the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
LoonR1 said:
Isn't it all about gearing though? On some circuits it won't be needed, on others it will, as they need a higher top gear, or the other way round, or whatever it is. Hopefully someone who understands gearing will explain it.
I just know that at hairpins I use 2nd and wouldn't even consider using 1st given the noise it makes going in, it makes me think that everything is about to explode
if you can get the gearing right for the track, that'll determine whether you'll be using 1st or not. I just know that at hairpins I use 2nd and wouldn't even consider using 1st given the noise it makes going in, it makes me think that everything is about to explode
The goal is to be on the limiter in your chosen top gear at the fastest part of the track. ideally you want to hit the limiter just as you're throttling off. This is where looking at data can really help. Like if you see you're changing up to a higher gear for 30 meters then shutting off, why?? Especially if you're not hitting the limiter. Changing at 12500 when you have 14k in the bag to play with only to come back a gear is a waste of time and effort.
You might find at certain tracks you prefer a 5 speed box, such as 1st to 5th or 2nd to 6th. But if you're not hitting the limiter in the top gear you're not set up right
Right, so Snetterton is a bloody fast track. That means taller gearing, I think, so more likely they're going to need to use the lower gears in the lower corners. That's more of a question than a statement.
When I say "they" I mean top, top riders, so us mortals can still use 2nd and save our gearboxes and nerves.
When I say "they" I mean top, top riders, so us mortals can still use 2nd and save our gearboxes and nerves.
LoonR1 said:
Right, so Snetterton is a bloody fast track. That means taller gearing, I think, so more likely they're going to need to use the lower gears in the lower corners. That's more of a question than a statement.
When I say "they" I mean top, top riders, so us mortals can still use 2nd and save our gearboxes and nerves.
Don't forget that BSB or similar will have very different gearbox ratios compared to your road bike. Typically a much higher 1st gear and different 2nd-5th gear ratios. So you can't go by what full race bikes do. Apples and OrangesWhen I say "they" I mean top, top riders, so us mortals can still use 2nd and save our gearboxes and nerves.
And some racers prefer a 5 speed box and some the full 6 so that will play a big part.
But for your average TD'er, look to maximize top speed gearing over low speed. More time gained..
Fleegle said:
olly22n said:
upsidedownmark said:
- WOT throttle time is kinda pitiful, and in several places not actually getting there (snetterton 300)
- I should be back to 1st for the hairpins (but deliberately not doing - lots of midrange grunt & savagery of power delivery makes me feel like that's going to result in a messy end to the day)
-
I never use 1st. I am no where near smooth enough or hard enough on the throttle to use it.- I should be back to 1st for the hairpins (but deliberately not doing - lots of midrange grunt & savagery of power delivery makes me feel like that's going to result in a messy end to the day)
-
Does anyone else her use it?
k that!!LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
There's a hairpin at Snetterton?? Not in 2005 there wasn't!
It's part of the new infield section that nearly all trackdays are run on now. The old circuit is very, very rare. 
Actually, I watched a mate race there back in late May at the last ever Hottrax meeting (and bumped into hebegb and Yazza who were setting up for a trackday for the next day). Just getting my excuses in early for the Aug 15th shindig! I've stood on a bank and looked at the new bit if that helps - looks fun.
I wasn't really that fixated on a particular gear (1st in this case), just that as I recall the original comparison pointed out that the 'intermediate trackdayer' didn't come down the box as far as they should and dropped out of the power band, which was exactly what I did - not that I'm intermediate.
In the particular case of my bike at snetterton it's probably perfectly geared for the slow bits (if I used first, which is stupidly tall for the road), and massively over-geared at the top end - I strongly suspect terminal velocity would be reached in 5th, not 6th.. Also I don't know if race bikes differ/relocate neutral, but the 1st-2nd/2nd-1st shift at full attack just doesn't feel like a nice thing to do to the bike..
On a different subject, is the 15th the big pistonheads love in @snetterton? If so I'll see if I can make it..
