1st Track Day unimpressed addvice

Discussion in 'Racing & Track Days' started by mainstage, Jul 2, 2011.

  1. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    Over here in the states the 954 is a popular stunt bike. This is making it more difficult to find parts as time goes on. The complete bike is worth more as parts, but I guess that is true of any bike that isn't new.

    I have to repair my 954. I crashed it at the track and broke my clavicle in 4 places to boot. I have a nice titanium plate now. <sigh> I have been slowly buying parts for the CBR. The crankcase is broken where the stator cover broke (a common issue with the 954) and I have to have that welded up. I told the wife if I could fix the bike for under $2000 I would do it. Otherwise I would probably just part it out. Looks like I can get it done for under that. Not sure how much the welding is going to be.

    Ok, I will stop rambling now. Ha!


    Good for you going to a school. I think that is the best money you can spend on riding.
     
  2. Chicky

    Chicky New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
    Messages:
    780
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Kingman, AZ, United States
    Map
    Suspension doesn't have to be a big deal initially. When I first got the VFR, I adjusted the suspension to the softest settings, figuring with my 125lbs. that made sense. Plus, I got some "give" so I could actually touch flat-footed while stopped. However, when in the twisties I would get the "wavies". I thought it was something I was doing... well, yes it was, I was making minor adjustments to my line.... but the bike shouldn't feel like a ship on waves. I went to the track, and had the suspension guys "tune" my suspension and the "wavies" went away and I could take turns so much faster and with MUCH more confidence. I didn't have to adjust so much. I picked my line, hit the throttle and went, no more wavies. I was amazed at how much of a difference it made. The guy looked at me, pushed the bike up and down a few times, tightened the rear spring, pushed again, tightened the spring, had me sit on it, adjusted the dampening on the forks, and sent me on my way. He said to come back if I wanted any more fine-tuning. I couldn't believe he tightened up the suspension... for me!! But my riding was wayyyyyyy better and I was wayyyyyyyy more confident after that. So now, I can only touch balls of feet, no more flat footed except for one foot if I lean the bike a little. But, the difference in riding is sooooooooo worth it!!

    I'm not sure what they do over there, but here in the states, they have these suspension guys right there at the track, that's how important the suspension is. For $20.00 they will fine tune your suspension for you and your body weight, so you get the optimal experience on the track just with the stock suspension. Obviously, their goal is to get you to use them for upgrades and some REAL suspension work... but in my experience the VFR has a nice suspension just the way it is... you just have to make sure you've got it set properly for your weight. I imagine if it's too tight, you won't get the "wavies", you'll get the "bouncies" and that's no fun either.

    Just my two cents, but I would suggest if they have suspension guys there, see if they can do a fine tuning for you for cheap... it will be the best $20.00 (or however much) you spend!! You probably even have some local shop guys that can help you properly adjust your suspension before hitting the track...
     
  3. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    I totally agree with going to the track to have the suspension guys setup your bike up to your weight. I had this done on the CBR and it made a world of difference. The stock front springs are way too light for my 200 pounds, but would be about right you. I knew this when I took the bike to get it setup.

    Racetech front springs are in the CBR's future. It's down anyway and I know the fork oil needs to be changed!
     
  4. mainstage

    mainstage New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    melbourne Australia
    ye thanks vfrchick .Deadsmiley.

    I have been down the road of playing with the suspension once a couple of months ago. The guy I bought the bike from was a lot lite'r than me so the suspension was very soft when I first got the bike .I was feeling every bump in the road so had a bike shop look at it and set-up the bike for my weight about 90kg (198 pounds) went though the same procedure sitting on the bike and taking measurements . ect ect

    unfortunately I found this was to hard .when i took the bike for a ride It was like I was a pea bouncing on a drum .so returned to have the process reversed.

    But after reading your advice I will take the bike to my local Honda dealer and try again because as you say it's a cheap and simple fix . once that's done its all ME'' cheeers
     
  5. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,268
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    West of Cleveland Ohio
    Map
    mainstage what they did was may be set the suspension up for race type riding. Which IMO is to stiff for most street riding. Though it may be good for track riding. Have you had it at the track since the suspension change?

    Find out how to readjust your rear spring. All you may have to do is back the spring ring off one or two turns for street riding. Then tighten back for track riding. Do you know how to adjust dampening? That's will make a big difference in how the bike reacts. You may just have to back off the compression damping a little for a better street ride.

    The best thing you can do is change rear shock to a multi-adjustable and change valving and or springs in the forks. With a solid handling bike your confidence will increase and you can concentrate a lot more on your riding. Be careful though. Racing is like a drug. Once taken an enjoyed, it starts to suck your pockets dry and give you an ecstatic high from the speed. Which makes you want more. Gotta go faster.........faster......
     
  6. Heatmizr

    Heatmizr New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Map
    You should NOT be concerned with how fast OTHERS are going on the track. Work on you.
    Odds are it wasn't THEIR first time there. Going at speed does take some getting used to.

