Palomar run

[ZorroX]

Skip the advance rider course and sign up for a trackday. You will feel stupid for trying to learn on the street if you ever go to the track. It is a serene environment where you can push your bike in the safest way possible. The surface is clear of debris, gravel, painted lines, reflectors, manhole covers, etc. and corner workers are at every turn letting you know it is safe.

You are putting yourself and your bike at an unessessary risk learning on the street. There are too many unknowns and the consequences when you crash will most likely be severe. Most crashes at the track end up in some sliding and a broken rearset or something, if you fly off a cliff it probably won't turn out as pretty.

That said I ride like a dick on the street occasionally, I'm no saint. But after experiencing a few high speed crashes that would have killed me on the street, I have no desire to ever get out of my comfort zone there. Normally I wouldn't spend time writing something like this, but I don't want to see a thread about how you waded up the 636.

One speeding ticket would pay for a couple track days where you can get firsthand experience from people who know what they are doing.

[ZorroX]

Actually some street tires are recommend at 42 rear on the street. Here is an email from dunlop.

Hi I am running your Q2s on my street bike

120/60
160/60

Whats a good tire pressure for commuting and what should I change it to for a bit more aggressive street riding?

Good afternoon Justin,
The recommend psi for your Suzuki SV650 is 36 psi front and 42 psi rear for on street.
The only time we recommend dropping the psi is when you are on the track
racing.
Please let us know if you need any further info.

regards,
Consumer Affairs
Dunlop Motorcycle & ATV Tire Division

That said I would still drop to 36r 33f for aggressive street riding.

[arcticamt6]

This. I dropped pressures on my Road 2's on fun rides down to 34/34. Normal commuting/trips it was at 40/40

[I-Jo]

What they said. I win about 40 on mine for fair weather commuting then drop them for twisties or track. I have forgotten to drop them and its a little nerve wracking for little old me (more because of mental freak out than skipping tires)

And yes I normally run sport touring tires... Even have on the track... And 42 is way to high for shennanigans.

[UltimateOG]

So here is my next question, being that the 636 was a track bike when i bought it, am I better off in the long run dedicating it for track use and then just using another bike for street fun and commuting? The more i thought about it since Palomar, the more it makes sense to just rip out the plastics and use actual race plastics and not worry as much about the bike and focus more on me.

[ZorroX]

If you already have race plastics then yes switch them, if not the just tape up the lights and do double duty with your bike. When is the last time the forks/shock was serviced? If it's been more then a year ask around at the track for who is good. Get them refreshed, and your sag set. Just that will get you through to intermediate pace and even advanced with track rubber.

[stnkbg1]

I have to back up everything Kevin Stevens has said already. Palomar is a fantastic road, but it's also one that has taken a lot of lives, and many many more bikes due to a lot of things. The overwhelming cause that I've personally seen from the dozens of bikes I've helped pull out of the ditch, or off the side of the mountain is people riding above their limits, or worse not even knowing where their limits are. Reading your first, and parts of your later posts made me cringe multiple times. You seem to be using your finances as an excuse for not learning in a more safe manner. You live in an area with literally hundreds if not thousands of other riders, many of whom would offer you guidance if you actually took some time to seek them out.

I'm not trying to be a douche, but I see a crashed bike in your future if you continue on this path. Stop making excuses, and start listening to the people who have been around the block.

Hit up Meetup.com, I know there are a ton of local groups that would be willing to show you the way.

[UltimateOG]

Originally Posted by stnkbg1

I have to back up everything Kevin Stevens has said already. Palomar is a fantastic road, but it's also one that has taken a lot of lives, and many many more bikes due to a lot of things. The overwhelming cause that I've personally seen from the dozens of bikes I've helped pull out of the ditch, or off the side of the mountain is people riding above their limits, or worse not even knowing where their limits are. Reading your first, and parts of your later posts made me cringe multiple times. You seem to be using your finances as an excuse for not learning in a more safe manner. You live in an area with literally hundreds if not thousands of other riders, many of whom would offer you guidance if you actually took some time to seek them out.

I'm not trying to be a douche, but I see a crashed bike in your future if you continue on this path. Stop making excuses, and start listening to the people who have been around the block.

