02 VFR on the track???? Whats required???

Discussion in 'Racing & Track Days' started by kurtismaximus, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. kurtismaximus

    kurtismaximus New Member

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    I am looking into do a track class/ track day on my 02VFR. Does anyone know how the bike does on the track. I love it up in the canyons. But I just dont have any experience on the track. I am shopping around for full leathers, does anyone have any recommendations? Also how many of you guys have gotten your knee down on these bikes? Is it a realistic dream??
    Thanks for any advice on how to gear up and get ready
     
  2. 02 VFR Rider

    02 VFR Rider New Member

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    wake up it is not a dream.
    track day is like a day in the canyons with out a ticket.
    glad to see you taking it to the track and not the canyons.
    others will chime in with all the info you will need soon.
     
  3. kurtismaximus

    kurtismaximus New Member

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    Thanks, I normally keep it under the radar, and ride with full street gear. But i would like to upgrade to full leathers.
     
  4. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Although the VFR I ride is a little older...you can get a knee down no issues.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Be smooth with your inputs on the brakes, throttle and handgrips. Most of all have fun!

    BZ
     
  5. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    The VFR does fine on the track. It wasn't that many years ago when the pros were on heavier bikes with worse brakes on the track, and you won't be going as fast as them. I did much better on my first trackday on my VFR than on my GSXR 750. I found the VFR much more stable and it had more usable power. All I had to do was disconnect all the lights and/or tape them up. Full leathers are a must and the newer your tires the better. Takes lots of water. Don't forget your tools. Take at least a couple laps easier to warm up and I think it's better to go slower at first and practice form and lines then the speed will come.

    23703_1334558775751_1584536768_30817685_3308686_n.jpg
     
  6. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    In addition to what Bubba and Reg are saying, you'll also want to make sure that you have only water in you cooling system so as not to lay a slick across the track should you go down, although some tracks may let you on regardless, if youre smart enough to neglect mentioning it. Having your centerstand attached can also be a problem for some tracks, so check with them before you show up. You will need full leather to get onto any track that I am aware of, that includes a one piece suit or a two piece suit that zips togather at the waist and all the way around. If you buy a two piece it's very important to check that zipper sizes match for the jacket and pants, best to buy from one manufactorer only and don't by "off brands" to save a buck. Better of spending the extra $100-$150 on something like Alpinestrars or Dianese than to buy some generic Joe Dick set-up that will shred on first contact with pavement.

    Remember that intially, good lines are much more important than fast lines. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

    EDIT: Like Reg said "bring your tools" because if you ride your bike to the track, at a bare minimum you're going to need to remove your mirros once you get there.
     
  7. afinepoint

    afinepoint New Member

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    Did my first time on the track at VIR for this May 13 SED. My 07 did just fine. I couldn't hang with the track bikes especially on the straights but that is expected. For the track - at least for NESBA full leathers, race boots, gloves and approved helmet are required. Beginners may run antifreeze. You will be tech inspected early a.m. so be ready. Have headlights and tail light taped, fuses(s) pulled for the lights, number applied, chain properly adjusted and mirrors removed.

    Did I drag knees? Several times. I was wearing out the original toe slider in my Alpinestar boots but was able to purchase metal replacements from the Yamaha Race School guys.

    Mine was the only VFR there. Nothing but good comments and stories from others about the machine. The best compliment was paid by a Yamaha Race instructor who stated the VFR is a capable motorcycle. He said a dedicated track bike is not needed. Now he was speaking to me as a beginner.
     
  8. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    ^^^ Happy to hear that you had a good time, and thanks for the post. I think that for most of us, a VFR is just fine on a track. Maybe it won't do 185mph but it's solid nonetheless.
     
  9. afinepoint

    afinepoint New Member

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    As havcar says line is very important. No one expects you to go fast but it is expected to try to hit the apexes. Staying on line will give you quicker speeds and allow faster riders to predictably and safely pass. Being off line and all over the track is not going to earn any points nor make friends. Staying on line will also keep you on the track - enough said.

    There was no issue with my center stand staying attached but remove the foot peg extensions. Even with them off I touched the pegs until I learned to keep my feet beyond the ends. Leaving the stand attached eliminates having to buy and bring bike stands.

    I also used a standard antifreeze/water mixture to see how our "hot head" VFR would run. With the temperature in the upper sixties to low seventies the highest I saw was 231°F. In hotter summer weather I would expect the engine to match outside temperature almost degree for degree approaching the 253 °F alarm limit as another VFR rider saw on the track. For my July and August track dates I will seriously consider changing to water wetter.

