Did my 1st Track Day on The VFR

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by fireman1028, Oct 8, 2018.

  1. fireman1028

    fireman1028 New Member

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    So I finally pulled the trigger and did my 1st track day on my 2007 VFR at CMP in Kershaw,SC.

    The 1st couple of sessions on the track, I was a complete mess. I was trying to remember and implement hundreds of hours of reading and video watching... all at the same time. Once I settled down, I was able to turn some consistent lap times of 2:20. By the last session, I was actually able to start working on specific things and was a lot more comfortable on the track. I turned a 2:10 lap, which isn't fast in the grand scheme of things, but I don't fell that I left much on the track, with my skill level and the current setup of the bike(pretty sure I was the only one out there with Helibar risers and a tank back ring)

    As far as the VFR goes, I think it did great for what it is. I had Maxspeed Cycles setup the suspension for me. Of course, there isn't much they could do with it. It was definitely an improvement, but I could still feel the front end plowing in the slow sharp corners and the tail end bouncing around.

    My plan was to run the VFR in stock form and see what needed to be upgraded to be a competent track day bike, without giving up much streetablity.

    Here is what I have come up with so far:

    1. Brakes: Pretty sure I just wore out the stock pads. They were adaquete, but were starting to make some noises by the last session. I am thinking EBC HH should do it.

    2. Suspension: This one is obvious. The front end in particular. Not sure what yet.

    3. Gear: Indicator: Pretty obvious.

    4. Remove Helibar risers: Great on the street, terrible on the track.
     
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  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    You forgot TYRES.....

    get some decent sticky rubber, sort the suspension & the brake pads & jobs done.
     
  3. fink

    fink Member

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    No need for a gear indicator. It’s just another distraction. Red line will suffice.

    Glad to hear you enjoyed your track day, they are great fun and very addictive.
     
  4. fireman1028

    fireman1028 New Member

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    I did put a new set of Q3's on the bike last week. Man what a difference! I dropped the air pressure to 32/30, which felt weird at first, but was amazing after a lap of warm up.

    Fink, you may be right on the gear indicator. I was getting better with my gear selection later on in the day.

    As far as distractions go, I ended up covering my Speedo after the 1st session. I found myself wanting to look at it on the straights.
     
  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Awesome, I have been tracking my 5 Gen lately as I still have not registered it after my low side, it was considered totaled by the insurance company and I bought it back and rebuilt it. Unfortunately, to get it registered with a salvage title requires a few steps and I've just been a little too lazy to go through them all to get it done. Although I like riding the 5 Gen in the canyons, I do have two other bikes I can use for that, so I am in no hurry to get it registered at the moment. I'm happy to ride it at the track for now.

    That being said, be careful on what you cover up on the dash. I took my 6 Gen to the track as I rode it there, due to my typical transportation (i.e. my Friends truck) was not going to be available for both days I was going to be at the track. Sometime during the first half of the day, my water pump decided to leak and when I was pushing it on the front straight, I did look down at the dash and noticed the flashing temperature gauge...255F! WOAH! I immediately backed off the gas and then slowly rode back into pit lane and was able to get the temp down to an acceptable level (below 220). It was later in the day that I was able to look at the issue and found that the main seal was done and it was leaking out the weep hole on the back side of the water pump.

    It was very hot that day (102+) and I was stuck behind a few riders on S1000RRs, so passing them was not an easy venture when they are capable of flying past me on the straights, so I at first thought I was just pushing it too hard and not getting enough air flow being behind them in their slip stream most of the time. Needless to say, not sure what would have happened if I had not looked down at the dash to see the ultra high temp. Glad I caught it before I suffered a catastrophic engine failure! All is good now but it was something I was starting to worry about, just how long was the temp above the 240F mark and how long could one go at high temps before failure was imminent? Luckily, may friend was there for the first day and was able to get my bike and me back home.
     
  6. fireman1028

    fireman1028 New Member

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    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  7. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    The linked brakes may be making you ass end hop around, that is one of the things that really bothers me about using my VFR as a track bike. That, VTEC and the suspension. I know some of the guys on here track 6th gens and they work around the issues, they may chime in and give yo some help. I'm just going to use mine on the roads and kepp flogging the CBR on the track. Nice looking bike, thanks for the pics.
     
  8. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    The '07 RWBs are great looking bikes, I must say :). Did one track day on mine, just b/c. However, I had already had the front springs replaced with Racetech .95 items. Also, had replaced the rear shock with a Penske unit, sprung for my weight and set up for 'sport riding'. I also had a PC3 smoothing out VTEC. The linked brakes did not bother me at that time/experience level, may do so now but I'm not tracking her again. Throughout the day I saw 240deg temps coming off track. And, these gals are rather heavy for regular track use, but that's just my $0.02. Prefer my R6 for track use.

