Steering Wheel to Handlebar Transitions

"Andrew Gore" (andrewgore) 11/16/2015 at 17:46 • Filed to: Drift, Cars, Motorcycles, Sw20, MR2, 3SGTE, Boost, Toyota, Mazda, RX7, KTM

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I drive a Ford Ranger, so its likely no surprise why I’m currently rather uninspired by most all things 4-wheel. I find life a bit more exciting when there is a constant threat of tipping over. Danger, and oneness with the elements I suppose.

Thing is, I wasn’t always this way. I too was a true “oppositelocker” in the 4 wheeled sense of the term. I was a voted in member of the drifting forum Zip-Tied (does that still even exist?). I’ve spent a good deal of time in my cars looking out the side windows looking for where I was going. Spending time following my brother through snowy roads, side by side clipping our front fenders on side road indicators is a great past time of mine.

My second car in life, was an FC RX-7. It was an NA beast that had that annoying meeeeeep when you got close to the Mazda imposed Redline. I learned my first car related drifting in that machine. I also learned to hate clogged heater cores in the middle of winter. I learned to scrutinize a vehicle to no end when buying one secondhand.

As soon as I got the RX7, I knew I wanted to upgrade vehicles (doesn’t everyone?), which inevitably led me to finding a pristine condition 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo. I’m pretty sure it was 2003 when I got the car. The test drive of that machine was incredible. The Toyota salesman’s face was priceless as I got on the gas leaving the parking lot. “I”m not gonna buy a car I haven’t properly tested.”

I ended up spending a lot of time learning with that car. I learned that modifying ECU’s was absolutely retarded (I wish I had video of the fireball shooting out the exhaust as I blasted down a backroad). I learned to be patient with major modifications, and that the right tools for the right job are key to success. I learned electrical gremlins are of the devil.

I spent a few days at drift events. I enjoyed them for the driving, yet hated them for other goofy reasons. Great learning experience however in car control, and how to properly act when things began going pear shape.....or more properly, how to intentionally force it.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. My father borrowed the car from me one cold wintery morning. I needed his truck to go snowboarding with some friends. I received a call that morning that my father and the car decided to do a stopping exercise with a telephone poll. The poll (and thankfully my father) won.

I had a few fun cars post MR2 (SR powered 240, Swapped E30), though those are storied for another time. In the interim, I’ll do my best to keep my handlebars at full stop.

-Andrew

Master Cylinder > Andrew Gore 11/16/2015 at 18:08

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I have no problem stepping out the rear of a car on occasion, although I’m no drifter. But getting the back end out on a motorcycle still sketches me out. I didn’t grow up riding dirt bikes like many riders did, so my only two-wheeled experience is on pavement, and getting loose on pavement isn’t so good. I would love to take a riding course to learn better bike-handling skills on low-traction surfaces.

pjhusa > Andrew Gore 11/16/2015 at 18:21

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three spokes tho

Andrew Gore > Master Cylinder 11/16/2015 at 18:30

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Slow speed is the best way to refine skills. At an off-road school I did, a drill we performed was to drift around 4-cones. Just making one complete circle took a LONG time to accomplish. Following that with a game of follow the leader on a rain soaked grass track....mmm good times.

That said, spinning up tires on the street is a different ball of wax. Pavement is far less forgiving.

-Andrew

Josh G > pjhusa 11/16/2015 at 19:20

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most touge.