ability to judge cornering speed accurately, and most racers who rely too
    heavily on the brakes find themselves passed at the corner exits because they
    scrubbed off too much cornering speed. Additionally, braking late often forces
    you to trail the brakes or turn the motorcycle while still braking. While light trail
    braking is an excellent and useful technique to master, understand that your
    front tire has only a certain amount of traction to give.
    If you use a majority of the front tire's traction for braking and then ask it to
    provide maximum cornering traction as well, a typical low-side crash will result.
    Also consider that your motorcycle won't steer as well with the fork fully
    compressed under braking. If you're constantly fighting the motorcycle while
    turning, it may be because you're braking too far into the corner. All these
    problems can be eliminated by setting your entrance speed early, an important
    component of running the Pace.
    Since you aren't hammering the brakes at every corner entrance, your
    enjoyment of pure cornering will increase tremendously. You'll relish the feeling
    of snapping your bike into the corner and opening the throttle as early as
    possible. Racers talk about getting the drive started, and that's just as important
    on the street. Notice how the motorcycle settles down and simply works better
    when the throttle is open? Use a smooth, light touch on the throttle and try to
    get the bike driving as soon as possible in the corner, even before the apex, the
    tightest point of the corner. If you find yourself on the throttle ridiculously early,
    it's an indication you can increase your entrance speed slightly by releasing the
    brakes earlier.
    As you sweep past the apex, you can begin to stand the bike up out of the
    corner. This is best done by smoothly accelerating, which will help stand the
    bike up. As the rear tire comes off full lean, it puts more rubber on the road, and
    the forces previously used for cornering traction can be converted to
    acceleration traction. The throttle can be rolled open as the bike stands up.
    This magazine won't tell you how fast is safe; we will tell you how to go fast
    safely. How fast you go is your decision, but it's one that requires reflection and
    commitment. High speed on an empty four-lane freeway is against the law, but
    it's fairly safe. Fifty-five miles per hour in a canyon may be legal, but it may also
    be dangerous. Get together with your friends and talk about speed. Set a
    reasonable maximum and stick to it. Done right, the Pace is addicting without
    high straightaway speeds.
    The group I ride with couldn't care less about outright speed between corners;
    any gomer can twist a throttle. If you routinely go 100 mph, we hope you
    routinely practice emergency stops from that speed. Keep in mind outright
    speed will earn a ticket that is tough to fight and painful to pay; cruising the easy
    straight stuff doesn't attract as much attention from the authorities and sets your
    speed perfectly for the next sweeper.
    GROUP MENTALITY
    Straights are the time to reset the ranks. The leader needs to set a pace that
    won't bunch up the followers, especially while leaving a stop sign or passing a
    car on a two-lane road. The leader must use the throttle hard to get around the
    car and give the rest of the group room to make the pass, yet he or she can't
    speed blindly along and earn a ticket for the whole group. With sane speeds on
    the straights, the gaps can be adjusted easily; the bikes should be spaced
    about two seconds apart for maximum visibility of surface hazards.
    It's the group aspect of the Pace I enjoy most, watching the bikes in front of me
    click into a corner like a row of dominoes, or looking in my mirror as my friends
    slip through the same set of corners I just emerged from.
    Because there's a leader and a set of rules to follow, the competitive aspect of
    sport riding is eliminated and that removes a tremendous amount of pressure
    from a young rider's ego - or even an old rider's ego. We've all felt the tug of
    racing while riding with friends or strangers, but the Pace takes that away and
    saves it for where it belongs: the racetrack. The racetrack is where you prove
    your speed and take chances to best your friends and rivals.
    I've spent a considerable amount of time writing about the Pace (see
    Motorcyclist, Nov. '91) for several reasons, not the least of which being the fun
    I've had researching it (continuous and ongoing). But I have motivations that
    aren't so fun. I got scared a few years ago when Senator Danforth decided to
    save us from ourselves by trying to ban superbikes, soon followed by insurance
    companies blacklisting a variety of sport bikes. I've seen Mulholland Highway
    shut down because riders insisted on racing (and crashing) over a short section
    of it.
    I've seen heavy police patrols on roads that riders insist on throwing themselves
    off of. I've heard the term "murder-cycles" a dozen times too many. When we
    consider the abilities of a modern sport bike, it becomes clear that rider
    techniques is sorely lacking.
    The Pace emphasizes intelligent, rational riding techniques that ignore
    racetrack heroics without sacrificing fun. The skills needed to excel on the
    racetrack make up the basic precepts of the Pace, excluding the mind-numbing
    speeds and leaving the substantially larger margin for error needed to allow for
    unknowns and immovable objects. Our sport faces unwanted legislation from
    outsiders, but a bit of throttle management from within will guarantee our future.
    THE PACE PRINCIPLES
    Set cornering speed early. Blow the entrance and you'll never recover. Look
    down the road. Maintaining a high visual horizon will reduce perceived speed
    and help you avoid panic situations.
    Steer the bike quickly. There's a reason Wayne Rainey works out - turning a
    fast-moving motorcycle takes muscle.
    Use your brakes smoothly but firmly. Get on and then off the brakes; don't drag
    'em. Get the throttle on early. Starting the drive settles the chassis, especially
    through a bumpy corner.
    Never cross the centerline except to pass. Crossing the centerline in a corner is
    an instant ticket and admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing
    terms, your lane is your course; staying right of the line adds a significant
    challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future.
    Don't crowd the centerline. Always expect an oncoming car with two wheels in
    your lane.
    Don't hang off in the corners or tuck in on the straights. Sitting sedately on the
    bike looks safer and reduces unwanted attention. It also provides a built-in
    safety margin.
    When leading, ride for the group. Good verbal communication is augmented
    with hand signals and turn signals; change direction and speed smoothly.
    When following, ride with the group. If you can't follow a leader, don't expect
    anyone to follow you when you're setting the pace.