    You will be tired by day's end even if you don't make every run. The heaviness of the VFR taxes your reserve and even my 205 lbs were challenged in the side to side cornering dance but in the end all was well.

    Remember nothing is more important than you and the bike leaving looking the same way they arrived. Good luck and hope to see you there sometime.

    Reg
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2010
  10. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Glad you had a great time Point.

    God willing, see you in July at VIR.

    And no kidding your taxed after the day. I did Code School level one on Friday and a track day Saturday. At the end of the day Saturday I was sucking so bad I was thinking about quiting riding. I was exhausted.

    BZ
     
  11. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    Both Bubba and Point are making great comments for anyone that may be interested in track. And dammit, we all should be.
     
  12. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    ^^^^

    Havcar for President!

    [video]http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/lehighjake/NJMP%20Lightning%20May%202010/?action=view&current=65640e45.flv[/video]

    If I can do it (look for the red 4th gen and my bright yellow helmet) then anybody can!

    And for more entertainment, here's my buddy Jeff blazing on his Busa.
    [​IMG]

    Thanks VFRW brother elwary for the pics and videos!

    BZ
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2010
  13. kurtismaximus

    kurtismaximus New Member

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    The 1st track day was amazing. I wore out a set of toe sliders. I would like some rearsets but we will see how that goes. I for sure was slower. But at the same time with a little instruction I was catching up in the corners. Has anyone pulled the center stand off before? I looked at it real quick and I'm not sure the bolts will clear the head pipe on the right side. I would like to pull it off for future days. I went with ti2tt.com and they didn't require too much extra work to the bike just some tape and mirrors to be off. Oh.... It was 110F in the desert I did find that the temp light comes on at 251F But that was after I was getting more comfortable and needed to be hitting the corners in the next gear up. It was an amazing day check out CVR. If anyone knows where to get rearsets for less than $500 give me a heads up.
     
  14. zhdrummer

    zhdrummer New Member

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    I tracked my 84 and my 07 last Tuesday. You must pull the peg extensions off the 07 or you will grind them off as soon as you run a lap with warm tires. As the other guys showed, you can get a knee down. Doing so on the 84 is a much hairier experience. Not too mention physically punishing by comparision.
     
  15. afinepoint

    afinepoint New Member

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    Watch your foot position. Wearing the sliders out completely may be a sign of your foot being too far forward or too much lean in the curve. Have a control rider or instructor look at your feet. The peg should be under the ball or slightly farther forward. The danger in wearing down the slider - besides the obvious is that you may wear through to the attaching point beneath thus damaging the shoe. Now you find yourself at the track in need of a boot.

    One of the Yamaha Riding School guys admitted to doing this. They of course bring extra gear. Most of us don't.

    Point
     
  16. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Member

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    I wouldn't run antifreeze, no track I know of allows it. Run water and Watterwetter or Engine Ice, or just straight water. Most tracks I've been to will allow textile suite like the Aerostich or Motoport kevlar suit. If you're limited with funds those might be a good alternative.
     
  17. kurtismaximus

    kurtismaximus New Member

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    Sorry the toe slider wasn't totally gone. But it got some good use. I did "13ikecamp" its an instruction program that kind of goes along with ti2tt. By the end of the day I was faster in the corners and not dragging the toes. Mostly body position. They let us run normal anitfreeze. But some of the tracks around here don't let you. I ended up getting an alpinestars jacket that zips into there track pants, and a pair of there boots. It does the job for now. If I ever do this more and get a track bike I may look into a full suit. If anyone reads this and has never done a track day..... you should.
     
  18. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Other than the Sato's not sure who else make rearsets for VFR's. I thought Vortex did, but can find any info to prove that!

    BZ
     
  19. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Any pics f
    Any pics of you blazing on the 84?

    I have a 84 Ninja I've been working and its running...for the most part.

    Anyway, I was goofing off on the Ninja and started hanging off and pitching it into turns and "handles' like shit' is the only way to descibe the feeling.

    BZ
     
  20. afinepoint

    afinepoint New Member

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    Incorrect. I run antifreeze at VIR and Summit Point.


    Engine Ice and Evans is NOT allowed per NESBA rules perhaps others as well. Be sure to read the manual of whichever group you ride with.

    Point
     
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