Riding in the Zone

Living with the Yamaha Tenere 700 After One year

Ken Condon — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 18:21:33 +0000

It’s been one year since I sold my trusty Tiger 800 and bought a very slightly used 2022 Yamaha Tenere 700. At the time, T7s were hard to come by. I was on a waiting list at my local dealer with no idea when a unit will show up. A lucky scan of Facebook Marketplace …

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10 Ways to Manage Intersections on a Motorcycle

Ken Condon — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 21:31:16 +0000

It’s no secret that left hand turning vehicles are a significant hazard. And because we know this, we are presumably on high alert when approaching intersections. In case you get involved in a road accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help assess your case and ensure your rights are protected. You may also seek legal …

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Why We Crash Based on Science

Ken Condon — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 22:49:33 +0000

One way to increase your chances of arriving home unscathed is to learn from other riders’ mistakes.

How to Master Track Day Passing

Ken Condon — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:54:09 +0000

In this article, I will cover passing rules, technique, responsibilities and etiquette. Faster track day riders can often feel frustrated about not being able to pass effectively and efficiently, while newer track day riders may be anxious about passing and being passed. In this article, I will discuss these topics as they pertain to track day riders …

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Book Review: Get Started Riding Motorcycles – A Definitive Guide for Women

Ken Condon — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 17:12:18 +0000

Before I get into the review of “Get Started Riding Motorcycles – A Definitive Guide for Women”, it’s important to know whether the author of such books has the knowledge and experience to give advice. Not to worry. Alisa Clickenger is a powerhouse in the motorcycling industry with a long history of motorcycle travel, journalism …

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Continental Sport Attack 3 – Product Review

Ken Condon — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 14:34:43 +0000

Originally published in Motorcyclist Magazine, 2016 Sporty street tires must balance the durability and predictability needed for road use while also meeting the voracious demands of the occasional racetrack outing. This is no easy task, but Continental thinks they’ve got it right with the Sport Attack 3. And I agree. After spending a day dragging …

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Why No Mirrors on the Racetrack?

Ken Condon — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:02:54 +0000

Let’s talk mirrors. Specifically, why we don’t allow mirrors on the racetrack. This topic asked by new participants of our Non-Sportbike Track Days, so I thought I’d address it here in detail. Questioning the logic behind the “no mirrors” rule is understandable since we are taught as street riders and drivers that checking our six …

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Body Position Perspective

Ken Condon — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 17:03:51 +0000

Recently, many of the Moto-Tubers are making their own videos in response to the FortNine body position video. MotoJitzu posted a lengthy recap of well established body position principals and MCRider used the video as an opportunity to wag a finger at those who ride irresponsibility and hang off racer style on the street. I …

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15 Tips for Better Track Day Passing

Ken Condon — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 21:42:01 +0000

One of the most scary aspects for first-timers at a track day is being passed and passing. Passing Someone Let’s start with the responsible person in the passing situation…the passer. Here are my top 10 tips to help track day riders learn to pass more skillfully. Getting by someone who is significantly slower than you …

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3 More Things that will Make You a Better Rider

Ken Condon — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 20:54:08 +0000

Don’t bother reading this article if you are content with your riding level or if you have to ask why you should bother spending time and energy improving. However, if you want to increase your motorcycling enjoyment (and safety), then read on. 1. Surround Yourself with the Right people Riding Companions Align yourself with people …

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When a Rider’s Actions Make Matters Worse

Ken Condon — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 17:45:29 +0000

The difference between a close call and a crash often points to the rider knowing the effect an action has on control. Unfortunately, a lot of motorcycle riders react incorrectly. When faced with a life-threatening situation we will pull from our knowledge and experience to decide on a course of action. This means that the …

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Why Motorcycle Crashes Happen

Ken Condon — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 14:05:09 +0000

Originally appeared in Motorcycle Consumer News in 2012 As I write this column, I am grieving from the loss of a friend and coworker, taken by a careless driver who ran a red light. Chappie was an avid rider of exceptional skill and was aware of the risks of riding a motorcycle. Many of us …

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How to Avoid Crashing in Corners

Ken Condon — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:06:50 +0000

In this article, I will outline the cornering crash sequence that often leads to the dreaded single-vehicle motorcycle crash, aka “running wide in a corner”. We know that proper lane position, effective visual acuity and strong countersteering skills are crucial for successfully negotiating a curve. However, once the crash sequence starts it’s difficult to halt …

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7 of the Best XT250 Modifications

Ken Condon — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 02:22:40 +0000

I always thought of the XT250 as a beginner dirt bike. It is an old-tech machine that hardly turns heads. I have owned several “real” dirt bikes, including a Honda CRF250X, DRz400, KDX200, KLX250s and KTM450 EXC. So, why is the only dirt bike in my garage a lowly XT? Why an XT250? Why would …

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How to Avoid Cornering Panic on a Motorcycle

Ken Condon — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 19:43:44 +0000

Cornering is one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of motorcycling. The act of leaning a heavy machine into a turn is something that challenges most people’s trust in physics. Why is Cornering so Exhilarating…and Scary? According to Bernt Spiegel in his weighty book, “The Upper Half of the Motorcycle“, humans are only comfortable …

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