    Nick Ienatsch
    Sport Rider Magazine
    June 1993

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    2010 BMW S1000RR - Soon to be track dedicated!
    2006 BMW K1200 R
    2002 Honda CBR 600 F4i - Trackbike - SOLD
    2003 Kawasaki EX 250 - Hers
    2008 Toyota Tacoma TRD - Sport

    I can still walk around in my garage, I need more toys...

  2. #2
    Kosher Assassin Stoneman's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Center Barnstead, NH
    Posts
    1,128,386

    The Pace

    Wow. Long read, but worth every minute. Good find, excellent candidate to crosspost!

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Did you grit your teeth and try to look like Clint Fuckin' Eastwood?
    Or did you lisp it all hangfisted like a fuckin' flower?

  3. #3
    Posting Freak bmrider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Age
    53
    Posts
    746

    The Pace

    Wow. Long read
    Yea, it was a long read. When I read in the BMW forum though, I was impressed and thought it worthy of this forum...

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    2010 BMW S1000RR - Soon to be track dedicated!
    2006 BMW K1200 R
    2002 Honda CBR 600 F4i - Trackbike - SOLD
    2003 Kawasaki EX 250 - Hers
    2008 Toyota Tacoma TRD - Sport

    I can still walk around in my garage, I need more toys...

  4. #4
    Banned
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    15,160

    The Pace

    That is a repost of humungous proportions (it's on NESR at least 10 times somewhere or other) but it's ALWAYS a welcome repost.

    "The Pace" is pretty much an iconic piece of writing and the sport riding group riders bible.

    Cool post, and it should be a sticky.

    derek

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  5. #5
    Just Registered Nix's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Rhody
    Age
    48
    Posts
    1,010

    The Pace

    +50. The Pace rocks.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

    Duct tape is like "The Force". It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

  6. #6
    Ense petit placidam sandman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    sema
    Age
    61
    Posts
    1,343

    The Pace

    the pace II

    INTRO

    Racing involves speed, concentration and committment; the results of a mistake are usually catastrophic because there's little room for error riding at 100 percent. Performance street riding is less intense and further from the absolute limit, but because circumstances are less controlled, mistakes and overagressiveness can be equally catastrophic. Plenty of roadracers have sworn off street riding. "Too dangerous, too many variables and too easy to get carried away with too much speed," track specialists claim. Adrenaline-addled racers find themselves treating the street like the track, and not surprisingly, they get burned by the police, the laws of physics and the cold, harsh realities of an environment not groomed for ten tenths riding. But as many of us know, a swift ride down a favorite road may be the finest way to spend a few free hours with a bike we love. And these few hours are best enjoyed riding at The Pace.

