I came home from riding around one day (wasn't really trying to ride hard) and found that they were gone. I was surprised and wondered where on earth I got so low to the point where there wasn't a trace of a strip to be found. So one day, yours too will be gone.......and you'll sit there, baffled, trying to figure out when and where.

But when people compare chicken strips as a "riding skill-o-meter", well, that's just ridiculous. The lack of chicken strips simply means one of two things............

1. You leaned your bike aggressively through a corner a few times.

-or-

2. You have had far too many "OH S**T!" moments while riding..........(and I'm willing to bet this is the #1 reason for the majority of people)

 

Great posts in here for sure.

Just reiterating everyone's points...chicken strips mean nothing to show skill. I'd be scared to see if my chicken strips are gone, to be honest. That just means I'd be at the limit of my tires and any more angle...well, let's just leave it at that

 

I'll add to this list:

3. Possibility your body positioning can use some improving.

 

I guess, what I'm trying to say....isn't that I want to push the extreme...on the contrary...I want to get to the point, where I feel confident to maneuver my bike around unforseen consequences... Can I make it if I tighten the turn? Do I try to straighten and brake, then turn and risk entering oncoming traffic...That person doesn't see me...can I make that lane of escape.

When braking, it's good to know how quickly you can stop. In terms of Maneuvering, it's good to know that I have x amount to go before I hit a limit.

Although track days sound fun...I doubt I'll get around to doing one. Just cruising around is enough for me. But, Spirit, your point is heard and well taken. Thank you.

 

Well that's entirely different. And I assume you mean circumstances--because ultimately your goal should be to always have the same, happy 'consequence' of skillful driving: post-ride, one-piece, home-driveway glory.

Exactly the same as a committed relationship. I'll wager twenty dollars that you've felt this exact way about a girl--right before you got to know her. Then, after you spent enough time marking and adjusting the limits, the two of you together could face almost anything.





What other way to know but doing?

 

I've gone through several sets of street tires where they are worn mainly in the center. They still have some chicken strips on them becauseif they never saw a track,they didn't get the workout. I don'tridethat aggressively on the street. That's crazy.

To learn the capabilities of you and your bike, you should do a track day. The techniques and confidence gained will transfer to the street and make you a better rider (andyes, it's a lot of fun). And if the local kids really want to look and compare, the tires I use on a trackday have no strips at the end of the day. My toe sliders and knee pucks get some wear, too.

Knowing that in an emergency on the street I can make my bike do some pretty awesome manuevers is well worth the cost of a trackday.

 

1st. Why are they called chicken strips.

2nd. There is no place to "ride" where I'm at so I'll never know what a lean turn is.

 

Chicken strip definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken...cycle_tires%29

 

On a clean rode, you won't be able to outride your bike. With that said, as time goes by, you will have less and less chicken strips without trying or making it a goal. I am sure if it were your goal, on the rightclean road they would be gone in 2 or 3 passes. Don't give them another thought.

 

I have never had them....... Well until I moved to Michigan? I would just enjoy your riding and not worry about what other people think.