How do you practice?

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Practice makes perfect? From another thread

i dont even bother looking at practice times - i always take it too easy in practice - anyone else?

i'm a grower not a show-err

so you are practicing to go slower???

in reality, i've noticed that people that say this, generally push pretty hard in practice and don't want to admit it. they just can't turn race pace times in practice because they don't have the adreniline going that usually pushes them out of their comfort zones during a race. in the end they are just riding over their heads during a race and hoping for the best.

the faster "experienced" guys will generally run lap times in practice that are fairly close to their race pace. they aren't depending on adreneline to lap fast, they are depending on their reference points.

not saying that this applies to everyone or specifically you denno, just putting it out there as food for thought.



edit: and to keep this on topic, I second the XT. will do what you need.

i dont think i completely agree - while i do use adrenaline during the race (everyone does, if you say no you're not human or BSing)

I try to pick spots in practice where I'm struggling and work those areas... my biggest concern with throwin hot laps down is I dont want to throw it away in practice as i think that's a huge waste! am i way off base here?

[RyanNicholson]

good call on the new thread, good topic.

Personally I set my fastest lap times in practice....though thats not always the case. I do take more chances during a race, and push a little harder but generally that applies more to passing and "racing" than actually riding the bike...but in the end I'm still using the same reference points and techniques in a race or in practice. If there was NO traffic, ever, I would run the same times either way. Obviously I'm not gunna try and win practice.

Basically....I practice hard, I just play super nice around others in practice.

[nt650hawk]

I find my practice times to be about 1-2 sec slower than a race pace. Try diferent things in practice to see if it works out. I can usually tell when my shift points are slightly different and or rpm's are different (I start to hit the rev limiter coming into turns).

There are times I could force a pass in practice but I hold back for both our sakes. Save it for the race. I love playing with the big bikes.

[Paul_E_D]

I practiced like I was qualifying for a national. For me, going slow just conditions me to that stress-free riding and teaches me nothing. Of course, I tried to reduce my risk by backing off if a huge pack of wobblers was in front of me. I definitely practiced making hard passes though. There's not really enough time to learn that stuff in races only.

I constantly wondered what everyone in expert Blue was doing rolling around in the 19s??? on their 600s and such. I don't think any expert champs are out there putting around...

[RyanNicholson]

I don't think any expert champs are out there putting around...

jeff was running 1:10's in practice.... holy crap!

[CEO]

jeff was running 1:10's in practice.... holy crap!

That is absolutely ridiculous. Jesus.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

That is absolutely ridiculous. Jesus.

when he comes by you in a race its even more ridiculous - he goes by so fast you cant even learn a thing from him (except how slow you are) - at least with others you can hang with em for a corner/ corner and a half! haha

so it looks like i need to pick up the pace in practice but back off on risky passes?

[Pittenger5]

I already know how to ride slow, why would I need to practice it? Ill practice doing things I wont do during a race, brake later at the risk of screwing up a line, try a different shift somewhere, try a different line through a turn, but Id want to be at or near race pace. Whats the point in cruising around going slow. Maybe the first couple laps of the first session to get everything flowing, but then try to pick it up.

[Pittenger5]

when he comes by you in a race its even more ridiculous - he goes by so fast you cant even learn a thing from him - at least with others you can hang with em for a corner/ corner and a half!

Try trying to follow him on an EX, somehow he pulled on me down the straight, and Im not talking a bike length or two.

[s a x m a n]

I traditionally run my race times in practice, and like Ryan have run some of my best times there as well.

I feel I'm out there using tires and spending money, so I might as well make it worth it. I will be more considerate in my passes as not to stuff anyone in a corner, etc ... but other than that, its riding as hard as I can and cutting consistent laps.