    A year after I joined the Motorcyclist staff in 1984, Mitch Boehm was hired. Six months later, The Pace came into being, and we perfected it during the next few months of road testing and weekend fun rides. Now The Pace is part of my life--and a part of the Sunday-morning riding group I frequent. The Pace is a street technique that not only keeps street riders alive, but thoroughly entertained as well.

    THE PACE

    The Pace focuses on bike control and de-emphasizes outright speed. Full-throttle acceleration and last minute braking aren't part of the program, effectively eliminating the two most common single-bike accident scenarios in sport riding. Cornering momentum is the name of the game, stressing strong, forceful inputs at the handlebar to place the bike correctly at the entrance of the turn and get it flicked in with little wasted time and distance. Since the throttle wasn't slammed open at the exit of the last corner, the next corner doesn't require much, if any, braking. It isn't uncommon to ride with our group and not see a brake light flash all morning.

    If the brakes are required, the front lever gets squeezed smoothly, quickly and with a good deal of force to set entrance speed with minimum time. Running in on the brakes is tantamount to running off the road, a confession that you're pushing too hard and not getting your entrance speed set early enough because you stayed on the gas too long. Running The Pace decreases your reliance on the throttle and brakes, the two easiest controls to abuse, and hones your ability to judge cornering speed, which is the most thrilling aspect of performance street riding.

    YOUR LANE IS YOUR LIMIT

    Crossing the centerline at any time except during a passing maneuver is intolerable, another sign that you're pushing too hard to keep up. Even when you have a clean line of sight through a left-hand kink, stay to the right of the centerline. Staying on the right side of the centerline is much more challenging than simply straightening every slight corner, and when the whole group is committed to this intelligent practice, the temptation to cheat is eliminated through peer pressure and logic. Though street riding shouldn't be described in racing terms, you can think of your lane as the racetrack. Leaving your lane is tantamount to a crash.

    Exact bike control has you using every inch of your lane if the circumstances permit it. In corners with a clear line of sight and no oncoming traffic, enter at the far outside of the corner, turn the bike relatively late in the corner to get a late apex at the far inside of your lane and accelerate out, just brushing the far outside of your lane as your bike stands up. Steer your bike forcefully but smoothly to minimize the transition time; don't hammer it down because the chassis will bobble slightly as it settles, possibly carrying you off line. Since you haven't charged in on the brakes, you can get the throttle on early, before the apex, which balances and settles your bike for the drive out.

    More often than not, ciccumstances do not permit the full use of your lane from yellow line to white line and back again. Blind corners, oncoming traffic and gravel on the road are a few criteria that dictate a more conservative approach, so leave yourself a three- or four-foot margin for error, especially at the left side of the lane where errant oncoming traffic could prove fatal. Simply narrow your entrance on a blind right-hander and move your apex into your lane three feet on blind left turns in order to stay free of unseen oncoming traffic hogging the centerline. Because you're running at The Pace and not flat out, your controlled entrances offer additional time to deal with unexpected gravel or other debris in your lane; the outside wheel track is usually the cleanest through a dirty corner since a car weights its outside tires most, scrubbing more dirt off the pavement in the process, so aim for that line.

    A GOOD LEADER, WILLING FOLLOWERS

    The street is not a racing environment, and it takes humility, self assurance and self control to keep it that way. The leader sets the pace and monitors his mirrors for signs of raggedness in the ranks that follow, such as tucking in on straights, crossing over the yellow line and hanging off the motorcycle in corners. If the leader pulls away, he simply slows his straightaway speed slightly but continues to enjoy the corners, thus closing the ranks but missing none of the fun. The small group of three or four riders I ride with is so harmonious that the pace is identical no matter who's leading. The lead shifts occasionally with a quick hand sign, but there's never a pass for the lead with an ego on the sleeve. Make no mistake, the riding is spirited and quick--in the corners. Anyone with a right arm can hammer down the straights; it's the proficiency in the corners that makes The Pace come alive.