Hit up Meetup.com, I know there are a ton of local groups that would be willing to show you the way.

I agree, I should be getting out more and getting involved with other motorcycle groups. I have been moreso lazy about riding since I have gotten my bike rather than being as proactive as I should have been. And as far as pushing or not knowing my limits, i honestly don't know my limits. The only limits i really do know is my personal comfort level, which I was trying to test and push. Obviously I lucked out that day when i rode on Palomar, and if I wasn't smart enough to stop while i was ahead of myself I most likely would have wrecked or been involved in one.

So while it was somewhat hard to read some comments, I needed to hear it because my own perception was leaking ego and false confidence. I am going to be looking at doing track days in the future or maybe even a track school. I still don't see myself becoming an active track rider like most of you, but i DO want to learn how to ride my bike the right way.

I am also going to join one of the Kawi/ZX6R forums just to get some more information and resources that focus moreso on the bike that I have. I tried the meetup.com thing but I was so confused by it that I just got rid of it.

[knonfs]

Originally Posted by ZorroX

If you already have race plastics then yes switch them, if not the just tape up the lights and do double duty with your bike. When is the last time the forks/shock was serviced? If it's been more then a year ask around at the track for who is good. Get them refreshed, and your sag set. Just that will get you through to intermediate pace and even advanced with track rubber.

^This, except that if the fairings are in good condition, I would remove hem before going to the track.

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by UltimateOG

I am going to be looking at doing track days in the future or maybe even a track school. I still don't see myself becoming an active track rider like most of you, but i DO want to learn how to ride my bike the right way.

Just once more, because of the finance thing: track days and track schools are great. I do them as often as I can. But they are certainly not necessary to practice and learn riding and contol at moderate speeds. There's a *lot* that you can work on in a low traffic street/parking environment.

KeS

[harleyxlc]

I wish I was riding up and down Palomar.

Oh and +1 to what's been said Some of what you ask is hard to say with just a post and not watching you ride. Not feeling comfortable leaning with your tires could be the 42 psi, old tires, funny wear, the coasting through the corners or even more sand than you realized. Write me a note for work and I'll ride with you and critique you

[akiraruns]

Originally Posted by Jamie01

This sounds like you are coasting through the turn, which could be a big part of your problem. As soon as you're done braking for the turn you need to crack open the throttle. Keep it open enough to maintain your speed while at full lean. This will properly distribute your weight between front and rear and will make you much more planted. Then add more throttle as you stand the bike back up.

I think this will get your handling way better than any adjustment you make on the bike. A perfect set up won't cure rider errors.
Break before the turn, look through the turn, open throttle as soon as possible and don't take it back until you see the turn exit to add more throttle. weight distribution is a big key and if the throttle is closed, your weight is all in the front which means less back wheel traction. The only other way to slip the back(other than tire set up and conditon) would be adding too much throttle or just braking mid turn and I don't think you're doing either of those. keeping your line smooth is a lot easier when you're looking ahead and not down at the line where you want to be. Key to staying safe in canyons(I think) is slow the F**K down before the turn and don't go full throttle until you see that the corner exit is clear to go. This works for me. I may enter slower than the guy in front of me, but often times, I'm closing the gap turn by turn.

Also, it is not about "how far you can lean" but "how fast you can get through the turn"... right? Leaning too far while not doing the right thing can get you in trouble.

Just my 2 cents as another avid canyon rider.

Oh, and another big step up I had in my game was when I stopped looking at the rider in front of me and just ran my own ride. Looking at him makes you target fix and when he messes up, you mess up automatically.

Ride safe!

[BeeGee]

42 psi on old tires sounds scary. I know the 636 came with BT014s stock and they aren't the stickiest things around.

[UltimateOG]

The continentals that are on them i put on back in september and october, they aren't "old".

[PCHbreeze]

All im going to say is two thinfs. First that theeea a lot of food for thought here. Second keep riding keep learning.

As long as youre searching for answers and learning youre on the right path. Enjoy the ride above all.

Ive been riding for years and im always rediscovering all the basics...over and ov er.

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