Hey PP members from Le Mans... - Page 3

GotRoad? · 04-19-2007, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by N8Kern
ok, FINALLY!!!!!! My goal was just to get out of the damn 51's in 5 laps total finisheD with a 1:49.100.

N8!

Are you sure that time wasn't 1:49.100000000001?

Just kidding !! ************GO NATE GO*****

motoyoyo · 04-19-2007, 05:18 AM

Awesome Nate! Go get em.

This is better than a live feed for this race. Thanks for the updates.
We are all following this event and thread very intently.

MrK · 04-19-2007, 05:42 AM

Nate, thanks for making us apart of the action.

GO N8 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

N8Kern · 04-19-2007, 06:00 AM

My giddyness (is that a word?) has just left me. I was happy that it was not a 49.1 but an actual 1:48.501 in the first practice. Then a break, the Ohlins guy changes rear c=shock while we eat, and then the firts rider comes in (Thomas) and says SHEEEET we went a step backwards as the miscommunication was not good, and we all went a bit slower.

I pulle din a lap early as I was starting to have some stupid thoughts in trying to pass this awfully slow guy on a 180 hp SBK. He would motor down the straights, then park it and it is just a tough pass without rubbing.

My damn keys on here have a shiny sheen to them from the oil/sweat coming from my suit from Tuesday's craziness! lol

This suit is pretty much toast as the kevalr strecth panels just weep oil everywhere.

The bike is running well it is just a major geometry issue that I can feel the tail end of as I aproach certain lap times. so I am 2 seconds off the fastest time with the 48.5, regardless there is a section of track that is now the main focus for me as the data guy has shown me I am losing 1 second on entry and double apexing due to early entry is the other .5 seconds.

Just giving it to you as it comes and to be honest with you, do I really have to admit that whoever the J.O. is that makes fake names and posts rediculous stuff, has a very very miniscule amount of my attention, due to me knowing who it is now.

BS is at all it is. Thank you for the PM's and emails with your true thoughts on this J.O. and his coward ways.

Ok back to work for US! This is freaking cool!

N8!

itchybro · 04-19-2007, 06:11 AM

Bummer about the leathers. Although, there are folks that pay good money to be slathered down in oil! I'm sure the circumstances are a little different tho'.

Just so long as you can hang on without slipping off the grips or the seat.

It'll come to you. Stay at it.

ExarKunONe · 04-19-2007, 07:09 AM

The oil should help lower your wind resistance..

N8Kern · 04-19-2007, 12:00 PM

Shoot just started this post and I forgot it is time for "night practice". Well freakin bonjour eh'?! I still think its funny, the Germans the French... I will say I am kinda pleased with my 1:47.717 right at the end of practice and after a meeting over dinner, BMW is very happy that I am into the 47's with only a total (on the data log) a wopping 22 laps under my belt! Teammates ar getting the bike set up good and are into the 45's and dipped as i recall into a high 44 earlier! The best part of this bike I noticed first is the smooth as silk gearbox!

N8!

YellowRacer · 04-19-2007, 12:16 PM

Hey Nate!

Thats awesome you getting 1:47.505 after only having 22 laps under your belt! Sweet

Sounds like your have a great time, hope you keep getting faster and faster... heck what am I talking about, your Nate Kern, of course you going to get faster and faster, its what you are good at. lol

Ride fast Nate!

Kevin!

dradylee · 04-19-2007, 01:02 PM

N8,
Thanks so much for keeping us involved. I just new this d.mn internet thingie would be good for something.

GO N8!!!!!

island_dude · 04-19-2007, 01:07 PM

N8,
It awesome to see you build up against a such a steep learning curve. Your running with the really big boys now and definitely showing well. I don't know who is going negative on you, but you have more than enough folks pulling for you and confident that you have what it takes to kick some major butt.

Its great to see you out there, and I am hoping that you will get a chance run in the race itself.

Keep the updates coming

Paul

N8Kern · 04-19-2007, 01:50 PM

you know, now I really really want to race, I knew coming in I was the reserve rider if someone gets hurt. Still a big honor and big shoes to fill for the 3 time world champion Stephane Mertens, just very happy and just turned my whole night stint within .5 seconds of each other on the data here. 1:49.1 to a 1:49.6 (5 or 6 laps lemme look?)

This modified R1200S is just awesome! Rev's stupid quick and just very very solid feeling, the faster you go, with the new adjustements it is very stable!

