[tigerblade]

I'm exhausted too. It only took, what? At least a year and a half of chiding to get you out there?


Seriously, cardio helps immensely. I'm in better shape than I was last year (though I may or may not look it) and I can tell when riding. Didn't fatigue at all at Heartland.

[ConqSoft]

:give****:

[Zippy]

Great to hear about your day. Wasn't it one of the more profound experiences in your life? Now your mind has been indelibly imprinted. