Yea, I saw what I believe was his superpole and his wet ride - both just make the beast with two backsing amazing.

Truly Slidetackular! 

LA

Quote from: derby on September 22, 2008, 02:46:20 PM
traction control is no replacement for rider skill in the wet.

you forget that kiyonari raced the british superbike series for 4 years. he's had plenty of experience racing in the rain.

Quote from: derby on September 22, 2008, 02:46:20 PM
traction control is no replacement for rider skill in the wet.

you forget that kiyonari raced the british superbike series for 4 years. he's had plenty of experience racing in the rain.

Hey Derby,

I didn't "forget" about Kiyonari.  I can't forget what I don't know!!     I love to watch the occasional SBK and GP race on the big screen at the bike shop, and read about it in the mags, but I confess I  don't follow the season religiously.  So, thanks for assuming that I knew in the first place, and thanks for the background info on the rider.

But, I do remember being at Silverstone in '02 and watching Bayliss and Edwards battle it out in the rain.  Bayliss dumped it twice, but somehow got back on his bike and finished the race.  Even Edwards went into the grass but managed to stay up.

I know, different track.  But, the weather was really shit (cold, wet and rainy).  The race was delayed maybe an hour or two.  In any event, that race is forever etched into my head.

The point I was trying to make about the traction control originates from my memory of that '02 race.  I believe you'll agree Edwards and Bayliss are/were on par with Kyonari, and even though that race in '02 was epic (for me), I do not remember seeing anything close to the type of riding going on in the Kyonari video.

So, no disrespect to Kyonari, I'm sure he's a great rider just to be there, but I'm just wondering out loud about how traction control influences what we see in that video.  I do not remember seeing Bayliss and Edwards doing crazy shit like that under somewhat similar conditions.  Maybe my memory sucks, but I believe it was more of the classic smooth & slow through the wet turns, then hammer down in the straights.

I just get the feeling watching that video that the traction control thing is at play big time.

Ok.  I'm going to go hide behind my couch now while you guys hurl virtual brickbats at me.

regards,

JohnnyD