Yep, I have a Hydro clutch on my KTM and well no need for any more than one finger on my front brakes hehe. Yes I can do Stoppies on my bike with one finger when squeeze it hard .

Remember "COUNTER STEER" with the bars cause say you're going left you want to push on the left bar some or pull on the right bar some, not a ton just a little

This is a tad more than what you need to do but you get the idea of what I mean about "counter steer"


FYI.. when you see stuff ahead of you like logs or things that can buck you off get up off the seat, and attack



just remember when you go out next time. Practice on one thing at a time I've been riding for 40+ years and I still learn something new every time I through my leg over my bike I so need to learn th whole jumping thingy hehe

Edited by Debi, 08 October 2012 - 06:36 PM.

Debi, on 08 October 2012 - 06:34 PM, said:

It's funny you mention to practice one thing at a time.  Just before I read this reply, hubby and I were talking and he too said that I need to just pick one area on the loop and practice it over & over til I'm completely comfortable and it comes naturally.

That got me thinking, last weekend I did that somewhat, I just stuck to the main loop and avoided the woods and just worked on rolling on the throttle harder and waiting to brake and braking harder, leaning in the corners, steady throttle, etc.  I got better with each lap around and was going fairly strong on the straights in 3rd and even got into 4th once or twice.  And then I got thinking about what you said about counter steering the bars, and I thought, yes, I was doing that last week but not this weekend.  What changed?  Oh yes, I was now trying to work on the tighter stuff that requires much more clutch control.

Then it hit me, that's the problem!     My left forearm and 2nd & 3rd fingers get really tight/cramped up after working the clutch.  But it's not just affecting clutch control but my overall grip on the bars.  I'm no longer counter steering the bars or even having near enough pressure on the bars cuz my hand/forearm are sore, and/or cramped & fatigued by the time I get back out the main loop.  Makes sense then why when I get on the main loop and go to hit the throttle the front wheel gives way, I have no strength to hold it steady (the bars) or even counter steer as I should...

AND, next time around and into the wood I am now trying to regulate the bike with the throttle and brake more than the clutch and throttle, which ends up me riding more like a 4 stroke and lugging the bike in the tight stuff and getting frustrated.  Couple that with my stubborness to keep going over the same area until I get through it and wearing myself out, instead of pacing myself and taking a break (as dear hubby kindly pointed out to me on the trails on Sunday).  But in my mind, after riding 10-12 mile continuous trails, I think to myself I can't afford to keep taking a break to learn this stuff since you don't get the luxury of taking breaks on the trails - so I think I must keep going -   .  Plus I am not winded tired, just arm geting sore/tired kind of tired, so I figure I'll be building more strength if I keep going and working the muscles....doh.

I now really think my riding would improve considerably if I just invest in an MSR raptor clutch lever (boasts that it is 325% easier pull than a standard lever = sounds ideal for me).  I found another thread on another site of a guy having similiar issues that were cured with replacing his clutch lever with the MSR one - he too was having issues of cramping in his hand/arm due to a stiff clutch pull on his KDX.  So, some more changes will be coming to my bike, already got the piston kit, now on a mission to get the new clutch lever!

Thanks so much for your advice and helping me figure out what is going on....TT rocks!  Thanks much Debi!!

Edited by leadfoot70ss, 09 October 2012 - 07:24 AM.

leadfoot70ss, on 09 October 2012 - 07:20 AM, said:

Don't forget to use your legs more than your arms here's something that I was told and taught to do when my arms start hurting "take you pinky off and wiggle it some" it helps believe it or not. I get arm pump cause I hang on to tight with my hands cause well I get all nervous when I'm trying to pass the guys and I hang on to tight durrrrrrrrr. But this has helped me some but I have major hip and back issues to where I can't lock in for to long with my legs so I go back to hanging on with my hands Durrrrrrrr. Damn this getting old blows LMFAO.

Another thing is in that tight stuff, try standing and use your lower body to get through I do this when on the trails and it helps tons to get through the tight switchbacks and yes you use a lot of body English or Engrish hehe how ever you want to say it haha.

But yes on a 2smoke it's clutch control that gets you through

here's some old trail stuff on my old gasgas smoker.... lots of clutch stuff hehe

Debi, on 09 October 2012 - 02:38 PM, said:

I do use my legs, more now than I ever used to even.  It helps a great deal in controling the bike and less fatigue on my hands overall.

As for standing, on the trails up North this Spring, I found that standing almost the entire time worked wonders for me.  But they were flowing trails, not a lot of 90 degrees every 8-10 feet.  I don't know if you watched the vid I posted, the practice trails I was working on have a lot of turns and then over logs and then another immediate turn.  I am not the best at transitioning from seated to standing on such short/tight areas when I end up getting stopped and have to start going again.  I am working on that yet.  If I am moving along, I can transition better of course.  More practice is needed.

But I truly think the clutch lever pull itself is awfully stiff.  It feels like my hubby's GL1000 Goldwing Street bike clutch.  Not real great to feather the clutch and keep me up in the revs if I am doubting I can pull the clutch in when I need to avoid a tree/obstacle.  I have many hours on my old bike and even the new bike, so I don't actually get so much cramping in my hand as I used to last year, I just get so tired I can't pull it in all the way after a while.

I have watched that vid of yours several times, very fun!  And those are a bit more like the trails we rode up North at Crawford Hills!

Thanks again for all your help, I take all your advice.  My hubby is a great teacher as well and has given me much of the same advice!  I didn't know about the pinky trick, nor did I recall the trick with the leg out over the forks in a turn, so will try both of those for sure!  Happy Riding Debi!

Oh yes I watched it But yes even standing helps in that .  I very much agree about the clutch issue

Hope you can get some more seat time soon I soooo need to get this YZ250F fixed so I can play in the dirt

Debi, on 09 October 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

I will do this, I will start out by standing when entering the woods then and see if I find that more helpful than trying to transition from seated to standing once in the woods.  Thanks!

Debi, on 09 October 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

I liked watching your woods vids, so if you do get the YZ fixed, take some vids too!!

leadfoot70ss, on 10 October 2012 - 06:00 AM, said:

Oh I plan to hehe... we're also planning on riding a lot of mx tracks this winter so I can learn the whole jumping thingy and get better at railing corners when in the dirt sections of the Supermoto tracks Ordering forkseals tomorrow, putting carb back in this weekend and getting new tires in a couple weeks hell a set of knobs cost less then one of my supermoto race tires haha.

BTW.. when standing you will use your outside peg a ton when cornering slowly

try doing this on a 330 lb bike and on street tires hehe

Debi - Here is what I watch, the guys going thru Thorn Valley in the winter.  I see a lot of sitting and sliding, not a lot of standing, so was trying to copy them and their techniques.  Of course, I am a newbie to all this, they have years of practice from teen years on up.  I have 2-3 summers worth...yet I keep trying to just make it through without stopping, tipping over, getting hung up in the middle of the logs, and staying on the trails and not off course all while trying to speed things up each time around - oh snap.



I give ya credit riding a 330 lb street bike, let alone without knobbys, through trails.  My bike is probably max that I can handle riding on trails, dry it is 223 lbs. with full tank of gas, about 247 lbs.  I'm all of 5'4" and down to 138 lbs. now.  My bike has given me the most muscles I have had in my all my life, and has inspired me to obtain a strength training routine to maintain muscle tone even through the off season.  Although i do plan to try and ride my bike this winter, if it is as mild as last years anyways.  I can only imagine the strength you have from racing.  And to think that our kids' gym teacher last year tried to tell our kids that riding dirt bikes isn't physical activity - how ignorant .

leadfoot70ss, on 11 October 2012 - 07:35 AM, said:

I heard and saw lots of clutch control in the vid also to get around that real tight stuff you need to turn the bars to full lock, lean the bike into the turn and gas it and get the back to slide around Kinda like doing donuts but not if this makes any sense.

Yeah ole Miss Piggy was a hand full out on the trails hehe... I mean it slide everywhere and all you could do was go with it hehe. Yea racing has helped a ton on the physical side but has also taken it's toll on the bones and joints due to crashing and breaking them LMAO.

My KTM is 240 lbs with a full tank and OMG is it like night and day coming off the DRZ besides WAY I mean like "WAY" more power it is like way lighter too I'm 5'10" and well Okay pleasantly plump LMAO 190 but working on this this winter need to get back down to 150

I so plan to learn to jump this winter... doubles or big tabletops not the triple stuff... huh uh... nooooo way LOL

Debi, on 11 October 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

Yes, you got it!  Hubby has taught me all this, but I'd have to say that is the toughest manuveur for me to make at this point.  More practice here at home doing just that is needed.  And yes to lots of clutch control...I do start out well, but as the day goes on, so goes my ability to slip the clutch and stay on the revs.  The new clutch lever is #1 on my to-do list.

Debi, on 11 October 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

I'm rooting for ya, but I do know what you mean.  Just learning to get over my fear of wheels being off the ground wasn't easy, but then once I did it.  Um, it was FUN.  I have a sneaky suspicion you'll be hooked once you get it down!!

On another note, anyone heard from Etsy...did she get her new bike?  I may have to post elsewhere to ask her...

Edited by leadfoot70ss, 12 October 2012 - 06:25 AM.

Nope.. haven't heard from Esty yet. I think she did get the bike but not 100% sure.

Now to the clutch issue, have you tried the grip squeeze thingy's ? I used to use one way back when all I rode was desert and needed that help. My Dad bought me 2 of them and they helped and helped me in my Volleyball as well I think I am going to buy some again and add to my workouts next week. Yes I am planning on working out and getting ready for next season hehe. I want to be ready and able to do 20 Laps without being worn out after 6 lol

these..



Looky... I get little air LMAO

Debi, on 12 October 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Haha....yes, I have jokingly mentioned getting a pair of these, but then I remember my Dad walking around the house with these in the 80's and...well then I dismiss the thought - lol.  But hubby did mention to me awhile back that maybe it would be helpful, I just haven't gone to look for any.  I have these 2lb. hand weights that are squeezeable filled with sand that I have started to walk around with at times while home.  Does the same thing, but not as convenient I don't think.  As for workout routine, I have been using the total gym we have and following along with routines.  Up to adding some of the intermediate training and have added a few I found online too.  I also just started walking/jogging 10 laps around the oval dirt track at the park.  That part of the park is 3 acres, not sure how long each lap is yet, have to take my phone with me next time and track my distance with the pedometer.  I'm logging each workout in my calendar so I know when and how many times I am working out, trying to create more consistancy.  Of course, days we ride, I only do stretching and skip workout those days.  It's the cold of the winter that's coming that always is hard for me to want to go outside and keep up the walking.  Maybe have to opt to walking indoors somewhere.  I'm very determined though to keep up what I've begun, and it's paying off.  I can tell just from the crunch/lug pull reps on the TGym that my core muscles and abs are gaining strenghth.  And I managed to do 30 pushups in a row - I have never been able to do that many, even as a teen.  I was a twig in school, I have been 5'4" since 6th grade but was only like 90 lbs. at that time, no muscle at all just bones.  And I hated gym and pushups especially.  Like I said before, riding dirt bikes has the best thing for me for strength training overall.  For that reason alone, I am thankful we got into riding!!

CONGRATS on the air!  This winter you will rock those jumps, I have a feeling!

leadfoot70ss, on 13 October 2012 - 07:04 AM, said:

Yes those little ugly annoying things work hehe. Like you I'm the same height I was in high school Okay fine like 1/2 to 3/4" shorter so I'm 5'9 and a half now LMFAO. Yes my back is all smushed down hehe. But I totally agree about riding dirtbikes as it kept me in shape for Volleyball as i didn't need to hit the gym all the time as i could just hop on my bike and go rip around for an hour

Thanks. I need all the help I can get hehe. I am so happy to hear you are pushing yourself and getting in shape for this wonderful sport keep up the good work :clap:

Went out riding yesterday (in the rain & mud whahoo) and just practiced going faster into and out of the grassy curve and working on using my foot/leg over the fork. Of course, it was slick out in the wet grass and mud, but I think I like sliding around in the mud better than the very dry conditions of last week.
Just having fun! My bike ready for cleanup...mud is fun! And a video of me working on maintaining momentum going into the pines, rolling on the throttle harder, and then learning to brake less/waiting longer to brake on the exit to the pines. The first 2 passes are what I had been doing, the rest are working on doing it differently - quicker.



I don't have any pics or video, but I made one lap through Thorn Valley too, early in the day before I was tired out, and made it through at a more consistent pace and avoided getting hung up on trees/saplings too. Just takes practice right!

Edited by leadfoot70ss, 15 October 2012 - 07:42 AM.

<sup>Oh, and we invested in scala rider headsets, and they are awesome for communication.  My hubby could direct me as I was practing on what to do and when, and what I needed to improve.  Well worth it to have those just for that, but also wanted them for when we are riding in a group on the trails.

And learned that I also took some advice too literally that was given to me early on when learning to ride.  I literally had been trying to keep my feet on the pegs at all times, and have managed to do nearly 99% of the time.  (Was told that one thing newbies do is put their feet down too much and not on the pegs enough...so I just tried to do my best to keep my feet on the pegs!)  Of course, I learned now that wasn't helping me when wanting to go faster through the corners or a using a banked corner to go faster, need to have that leg out over the fork to help stablize and keep momemtum up!  What a difference it was to just work on that and see how I was able to go faster and not have to brake so much in the corners to avoid the feeling of being unsteady!  Of course still learning when and where to place my leg/foot at times and when to keep on the pegs...but just takes more practice!!  Thanks for all the tips Debi!</sup>

Edited by leadfoot70ss, 15 October 2012 - 07:56 AM.

