Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way - Softcover

Reg Pridmore; Geoff Drake

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1884313469 ISBN 13: 9781884313462

Publisher: Whitehorse Press, 2003

Synopsis

Former AMA racing champion Reg Pridmore, known worldwide for his popular CLASS Motorcycle Schools, brings his decades of experience on the track, street and classroom, to the readers of this new riding skills book. After reviewing the basics, Pridmore shows advance students how to focus on control in cornering, braking, and acceleration. A long-time proponent of the value of body-steering, Pridmore's insightful text explains how this controversial technique helped him win championships and how it can help everyday riders and budding racers become smoother, better riders. Sections on street strategies and riding gear make this a comprehensivehow-to riding skills book for anyone looking to improve their skills.

About this title

About the Author

A three-time AMA Superbike champion in the 1970s, Pridmore started America's premier track school more than 20 years ago, visiting the nation's top racetracks to help motorcyclists of all skill levels become faster, smoother, and safer.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I'm sure you've all seen racers "hanging off" their bikes in corners. This isn't theatrics. Even on the street, body movement will help you get around corners smoothly and safely. When your input comes from the whole body, you're reducing tension on your arms. Tension causes abrupt movements and overreaction. To be smooth, you need to move your body.

A lot of riders are cautious about moving around over the bike at speeds greater than 50 mph. I recommend starting by just moving the top half of the body, positioning your chin at an angle approximately lined up with the right wrist for a right turn, or the left wrist for a left turn. Keep your arms relaxed. When this becomes comfortable, take one more step and move the lower half of your body. Imagine a pivot point in the hollow of your crotch, right where the tank ends. Pivot slightly right or left around this point, weight the inside peg, and see if this doesnt help take the bike around the corner for "free." The bike will help you if you give it the chance!

If you have that little sequence together--and it may seem like a lot to some--you'll find that the bike will work for you rather than against you. I encourage you to add body movement a little at a time.

You should consciously relax your body. Tension usually starts at the shoulders and upper back, which induces stress all the way down the arms and to the hands. Drop your shoulders and relax. A lot of riders also get rigid and hold their breath as they enter corners. As you can imagine, this tenses every muscle in the body.

Be sure to breathe!

Edition details

• Publisher: Whitehorse Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1884313469
• ISBN 13: 9781884313462
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160