Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127649
tors in increasing your speed. Bailey sat on, bounced on, poked and prodded each machine, often making several adjustments in the process. I elected to , ride our Honda CR250 test bike during the school, and Bailey immediately raised the brake pedal and ad justed the suspension. "There' s no reason to run your brake pedal so low," he explained. "Look at Bradshaw's; his is well above the foot peg. This way, you'll use it only when you need it, and you'll gain a better feel for the brake action as well ." The Professor was right. For as long as I can remember, I had been an av id b raked ragger, and had come to rely too much on the rear binder. I m us t admit, however, that I was skeptical about the adjustments that Bailey ma d e to my front and rear suspension. For those who don't know, I have the luxury of having a factory Kayaba engineer in the family, and when it comes to suspension se t up - brother Ross is the king in my book. Bailey softened up my front and rear sus pension 10 clicks from wh ere I had it set. In good faith, I rode the first day of class wi th those settings, but secretly Ire-adjusted them to their previous settings the next morning. Throughout day on e, I bot tomed out repeatedly, and on several occasions found mysel f on th e ragged edge because of th e bike's unfamiliar handling characteristics. I wasn't the only rider who felt this way. After mi s sing th e fi r s t d a y o f instruction, Dirt Rider Moto! ed itor Ken Faught showed up for day two eager and ready to learn. Before he took to the track for the short open practice session, Faught allowed Bailey to go over h is machine and, like mine, Faught's Honda was softened up considerably. Within three lap s, Faught cased on a double jump and promptly returned to the pits with a broken leg without even crashing. "I can't say io: sure if the lack of comp ressio n caused it:' said Faught. "Bu t who knows? If I'd had a little more compression ill the shock this might not hav e happened." Sorry, Gary. On the track is w here the fun rea lly began. Bailey spent a good deal of time w orking on starts before progressing to other parts of the track. I, myself, have always been able to get good starts and snag my share of holesh ots, but Bailey h ad a few tricks up his sleeve that improved my technique considerably. I never knew that there was that much going on when the gate dropped. From there, we worked through the first turn and on to the rest of the course. In each section, Bailey would explain the proper body positioning, throttle and brake app lication, and would watch lach student negotiate each section before e xpla in ing their strong and weak points. Bailey also fired up his Kawasaki KX250 in each section and demonstrated the proper technique. Watching Bailey was pure joy. At 50, Bailey isn't exactly a youngster, but he rides with such precision and control tha t you'd never know it. One particular section in which Bailey truly amazed me was the super, cross-style rockers. At the beginning of the day, I was jumping tw o-whoo p s deep into the section befo re do uble-doubl e-doubling my way th rough. Bailey attacked the section by trip ling into the whoops, and later in the da y even proceeded to jump four deep. After explaining his tech niq ue and urging us on, ne arly all of the class was d u plicating his three-deep method, myself inclu ded. Bailey pushes you to test your limits, b u t not in an overbearing manner. ~ ~ ~ ~ ' -, r-; ~OUND ~ .. e e r ~ V Rem ember to give yourse lf plenty of tim e to get to the new Geo rgia Dome. Pa rking Is limited. The Ge orgia Dome and the city of Atla nta suggest using the MARTA rail system. For rou te a nd schedule Info call MARTAat (404) 848-471 1. rc e e e SUPERCROSS SERIES GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE GEORGIA DOME COORS L1GHl: CHALLENGE - ROUND 6 OF THE AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES! DON'T MISS THE HOTTEST ACTION IN THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS FACILITY ... THE GEORGIA DOME! c-:? Z I S S :::=-. G E O R G I A DOME MAIL TO: GEORGIA DOME TICKET OFFICE 1 Georg ia Dome Drive At lanta, GA 30313 (404) 223-8427 Make money order! cashiers check (NO perso na l ch ecks) paya ble to: THE GEORGIA DOME. Please a ll ow 2 weeks to rece ive your tickets. G M C i-RUCK .'f2f,·DUN.£OP ? -. S/X;k 1M 111l.Js TJ"CK"eY "v.:I.57E"R " . (404) 249-6400 ORDER TICKETS NOW!! HOST HOTEL - -\ S !......""J 1. Convenient - No waiti ng in line to buy t ickets. 2. The best seats in the house reserved for you. 3. Save ti me and MONEY! $16.00 in FREE PASSES with th is offer. 4. This offer available only to you, our Preferred Customers . SheratonAtlanta Airpon 1325 VirginiaAvenue Atlanta, GA 30344 A1~rt (404) 768-6660 - - Rate: $55.00 Sheraton Atlanta HOT E L __ - - - PLEASE PUT AN ' X' IN THE AREA YOU PREFER TO SIT IN (SHA DED AREA) BestAvailable Seats in thatArea Will Be Sent. ALL OTHER SEATS A ND REGULA R PRICED TICKET S AVAILABLE THROUGH - - - - - tDETACH HEREI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All ticket orders must be postmarked by February 7, 1994. This offer cannot be combined with .any other disco unts or coupons. PLEASE SEND: ADULT • OF TICKETS YOUTH ( 12 & Under) "OF TICKETS "HOT TICKETS" X $20 = "HOTTICKETS" X $10 = Plus $6 per order handling charge NO DISCOUNTS HONORED WITH THIS OFFER + $6.00 TOTAL ENCLOSED Payable to Georgia Dome Name Address City TRA CK DESIGN IS SUBJECT TO MINOR CHANGES. Dayt ime Phone ( State Zip ) HURRY & GET YOURS BEFORE SMITTY'S MOM BUYS THEM ALL! Pink, grey and black d e s ig n printed on quality 1 0 0 % cotton white T -Shirt. Available tnstze a M edium , Large X- Large, and XX-Large for just . . . 8:1.:1. 9 5 EACH INCLUDES SHIPPING & HANDLING Back Design To order your Team Smitty T-Shirt, use the order formlocated below the Advertiser's Index in this issue of Cycle News. Credit Card O rders OK