the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
MotorsportTom said:
Yesterday I did Silverstone for the first time on my £700 GSXR that I bought in February.
Left to right - GF's Dad on his 959, My GSXR, GF with the ZXR400 she races
First session - I was tense and couldn't get my head in it or figure out where the track went properly. Dog slow and could have easily gone home after that if it hadn't been for the money spent. Suspension on the bike felt rock solid so just backed all the adjusters (apart from preload) back half a turn
Second session- relaxed a little and started to get a feel for where the track was going, still slow but the bike felt more compliant and not so wayward over bumps. Not sure if it was me relaxing, softening the bike or a combo of both.
Third session - Just before Leon Haslam was in our garage (local dealership had signed him up for the day to coach people around the track etc for a small sum of money) and gave a short how to on body position. Sat on his ZX10 and got a proper idea of what to do. Went out and put in into practice and instantly was the most comfortable I think I have ever been around right handers, bike feels better and I'm starting to enjoy it.
Fourth session - Signed myself up for a go on an R1M. First thoughts sitting on it... very high seat, bike feels tiny and hands are really close to you.
Riding the bike is a different ball game, for reference I haven't ridden any of the top crop of superbikes but have ridden an MT10-SP albeit on a murky December day.
The brakes are awesome, the way in transitions between maggots and becketts complex was a joy and of course the engine when you open it up is ferrocious as it is giggle inducing. Proper weapon and if I could find the best part of £20k I'd love to have one, a doddle to ride (at my pace anyway)
Fifth session - Getting tired and made a few mistakes but really starting to enjoy the track and push on a little more. Hard coming from the R1 and going back to my bike that I don't really know well any way! I love the fast left called Aintree that leads onto the wellington straight.
All in all, a successful day and has confirmed the GSXR will stay a little while longer but could do with a couple of jobs doing to make sure I'm happy with it and might chuck some stickers on the fairings so it's not so gash looking.
Once some of the photos of riding are up I'll chuck them up but for now, deal with my grinning face and 90's leather combo.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to come and see you yesterday, I was flat out as the Yamaha Pro tour meant every person that borrowed a bike meant the instructors had to take them around rather than leave them to their own devices ( I think I rode every single session bar 2 or maybe 3, so my legs are pretty knackered today)Left to right - GF's Dad on his 959, My GSXR, GF with the ZXR400 she races
First session - I was tense and couldn't get my head in it or figure out where the track went properly. Dog slow and could have easily gone home after that if it hadn't been for the money spent. Suspension on the bike felt rock solid so just backed all the adjusters (apart from preload) back half a turn
Second session- relaxed a little and started to get a feel for where the track was going, still slow but the bike felt more compliant and not so wayward over bumps. Not sure if it was me relaxing, softening the bike or a combo of both.
Third session - Just before Leon Haslam was in our garage (local dealership had signed him up for the day to coach people around the track etc for a small sum of money) and gave a short how to on body position. Sat on his ZX10 and got a proper idea of what to do. Went out and put in into practice and instantly was the most comfortable I think I have ever been around right handers, bike feels better and I'm starting to enjoy it.
Fourth session - Signed myself up for a go on an R1M. First thoughts sitting on it... very high seat, bike feels tiny and hands are really close to you.
Riding the bike is a different ball game, for reference I haven't ridden any of the top crop of superbikes but have ridden an MT10-SP albeit on a murky December day.
The brakes are awesome, the way in transitions between maggots and becketts complex was a joy and of course the engine when you open it up is ferrocious as it is giggle inducing. Proper weapon and if I could find the best part of £20k I'd love to have one, a doddle to ride (at my pace anyway)
Fifth session - Getting tired and made a few mistakes but really starting to enjoy the track and push on a little more. Hard coming from the R1 and going back to my bike that I don't really know well any way! I love the fast left called Aintree that leads onto the wellington straight.
All in all, a successful day and has confirmed the GSXR will stay a little while longer but could do with a couple of jobs doing to make sure I'm happy with it and might chuck some stickers on the fairings so it's not so gash looking.
Once some of the photos of riding are up I'll chuck them up but for now, deal with my grinning face and 90's leather combo.