    I think your next day with all the instruction will open your eyes and then your journey will begin. Avoid going too fast down the straights and then "panic braking" at the end, notice and use the brake markers, and other landmarks. Getting consistent is key, before you can start turning up the pace.

    Def get the bike set up properly. Then enjoy!
     
  7. mainstage

    mainstage New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    melbourne Australia
    Greyvf750f .. No I didn't take the bike to the track after the adjustment just road around the hills for a week . No I have never re-adjusted my rear spring but I will do a bit of research on here and find out how . Thank you good to know that stuff . Only just getting in to track riding so it's one big learning curve .. :biggrin:
     
  8. ilovheros

    ilovheros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2009
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    Map
    I just did my first track day at Mid Ohio. My 07 performed perfectly, like it was on rails (I weigh 189 w/o gear/stock suspension) The bike never did any thing I did not expect it to do but my brain was not ready for the unrelenting rush of the track. It just never stopped!! By the third session I was saying to myself "can I keep this up". By the forth session I just relaxed and went for it. Did so much better, kept up with 20yr old guys on 600s and the instructor. I learned how important it is to get off the bike and just relax and trust it, REALLY TRUST IT, this stuff takes FAITH. The VFR could do no wrong, any thing "wrong" was me and my lack of experience and the fear I had. One thing I did notice is as the gas tank emptied the bike did handle much easier. I am looking at a crashed to rebuild 06 GSXR600 and I keep asking myself should I keep doin this or not?

    I wont be so concerned if I slide it but I am not sure I can take the intensity of the track.
     
  9. betarace

    betarace New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2007
    Messages:
    1,806
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Middleburg, VA
    Exactly! Another happy customer.
     
  10. pap11y

    pap11y New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2010
    Messages:
    367
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sydney
    Map
    I recently did my first track day at eastern creek. It was on a zx7r.

    I was happy just to ride without incident and get used to my track bike. I was overtaken more times than I could count.

    Does that matter....? To me no.

    Keep in mind that a few friends of mine who do regular track days suggest that phillip island is a hard track to start on as it is so fast.

    If you want to be competitive, maybe get a different bike. If you want to enhance your skills, the viffer has IMO everything you need.

    I have replaced my suspension and it is a huge difference.

    Congrats on doing your first day and hope you have many more...
     
  11. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,268
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    West of Cleveland Ohio
    Map
    Don't know your age don't know if it makes a difference. Not sure about the intensity of the track, then start working out some. If you have strong legs to carry your weight(off seat all the time) and good upper body strength,(needed under heavy braking) it makes your riding a whole lot easier. With a little endurance thrown in you could run with the best of them. Well kind of.

    Racing isn't as easy as it looks. Especially if you want to run up front. It can get real physical in a hurry.
     
  12. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    9,839
    Likes Received:
    743
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    Map
    Reading and studying can help alot to answer questions, show what you might be doing wrong, show how to be smoother and faster.

    Kieth Code's series of books "Twist of the Wrist" is one of the best sources to study, and no one, no matter how much they've ridden, could fail to pick up some very useful instruction.

    First time on a track ( NT650 Hawk) i was thinking I've NEVER before demanded so much from my front tire !!!
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2011
  13. mainstage

    mainstage New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    melbourne Australia
    thanks Pap11y

    you too :cool:

    Good to know Phillip island is a fast track .. sooo its the track not me '':wink::wink:

    going to Broadford on the 29th talking a class with Champions ride days . looking forward to this big time . Home - Champion's Ride Days

    will post my experience and pics ..:cool:
     
  14. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2006
    Messages:
    2,389
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Map
    Very true!!!
     
  15. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    Very good! Getting some training will really open up your riding world. :cool:
     
  16. SJC

    SJC New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2009
    Messages:
    79
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia



    Will be good to see what you think as I'm thinking about doing the same here in Adelaide.
     
  17. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Messages:
    657
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sierra Foothills
    All good advice, now I'll add my $.02...

    Once you get 'up to speed', you will find that the bike will move around a bit, and (as has been mentioned) you need to TRUST that the bike isn't going to do anything dumb. Relax, keep your vision as far down the track as you can see, and let the bike move. It will make a difference.

    And I agree, for track days the VFR has as much as anyone needs to get the satisfaction of going fast.
     
  18. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

    Country:
    Belgium
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2009
    Messages:
    4,019
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    South FL
    Map
    You gota believe in your tyres! Invest in dedicated race profile tyres not some mixed bag of street/track tyre that they wana lull you into thinking is gona grip like a raped ape on the track. Race tyres heat up and they are good to go. They dont care about cool down cycles and longevity. Lighter bikes can use real race tyres a few sessions/races with ok results. When those tyres get that blueing on the edge they are pretty much done.
     
  19. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    I call BS on this one. If you can highside a bike with less power than a VFR.
     
  20. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

    Country:
    Belgium
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2009
    Messages:
    4,019
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    South FL
    Map
    Yeh when the contact patch of the tyre is perfectly vertical! Otherwise it could be
    Object is to roll on the throttle, not be some ham fisted curmudgeon. Only thing I wana hamma is my woman. :evil: :smile:
     
Related Topics

Share This Page