[BMFR6]

i think ryan and paul hit the nail on the head with what i was trying to say about the fact the fast guys go out and practice fast. granted i can understand what ryan is saying, he may not be as aggressive in passing during practice as a he would in a race, but paul has a valid point, you dont get enough passing during races to become proficient at it. how many people in this thread have ever wrote in their race report "i could go faster than XXX but just couldn't get around him"

i know i've said that.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Try trying to follow him on an EX, somehow he pulled on me down the straight, and Im not talking a bike length or two.

I followed him into 6 on that thing and I SWEAR he took 6 no brakes.

[RyanNicholson]

like Paul said.... its definitely to your advantage to practice in a race-like mindset.... that way when you come into T6 on the inside of someone, and dont brake until the 3rd cone while you're going mach 4....you know how to handle the situation, instead of "wingin it" in the middle of a race because you've never tried to brake that late.

[Honclfibr]

I followed him into 6 on that thing and I SWEAR he took 6 no brakes.

Legend holds that at times he would actually lever the rear wheel off the ground using the footpeg in order to achieve tighter turns.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Legend holds that at times he would actually lever the rear wheel off the ground using the footpeg in order to achieve tighter turns.

OK LET'S NIP THIS IN THE BUTT HONKIE

[eboos]

I am still getting everything sorted out, so everytime out on the track is faster then my last time. Practice feels slower even though I am running my best times from the previous weekend.

[QuarterGig]

I am still getting everything sorted out, so everytime out on the track is faster then my last time. Practice feels slower even though I am running my best times from the previous weekend.

i am right there with you. i treat it all as practice and race against my own times which is why i asked about lap timers in the other thread.

[Pittenger5]

Legend holds that at times he would actually lever the rear wheel off the ground using the footpeg in order to achieve tighter turns.

Im gonna practice that next weekend, followed quickly by practicing the proper way to crash.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

im hoping scottg will weigh in...

[BMFR6]

.... that way when you come into T6 on the inside of someone, and dont brake until the 3rd cone while you're going mach 4....you know how to handle the situation, instead of "wingin it" in the middle of a race because you've never tried to brake that late.

i agree with this as well. i never really understood the "i don't want to crash in practice" mindset everyone has. i don't think there is a justifiable way to think its better to crash in a race vs. practice. either way you crashed.

[Paul_E_D]

This isn't really advice for beginners, but (flame suit on) don't be afraid to be a little bit of a dick out there. On the 125 I had to pass people and get them to NOT come back by me on the next straight. A little leaning on people goes a long way. Nice guys race backwards.

[RyanNicholson]

so it looks like i need to pick up the pace in practice but back off on risky passes?

just practice what you're trying to accomplish in a race. Its true that you've got adrenaline pumping more after a green flag drops, but you've gotta learn to race with your head instead of relying on adrenaline to pick up the pace.

im hoping scottg will weigh in...

+1

[BMFR6]

look at it from the perspective of the person being passed. how many people just said "Wood passed me and i tried to keep up to learn something" if you make an aggressive but safe pass on someone in practice, not only are you improving your ability to pass people but maybe you helped that person being passed figure out something they could be doing better.

like paul said, nice guys race backwards.

[RyanNicholson]

like paul said, don't be scared to be a little bit of a dick.

just remember theres a kind of fine line between being a little bit of a dick....and being outright stupid....

[Crash Dummy Denno]

This isn't really advice for beginners, but (flame suit on) don't be afraid to be a little bit of a dick out there. On the 125 I had to pass people and get them to NOT come back by me on the next straight. A little leaning on people goes a long way. Nice guys race backwards.

just practice what you're trying to accomplish in a race. Its true that you've got adrenaline pumping more after a green flag drops, but you've gotta learn to race with your head instead of relying on adrenaline to pick up the pace.

like paul said, don't be scared to be a little bit of a dick.

i think coming from a trackday mentality I find myself a bit wimpy at times and it leads to people pushing me around out there

this past weekend was the first time i stood my ground and it worked...

makes sense to practice how you want to race though - im still learning here - haha