Thought I'd share a few pics

[WWJD]

I think it is hard to explain to others how tracks days can be so much more fun than the street - and skew your taste so quickly... but you summed it up nicely up there NCBusa. Streets are cool, but these bikes were built for more. And it is SO educational. Makes you a better, and far safer street rider.

"Track days are expensive bla bla bla " - yeah, so's $300 tickets, jail time, injury etc... now picture CONSTANTLY doing the things you do to get tickets, jail time, injury, but not having those bad results? Bliss I tell ya... coming around the corner, dragging a knee, rolling on the throttle into the strait, pinning the trottle full, jamming quickly through 3 gears with the throttle pinned, easing your front brakes and dropping 3 gears, feeling your rear squiggle about, throwing that butt and torso off the side and leaning down to drag another knee... all while 6 feet behind another rider doing the exact same thing, or hearing another bike on your tail following your line..... bliss!

"It's hard on your tires" and street riding is not? I'd rather wear them out reaching a HIGHER LEVEL of intense fun, than not

"Tracks are too far away" long trips on your bike to a track just means more overall seat time in your hobby

 

[Cycle Brakes]

Track days are for feeling the rush... better than on local roads where tourists and suck will kill you.
Nice set up, too.

 

[NCBusa2001]

When in August? and... With what club?

I'll be at VIR for the race from Aug 16-19th. I think I have the dry campthing down to a science.

Read the post on your R1. Congrats. Question though, Is your weight the only reason you were shopping for a literbike? I am not that far behind you concerning the "extra padding". Actually it's currently the equilavent of the busa stock exhaust and maybe the pair valve. lol

What I want on the track is a surgical scapel. That's pretty much any 600 made after,...say the year 2000. However, I'm worried that my weight will hamper me too much on corner exit and in straights. I am also scared to death of high-siding, which becomes easier when you increase in cc's.

At the track, on the busa, I'm faster than probably 3/4 of the riders in the white group (novice). After I work my way through the "train", I normally come back up on it several times a session. Thereby, lapping the same 15 riders time again. I don't want to lose that, but instead improve on it.

I haven't had any problems on the busa (knocking on wood loudly) at the track thus far. I think I have found close to the 100% mark as far as the busa's "trackability". When the busa's rear steps out a bit it feels ultra stable. Just don't chop the throttle and wait till it settles, then continue what you were doing. No biggie, due to the busa's extra weight (ie inertia).

I'm concerned about a bike that's almost half the weight and almost as much power. Are you getting my dirft? What are your thoughts? I love Suzuki, but I am willing to cheat.

Funding's not really an issue, but I do want to be smart about it.

Chris

 

[cosmo]

Don't forget about the SV650. VERY popular "scalpel" out here. Tons of available bikes and parts....CHEAP.

 

[JINKSTER]

i've lost a lot of good riding buds to track days over the many years....which is why i've never gone and?...am afraid to go.....i digress...i'll remain..

"TURN KEY AND RIDE FREE"

But?..great shots Chris....thanks for sharing...love that brush guard on yer titan..would love a chrome one for mine.

L8R, Bill.

 

[GMbusa]

Trackdays sound fun, but they're an addiction i don't want to have right now. I'm gonna do it like Vman and get a literbike to ride if i do it.

Dammit, now i'm thinking of ways to do trackdays. I gotta go before i actually do something.

 

[vman1300]

(NCBusa2001 @ Jul. 16 2007,20:01) When in August?  and...  With what club?  

I'll be at VIR for the race from Aug 16-19th.  I think I have the dry campthing down to a science.  

Read the post on your R1.  Congrats.  Question though, Is your weight the only reason you were shopping for a literbike?  I am not that far behind you concerning the "extra padding".  Actually it's currently the equilavent of the busa stock exhaust and maybe the pair valve.  lol  

What I want on the track is a surgical scapel.  That's pretty much any 600 made after,...say the year 2000.  However, I'm worried that my weight will hamper me too much on corner exit and in straights.  I am also scared to death of high-siding, which becomes easier when you increase in cc's.

At the track, on the busa, I'm faster than probably 3/4 of the riders in the white group (novice).  After I work my way through the "train", I normally come back up on it several times a session.  Thereby, lapping the same 15 riders time again.  I don't want to lose that, but instead improve on it.

I haven't had any problems on the busa (knocking on wood loudly) at the track thus far.  I think I have found close to the 100% mark as far as the busa's "trackability".  When the busa's rear steps out a bit it feels ultra stable.  Just don't chop the throttle and wait till it settles, then continue what you were doing.  No biggie, due to the busa's extra weight (ie inertia).  

I'm concerned about a bike that's almost half the weight and almost as much power.  Are you getting my dirft?  What are your thoughts?  I love Suzuki, but I am willing to cheat.

 Funding's not really an issue, but I do want to be smart about it.  

Chris

I am signed up for VIR South on August 25th with NESBA. There were 3 guys from the shop planning on making the treip and all have cancelled.

I even tried to get a few from the board there...I have a post pinner in general about the trackday.

I am sill up in the air......I just do not want to go by myself.

My weight is the biggest factor. At 340 lbs I am too addicted to the acceleration and like you I do not want to loose that. My ideal machine....a busa powered 600 lol.....

Having the wifes R6 and spending a bit of time in the mountains on it helped make my mind up to go with a liter bike. The 6 flat out screams, but I missed the mind numbbing acceleration out of the corners and on the straights.

I had been looking for a 05-06 GSXR1000 for a few months and was simply amazed and asking prices for a well used machine..ie body damage but running gear in good shape.

The R1 kinda fell into my lap and I actually fit better on the 04-06 R1 then the 05-06 GSXR, so the decision was made.

I have only been able to get out a bit locally on the parkway and some back roads...I have ridden this generation R1 before and I kinda knew what to expect...the acceleration from 9-12k rpms is trying to seperate your arms from your shoulders.

And the handling now with Michelin Power Race tires installed is on par with the wifes 600. There is addisional weight to throw around....but compared to the Busa...it is a lightweight.

I have found the limits of lean on the Busa...on the Gap in a left hander...fully leaned off, knee on the ground...I drug my stator cover. That is an experience I NEVER want to have again.

It sounds like you need to move up a class. I was finally bumped to Intermediate with NESBA at my last track day and I am really looking forward to getting out there with faster and smoother riders to learn from them.

I so hope to have this R1 ready for next weekend. Alot of my long term friends are giving me grief for having more Yamaha's in the garage now...there actually is a reason behind the blashpemy.....

Yamaha's are less expensive to repair.......and since one is a track bike and the other is for a new rider...it kinda makes sense.

I have ALOT of mods in store for the R1 in the next 6 months. Track body work, full suspension, exhaust, PCIII, quick shifter and even some mild engine mods are planned. I hope to have the R1 somewhere in the 170 RWHP range to start next track season......