NICK’S BLOG

Munich to Mugello with YCRS!

Munich to Mugello with YCRS!

Once in a lifetime you get an opportunity to do something out of the norm.  Maybe even out of your comfort zone.  This is where I could go on about how leaving the US on my own to ride motorcycle in the middle of nowhere is out of my comfort zone and how scary it was.  But it wasn’t and, it wasn’t.  The only thing two and a half weeks of motorcycle riding in Europe was… Epic!

Dunlop Q5 Review

Dunlop Q5 Review

 The Dunlop Q5 and Q5s are purpose-built, street legal, high performance tires using technology from Dunlop’s MotoAmerica road race tires.  The Q5 is the higher performance tire and an evolution of the Q4 tire admired by many track day riders as it borderlines on the performance of race tires without the need for tire warmers.  The Q5s, is the evolution of the Q3+ that is slated to provide quicker handling, better longevity in the center of the tire, and more grip on the sides.

Inside ChampU: The Debut of an Online Riding School

Inside ChampU: The Debut of an Online Riding School

The process and challenge of creating a new rider teaching format. By Nick Ienatsch August 24, 2021   Yamaha Champions Riding School now has an online instructional component called ChampU. Yamaha Champions Riding School    Fourteen months ago we began a...

Racing Vintage Motorcycles at 60

Racing Vintage Motorcycles at 60

Driving an old truck to race an old bike with old friends and hang out with my old mom—a perfect birthday week for someone who loves vintage life. Judy rolled her eyes and said, “Have fun.”

Safe and Repeatable Passing for Trackday Riders

Safe and Repeatable Passing for Trackday Riders

Mandatory Riders’ Meeting, Part 6. By Nick Ienatsch August 10, 2021 Even pros like Cycle World’s Road Test Editor Michael Gilbert and 19-time TT winner Michael Dunlop give each other room at a trackday.Jeff Allen    Last week’s mandatory riders’ meeting discussed...

Rider Responsibilities for Safe Trackday Passing

Rider Responsibilities for Safe Trackday Passing

Mandatory Riders’ Meeting, Part 5 By Nick Ienatsch July 27, 2021 Whether you are passing or being passed during a trackday, as a rider you have a responsibility to be predictable and polite.Jeff Allen    Passing at a trackday is the subject of the next two Mandatory...

Why Body Position Matters at the Track

Why Body Position Matters at the Track

We mimic our heroes’ body position while cornering because it allows us to run less lean angle at the same radius. Less lean angle “points” allows for more brake and throttle points to be used (see YCRS’ 100 Points of Grip video). Add in rain, new tires, non-track tires, cold tires, or worn-out tires—or trying to set your new personal-best lap time—and running less lean angle at the radius you need gains more and more importance.

Motorcycling Consistency, Part 4

Motorcycling Consistency, Part 4

On every back-road ride for the rest of your life, use corner entries to get the bike to a speed and position to safely negotiate the middle and exit of the corner.

Motorcycling Consistency, Part 3

Motorcycling Consistency, Part 3

”Get your eyes up.” Great motorcycling advice because vision feeds our brain to make future decisions. The earlier we see our future, the better we can plan for it.