I've always wondered about not going into (not letting the clutch out) each gear as I move through the gearbox.  For example, I often do 1, 2, 4, 6 as I accelerate to highway speeds, sometimes even 1, 2, 6 if I hammer on 2nd.  Do you guys do this too?  Has anyone had or heard of any indication of gearbox trouble from this practice?  I also do it on the way back down, but possibly not as routine, which ones I skip depends on the area under the curve.

Andy

I am seriously considering getting at least one of the Scala Rider G4 bluetooth headsets...  I have only 2 questions:

Should I get the boom (normal) or the corded mic version?

Is there anything better?

Ok, 3 questions:  does anyone want to split a powerset?  I doubt I'd need two more than once or twice a year, especially at this price, but I'm tempted.

Would love any input, but looking for a product that actually and really works well this time.  I have a few hundred bucks into Clearer Com throat mic headsets for FRS which were slightly disappointing (but functional to a point/speed/conversation complexity), FRS earpieces which worked only to hear from a radio in a car, and a really old set of radio shack VOX intercom units my buddy and i tried to use on our mopeds back when we were kids... big bucks at the time I'm sure, and a complete failure.

Thanks,

Andy

thanks for checking the run-out on mine lloyd.  i ebay'd a set of 2001 6R rotors w/ 7k miles on them.  the gold centers were a little beat up but so far they are working good.  my only concern at the moment is that the pads drag a bit more than they diid on my old rotors.  i pulled some fluid out and pushed the pistons back in a little, didn't help much at all.  will be doing a flush / cleaning in the coming weeks, followed perhaps by a rebuild if any issues remain.

a.s.

I dream of a tablet-sized screen rocking truely good maps, like an automatically moving regional map.  In my limited experience, when I zoom in close enough to see the tiny little road I'm on / near, I don't get much context...  and when moving at 102 fps, I'd like a cosiderable amount of context.

a.s.

Anyone else going?  This'll be my first real track (i've been to DCTC twice), can't wait.

a.s.

I agree all of that ^, especially with practicing in zero traffic situations (parking lots with no spectators and a few cheap cones / lines) and absolutely with "looking up", even / especially when going slow.  Things happen so much "slower" when you keep your eyes up and many "dumb" mistakes can be ridden out if you don't panic and keep looking where you want to go.

One neat trick when really moving slowly (i.e. MSF or riding test) is to drag the rear brake while sliding the clutch.  He'll get a sense for what that does to the composure of the bike, and once he finds the right amount of brake / clutch / gas to ride it really helps with low speed confidence, way better than either coasting with clutch in or banging around at super-low RPMs with the clutch out.

Oh, and don't grab the front brake in slow speed turns, that's a good way to end up dropping the bike.

Andy

p.s. did he get the ZX-6, or ZX-6R?  lots of love on here for the 6R of that era, one of the best all-around sport bikes.

i was out today, just up and down the street in flip flops and a stocking hat though testing my new clutch (it all sticks / slips as required!!).  changing the oil now, then to clean it a little, re-installed the plastic and hopefully get some real riding in yet this week.

i'm so excited!  it looks like the overnight lows will stay above freezing soon.

Andy

i think Mike's statement "Most people that have the quiet nature thing goin on will never get in far enough to see what we see." is 100% right on.  if I didn't think I'd kill myself on a sled, and if it snowed more here, I'd be all over it.

Also of note, if it snowed more here I might even get cross-country skis...  had them growing up and enjoyed them quite a bit.

a.s.