Safely added a new experience to my riding live

[painman]

Awesome Dave, as mentioned you have great form going there and doing the track is a class act. One I've always wanted to do someday. Be safe, Painman. <><

 

[Auburn]

Isn't it fun to go fast and not worry about LEO's hunting you...Congratulations...it is addicting and a lot safer than on the street.

Try to get pictures each time. You will be amazed at the difference each time in your riding technique, lean angles and speed. And yes when you get fast enough you will use the rear brake some (when the wheel is on the ground) contrary to what they teach. Usually it is to control rear wheel spin exiting the corner or to help keep the front end down.

Club racing is next... :yahoo: :lol:

 

[MrTwisty]

Sounds like a wonderful experience. I would love to ride a track some time, but it is so expensive.

 

[dcarver]

My HERO!

'Nuff said.

Waaay cool Turbo... You freakin' Rock!

 

[03HiYoSilver]

May I ask how fast you were able to get to on the track? max I hit was 140 mph, bike had lots more speed but I need more track time to go faster. Plus, I need to get a "double bubble windscreen to help with the helmet head buffet at high speeds.

GREEN with Envy!

 

[beeroux]

Has anyone seen my R1? I can't find it.<G>

Turbo, you are truly an inspiration to us all. You look good in the corner, nice head angle looking forward through your turn.

Jealous as hell!

GZ

 

[tstaff]

Way to go Dave!

You are truly an inspiration to us all.

Now get the balls of your feet on the pegs or you will be spending your tire money on boots!

 

[Silver Penguin]

Wow Dave! That sounds like SOOOOOOO much fun. A track day is definitely on my to-do list.

Jill

 

[TestPilot]

Great stuff, Dave. That does look and sound like you had a whole lot of fun, and safely, too Trach days are a whole heap of fun. I did my first track day 2 months ago, and my second last month. Not financial enough to add an R1 to the stable, but don't rule out your FJR.

Here is a copy of my post on another board recently:

Well, a different scenario on Monday:

And these were taken on the second session out on the track - still warming up at this stage:

So, what did I learn:

Track days are the second-most fun you can have wearing leather :twisted: :twisted:

The FJR is a heavy beast pulling down from WFO to make a 80kph corner :shock: :shock: Yes, I know that, but when really pushing the envelope it is good to have a wide run-off.

I showed surprising lack of confidence accelerating out of turns early on, really only hitting the throttle hard quite late in the turn exit. I know that I was being conservative, as I wasn't going to be taking my bike home on a trailer, but it really showed how my 'street manners' carried over to the track. Although I love accelerating hard out of a corner, I never trust the street to have consistent traction, and here I was, mistrusting the racetrack too.

Nothing learned here in this observation, just proved in controlled circumstances: It's hard to stay with a 600 through twisty sections. I had a young friend using my 600 Fazer for the day (to improve his riding skills), and through the twisty section he could easily pull a 30 meter gap in about 200 meters. I would have loved to swap bikes, but I was not putting him on the FJR this time. Next time, maybe :twisted:

It is addictive blasting past everything else (well, almost everything else) down the straights :twisted:

This could cost me a lot of money (honey) because I am going to do it again (and again).

When I got home and was talking to Zea about the whole day, I made an interesting assessment -When riding on the street I think I never ride more that 7-tenths, and usually considerably below that. With her on the back probably never more than 6-tenths. And I felt good about that. (But I think the road conditions and hazards probably add 1- to 2-tenths, maybe more, because there is no big run-off area, there is other traffic, roadside furniture, etc.) On the track there were times when I was up at 9-tenths, but I was treating it as fun, learning day, so I reckon I was between 8- and 9-tenths all day. When I'm on the Fazer I'll do a some :twisted: 10-tenths stuff, but not on the FJR, I reckon.

 

[gr8eyes]

Nice write up David.