First trackday ever.

[SCSwat]

I just had my first trackday ever yesterday and it was an absolute blast!
I had one of my mechanic chums tune my suspension up (which raised the
rear of the bike quite a bit) and tweak the setup of the bike. I have to say
that the only folks who could even keep up with me on the straights were
liter bikes with full race gear. My VFR had so much take off torque that even
those liter bikes took a bit to catch up to me... it was great hearing those
guys in the paddock ask me what the hell I did to the VFR to make it so fast
and my response was simply... it's a VFR, aren't you used to that? heheheh
After my suspension had been adjusted the bike took to the corners like a CBR
600! I am again falling in love with my big honda. That pretty girl took me
for a ride yesterday that I will never forget!

[reg71]

that's cool man. I hope to do a track day before too long. What did you have done to tune the suspension up? Is it still stock and just adjusted or something else?

[SCSwat]

It's all stock, but having a pro set it up to be a bit more agressive made all the difference. Basically he stiffened up the front and rear preload then
raised the rear for by rotating the spring lock one and a half full rotations.
I'm up on my toes when stopped but damn if that bike doesn't carve up the
corners now. Much more of an agressive stance.

[Legs]

A lot of folks just don't understand how fast a VFR is. I've humiliated a lot of SportBikes that are deemed faster.

How fast a bike is depends on the rider, even in a straight line.

[SCSwat]

Hell, I had the VFR up to 145 on the straight (which is part of Firebird raceway main which contains an actual dragstrip) and the liter bikes had one hell of a time trying to catch me and usually only did because I'm an early breaker and it was my first run on the track. One guy had actually referred to my bike as a VifferCow until I left him suckin vapor... that was cool and it changed his image of "that big sport-touring like thingy" that kept passing him.

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by SCSwat

Hell, I had the VFR up to 145 on the straight (which is part of Firebird raceway main which contains an actual dragstrip) and the liter bikes had one hell of a time trying to catch me and usually only did because I'm an early breaker and it was my first run on the track. One guy had actually referred to my bike as a VifferCow until I left him suckin vapor... that was cool and it changed his image of "that big sport-touring like thingy" that kept passing him.

Great you had a good time - ever ride one of them liter bikes?

[Ocasio]

Ooooh! I wanna go! I have never done a track b4.

Gratz on smoking the liters; way to represent.

[KC-10 FE]

I'm playing devil's advocate here & I'm not buying any of this other than the 145MPH on the straight. I believe that because my bike has been up to an indicated 145.

"the liter bikes had one hell of a time trying to catch me"
"My VFR had so much take off torque that even those liter bikes took a bit to catch up to me."
"After my suspension had been adjusted the bike took to the corners like a CBR600"

Not in this lifetime. You're down over 50HP & 20 or more lb/ft on the average 1000 bike. The ONLY way someone on a CBR1000/R1/GSXR1000 couldn't keep up with a VFR on a racetrack is if the rider simply didn't know what he/she was doing. On the street & real world conditions, a VFR can keep up with the best of them in 90% of conditions. On the track, unless your last name is Spencer, Pridmore, Roberts, etc you aren't keeping up with the 1000's period. I got just under 20 years experience on street bikes and I can keep up with the 600's on the Dragon only because the speeds are between 15mph-55mph. If I try to run with the 1000's, they slaughter me everytime. It's simple physics, 50 more HP & 100lbs less.

It aint personal, I'm just calling it like I see it.

KC-10 FE out...

[SCSwat]

I'm merely stating what those guys on the literbikes told me... wether its fact fiction or them just trying to get me to make it to another trackday I'll never know. But I enjoyed it, had great time with friends and was greatly impressed with the way the VFR took to the track. I don't have to impress anyone here at all, but I will call it as I see it and from the observations of others that were on those bikes at the track.

[Legs]

It's unlikely that 145MPH indicated is over 130 in real world miles. Speedometers get pretty optomistic over 100. That said, I'm writing an article on some guys who got the book thrown at them for 139 on police radar. A track day would have been cheaper and they would'nt have to do 10 days in jail.

One responder (GSXR)pointed out how humiliating it is to have his ass kicked by an old guy on a clapped out SV or EX 500 on the track.

It's great to try your luck on the track whether you're really fast, a beginner, or just a dweeb who thinks he's fast.

[SCSwat]

Indeed. One of the guys in my club was there with me on his 03 SV650 and he spanked me like a red headed step child when it came to the corners and he's a fatty! I felt like I did pretty well for my first time on a track... having run some of the roadways we have here in arizona has helped quite a bit... always chasin the twisties!

[pbrownw]

I still have to try a day at the track sometime. Glad you had fun and the bike performed well for you, makes me want to go out even more. Don't let others spoil your fun.

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by KC-10 FE

I'm playing devil's advocate here & I'm not buying any of this other than the 145MPH on the straight. I believe that because my bike has been up to an indicated 145.

"the liter bikes had one hell of a time trying to catch me"
"My VFR had so much take off torque that even those liter bikes took a bit to catch up to me."
"After my suspension had been adjusted the bike took to the corners like a CBR600"

Not in this lifetime. You're down over 50HP & 20 or more lb/ft on the average 1000 bike. The ONLY way someone on a CBR1000/R1/GSXR1000 couldn't keep up with a VFR on a racetrack is if the rider simply didn't know what he/she was doing. On the street & real world conditions, a VFR can keep up with the best of them in 90% of conditions. On the track, unless your last name is Spencer, Pridmore, Roberts, etc you aren't keeping up with the 1000's period. I got just under 20 years experience on street bikes and I can keep up with the 600's on the Dragon only because the speeds are between 15mph-55mph. If I try to run with the 1000's, they slaughter me everytime. It's simple physics, 50 more HP & 100lbs less.

