Inferiority Complex

[aplitz]

I went on a ride with a local sportbike club today.  It was a blast, but man those guys' skill and equipment make me feel like an adolescent on a 49cc moped.  I've met these guys before and they are all really cool, but when it came to riding they get serious and all business.  

The lead rider, and one of the guys on the club's execuitive board, rode his 999 with the full Ohlins set up, and was flying.  The other guys on, ZX-9R, Aprillia Falco, and R6 were staying with him, and I was left far behind.  

They waited for me at junctions, and were really cool, there was just no way I could hang.  When we took off from a start, they would walk away like I was standing still (despite my full exhaust, pods, advancer, and re-jet).  

Even though I lack skills and serious equipment, I am looking forward to the next trip, so I can work on my skills some more.  I was doing well in the twisties, but there is still some serious progress to be made.  But, there aren't really any better ways to learn than being shown the correct way to ride by a more skilled rider.

Aaron

[pantablo]

They waited for me at junctions, and were really cool, there was just no way I could hang.  

Keep riding with these guys. As long as they;re cool with you 'riding your ride' and you are too then you'll learn lots with them. That's how I did it. Only better way to learn is to take a track day. You CAN be fast on your gs, as long as the roads are twisty you can get to the point where you can hang with them. I did but whenever there was a long straight I'd be done for. Learn to carry lots of entry speed into the corners. When you dont have the power to squirt out of corners you have to maintain everything you've got. That's why the gs is such a great learning tool. The people that I still ride with are impressed by how smooth I was and still am. You're goal shouldnt be to be fast but work on being smooth-fast comes from that as a by product.

Good attitude. Have fun!

[JamesG]

Yep,
If you really want to learn to go fast on your GS, I would recommend taking a track school  and/or track days.
You CAN learn to go fast just by riding on the street, but you will learn alot more (and the right way) and the penalties for mistakes are ALOT less severe on a race track.