Balancing the Need for Speed with Motorcycle Safety

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There’s nothing quite like the exhilarating feeling of the wind rushing past you as you twist the throttle and your motorcycle surges forward. For many riders, the allure of speed is a fundamental part of the motorcycle experience. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and motorcycle speeding can be a double-edged sword. In this article, we’ll explore the thrill of speed, its risks, and the crucial importance of safety while riding.

The Thrill of Speed:

Let’s face it; speed is one of the main reasons people are drawn to motorcycles. The sensation of acceleration, the lean into corners, and the open road ahead can be irresistible. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other. But it’s important to remember that, while speed can be thrilling, it should always be tempered with caution and respect for the rules of the road.

The Risks of Motorcycle Speeding:

  1. Reduced Reaction Time: As your speed increases, your reaction time decreases. When you’re riding at high speeds, you have less time to respond to unexpected obstacles or changes in traffic conditions. This reduced reaction time can be a recipe for disaster.
  2. Increased Severity of Accidents: In the unfortunate event of an accident, higher speeds can lead to more severe injuries. The laws of physics dictate that the force of impact increases exponentially with speed. So, even a relatively minor collision at high speed can result in life-altering consequences.
  3. Decreased Control: Maintaining control of your motorcycle becomes more challenging as you push the speedometer to its limits. Sudden maneuvers or obstacles can become much more difficult to handle at high speeds.

Prioritizing Safety:

  1. Gear Up: Always wear proper safety gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, protective clothing, gloves, and boots. High-speed crashes can result in severe head injuries, and a helmet is your best defense.
  2. Know Your Limits: Every rider has their own skill level and comfort zone. It’s crucial to ride within your limits and avoid peer pressure to keep up with faster riders.
  3. Obey Speed Limits: Speed limits exist for a reason. Stick to them and adjust your speed according to road conditions, weather, and traffic.
  4. Stay Alert: Keep your focus on the road at all times. Avoid distractions like texting or daydreaming. Staying alert can help you react more quickly to potential hazards.
  5. Skill Improvement: Consider taking advanced riding courses to enhance your skills and learn techniques for safe high-speed riding.

Conclusion:

Motorcycle speeding can be an exhilarating experience, but it comes with inherent risks that should never be underestimated. Safety should always be a rider’s top priority. By respecting speed limits, wearing proper gear, and continuously improving your riding skills, you can enjoy the thrill of the ride while minimizing the dangers associated with excessive speed. Remember, it’s not about how fast you can go; it’s about how safely you can get there.

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Superbike-Coach wheelie machine in action

Our wheelie machine made it all the way though the heat, just like my boy Mark Stewart​ and Wayne Steele there.
Outstanding job and 101% committed. So did Marion Akkaya​, Christian Baird​, Nick Baker​, Dean Lonskey​ and Lindsey Alexander​.
We gave it all we had that day. A virtual applause goes to those students who took the challenge and stand tall at a 107 Fahrenheit.

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Don’t be a fool

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This is might controversial to you, but I literally get to experience a phenomenon every week- not just with riders I don’t know, but also and mainly with students. It obviously doesn’t apply to all of you, but to a big percentage for sure.

So here is ‘Joe’ who is signed up for his very first track day. Joe did some schooling and has a lot of riding experience. His visions, wish-thinking and especially expectations of how he’s gonna look like during that track day are astronomical. The same goes for hundreds of my own students, who went through a lot of hands-on and real life coaching. Most of them did it all- cornering programs, knee down classes, and 1on1’s. Also here… visions, wish-thinking and especially expectations towards their first ever track day at ‘the big track’.

The expectations of/in themselves and especially in what they’ve learned, will probably lead them right into confusion and frustration, and that will cause them to question that what they’ve learned was good or right. Some will start pushing their limits and crash- some won’t come back to finish their schooling. At this point you might smile and think that I am worried to ‘lose them’. I can tell you that I am worried to lose them to foolishness. Not more- not less.

So I am extremely confident in what these guys have learned and I am truly not looking for excuses… they are at the end of their first track day. The actual problem is though, that their expectations are STILL beyond their capabilities. That’s just one point. Another one is, that they are dropped off into a boxing ring. There will be passing all over them, which is something a brain has to get use to. Additionally, the pace they gonna make is way beyond they ever been and the track they are on is way wider.

There is a lot you do not know yet. You are only totally overwhelmed, so that you might can’t put to action what you’ve learned. This is fooling you quickly!

I remember one kid at this point. He had a blast during cornering day 1 and he made a quantum jump forward with his abilities. He came to me and said that he can’t wait to get into day 2. Till then, he got himself a new bike and went to a track day. Naturally, pretty much everyone was faster than him and he very likely was all over the place which is probably why he crashed. Finally day 2 arrived and I already felt a distanced student there. He already looked frustrated and wasn’t really ‘attending’. First turns into the first track session, I saw him overly pushing already. It didn’t take long from there for him to crash.