Looks like fun in that vid just a quick lil suggestion for you. When you're exiting that right hander, get on the gas earlier and weight the outside peg and you will come out with good speed and when going into the other right hander wait a tad longer when you get off the throttle and get your body set as you know the turn and do the same on exit, get on it earlier You will get through the turn easy with the throttle

Kinda like this but in the dirt. Brian followed me so we could go over where I am making mistakes and breaking to early. Helped a TON to have someone follow with the cam on so you can see what you're doing and get pointers when you watch it with that person. Hope this helps




Looking way better

Thanks Debi for all the tips.  I will try to do both.

He was trying to get me to wait longer on braking and get the back to slide into the corner, forcing the front of the bike to turn into the exit and be ready to zoom out of the woods.  But I brake too hard too soon to get any sliding action going - lol.  I don't know what the move is called, but that is what the guys do, they fly and brake hard (locking up the rear wheel) and slide the back around and into the corner while the front "turns" to the right aimed into the exit and then they are on the gas, let the clutch go and fly out of the corner.  I need to carry way more speed for that move to work...I keep pushing myself further and further than I normally ride though...so progress is being made.

Thanks for the vid, it is very helpful.  And that was what hubby was doing some on Sunday, he was following me and with the headset on, he could coach me in realtime as I was going through the track on what to do and when!  Very helpful for sure, rather than trying to do something, pull over, listen to advice afterwards and try to get an idea of what to do, and repeat.  I need to lean more, too upright, need to shift weight around and lean more, will practice this more!  Thanks so much as always!  Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Edited by leadfoot70ss, 16 October 2012 - 06:35 AM.

leadfoot70ss, on 16 October 2012 - 06:34 AM, said:

What you see in the vid I posted is late braking. I only use the rear to control how far out the back slides on the pavement. I go from 5th gear WOT to off throttle, grab hard on the front brake, pull in the clutch, bang down 3 gears all at the same time and when I release the clutch I get the back to step out and use the rear brake to control how far out it goes where as in the dirt I come into the corner fast, pull in clutch, down shift, lean in some, and lock up the rear to get the slide going then just as I am about to hit the berm I dump the clutch and get on the gas and slide into the berm and it squares off and off I go One thing I have found if I don't do it right every time me and the bike go poof as I fly off  on the highside and the bike then chases me while I'm flying in the air LMAO... not good

I need to brake 20 ft later in the posted vid going into turns 1 and 4 to be faster but I just can't get it in my head to go that little extra. Hell I used to start my braking just after the tower so I have gotten deeper but it still scares me to do it as well I don't like crashing LOL

Debi, on 15 October 2012 - 02:04 PM, said:

Just to clarify, you mean when exiting the right hander into the pines right?  As I'm still in the turn/corner and coming out of the turn hit the throttle then right....like on the last 1/3 of the turn?  If so, I know that is what I have been instructed to do (several times), but my mind surveys the "conditions" of the land and says - hmm, no berm and loose soil & branches and pine needles on top of hard pack, and so my mind overrides what I am supposed to do and waits til I am more aimed and straight within the pines before I hit the throttle.  I'm trying to overcome the fears that my mind imposses on me and just do what I am supposed to do in order to improve more and be quicker, lean more, and progress more.  That is what I refer to when I say it must be my mindset that holds me back from being a better rider than I am currently and to overcome that.  I watch your vids and see you lean your bike over nearly horizontal   and think, oh ok, I can lean WAY MORE than I am...so your vids do help!   That and just practicing over and over and pushing harder each time is helping too!  Our vids we take are mostly point-of-view and so I don't get to see much of how the guys are leaning their bikes, foot/leg placement, how they shift their weight, etc.  I guess I should watch other vids on YT more of riders from other points of view too!

leadfoot70ss, on 17 October 2012 - 08:11 AM, said:

Yep... that's what I was sayin hehe.... just remember, if the back steps out stay on the gas and don't let off or this can happen hehe
http://www.youtube.c...v=jP0RlVxmmx8#!

In this one you can see other guys body positions in the turns and hear us where we get on the gas in and out of the dirt. I know this is on the pavement but same concept


Hope this helps

Edited by Debi, 17 October 2012 - 01:17 PM.