Glad you enjoyed the day though, and I certainly remember seeing those leathers out on the track
graeme4130 said:
Sorry I didn't get a chance to come and see you yesterday, I was flat out as the Yamaha Pro tour meant every person that borrowed a bike meant the instructors had to take them around rather than leave them to their own devices ( I think I rode every single session bar 2 or maybe 3, so my legs are pretty knackered today)
Glad you enjoyed the day though, and I certainly remember seeing those leathers out on the track
No worries Graeme, I thought it was super busy judging by I managed to say all of 5 words to the instructor when getting off the bike before he was introduced to the next rider!Glad you enjoyed the day though, and I certainly remember seeing those leathers out on the track
I feel shattered, haven't ridden on track in a long time but would definitely like to visit Silverstone again
George29 said:
How did you kill a set of KR slicks in a morning?! They last me 2 races then a full test day for the rear, or 4 races/test day for the front
Don’t really know what’s a good time around Snett but I was aiming for sub 2 mins when I went there the other week. Got 2:00:23 which was frustrating! Although hopefully will knock more off that now I actually know where I’m going. Felt like there is loads of time to be made up on that little kink before a tight corner at the end of the back straight, don’t think I got that right all day
Agree with George, there must be something wrong with your suspension or tyre pressures. Don’t really know what’s a good time around Snett but I was aiming for sub 2 mins when I went there the other week. Got 2:00:23 which was frustrating! Although hopefully will knock more off that now I actually know where I’m going. Felt like there is loads of time to be made up on that little kink before a tight corner at the end of the back straight, don’t think I got that right all day
I've known these doing long endurance races at championship/near lap record pace around some of the UK's abrasive and still be in decent nick!
Still, I've also heard they're now all made in France and are not the same as a couple of years back, so maybe they're no longer the real deal.
I loved KR's so much I kept one of my old slicks as a memento and going to have a glass top to use it as a coffee table.
StuB said:
Agree with George, there must be something wrong with your suspension or tyre pressures.
I've known these doing long endurance races at championship/near lap record pace around some of the UK's abrasive and still be in decent nick!
Still, I've also heard they're now all made in France and are not the same as a couple of years back, so maybe they're no longer the real deal.
I loved KR's so much I kept one of my old slicks as a memento and going to have a glass top to use it as a coffee table.
I honestly think it was due to it being a scrub as Id have got one a half days maybe 2 otherwiseI've known these doing long endurance races at championship/near lap record pace around some of the UK's abrasive and still be in decent nick!
Still, I've also heard they're now all made in France and are not the same as a couple of years back, so maybe they're no longer the real deal.
I loved KR's so much I kept one of my old slicks as a memento and going to have a glass top to use it as a coffee table.
That being said you mentioned the suspension and yes the rebound was too slow. It was geo tearing on the sides a bit. Not alot but it was there. I ran 22-23 hot and typically always run the lowest I can get away with as I would rather sacrifice longevity for grip
Biker's Nemesis said:
moanthebairns said:
There's a rumour that copper wire was invented by me and Mckeann fighting over a penny.
You're tighter than 2 coats of paint and McKean is tighter than a submarine door.Birky_41 said:
I honestly think it was due to it being a scrub as Id have got one a half days maybe 2 otherwise
That being said you mentioned the suspension and yes the rebound was too slow. It was geo tearing on the sides a bit. Not alot but it was there. I ran 22-23 hot and typically always run the lowest I can get away with as I would rather sacrifice longevity for grip
That’s too high, I run 19 hot. Also if your suspension isn’t working properly then it won’t be helping the situation. That being said you mentioned the suspension and yes the rebound was too slow. It was geo tearing on the sides a bit. Not alot but it was there. I ran 22-23 hot and typically always run the lowest I can get away with as I would rather sacrifice longevity for grip
moanthebairns said:
stew-STR160 said:
I use Bendix MCR and they're frankly awesome. About half the price of the EBC's too.
Cheers, parkitt had a sale on my bike, BOGOFF, two full sets for £65. Do for trackdays at least. Try not to use the Bendix MCR (or SBS Dual Carbon - same thing) in the wet as you'll get horrendous wear rate as it's a material transfer pad. Use a metal sintered pad instead such as their MRR pad.
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