Track Days and Lean Angles

M

MDBusaBoy

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Took my stock '24 to a track day. Here's my observations:

Bike Prep
- Lots of weird angles on lamps makes them awkward to tape but no big deal
- Pulled fuses for headlight
- Couldn't pull fuses to disable brake lights and signals because for some messed up reason the signal fuse also powers the dash (labelled speedometer) which kills the starter logic
- Because of above, I decided to disconnect the wiring which meant removing rear fairing... not terrible but wish there was an easier way
- Mirror bolts behind instrument panel also a huge pain, I was allowed to fold and tape them for this event, but some tracks want them fully removed

Lean Angles
- Internet claims this bike will exceed 50 degrees... this was not my experience
- With stock suspension, proper sag, stock battlax tires at 34/30, I dragged my peg guards at 40 degrees
- So... I removed them
- A few laps later, I found the new bottom, 43 degrees dragged fairing and muffler guard (cool battle scars)

Loved the experience. Even being track inexperienced and comparatively slow through corners, by the end of the day I was holding my own. Once I got more comfortable rolling onto the throttle when exiting turns, the 600s couldn't keep up pushing into the straights.

May not take the busa back to the track ever again. May need to buy a track-only bike. But super glad I tried it and survived it on this speed demon.
 
@MDBusaBoy welcome to the forum. Yours is a great first post giving us some real life insight. Appreciate it.

MDBusaBoy said:
Even being track inexperienced and comparatively slow through corners, by the end of the day I was holding my own.
Click to expand...

Any track video to share? :)

MDBusaBoy said:
May not take the busa back to the track ever again. May need to buy a track-only bike. But super glad I tried it and survived it on this speed demon.
Click to expand...

Did you find the level of torque is too risky? (This bike is not recommended by track schools for that reason.) Or is there an aspect that you did not enjoy like the effort to steer it?
 
Hayabusa Wannabe said:
@MDBusaBoy welcome to the forum. Yours is a great first post giving us some real life insight. Appreciate it.



Any track video to share? :)



Did you find the level of torque is too risky? (This bike is not recommended by track schools for that reason.) Or is there an aspect that you did not enjoy like the effort to steer it?
Click to expand...
Here's one of the better pictures.

I imagine the torque would get risky if you were being more aggressive out of the corners. In my daily riding, my throttle rarely goes more than 25% open and almost never above 50%. Moto GP racers say once you clear the apex and reduce the lean you should be full throttle. I think that's unrealistic on this bike. By the end of the day, my throttle was above 50% and I was hitting at least 125 in the straights.

The weight of the bike is definitely a factor. Hard braking with all that momentum behind you is intense. I didn't find it overly difficult to throw into corners, though my technique needs improvement in getting my ass farther off the seat.

Main reason I won't make a habit of racing the Gen 3... I was overly concerned with destroying my expensive and beautiful bike. The busa has become my (almost) daily commuter. With the $20k sticker, I would be devastated if I broke her. I did enjoy the track experience though, so maybe a cheaper 600cc is in my future.

PittRace1.png
 
groran1000 said:
Thanks for sharing the lean angle max for a stock bike. I was always wondering what the max angle was.
Click to expand...
I've heard different numbers from different people, but this was my lived experience, so glad to share. For reference, I'm 6ft, 230(ish) lbs and this was on a completely stock bike. I've read a lot of opinions on the stock suspension, but even at my size I'm seeing 30mm sag. I probably could have tightened up the compression damping a bit more for the track, but I don't think that would have made any significant difference in max lean.
 
That's interesting, what device are you using to determine lean angle? Is that info on the cluster of a 24 busa?

I have a 21 BMW R1250RT and I've seen 44 degrees from the bike even with that big boxer engine? That is pulled from the bike on the BMW app. Seems wild that a Busa has a lower lean capacity than an RT.
 
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Twobrothersbusa said:
That's interesting, what device are you using to determine lean angle? Is that info on the cluster of a 24 busa?

I have a 21 BMW R1250RT and I've seen 44 degrees from the bike even with that big boxer engine? That is pulled from the bike on the BMW app. Seems wild that a Busa has a lower lean capacity than an RT.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the main center display on the gen 3 has two modes. One displays SIRS settings while the other displays active ride information including gear, front/rear brake application, acceleration, throttle percentage, current lean angle, and max lean angle (resets with key off/on).

While the Hayabusa is an absolute beast capable of amazing acceleration, top speed, and maneuverability, she is a thick one. Pics below for comparison.

Add in some front compression from braking, me being pretty thick as well, and reduced tire pressure for grip. I don't recall exactly where on the track I dragged, but cant angle may have also come into play.

gen3busa.jpg


bmw1250rt.jpeg
 
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