First day out on the ZX6

[haiiro99]

Took the ZX6 out for its first track day at PI today. I booked into the slow group thinking that because it was my first time on this bike I should take it easy. The plan for the day was to use the first session to familiarise myself with the bike, get the suspension looked at by the guys at the circuit, then use the subsequent sessions to tune and try to go smoother and faster.
First session went as expected. There was some adjusting and re-learning I had to do going from the TL to ZX but overall they felt equally manic and fun. I didn't have too much hassle with getting back on a bike after a dry spell of about 6 months, which I was worried about, but did have to make an effort to remember the stuff from Superbike School and not just go hooning into corners and landing hard on the brakes. I also only had one major cramp, right thigh, after trying to tuck in behind the screen down main straight.
Shock setup followed. The back was set up too hard so the tech wound it back and did a minor change on the front. He also suggested that I don't pull the forks down as hard as I did for transport. Might have to invest in a rear wheel holder and back off on the handlebar harness next time. I also took some electrolyte pills to help with the cramps.
Second session was magic. The bike felt great, the lines felt good, I was looking out of corners, counter steering well and overall sticking to the SBK School stuff. I tried to stay in 4th for the twisty bits but it felt that it would've been nicer if there were more than 6 gears as I was missing the lazy rumble of the litre twin. I managed to hit 200 on the straight as my confidence into turn 1 improved.
Then it happened. Mid turn 2 as I was going into the double apex another rider came up on the inside too fast and bumped into me. We both went into the gravel, me sliding down the bitumen first then rolling a few times on my elbows and knees while he (seems to have) landing head first, then tumblling. Another rider pulled up into the gravel trying to avoid us but kept his bike up. The guy who bumped into me looked ok, he was up and moving, but the medics took him to hospital to check on his neck as he had a bit of blurred vision after the crash. His bike (RGV250 I think) looked relatively ok too, no obvious fairing damage or leaks. I had a bruised and swollen pinkie and sore hips and knees but the ZX has a longer list of injuries. The current list includes dented fuel tank, broken fairings, a broken brake lever, and a cracked radiator overflow, scraped left engine cover. Hopefully the list won’t grow once I load it off the van and have a better look.
Overall I guess the day was good. I'm sore but not injured, disappointed not crapping myself and looking forward to the next session (if anyone has a spare set of race glass for a '00 ZX6R please PM me).
I have to get it rideable by the 10th of May for the rescheduled Broadford ride day which could be a challenge as I’m going OS for a wedding in March/April.
Pics to follow later...

[Six Addict]

bugger mate, at least u got a little bit of fun in, its a real shitter when its not you thats makes you crash...

hope the repairs go well

[robracer]

Fark thats no good for a return......... what was the jackass thinking with a stupid move like that...... in the slow group too
Mate I would have given him a right serve

Hope the rebuild goes ok for you.

[MadKaw]

Damn, I thought there was going to be a happy ending, not a sad one..
Although, your OK so it could have been worse..

Theres a guy on ebay selling a heap of zx6r stuff, including race glass..
It says 98 at the top but its from a 2000..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KAWASAKI-ZX6R-ZX ... 240%3A1318

[haiiro99]

Thanks guys. Will follow the ebay lead for parts.
I was pissed off when it happened. One of the first things they tell you is to leave at least 2m for over/undertaking.
I went in too hot once at my first ride hand haven't done it since. Better to potter around a corner at 40 than ruin the day for myself, and another person.
One of the guys in the pits next to me mentioned that he avoids the slow group because it can have the odd loose cannon in it. Makes sense because they put newbies there. Next time I'm going into the Medium group.
Thing is, it's hard to be mad when the other guy is being stretched off to hospital.. It brings you cross as a being heartless.

[robracer]

Be as Heartless as you want .... the guy was an arsehole.... in fact I would want to make him a new one at that
Here let me help with the stretcher...... oops dropped it

[haiiro99]

LOL Fair enough.

[dave#3]

It's shit that it happened, but good on you for having the right attitude about it. Yes, he fucked up and probably feels bad about it, but I think any one of us could be in the same position one day too - it is a race track after all and you're supposed to have a bit of a go

[robracer]

sAwft kaWk dave

[badinov]

It's going to happen some day...sorry to hear it was on your first track day
At least you have that over & done with
Glad you escaped relatively unscathed.
Hope the bike fix is easy... so you can have another go, soon!!

[robracer]

sorry to hear it was on your first track day

Ummm... the bikes first track day

[Shifty]

I reckon I'd be up on an assault charge if someone crashed into me on the track, with no insurance.

[haiiro99]

I reckon I'd be up on an assault charge if someone crashed into me on the track, with no insurance.

I don't like the idea of being banned from the track even if it was the other guy who started it..

[haiiro99]

Finally had chance to take the bike out and have a look at the task at hand with the help of my brother in law.

List of damage and repairs now reads as follows;
Fairings - Replace
Tank - Tidy up and ignore
Overflow - Replace with water bottles
RH Handle bar - Replace tube
H Bracket - Replace or bang into shape
Radiator - Replace
Bent exhaust - Bang into shape
LH Engine cover - Ignore
Frame - check if it feels damage, otherwise ignore

Back (Probably just ducktail distortion)

H Bracket



Exhaust





Overflow


Right side damage


Fuel Tank damage


Radiator




RH Bar

[robracer]

mmmm a few battle scars