Trick vs track
 

It baffles me a bit when i read ooo no dont spend money on ya bike learn to ride it faster .One thing springs to mind /confidence .I.ve just had the 996 single injector chip [Cheers nelly] it dont look nowt & maybe no more power but how about smoothness. its got to be worth a bit in the o.l grey matter department or is it a case of i.ll just learn to spin it out of coppice & treat meself to a carbon hugger

I'm happy doing both, Spending money on the bike (look through the top layer of dirt Guys and Gals) and learning to ride faster.
There is nothing stoping people doing both other than the funds manager and for me that is Me

I tried to "just learn to spin it out of coppice" and all it cost me was:
New brakelever
New handlebar
Fairing scuff
Bruised shoulder
Repair to leathers
Repair to boots-need I go on?

John

some peolpe like 'nice' things and never want to become the next world chapmion, each to their own I say. (me included;))

I think I understood the original post, lets test that shall we

OK I have £300 to spend, what should I buy to make my bike go better/faster ?

Tyers

Track time.

Look at that two excellent suggestions within ten minutes.

sorry the thread might be a bit confusing ericthereds got it .How many folks av put new/ differrent tyres on & thought yep thats alot better thus increasing performance.even when the old ones aren.t that bad so what parts offer the best psychological effect ? anyone

Suspension setup

Fork rebuild / respring / re-valve

Rear Shock re-build / re-spring

Each of the above should be available for within your budget. This is what on mine made me more confident and as a result quicker (But still not in the fast group....)

I am of course assuming that your bikes fully serviced and properly set up anyway, so doesn't need servicing etc.

Money on the bike - Suspension, tyres

Money on you - Track time, instruction (CSS etc)

In my opinion, Suspension is the most important and then instruction.

if only you could 'buy' little packets of confidence.:eureka:

i really think it hard to quantify. if you think you have rubbish tyres and change them to some you saw a guy go round the outside of you on, then you will probably go quicker. but the same would be said if the tyres were originally the other way round!

for me tyres are THE most important thing for your confidence, after all they are only only thing keeping you in contact with the road. if you think your tyres are going off or you could get better ones. changes them.

My Bike already has resprung and revalved forks, good enough to take the previous Bike they were in to 2nd at the Manx GP senior and to also win a race at Assen.
Rear shock is a Penske with High and low speed damping that was especially built to spec at the Factory in America and delivered by hand
All money well spent but Shock cost is way outside a buget of £300.

Two rear tyres and a front would be a good use of £300, as would 3 race meetings or trackdays

"Two rear tyres and a front would be a good use of £300, as would 3 race meetings or trackdays"

I'm with you on this Kev, time on the bike is THE most important thing, it's time which gives you confidence. Being an old fart I can think back to some of the crap handling bikes I've ridden which used to wobble about in a straight line and woe betide you if you wanted them to go round a corner. Things like Triumphs with a sprung hub, a Yamaha 250 with a bent frame...........mind you I had some beauty's as well, a little 83cc MV Sport which you could just lean for ever and a BSA DB34 Goldstar are two which spring readily to mind. The point of this ramble is that we all worry too much about little wobbles and slips-both real and imagined-whereas we should just get on with riding and building confidence in both ourselves and our bikes.

John

[Edited on 3-2-2005 by Monty]

Track Time..pure n simple..the more you ride the bike the more confident you become..it is as standard more than you or any1 will ever be.

Phil