some good stuff in here already.
I'm committed to improving my riding this year which to me, means three things: faster laptimes, better/longer tire wear, and less physical effort per lap.
Going faster for me: All of my improvement in laptimes has come from getting on the gas sooner rather than braking later. When I try to brake later, I end up being so preoccupied with making the corner that I pick up the throttle too late. As a result, my primary focus as I get through the corner on a track I know well is: Where is the exit?
Riding tracks like NJMP where I've done so many laps, I shouldn't have to focus too hard on hitting an apex so my eyes are absolutely fixed on finding the exit. As soon as I see it, my next goal is to roll on the gas to full throttle as quickly as possible making sure I get to full throttle (feeling the throttle stop). On the exit of each corner, I take a mental note if I used all the track and throttled out to the rumble strips. If I don't hit the apex exactly right, I make sure to not be as aggressive on the gas and focus on not repeating the mistake on the next lap. My reward for hitting the apex is getting on the gas earlier and harder.
I definitely brake later and trailbrake a lot more than I used to; however if I'm going to push my comfort zone, it's going to be with picking up the gas sooner.
Better tire wear for me: This is all about my body position and getting off the bike more w/ lower body and making sure my head is off the inside as Mikey quoted Jiggy's advice to him. Most important for me w/ tire wear is standing the bike up as I get on the gas. In other threads, folks like Ron Hix describe this as "the move" a la YCRS. at the apex, I roll on the throttle to load the rear tire, weight the outside peg, drop my head as low as possible on the inside, and stand the bike up so I'm on the meat of the tire.
Riding easier: All about reference points to me, and I'm finally making a stronger commitment to using them more vs riding by feel. Using reference points for me becomes a game of connect the dots and keeps me much, much looser on the bike which leads to much less fatigue AND improves consistency. When correctly stringing reference points together and looking way down the track, I tend to have very few tight or "oh shit, am i going to make it" moments. Like Steve said, I'm always trying to think at least 2 segments ahead (if approaching entry, looking for apex and preparing for exit). Reference points elminate a lot of the guesswork which leads to less fatigue for me personally.
Rob - grab me anytime at the track if you want to put some of these things into practice. 99% of us are working on similar things b/c it's all about the fundamentals - we're just doing so at our own pace.
My 2 cents - hope it helps.
