How To BREAK THROUGH Your Lap Time Plateau (PRO SECRETS)

Stuck at the same lap time or feeling a 'spine-breaking' jolt from your stock KTM suspension? Today, I’m answering questions from riders around the world who are all connected by one thing: the drive to get better on two wheels. We’re diving deep into the physics of throttle control, the mental game of track days, and the engineering truth behind your motorcycle's linkage.

Stop the High-Side: If you use lower RPMs out of a turn to feel "smooth," you might be setting yourself up for a high-side. I break down the "Throttle Delta"—the dangerous gap between your hand and your actual traction.

Master Your Throttle Control: To make high-rev exits safe, I detail a specific method of incremental control:
The 5% Rule: Learn how to keep your throttle just 5% ahead of your traction to maintain chassis stability.
100 Decisions: Why the fastest way to accelerate is making a hundred micro-adjustments instead of one big decision.
The Thumb Brake Trick: How to use a rear thumb brake to modulate power and stabilize the bike without ever upsetting the chassis by chopping the throttle.

Break the Lap Time Plateau: Stuck on the same lap time?. You don't need to brake deeper; you need to reprogram your mental picture of speed. I share the story of how a brake failure at Louden taught me to go two seconds faster by simply letting go of the lever earlier.

The Truth About Suspension Links: Why does a soft stock spring feel like it’s breaking your spine?. It’s the math of your linkage. Finding the right linkage system for the rider you are—whether you're tall, short, heavy, or light—is the only way to get predictable, true track handling. Even though a standard spring is linear—meaning it compresses the same amount for every pound of force—the OEM linkage on the Super Duke creates a progressive effect. As the suspension moves through its stroke, the geometry effectively makes that soft spring feel stiffer and stiffer. If you're a heavier rider, you are trapped in that "progressive zone" where the bike stops feeling plush and starts feeling like an animal.

00:00 Connecting the motorcycle world
00:58 Why higher revs are safer for corner exits
02:16 The "Throttle Delta" and traction gap
04:03 The danger of a "fistful of throttle"
05:44 The 100-decision exit strategy
07:15 When to lift the bike and roll on
08:24 Solving "on-off" fueling with a thumb brake
10:18 How to break your lap time plateau
12:58 Reprogramming your mental speed
14:44 Finding the edge of traction like a Pro
17:55 The "Let Go" braking drill
20:51 Why two-strokes teach you a new plateau
23:06 Why your "soft" spring feels harsh
24:37 Linear vs. Progressive linkages explained
27:40 Why it's the Link, not the Spring
28:06 Engineering the Superduked Sport Link
30:10 The "Short Leg" problem and KTM seat height
31:07 The danger of multi-hole lowering links