Six years of "Want" - My first Track Day

Discussion in 'Racing & Track Days' started by RllwJoe, Jun 21, 2022.

  1. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Well, it finally happened.
    Had a postponement at work that blew a hole in our schedule. We had nothing pressing to do as a service company. Could not move up any of the upcoming jobs. So......... Hey, there is a track day at the end of the week! God had cleared away every possible roadblock without my asking, and everything "fell into place".

    Other members here on VFRW had posted their track day joy, and always seem to recommend it highly. So I began to collect things like a used tracksuit purchased from a local CL ad four years ago, boots from an online supplier who was closing up/ selling his business three and a half years ago, a pair of gauntlet gloves earlier this spring, and a set of rims for track tires that I could swap out rather than use the street tires that may or may not pass track inspection a year and a quarter ago. Just in case I have the opportunity of a day with my VFR on the race track. All this over many years. Then the wide-open nothing-to-do at work came along!

    I signed up online one week in advance. Called a cousin who had a 6 X 12 aluminum trailer with a ramp to see if I could borrow it (he said I could). Removed the mirrors, the center stand, and the front turn signals/ running lights. Made and installed flat plastic "blanks" to fill the turn signal holes, and gathered all the support items that I could think of needing in the last couple of days before the event. It was a good thing that I had a lighter work schedule that week. The night before, I taped the head and tail lights and loaded the bike on the trailer, and all the paraphernalia in the pickup. Again, I'm glad that I hadn't had a long work day!

    20220602_194423.jpg 20220602_201419.jpg

    I know that I went overboard with the homemade wheel chock, but it did hold it in place. It was intended to be a temporary one-time use-only item. I plan to build a smaller and better-looking wheel chock when I have the time.
     
    Indri, bmart, Rodin and 3 others like this.
  2. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Some have asked..........." is a VFR a good track bike?"

    I believe that my '98 was the oldest bike at the track that day.
    It also was one of the lower HP/ lbs bikes at the track that day.
    I'm also convinced that it was one of the heaviest on the track that day.

    In spite of all of the above factors, it was a blast to carve around the track with!
    I had a great time!

    Track Day Cover.jpg
     
    bmart, Rodin, Colddevil and 1 other person like this.
  3. chutta

    chutta New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    fuller ne grand rapids, mi
    Map
    Was there, the old guy on a black ninja 400, noob 3rd group
     
  4. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Did we talk at the inspection prior to the manditory meeting?
     
  5. chutta

    chutta New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    fuller ne grand rapids, mi
    Map
    Yes. I've got a '14 vfr in red.
    My track day may well be a bucket list event. I've got some back and shoulder issues hopefully only due to lifting too much at the gym.
    If it's due to vertebral stenosis or degenerative discs, I'm probably done. Phys got bumped off today til Thursday. MRI soon likely
     
    RllwJoe likes this.
  6. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    I hope that it is from lifting too much, and that I will see you at another track day event soon!
     
  7. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    If I do another track day I will need to add tank grips so that I don't slide forward all the time. And a new set of bar grips. because the ones that are on the bike are not "sticky" and I have to wrap my right hand around the grip to keep any throttle control at all.

    Any recomendations for tank and/ or bar grips?
     
  8. chutta

    chutta New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    fuller ne grand rapids, mi
    Map
    I danced around telling the doc, knowing the horror stories of the neck surgeries. Prev to going, I looked up the doctors summations of the CT scans I had due to a motorcycle high side accident with a major concussion involving seizures. These I directed the doc to and we discussed progressions and symptoms of worsening degenerative cervical vertabrae.
    This Ibuprofen regimen is losing effectiveness. I take some well in adv of riding in hopes that the pain doesn't appear, but more often within a 1/2 mile down the road the stiffness and pain is revealed in my left back, lower shoulder area.
    I'm just riding out the pain in hopes whatever I did to my lats and hopefully not the rotator cuff subsides, lightening up on the weights.
    If this doesn't clear I can't see riding to the Dragon on pills.

