Prepped and Ready for the Track!

phantomx · 05:24 PM

Well got the R11S all taped up, misc bits like passenger pegs, mirrors, tag etc all removed. She's all ready to load up for a fun weekend at Jennings!

I had to get some new tires before heading over so I went with the new Pilot Power 2CT's. I normally just run the regular Pilot Powers but Cycle Gear was running a great sale so for about $15 more total I got the 2CT. I was going to run the Metzler M3's but they cost the same as the 2CT which (IMHO) is a far better tire (flame suit on). What prompted the new tire was me finally noticing that the Front tire was a Metzler RoadTec Z6 (on it when I got it about 3 weeks ago) and the back was a SportTech M1. Not a good track day combo.

So any recommendations on riding this style bike at the track? I was tempted to take the bag racks off but then I thought, "you know if I low side those would really save my plastics", so they are staying on. Anyone else here personally track theres? Is dragging the Valve Cover a real issue or not really (I have guards on anyway)? I'm wondering if I should even bother trying to put my knee down like I do on my CBR600, don't know that I'll reach with those Cyl stickin out ya know. But I've given it a semi good run thru some local twisties and the bike feels fantastic so I'm optimistic that it will go well.

Here she is all prepped:

RoundelRider · 03-15-2007, 06:06 PM

Did ya wire your engine oil fill/drain/filter??
I installed a K&N oil filter, has provisions for wire.

What organization are you running with?

Oh you can get a knee down on it! (Havent yet, but very, very close!

)

I ran tire pressures of 32/32 at VIR on Michy's PP's and didnt have any issues with grip, then again I wasnt hauling arse as speed was not my goal that weekend.

Good Luck and have fun!!

PFFOG · 03-15-2007, 06:48 PM

Same advice as any bike, don't try to be fast, just be smooth and you will soon find that you are a lot faster than some of the sportbikes.

And yes, you can get a knee down, no problem.

Sideshow_S · 03-15-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yeskino
And yes, you can get a knee down, no problem.

. . .depending on your inseam!

Don't forget to change the antifreeze to wa. . .nevermind.

Mr. Deltoid · 03-15-2007, 09:33 PM

Speaking of inseam, Gigantic could probably get a knee down in a straight line

Just kidding big guy

JimMoore · 03-16-2007, 02:13 AM

Cool! I'm gonna be there Monday. You?

shoemakj · 03-16-2007, 04:17 AM

Yep, you can get a knee down on these things...

Dragging the valve cover is no big deal as long as you don't make a habit of it. It tends to just stand the bike up.
It's a little disconcerting the first time it happens though. I put a nice bevel in the the rear brake lever at the same time I did this...

phantomx · 03-16-2007, 06:52 AM

Sweet photo!

Jim I'm only going Saturday, gotta fly out Sunday for work

Just going as a fun trackday because going that fast on the street just isn't a good idea... Gotta have somewhere to let it all hang out and this is perfect. Sad part is when your done on the track you really don't want to ride on the street.

gigantic · gigantic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Deltoid
Speaking of inseam, Gigantic could probably get a knee down in a straight line Just kidding big guy

Not quite, but close... I can get my knee down without hanging off the bike, though...
Speaking of which, body position is critical with the boxer due to the valve covers. done properly, you shouldn't have much trouble, make sure that your ass is off the seat and your torso is not centered over the tank. Otherwise, the bike will be insufficiently counterweighted and you will scratch your valve covers. If you're dragging the heads, you're not hanging off enough.
I'll be riding Barber this weekend, but I left the Donkey at home- riding the gixxer instead.
cheers,
Lance

mullerjd · 03-17-2007, 07:19 PM

Loudon NH in 05

JimMoore · 03-18-2007, 03:01 AM

So, how was it? Do you happen to remember what gears you were using and where you were shifting?

phantomx · 03-18-2007, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JimMoore
So, how was it? Do you happen to remember what gears you were using and where you were shifting?

It was fantastic! I'll post another thread with some pictures! I'm using what ever gearing comes stock, didn't know you could change gears?

JimMoore · 03-18-2007, 07:43 AM

I meant 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. Sorry for the confusion.

phantomx · 03-18-2007, 07:47 AM

My top speed of the day was about 125mph rouding turn 2 and heading for the back section. I wasn't getting a good drive off 14 just because I wasn't familiar with the bike so front straight was only about 100mph before braking for one.

PFFOG · 03-18-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JimMoore
So, how was it? Do you happen to remember what gears you were using and where you were shifting?

The beauty of these bikes is that even if you are a gear too high, you still get decent acceleration out of the corners. Being your first track day, don’t sweat it, ride it where you feel comfortable and work on SMOOTH, not speed. One drill some of the track organizations use is to make you stay in one gear for an entire session, and NOT use the brakes. This lets you concentrate on the corner and not the other stuff.

Oh, and the key to SMOOTH is RELAX, take deep breaths, drop your shoulders and stop the death grip on the bars, remember this IS fun!!!!

gigantic · gigantic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Yeskino

Oh, and the key to SMOOTH is RELAX, take deep breaths, drop your shoulders and stop the death grip on the bars, remember this IS fun!!!!

OMG is this ever fun!!! I'm at Barber today and having the time of my life. the AMA pro teams are here for a tire test starting monday. Rode with Larry Pegram this morning; he passed me like I wasn't even moving!!! I'll post up later this week. heading to VIR tomorrow. Life is good!
Lance

phantomx · 03-18-2007, 09:08 AM

LIfe is good! What a friggin blast Track Days are. My buddy timed us and he ran 1:33 and I was running 1:37 at Jennings. Respectable enough for the intermediates on my first run out.

N8Kern · 03-19-2007, 05:54 AM

Looks like you had a blast Phantom, Im glad you are taking that S to the track. We may be renting jennings for a private trackday with one on one training.

What I notice in everyone's photo is a high center of gravity (hey I was guilty of that too at one time), which causes you to use to much lean angle for the corner. Meaning, don't twist your spine up the tank causing you to keep your shoulders and whole upper body in the middle of your windshield/top of the tank. You bike is trying to turn, you keep forcing it over, running out of contact patch, all the while your body is fighting the bike from leaning, and turning.

Minimize lean angle through lower center of gravity, turn more effectively, and have more contact patch to maximize ability to trail brake/get on the gas earlier via more contact patch.

Hope your doing well Gigantic and everyone else and I look forward to riding with youse?!

Cheers,

N8!

stomp · 03-19-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N8Kern
Looks like you had a blast Phantom, Im glad you are taking that S to the track. We may be renting jennings for a private trackday with one on one training.

What I notice in everyone's photo is a high center of gravity (hey I was guilty of that too at one time), which causes you to use to much lean angle for the corner. Meaning, don't twist your spine up the tank causing you to keep your shoulders and whole upper body in the middle of your windshield/top of the tank. You bike is trying to turn, you keep forcing it over, running out of contact patch, all the while your body is fighting the bike from leaning, and turning.

Minimize lean angle through lower center of gravity, turn more effectively, and have more contact patch to maximize ability to trail brake/get on the gas earlier via more contact patch.

Hope your doing well Gigantic and everyone else and I look forward to riding with youse?!

Cheers,

N8!

So, Nate. Just to be clear...it's lean the bike less and get the body over more (and closer to the ground)?

MarkR11S · 03-19-2007, 02:42 PM

How about a demonstration photo. How's it going down in Atlanta N8? I was down there recently for some motor training but didn't have enough time to look you up. Hope all is well...

Mark