I had a lot of talks with him from there, just to understand what happened to him. It was like talking to a different person- to someone who lost faith and trust in what he had learned. Someone who is more frustrated than confused. He actually started talking to other riders, expecting that they can help. How can they, when they don’t understand neither what the actual problem is, nor to know what the fix is?! Then it was on me to tell him what I am thinking the issue is, but held back, cuz’ he might only sees it as a desperate attempt to not to lose him.

Trust me… I don’t want to even look this way and I actually think he is a loss already because he ‘likes to think’ that this is a good excuse. This is some deep shit, you know?!

So… for the rest of you going into your first track day… It is not about what you’ve learned. It will be all about being totally overwhelmed. It will narrowing your vision because you are STILL far away from being in control of distraction and fears. It is because of high speed and passing’s you’ve never experienced. You might still believe that this is all about balls and that sticking to track days does the rest…

Don’t be a fool!

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

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superbike coach wheelieschool Wheelie machine

Next wheelie class is here folks

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Our next Superbike-Coach wheelie class is coming up quick on 10/21/2023. A few tickets are left.

We are excited to let you use our new wheelie machine, which were standing the real life test last July. We also changed the general agenda and schedule, which puts our students even into more action. Once more, we are welcoming riders from all over the world to this class. Join us and sign up before it’s too late.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

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superbikecoach track day

Superbike-Coach runs Track Day at Thunderhill West Raceway on 8/27/2023

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Our last track day was in 2018, so finally here we go again :-)

Our track days are track newbie orientated and very popular. For only $165 you’ll get:
Coach Can Akkaya will be on the track with our riders at Thunderhill– A weekend track day
– 7×20 minute sessions for each group B+, B and C
– All turns the west track has to offer
– Fully equipped track staff, towing vehicle, ambulance
– Control riders
– C group orientation
– A/C clubhouse
– Less bike preparation
– Lower gear requirements
– Free ‘Ideal Line West Seminar’ by Headcoach Can Akkaya
– Free Sport Photography by Dean Lonskey

…and guess what… we’re making it different. If you are looking for a ‘beginner oriented’ track day event, or if you have a touring bike and nobody else lets you on the track, or if you have a race bike, Superbike-Coach track days have something for everyone.
Suitable grouping for safe track riding
– First time on the track- or touring/cruiser bikes (group C)
– Intermediate riders- or street and sport bikes (group B)
– Advanced riders- or sport and track bikes (group B+)
We are always booking out, so sign up ASAP.
Full description and booking: https://www.superbike-coach.com/portfolio-item/track_day
Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp
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superbike coach corneringschool Feature Pics

Superbike-Coach Can Akkaya podcast interview with the Rider Magazine

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Superbike-Coach Can Akkaya in podcast interview with Greg Drevenstedt of the the Rider Magazine
https://ridermagazine.com/2022/08/19/can-akkaya-ep-43-rider-magazine-insider-podcast/

 

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knee down class by superbikecoach

Does dragging knee make faster?

Of course not. How could it?! I mean… just because the knee puck is on the ground doesn’t mean you’re faster. How disappointing huh?!

Ones you got that knee dragging though… man… ya gonna feel like Superman. It’s a huge confidence boost and you’re in contact with the enemy.

But- it actually can cause you to be way slower by fooling you being fast at the same time. That’s what most Sportbike riders don’t even see. Subconsciously they are riding either on lines which gives them unreasonable lean ankle so that they finally get that knee down- or they overly stick their knee so far out that there is not much lean going on. Both lead to habits which extend the time of realization, unless they work with the right guy.

Another effect could kick in, and that is that the knee is stiff and pointy and turns to a ‘side stand’ which is in the way of leaning more. Ergo the rider runs way wide all the time and can’t get any faster.

Rule of thumb… the faster you go- the more lean you do. That is something dangerous though. I mean… with this, you could go out and keep pushing it while your eyes and brain are not ready yet. Additionally- your body positioning is in the way to allow that extra speed/lean. All this is the struggle which you don’t understand- or not knowing how to fix it.

So you waste lots of time watching video after video. You might have spend 5 grands in a racing school and do lots of track days… but still!

Yep, I know. I hate a sales pitch as much as you do, but it’s a fact… the Superbike-Coach Knee Down class is almost a given success. We teach you all the necessary body position Hocus Pocus. We’ll bring you step by step to the appropriate corner speed- from session to session. I make you kick the living shit out of our mini bike to get your Will up to where it has to be and you do all this in the right environment under constant professional guidance.

Last class success rate: 18 of 21 made it!

The Knee Down class on 7/9/2022 is filling up now. Go get your ticket and get free photography by Dean Lonskey and your meal paid by the Moto Lawyer Rafael Carrillo. Even the track fee is included.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

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