1st track day questions

[Zedex 6]

Hi Chris.

Just don't do this.


High side at SMP last Wed, dropped my tyre pressure down to 28psi cause my rear tyre wasn't working at all, just got out of turn 2 not going quick at all, and lost it big time.
3 broken ribs and a slight deflated lung later, I'm still in world of hurt.

Lucky we tow our bikes and I was very lucky that it wasn't my turn to drive this time.

Have a great day next Tuesday and you will come out of the school with so much confidence and respect, even that 1st day, you'll be surprised at how well your riding will be enhanced.
But you will get the bug, and can't wait for the next ride day. Were else can you have so much fun for so little.

Cheers John

[EDU]

Ed's gearing is a lot shorter than standard, which will effect how much fuel he chews through.

You can say that again... I'm actually considering going back to the stock rear sprocket. I'm hitting the limiter just after the 200m marker on the way to T1.

[Smiffy]

15/44
What are you running?

[EDU]

15/45 but on a 200/55 rear tire

[Smiffy]

190. Haven't tried 200 though.

[EDU]

Same same but different... I'm going to the 190 'cause I want to try a different rubber and it doesn't come on a 200. The problem is that when I run a 190 with the 45 rear the gearing gets even shorter. Like, annoyingly shorter.

[Nelso]

Yesterday was a good day for me, but my legs are very sore today. Working on locking in with my legs better and moving around with minimal input from my arms made me work much harder than usual. Being as limited physically as I am, I am definitely at a distinct disadvantage in this area, but it was good to finally understand the principals behind the preferred body position and what I can do to improve my technique to head in that direction. Hopefully, when I get more accustomed to the different body position, it will help me to carry more corner speed and drop a few more seconds, but yesterday it was hard to match my usual corner speed while trying to adapt to the different techniques. It didn't stop the instructor from nearly binning his bike trying to keep up though. All day he tried to follow me and then pull in between turns 4 and 15 and wait for me to come around to pull out in front of me and wait for me to catch him to tow me for the drill. By the end of the day, when we could use gears and brakes, he was struggling to keep up and said he nearly high-sided at turn 6 trying to stick with me. Poor buggers, it must be hard on road tyres trying to keep up with bikes on slicks. He was a good bloke and was pretty candid about it and still gave me a few tips that I could use through the day to improve what I was doing, so it was worth doing the day.

What was surprising was how much Leanne got out of level 1 and how much it is going to improve her riding. Not to mention that she is there again today doing level 2. No doubt, I won't be able to keep up with her again soon.

[Nelso]

15/45 but on a 200/55 rear tire

Get rid of the 200 rear and put a 190 back on it mate. This will be a major contributing factor to the troubles you are having at the moment. Leanne tried a 200 on her bike when she couldn't get anything else and it messed everything up. The bike wouldn't turn in, ran wide and she lost a heap of front end grip. They still sell the US Ntec 448's in a 190 in Qld so they can still be bought. Our local mechanic gets them in for us for $300 each.

[EDU]

I did my best times on a 200, mate. I seriously can't blame the tire. Not saying the bike won't be better on a 190 though...

The problems I'm having at the moment are due to not riding as often as I should. Not having a road bike and not being at the track for long periods at time means it takes me at least 2-3 sessions to start to get back into it and in the meantime I'm taking my chances. Hopefully I'll get some more consistent track time next year, 2013 hasn't been kind to me so far! hahahaha

This is on a 200 rear, front was a 3 days old GP209 (yep, the old one too) and doing 45-46s. Not fast,I know but as fast as I've been out there... and I didn't have a single moment throughout the day. Having said that, I'm definitely going back to the 190s. I even considered the 180/60 but I reckon the tire would probably last a bit less too.



Ps: See, my bike didn't always look scratched!

[Wattie]

Supersport all use 200 rears. They seem to go ok...

[EDU]

Supersport all use 200 rears. They seem to go ok...

Yeah but it means changing the geometry of the bike which I'm sure they do... plus it's not every 200 tire that you can slap on a 5.5 rear wheel. Pirelli doesn't recommend you do it with their slicks for example.

[Wattie]

But aren't we talking dunlops?

[Nelso]

Supersport all use 200 rears. They seem to go ok...

It's not ideal though. I know of teams at the pointy end that are thinking of secretly fitting a 6 inch rear rim to their 600 to get them to handle better.

[Wattie]

Supersport all use 200 rears. They seem to go ok...

It's not ideal though. I know of teams at the pointy end that are thinking of secretly fitting a 6 inch rear rim to their 600 to get them to handle better.

Pretty funny when a couple years ago when they banned the shit hot ntecs, that the superbikes were fitting 5.5in rims to the 1000s to get better grip.

[HeWasANinja]

Wow wow wow I had the greatest day... I had no idea my bike could go that fast or handle like that... First session I was terrified rolling around with no brakes... Second session got better they bought out the turn in points I was getting better.. I couldn't hit the 2nd turn in point on turn 2 all day until the final session I was so happy with myself... By the end of the day I felt competent and capable in all my input on the controls.. I got faster and cleaner lines and faster and crisper exit Soren too such an awesome day I'm glad I did it... I HAVE THE TRACK BUG