It aint personal, I'm just calling it like I see it.

KC-10 FE out...

I was wondering if anybody was going to chime in with a dose of reality - that's why I asked him if he ever rode a liter bike. I have and I know from experience that the thing will spank a Viffer - even mine. I might have a chance in the lower speed twisties but thats about it.

[Ferris]

KC-10 - I agree with you about open class supersports on a racetrack - when the straightaway comes, they are going to reel in less powerful bikes.

But a tight, technical road like the Dragon? That big power just doesn't make much difference.

Lately, the fastest bikes down this road are the super motard style dirt bikes - most sporting all of 40 HP! While the rest of us let off and brake for corners, these guys just rail through on lean angles that seem to defy gravity.

But, like you said, it's simple physics. Ground clearance + lean angle = corner speed.

[Alois Hammer]

Originally Posted by KC-10 FE

I'm playing devil's advocate here & I'm not buying any of this other than the 145MPH on the straight. I believe that because my bike has been up to an indicated 145.

"the liter bikes had one hell of a time trying to catch me"
"My VFR had so much take off torque that even those liter bikes took a bit to catch up to me."
"After my suspension had been adjusted the bike took to the corners like a CBR600"

Not in this lifetime. You're down over 50HP & 20 or more lb/ft on the average 1000 bike. The ONLY way someone on a CBR1000/R1/GSXR1000 couldn't keep up with a VFR on a racetrack is if the rider simply didn't know what he/she was doing. On the street & real world conditions, a VFR can keep up with the best of them in 90% of conditions. On the track, unless your last name is Spencer, Pridmore, Roberts, etc you aren't keeping up with the 1000's period. I got just under 20 years experience on street bikes and I can keep up with the 600's on the Dragon only because the speeds are between 15mph-55mph. If I try to run with the 1000's, they slaughter me everytime. It's simple physics, 50 more HP & 100lbs less.

It aint personal, I'm just calling it like I see it.

KC-10 FE out...

Trackdays are not racing. Many sportbike riders are limited by ability, not equipment. My experiance has shown most riders spend their resources on upgrading hardware, and neglect the software. One of the reasons the 400cc 89 Honda still sits in the garage is for humility lessons with the local squid population. Try a track day, and lose your apprehensions of literbikes.

[KC-10 FE]

Originally Posted by Alois Hammer

Trackdays are not racing. Many sportbike riders are limited by ability, not equipment. My experiance has shown most riders spend their resources on upgrading hardware, and neglect the software. One of the reasons the 400cc 89 Honda still sits in the garage is for humility lessons with the local squid population. Try a track day, and lose your apprehensions of literbikes.

What apprehensions? I have no apprehensions or fears of them. I don't want an inline 4 in any way shape or form UNLESS its a 1969 CB750K. I only know in any situation I've tried to outrun or out handle them, unless the rider is a complete tool, I've been slaughtered. Who knows, maybe I really suck & can't ride. Or maybe it's simply trying to use a meat cleaver when a surgical scalpel is called for. I know how to ride, & I'm quite good at it. I know my limitation & the limitations of my machine. Like I said, it isn't personal, I'm just playing devils advocate.

[VFRNitroMan]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trackday, I enjoyed my 1st day on a track too on my '99 VFR. I saw speedo indicated 230 km/hr (144 MPH in American) at the end of the front straight of my local track. Was trying a bit too hard for my first time and went down in wet grass in a slow set of corners. Couldn't keep up with those 600s & litre bikes though. Even got spanked by a SV650 but it was my first time & without the benefit of any good setup or advice. I will be out again in the spring & recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it before. Maybe read Twist of the Wrist by Keith Code first though. It will be a more enjoyable experience with some idea what you should be doing out there.

[Alois Hammer]

I am not trying to start a flame war. I am just stating that on the track it is less about equipment and more about ability. One of the consistently fast bikes in middleweight sportsman when I was racing was this weird amalgam of EX500 frame, flatslides, RC-30 forks and 86 ninja 600 swingarm. These guys from Maine lapped at the same rate [1:25s] as the 600s in my class. And another member of our team lapped 1:15s on his 748 in AMA Pro-Thunder. The EX made 50 bhp, my CBR made 90 bhp, and the Ducati made about 90 bhp. Now Tom put the Ducati on an AMA podium, while I wouldnt have been a contender outside of LRRS. I understand that literbikes have a paper advantage that seems insurmountable, but road racing is not drag racing. I am not trying to impune your streetbike riding skill. I am trying to illustrate that the vehicle dynamics on the track are more than numbers on a scale and dyno. While you are playing devils advocate, I choose to see SCSwat story as accurate. There are trackdays near you, perhaps you could try one this summer. I think they still do trackdays at Pocono speedway. You could see how much fun it is to lap literbikes! You will find trackdays are broken down by experiance, not motorcycle type. The reason is the greatest danger at the track is not speed itself, but speed differential. The most parity is achieved based on software, not hardware.