In the particular case of my bike at snetterton it's probably perfectly geared for the slow bits (if I used first, which is stupidly tall for the road), and massively over-geared at the top end - I strongly suspect terminal velocity would be reached in 5th, not 6th.. Also I don't know if race bikes differ/relocate neutral, but the 1st-2nd/2nd-1st shift at full attack just doesn't feel like a nice thing to do to the bike..
On a different subject, is the 15th the big pistonheads love in @snetterton? If so I'll see if I can make it..
RemaL said:
mitzy said:
RemaL said:
Just booked for me and 2 mates at brands (my first time) on the 6th Aug with no limits
Anyone else booked or looking at booking?
Cool RemalAnyone else booked or looking at booking?
Are you doing the Indy or GP ?
And Andy i'll be there with my repsol and another mate on a HRC blade. And another on a ltr Fazer
As it's almost 3 hours from me we will be staying in a local B&B/Hotel the night before
Edited by Andy XRV on Thursday 16th July 15:25
moto_traxport said:
LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
There's a hairpin at Snetterton?? Not in 2005 there wasn't!
It's part of the new infield section that nearly all trackdays are run on now. The old circuit is very, very rare. Actually, I watched a mate race there back in late May at the last ever Hottrax meeting (and bumped into hebegb and Yazza who were setting up for a trackday for the next day). Just getting my excuses in early for the Aug 15th shindig! I've stood on a bank and looked at the new bit if that helps - looks fun.
moto_traxport said:
LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
There's a hairpin at Snetterton?? Not in 2005 there wasn't!
It's part of the new infield section that nearly all trackdays are run on now. The old circuit is very, very rare. Actually, I watched a mate race there back in late May at the last ever Hottrax meeting (and bumped into hebegb and Yazza who were setting up for a trackday for the next day). Just getting my excuses in early for the Aug 15th shindig! I've stood on a bank and looked at the new bit if that helps - looks fun.
I've only ridden it once for half a day before we got drenched and then attacked by hailstones. There's my excuse, that and I hate fiddly infield stuff.
Edited by LoonR1 on Wednesday 15th July 20:42
LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
There's a hairpin at Snetterton?? Not in 2005 there wasn't!
It's part of the new infield section that nearly all trackdays are run on now. The old circuit is very, very rare. Actually, I watched a mate race there back in late May at the last ever Hottrax meeting (and bumped into hebegb and Yazza who were setting up for a trackday for the next day). Just getting my excuses in early for the Aug 15th shindig! I've stood on a bank and looked at the new bit if that helps - looks fun.
I've only ripped den it one for half a day before we got drenched and then attacked by hailstones. There's my excuse, that and I hate fiddly infield stuff.
hebegb said:
moto_traxport said:
LoonR1 said:
moto_traxport said:
There's a hairpin at Snetterton?? Not in 2005 there wasn't!
It's part of the new infield section that nearly all trackdays are run on now. The old circuit is very, very rare. Actually, I watched a mate race there back in late May at the last ever Hottrax meeting (and bumped into hebegb and Yazza who were setting up for a trackday for the next day). Just getting my excuses in early for the Aug 15th shindig! I've stood on a bank and looked at the new bit if that helps - looks fun.
George29 said:
I do, but don't need to use it in that many places. Mainly use it at Cadwell for the chicane and hairpin.
I try to gear my bike to stay out of first but then my bikes in desperate need for a remap and there's a huge flat spot somewhere around 7k. The only place I've had trouble with it was the last corner at croft. It just dipped into the flat spot in 2nd killing drive out of it and when I went into first I was too ham fisted for it to be smooth. i thought I might have the same problem at Anglesey. But an extra tooth on the rear kept in nicely in the good bit of 2nd. I'm gonna have to get it remapped over winterGeorge29 said:
olly22n said:
I never use 1st. I am no where near smooth enough or hard enough on the throttle to use it.
Does anyone else her use it?
I do, but don't need to use it in that many places. Mainly use it at Cadwell for the chicane and hairpin. Does anyone else her use it?
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