Chassis Dynamics

Traction is friction between the motorcycle’s tires and road surface through the tire’s contact patch with the road. Traction Management is affected by type of tire, road conditions, suspension, braking, cornering, accelerating and lean angle. Managing all these variables in harmony will enhance the fun and safety factors of motorcycling. To learn more about the subject see Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 12-16), attend a Level One TCARC or see our Glossary of Terms page under Traction.

Steering a motorcycle involves two different methods. At slower speeds (below 12-15 mph) the handlebars are simply turned from side-to-side to change direction. At higher speeds (above 12-15 mph) the motorcycle turns by countersteering. To Countersteer a motorcycle at higher speeds, press forward on the hand grip (left or right) to initiate lean and change the motorcycles’ direction. Note that Body Steering is using rider weight shifts to make fine course corrections while in the middle of a turn. However, Body steering cannot make rapid directional changes. Steering Technique, uniquely defined by Lee Parks, uses only the inside grip to countersteer the motorcycle. To learn more about the subject see Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 17-21), attend a Level One TCARC or see our Glossary of Terms page under Steering.

Suspension of a motorcycle is designed to absorb energy and insulate the chassis from the affects of irregularities in the road surface. Properly tuned suspension will enhance motorcycle control, provide better traction, improve safety, increase comfort and increase the affinity for street riding. To learn more about the subject see Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 22-31), attend a Level One TCARC or see our Glossary of Terms page under Suspension and Suspension Setup.

Mental Dynamics

Fear can limit your ability to learn new skills from a mental, physical and emotional state. Understanding how fear works will help to overcome it and allow learning to begin. Building confidence will require an individual to step out of their comfort zone and apply new techniques towards bettering their current level of skill. Exploring one’s limitations in an excited, but relaxed, state of mind, through guided increments of learning, creates a powerful experience. Learn more about the subject in Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 32-36) or attend a Level One TCARC.

Concentration is your mental ability to be in the present moment, focused completely on the task, free of distractions that would interfere with performing the task. Practice is the key to ultimate concentration or being in the zone. For a motorcyclist this enhances the enjoyment factor and relaxes the body, which opens oneself up for learning. Learn more about the subject in Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 37-41) or attend a Level One TCARC.

Right Attitude is to have a beginner’s mind that is open to new experiences. It is also having the motivation, desire and commitment to try these new experiences but most of all being able to enjoy them. Learn more about the subject in Lee Parks’ Total Control book (pages 42-45) or attend a Level One TCARC.

Body Dynamics

Vision is our way of gathering information using our eyes to make decisions. Spotlight VS Floodlight methods help determines our sense of speed. Looking through turns and where we want to go on the motorcycle gives us directional control. See pages 46-49 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information or see our Glossary of Terms page under Vision.

Line Selection is the intended path of travel selected and executed through a designated corner based on numerous variables such as the motorcycle capabilities, motorcyclist’s abilities, approach speed, entry speed, corner speed, vision through the corner to the exit, road conditions, traffic, corner slope and radius. See pages 50-57 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information or see our Glossary of Terms page under Line Selection.

Throttle Control The single most important control on the motorcycle because it applies forces to so many aspects of the motorcycle’s handling. See pages 58-63 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information or see our Glossary of Terms page under Throttle Control.

Shifting refers to changing gears, up or down, on the motorcycle to match engine speed to wheel speed.

Braking refers to specific braking techniques for quick stops, threshold braking, proper brake modulation, trail braking and procedures for when a front or rear tire skid occurs. Learning and practicing proper braking techniques allows safer, smoother, shorter stopping distances and minimizes chassis movement while braking when cornering. See pages 68-75 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information or see our Glossary of Terms page under Braking.

Body Positioning relates to the rider’s positioning of their body in a comfortable position before during and after cornering to maximize ground clearance. Correct body positioning allows efficient, fluid movement of the rider to minimize the adverse affects being transmitted to the chassis. See pages 76-85 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information or see our Glossary of Terms page under Body Positioning.

Motorcycle Setup

Suspension Setup technique involves adjusting static spring sag, compression damping and rebound damping. Static Spring Sag is the distance the suspension compresses between being fully topped-out and fully loaded. Adjusting Static Spring Sag is detailed on pages 96-101 and whereas Compression and Rebound Damping is addressed on pages 27-31 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book.

Ergonomics is the relationship between the rider and motorcycle based on comfort, fit and feel when seated on the motorcycle. Personal ergonomic adjustments are made by the individual to the handle bars, hand controls, foot controls and seat to finalize the overall fit of machine to the individual. See pages 102-109 of Lee Parks’ Total Control book for detailed information.