    I friend passed last year and the widow says she's ready to sell some of his bikes, one being a '14 GSXR750. Unknown mileage, but working tool and die he didn't have much time to ride. She said she wants 12k, a new one lists at 12,5. So I don't think I will add to my stable.
    While it would be nice(?) to keep up with the big boys, do I really want a bike that can do 170?

    Regarding the grips, my VFR has grips that have smoothed right out, it having the heated grips. Kind of looking myself.
    Tank grip recommendations would be found on here.
     
  9. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Sooooo...........

    Nobody has responded yet with suggestions for tank and handle grips.

    Still open for ideas.

    Thanks.
     
  10. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2008
    Messages:
    648
    Likes Received:
    292
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Map
    I've got TechSpec Snake Skin tank grips on my track bike. They work pretty well, but I'll probably go with the clear Stomp Grips next time. Those seem to be more popular with the people that are actually racing and feel like they'd have a bit more bite. They also have clear ones that blend in pretty well if you're trying to preserve the look of your bike.
     
    RllwJoe likes this.
  11. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Thank you Colddevil for your reply.
    I've seen a review of the clear grips that stated the grip would collect dirt over time under the edge and because of that it looked poor.
    Are these the only two suppliers of tank grips?
     
  12. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2008
    Messages:
    648
    Likes Received:
    292
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Map
    I'm sure there's more than two--those are the two I seem to come across most often though. The TechSpec were a big improvement for me. Granted in my naivety, I waxed my tank before my first track day a few years ago so literally anything would have been an improvement, hah. I like the grips I've currently got on. I just wanted to provide an alternative in case you were interested in trying to preserve the look of your bike more.
     
    RllwJoe likes this.
  13. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    I have TechSpec on my CBR 1000. I have used the StompGrip but I find it too aggressive. The TechSpec works great with my leathers and don't tear them up. It also looks better. Its funny, I am thinking about selling my CBR 1000 track bike, have not done a track day in almost 2 years. Then I read a track thread and I waver on the fence..... lol
     
    RllwJoe likes this.
  14. Rodin

    Rodin New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2022
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    God's own county
    Map
    Great stuff on your first track day, well played, and thanks for the write up. Finally did mine too a couple of days ago. I had the heaviest bike by a mile, was pretty much the slowest, had a puncture at one point, and was the only first timer out there. Despite riding probably worse than I would on the road due to nerves I had a blast, completely loved it. Only problem now is I want to do many more and can see this becoming a massive money pit, especially if I buy a more dedicated track bike. Hey ho that's the game I guess.
     
    Colddevil and RllwJoe like this.
  15. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    Most fun you can have with your clothes on.
     
  16. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2008
    Messages:
    648
    Likes Received:
    292
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Map
    I saw somebody out at Road America yesterday on an all white 5th Gen VFR. Hopefully they had a good time out there. It definitely looks bigger than most of the super sports that frequent those events. I've seen 6th gens before at RA, but never a 5th.
     
  17. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    I once saw a guy on a highly modified sportster at Jennings. He actually was pretty quick. he was a top advanced track day guy and regular to the track. I have seen a lot of VFR‘s on the track, they do look huge. Lol. Thought about taking mine a couple times but decided not to. Just stuck with the good old CBR 1000
     
  18. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    If I can swing it and get Friday off I may see if there is an opening again this weekend.

    I may have to look for an inexpensive track day bike. Changing the VFR from street bike to track bike takes up enough time to make it harder to do a last minute track day. Then again, thats why I have a second set of rims with stickier tires on them, and discs on the front one, and a set of pads that have been bedded in to those discs. But I still have to make the time to swap them out.
     
  19. JACBR1KRR

    JACBR1KRR New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2021
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    20220823_154151.jpg
    That was me, on August. I had a lots of fun! Other then some rear pumping from the rear shock at the chicane after the carousel. Day went great!

    Month, later I took the VFR to Blackhawk Farms. Bike performed well, but rear shock needs attention. The front is completely stock. I'm waiting for my fork seals to go bad to address the whole suspension. Or just find a rear shock in the mean time.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2023
    RllwJoe likes this.
  20. JACBR1KRR

    JACBR1KRR New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2021
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    20220928_113530.jpg

    This is from BHF in September last trackday of the year.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2023
Related Topics

Share This Page