    Following distances are relatively lengthy, with the straightaways---taken at more moderate speeds--the perfect opportunity to adjust the gaps. Keeping a good distance serves several purposes, besides being safer. Rock chips are minimized and the highway patrol won't suspect a race is in progress. The Pace's style of not hanging off in corners also reduces the appearance of pushing too hard and adds a degree of maturity and sensibility in the eyes of the public and the law. There's a definite challenge to cornering quickly while sitting sedately on your bike.

    New rider indoctrination takes some time because The Pace develops very high cornering speeds and newcomers want to hammer the throttle on exits to make up for what they lose at the entrances. Our group slows drastically when a new rider joins the ranks because our technique of moderate straightaway speeds and no brakes can suck the unaware into a corner too fast, creating the most common single-bike accident. With a new rider learning The Pace behind you, tap your brake lightly well before the turn to alert him and make sure he understands there's no pressure to stay with the group.

    There's plenty of ongoing communication during The Pace. A foot off the peg indicates debris on the road, and all slowing or turning intentions are signaled in advance with the left hand and arm. Turn signals are used for direction changes and passing, with a wave of the left hand to thank the cars that move right and make it easy for the motorcyclists to get past. Since you don't have a death grip on the handlebar, you left hand is also free to wave to oncoming riders, a fading courtesy that we'd like to see return. If you're getting the idea The Pace is a relaxing, noncompetitive way to ride with a group, you are right.

    RELAX AND FLICK IT

    I'd rather spend a Sunday in the mountains riding at The Pace than a Sunday at the racetrack, it is that enjoyable. Countersteering is the name of the game, a smooth forceful steering input at the handlebar relayed to the tires contact patches through a rigid sport-bike frame. Riding at The Pace is certainly what the bike manufacturers had in mind when sport bikes evolved to the street.

    But the machine isn't the most important aspect of running The Pace because you can do it on anything capable of getting through a corner. Attitude is The Pace's most important aspect; realizing the friend ahead of you isn't a competotor, respecting his right to lead the group occasionally and giving him credit for his riding skills. You must have the maturity to limlt your straightaway speeds to allow the group to stay in touch and the sense to realize that racetrack tactics such as late braking and full throttle runs to redline will alienate the public and police and possibly introduce you to the unforgiving laws of gravity. When the group arrives at the destination after running The Pace, no one feels outgunned or is left with the feeling he must prove himself on the return run. If you've got something to prove, get on a racetrack.

    The racetrack measures your speed with a stopwatch and direct competition, welcoming your agression and gritty resolve to be the best. Performance street riding's only yardstick is the amount of enjoyment gained, not lap times, finishing position or competitors beaten. The differences are huge but not always remembered by riders who haven't discovered The Pace's cornering pureness and group involvement. Hammer on the racetrack. Pace yourself on the street.

    PACE YOURSELF

    The street is not the track - It's a place to Pace

    Two weeks go a rider died when he and his bike tumbled off a cliff paralleling our favorite road. No gravel in the lane, no oncoming car pushing him wide, no ice. The guy screwed up. Rider error. Too much enthusiasm with too little skill, and this fatality wasn't the first on this road this year. As with most single-bike accidents, the rider entered the corner at a speed his brain told him was too fast, stood the bike up and nailed the rear brake. Goodbye.

    On the racetrack the rider would have tumbled into the hay bales, visited the ambulance for a strip of gauze and headed back to the pits to straighten his handlebars and think about his mistake. But let's get one thing perfectly clear: the street is not the racetrack. Using it as such will shorten your riding career and keep you from discovering the Pace. The Pace is far from street racing - and a lot more fun.

    The Pace places the motorcycle in its proper role as the controlled vehicle, not the controlling vehicle. Too many riders of sport bikes become baggage when the throttle gets twisted - the ensuing speed is so overwhelming they are carried along in the rush. The Pace ignores outright speed and can be as much fun on a Ninja 250 as on a ZX-11, emphasizing rider skill over right-wrist bravado. A fool can twist the grip, but a fool has no idea how to stop or turn. Learning to stop will save your life; learning to turn will enrich it. What feels better than banking a motorcycle over into a corner?