    ACE
     
  9. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    I have tracked R6's, great bikes. You have to ring the living hell out of them but thats half the fun. Tracked a friends newer tricked out R1.... That thing is awesome, especially after I started to trust the electronics. What a difference good electronics make. Old dog and new tricks. lol
     
  10. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    Yep. Moving from my v-twin Ape to the R6 was an eye-opener. The Ape had grunt everywhere, from 3K to 10.5K, she pulled like a freight train. The R6 doesn't get moving until 10K+, but when she does, she's a blast. And the R6 is almost 40lbs lighter than the Ape. For the OPs reference, my Ape is almost 100lbs lighter than a stock 6th gen VFR, so about a 140lb drop total. Makes riding full sessions all day long doable for someone feeling their years :D.

    Have not had the opportunity to ride any bike with full electronics, so this old dog will just have to make do ;).

    ACE
     
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  11. Gator

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    The R1 was the first track bike I rode with full electronics. I'm old school, throttle blipping while trail braking and down shifting. So when my friend told me to dial the power on harder and harder coming out of corners was a leap of faith. I have high sided and low sided bikes at the track before and I did not want to high side his bike. But with his encouragement (he's an instructor) I kept dialing in throttle more aggressively to the point where while still leaned over coming off the apex I could wack the hell out of it. Amazing how the bike would stay hooked up and sling you out of the corner. Seamless up and down shifting and abs braking....... Just wow how well Yamaha's software works. If you get a chance give it a try, so much fun. Heading to a very technical track next month for 2 days with my CBR, back to old school. lol

    One day I may bring the VFR to the track just for the fun of it.
     
  12. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Mine does that on the road !!!! Lol
     
  13. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    Your ass ... or your bike ... :Noidea: ... :Lol:

    ACE
     
  14. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    Riding Barber on Mon., my last event for this year I'm afraid.

    ACE
     
  15. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    That is my favorite track. And the museum is unbelievable. They say old man Barber has just as many bikes in a warehouse in Birmingham too.
    Heading to Jennings in Nov for 2 days.
     
  16. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    BMP is a beautiful facility with a great track, no doubt. We may have been at Barber at the same time over the years. I've come to really enjoy NCM as well, longer track, fun, and easy on tires.

    Haven't been to Jennings, may try it next year. About an 8 hour haul for me. Barber is only 2 hrs, NCM is under 4 (depending on traffic thru Nashville which usually sux) :D.

    ACE
     
  17. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Here's been my experience.

    1. I had EBC HH pads on my 5 Gen (Track/Play Bike) and still do on my 6 Gen (Commuter/Tourer) and found that when I was pushing the 5 Gen really hard, the brakes would fade. This was with stock rotors BTW. I have since switched to Carbon Lorraine (XBK5) and EBC rotors (thanks to fellow member Lint) and my experience has been much better. Although the EBC HH pads are good and I have no issues with them on my 6 Gen, I typically don't push the 6 Gen that hard to notice any fade, even at the track I do limit how hard I push it as stated, it is my commuter and I'd hate to bin it knowing I have a VFR specifically for track/play time.

    I found out about the CL pads from this link, http://www.rogueracing.org/hrcpads.htm Although some do not agree with some of his assessments, particularly with EBC HH pads, I did find the CL pads to be a bit better on my 5 Gen. However, I cannot say whether a good part of that is the rotors.

    2. Hands down this is the number one weak link with the VFR IMO. I had both my VFRs redone by DMr and can say both are much better now. The 5 Gen was done with track days and sport riding in mind and even though the 6 Gen was setup for commuting/touring, it too is better at the track and on twisty roads.

    3. I sat don't bother, learn the RPM vs MPH and you will know which gear you're in with a quick glance to the dash.

    4. I cannot say whether or not the 6 Gen is any worse with Heli-bars on the track but if your ergonomics are wrong, then they're wrong and should corrected. Here's a lonk to a Dave Moss video that covers ergonomics.


    If you do a Google search "Dave Moss Riders Domain" there is a series of in depth videos they did that covers a lot more.
     
  18. Gator

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    Yeah the EBC HH pads are ok for regular street riding but not the track, especially when trying to slow the big girl while doing a good clip. Long ago I tried them (got them for free) on the CBR....... fade was horrible especially at my home track with a monster back straight 6th gear at the limiter down to a 2nd gear right hander. Down right dangerous. I have been running the CL for many years now and though they are a few more dollars they are vastly better for the track.
     
  19. fireman1028

    fireman1028 New Member

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    I plan on running the Patriot course at VIR at the end of the month. Short, twisty, with a lot of hard turns. Perfect for a Pig bike.

    As far as the brakes go, I really didn't have an issue with the brakes. Once I trained myself to keep the ball of my right foot planted and only rely on the front brakes, I became much more consistent braking.
     
  20. John carnahan

    John carnahan New Member

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    I haven't done a track day since 2004 when I was only 58. Rode my SV650S, FZR400's , 94 GSXR750 and my 2004 GSXR1000. The bloody 1000 GSXR w/o electronics was scary, WAAAAAAAAY too much for me. I'd love to try on a modern liter bike but I may be getting long in tooth...? Have fun!

    Jack
     
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