Hey guys, friggin first time with knee on the deck in 6th gear! lol
Turn 1 is just awesome now that I know it is gonna stick, again due to the ride height all agreed on being increased and some compression out of the front to get the front to bite and turn!

The headlights are perfect, the track is decently lit, but the back straight is very dark and only headlights at the top of 5th gear. The brake marker is to far off the track that I do not even use it in the daytime, no one does.

After the gear box comes the brakes, they are just unreal, getting way more feel everytime I ride the bike.

I gotta say the natives are getting wild. The campfire smoke covers the bak side of the track and is actually rather thick in turn whatever it is on the backside (right hander before the last 3 turns).

There are so many flashes going off as the BMW goes through the corner it is just awesome. Some seat time tomorrow and then we will take a back seat and hope no one gets hurt.

Thank you to my BMW XPLOR.com/Atlanta/Las Vegas/Morton's/Miami BMW race team and the our San Jose MotoST team for the great bikes that allow us to run up front and the support!

Time to get out of these oily leathers! lol

N8!

itchybro · 04-19-2007, 02:08 PM

Nate, you're the shizz fo sho'!

They got's anything that's like a cross between "oil dry" and talcum powder? Sounds like you needs it.

Tirebiter · 04-19-2007, 07:10 PM

I wonder if there is any way to get some LV Showgirls across the pond to serve as your umbrella girls??

Go N8!

Brock

R111S · R111S's Garage

Thanks for all the post N8!...Best wishes for a great time!

Steve Carlton · 04-19-2007, 08:01 PM

You guys gonna do any on-board video?

John Lyon · 04-19-2007, 11:11 PM

N8,

Keep up the good work. Very exciting!!!

Maybe you can spray some degreaser on the kevlar panels and then rinse it out??

N8Kern · 04-20-2007, 06:12 AM

Hey gang, just finished my last time on the bike, hopefuly no one gets hurt, but if so i am reserve rider. It is all good. I was told to not push at all and to break in a new gearbox. So I went out and cruised at times I never thought I would acheive all weekend, then this R1 rider just got the best of me and I went the fastest i ahve gone all weekend a 47.3, and it felt great. STILL this one damn corner I have to force myself to come in slower. I have thebike so far out of whack and it shows that there is no need for that much entry speed as i kill the exit. Ugh. Hey 33 laps total I have now on the new R1200S Modified

(very small meeting to set me straight from the Boss's, lol).

Well hey, im off to find a sanitary bahroom, then to eat a bit and then visit the mueseum here at Le Mans. Then I am really looking forward to running into BMW rider GUS from here coming from the UK. The "pit walk" is scheduled for 5pm to 8, so I will stick around here.

You guys have een a real big help in not feeling to alone over here as the Germans are very very great to me and the feedback being asked due to the data showing I am as fast as my teammates on the front half of the track, it's just nice to know I have some input and helpful here.

I look forward to getting back togetehr with my guys fromthe west coast for VIR! Then the WERA National's at Barber Motorsports Park May 4/5/6! Man I wish we had the aerodynamics this new bike brings!

For now,

N8!

Pavlos01 · 04-20-2007, 06:20 AM

Hi N8

I am new person here and actually from EUR and I want say a big thanks for all your info and updates you have offered us.

It is really amazing to hear all these comments directly from riders getting ready to race, it really makes me feel part of the team.

And I really really appreciate this ...

Thank you Thank you Thank you

PS. I am a big fun of BMW have now the F800S

N8Kern · 04-20-2007, 06:29 AM

thank you. I am trying my hardest right now to pay attention to the meeting going on 2 feet away from me, but the notes will be translated to me in a minute. We feel lowering the rev imiter will help go 24 hours.

Engine braking was prgrammed stronger for my last session and helped with not cooking the brakes. my first outing had the bike feeling like a 600 with not much engine braking, very uncharacteristic of a Boxer.

BMW Motorrad Japan is here to talk with me about potential of Suzuka 8 Hours for testing. This bike is not full time for endurance, just the best way to get the most Data in a short period of time.

The F800S is a fun bike Pavlos, have fun and ride smart!

N8!

Pavlos01 · 04-20-2007, 08:20 AM

Thats great, hope you get a chance to race ...

The Japan 8 hours is a very big thing in motocycle racing I think even Valentino has won there so it could maybe be a good chance for you ....

The F800S is a great bike especially now that BMW has fixed some minor issues..

One last question, on the original pics of the paddock there were 3 bikes, the 2 R1200S' and 3d one with an exaust coming out of the tail ... have you seen that ? what was that...?

Pavlos