    The mechanics of turning a motorcycle involve pushing and/or pulling on the handlebars; while this isn't new information for most sport riders, realize that the force at the handlebar affects the motorcycle's rate of turn-in. Shove hard on the bars, and the bike snaps over; gently push the bars, and the bike lazily banks in. Different corners require different techniques, but as you begin to think about lines, late entrances and late apexes, turning your bike at the exact moment and reaching he precise lean angle will require firm, forceful inputs ant the handlebars. If you take less time to turn your motorcycle, you can use that time to brake more effectively or run deeper into the corner, affording yourself more time to judge the corner and a better look at any hidden surprises. It's important to look as far into the corner as possible and remember the adage, "You go where you look."

    DON'T RUSH

    The number-one survival skill, after mastering emergency braking, is setting your corner-entrance speed early, or as Kenny Roberts says, "Slow in, fast out." Street riders may get away with rushing into 99 out of 100 corners, but that last one will have gravel, mud or a trespassing car. Setting entrance speed early will allow you to adjust your speed and cornering line, giving you every opportunity to handle the surprise.

    We've all rushed into a corner too fast and experienced not just the terror but the lack of control when trying to herd the bike into the bend. If you're fighting the brakes and trying to turn the bike, any surprise will be impossible to deal with. Setting your entrance speed early and looking into the corner allows you to determine what type of corner you're facing. Does the radius decrease? Is the turn off-camber? Is there an embankment that may have contributed some dirt to the corner?

    Racers talk constantly about late braking, yet that technique is used only to pass for position during a race, not to turn a quicker lap time. Hard braking blurs the ability to judge cornering speed accurately, and most racers who rely too heavily on the brakes find themselves passed at the corner exits because they scrubbed off too much cornering speed. Additionally, braking late often forces you to trail the brakes or turn the motorcycle while still braking. While light trail braking is an excellent and useful technique to master, understand that your front tire has only a certain amount of traction to give.

    If you use a majority of the front tire's traction for braking and then ask it to provide maximum cornering traction as well, a typical low-side crash will result. Also consider that your motorcycle won't steer as well with the fork fully compressed under braking. If you're constantly fighting the motorcycle while turning, it may be because you're braking too far into the corner. All these problems can be eliminated by setting your entrance speed early, an important component of running the Pace.

    Since you aren't hammering the brakes at every corner entrance, your enjoyment of pure cornering will increase tremendously. You'll relish the feeling of snapping your bike into the corner and opening the throttle as early as possible. Racers talk about getting the drive started, and that's just as important on the street. Notice how the motorcycle settles down and simply works better when the throttle is open? Use a smooth, light touch on the throttle and try to get the bike driving as soon as possible in the corner, even before the apex, the tightest point of the corner. If you find yourself on the throttle ridiculously early, it's an indication you can increase your entrance speed slightly be releasing the brakes earlier.

    As you sweep past the apex, you can begin to stand the bike up out of the corner. This is best done by smoothly accelerating, which will help stand the bike up. As the rear tire comes off full lean, it puts more rubber on the road, and the forces previously used for cornering traction can be converted to acceleration traction. The throttle can be rolled open as the bike stands up.

    This magazine won't tell you how fast is safe; we will tell you how to go fast safely. How fast you go is your decision, but it's one that requires reflection and commitment. High speed on an empty four-lane freeway is against the law, but it's fairly safe. Fifty-five miles per hour in a canyon may be legal, but it may also be dangerous. Get together with your friends and talk about speed. Set a reasonable maximum and stick to it. Done right, the Pace is addicting without high straightaway speeds.

    The group I ride with couldn't care less about outright speed between corners; any gomer can twist a throttle. If you routinely go 100 mph, we hope you routinely practice emergency stops from that speed. Keep in mind outright speed will earn a ticket that is tough to fight and painful to pay; cruising the easy straight stuff doesn't attract as much attention from the authorities and sets your speed perfectly for the next sweeper.


    GROUP MENTALITY

    Straights are the time to reset the ranks. The leader needs to set a pace that won't bunch up the followers, especially while leaving a stop sign or passing a car on a two-lane road. The leader must use the throttle hard to get around the car and give the rest of the group room to make the pass, yet he or she can't speed blindly along and earn a ticket for the whole group. With sane speeds on the straights, the gaps can be adjusted easily; the bikes should be spaced about two seconds apart for maximum visibility of surface hazards.

