The Best Way to Ride Fast: Start Slow
There’s a feeling you get when you know that you’re pushing a bike to its limits. When you hear the engine screaming at redline with the throttle wide open as you go up through the gears, grab a fistful of brakes and carry as much speed through a corner as the laws of physics will allow – it’s a magically gratifying experience. Surprisingly enough, this feeling is more easily achieved on a stock 250cc sportbike than it is on a maxed-out, high-strung liter bike – particularly with the stratospheric levels of engineering that go into modern motorcycles.
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You may have heard the saying, “It’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow.” The old adage holds true for a few reasons, some more obvious than others.
Setting Expectations
When you unload a high-performance machine at the track or roll in to the local gas station at the base of a canyon that’s popular among those looking to carve the curves, you’re making a statement—whether you like it or not. People are looking to see how well you wield that kind of power. Jealousy be damned, but criticism tends to go up concurrently with a bikes price tag. There will be judgement, silent or verbal, of whether you are deserving of such a machine.
Roll up on a 250 or 400cc sportbike however, and nobody will expect much. The more seasoned of riders in a group will respect that you’re taking the proper steps to learn by starting slow.
The focus should be on what you can do with the bike, more than on the bike itself. Ego will unfortunately often dictate a rider biting off more than they can chew, resulting in them missing out on the fundamentals that make a skillful, proficient student of the craft.
If you can carry consistent speed and ride the proper lines, you can wear that little bike like a badge of honor. Chances are, with a bit of practice you’ll probably be able to out ride many of those on larger machines at the average track day who are relying on performance rather than skill.
Exploring the Limits
Taking your bike to its limits feels good. Being outridden by your bike feels bad. Even with its limited lean angle, I’d rather head up in the canyon on my Indian Sport Chief to ride the absolute hell out of it than take a BMW S1000 RR. Such a finely tuned tool requires delicate precision to operate, with only the most skillful and talented riders able to even approach its lofty capabilities.
Most bikes, especially small-displacement sportbikes, are easy to operate but difficult to master. You can spend a long time learning how to take a corner properly. There are many forces acting independently and simultaneously that vary and depend on many factors. Track temperature and condition, speed, body position, tire quality, compound, and temperature, throttle response and brake sensitivity all play a role, for starters. Each element can be improved upon time and time again, with even the most adept riders never really truly mastering every lap.
Many people simply want to upgrade to a larger bike for its appearance, performance potential, and cool factor, but with smaller bikes, the coolness is often found in how you ride it. Considerable confidence and bragging rights are a byproduct of being able to pass someone with a smaller, far less powerful motorcycle.
Cost and Risk
While we don’t want to think about collisions and crashes, unplanned dismounts can result from testing the limits of a motorcycle and its rider. While it’s not something you may want to plan for, there are a few reasons why it is preferable to lay down a smaller, lighter, and less powerful bike. Lighter bikes stop quicker, carry less momentum, and are generally less destructive in an accident. We’ve likely all seen a MotoGP rider get pitched off into the air in a “high side” like a bull rider at a rodeo. Smaller displacement bikes are also (typically) less expensive, so repairing or replacing parts is less onerous.
Walk Before You Run
Let’s not forget, it is also very fun to ride a fast bike fast. Being able to harness the capability of modern motorcycles takes patience, practice, and skill. Starting slow on a smaller motorcycle in order to build up your skillset and experience before moving to larger, more powerful motorcycles is the best way to learn.
Choose Your Weapon
Yamaha YZF-R3
Inspired by the aerodynamics of the YZR-M1 MotoGP race bike, the YZF-R3 features light weight, agile handling, intuitive controls, and smartphone connectivity.
Honda CBR300R
Lightweight and fuel efficient with all the styling and pedigree of its bigger bore siblings, the Honda CBR300R is a virtually indestructible option that offers nimble handling and an approachable price tag.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R
The Ninja lineup has long been an entry point for riders looking to get into the world of motorcycling. The Ninja ZX-4R comes at a higher price, but also adds an inline four-cylinder engine, dual front disc brakes, ABS, and smartphone connectivity.
KTM RC 390
Boasting race-derived handling and design, the KTM RC 390 touts a lightweight chassis and customizable TFT dashboard.
GSX250R
The GSX250R’s 248cc parallel-twin is smooth and responsive, while the hydraulic front and rear disc brakes grasp petal-style stainless steel rotors. A reverse-lit LCD screen provides important information to the rider with a quick glance.
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Morgan Gales
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