    It's the group aspect of the Pace I enjoy most, watching the bikes in front of me click into a corner like a row of dominoes, or looking in my mirror as my friends slip through the same set of corners I just emerged from.

    Because there's a leader and a set of rules to follow, the competitive aspect of sport riding is eliminated and that removes a tremendous amount of pressure from a young rider's ego - or even an old rider's ego. We've all felt the tug of racing while riding with friends or strangers, but the Pace takes that away and saves it for where it belongs: the racetrack. The racetrack is where you prove your speed and take chances to best your friends and rivals.

    I've spend a considerable amount of time writing about the Pace (see Motorcyclist, Nov. '91) for several reasons, not the least of which being the fun I've had researching it (continuous and ongoing). But I have motivations that aren't so fun. I got scared a few years ago when Senator Danforth decided to save us from ourselves by trying to ban superbikes, soon followed by insurance companies blacklisting a variety of sport bikes. I've seen Mulholland Highway shut down because riders insisted on racing (and crashing) over a short section of it. I've seen heavy police patrols on roads that riders insist on throwing themselves off of. I've heard the term "murder-cycles" a dozen times too many. When we consider the abilities of a modern sport bike, it becomes clear that rider techniques is sorely lacking.

    The Pace emphasizes intelligent, rational riding techniques that ignore racetrack heroics without sacrificing fun. The skills needed to excel on the racetrack make up the basic precepts of the Pace, excluding the mind-numbing speeds and leaving the substantially larger margin for error needed to allow for unknowns and immovable objects. Our sport faces unwanted legislation from outsiders, but a bit of throttle management from within will guarantee our future.

    THE PACE PRINCIPLES

    Set cornering speed early. Blow the entrance and you'll never recover.

    Look down the road Maintaining a high visual horizon will reduce perceived speed and help you avoid panic situations.

    Steer the bike quickly. There's a reason Wayne Rainey works out - turning a fast-moving motorcycle takes muscle.

    Use your brakes smoothly but firmly Get on and then off the brakes; don't drag 'em.

    Get the throttle on early Starting the drive settles the chassis, especially through a bumpy corner.

    Never cross the centerline except to pass Crossing the centerline in a corner is an instant ticket and an admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing terms, your lane is your course; staying right of the line adds a significant challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future.

    Don't crowd the centerline Always expect an oncoming car with two wheels in your lane.

    Don't hang off in the corners or tuck in on the straights Sitting sedately on the bike looks safer and reduces unwanted attention. It also provides a built-in safety margin.

    When leading, ride for the group Good verbal communication is augmented with hand signals and turn signals; change direction and speed smoothly.

    When following, ride with the group If you can't follow a leader, don't expect anyone to follow you when you're setting the pace.

    Nick Ienatsch Sport Rider Magazine June 1993

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    jim

    "Molon labe"

  7. #7
    recluse Dangerz0ne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    North Providence
    Posts
    350

    The Pace

    when I get a free hour and a half I think I will read through this.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  8. #8
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    MA
    Age
    44
    Posts
    38,893

    The Pace

    Quote Originally Posted by sandman View Post
    the pace II
    THERRRRE it is

    Definitely make this a sticky.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    -Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  9. #9
    I Dance With Will
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    unknown
    Posts
    8,713

    The Pace

    "Don't hang off in the corners or tuck in on the straights Sitting sedately on the bike looks safer and reduces unwanted attention. It also provides a built-in safety margin."

    and you may look like a fag.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    "fuckit!"

  10. #10
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Jericho, VT
    Posts
    19,396

    The Pace

    Only if your Kham.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    "I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
    Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
    BOMO Instructor
    EX# X

Similar Threads

  1. Pace when meeting other bikes
    By No Quarter in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 07-28-13, 12:29 PM
  2. Pick up the pace! (vid)
    By typeone in forum Dirty Bastards
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-21-11, 08:02 AM
  3. The Pace..Oldie but Goodie
    By bigred875 in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-02-06, 08:13 AM
  4. Easy pace NH/VT ride.................
    By Wayne-o in forum Rides & Events
    Replies: 88
    Last Post: 06-01-04, 11:22 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •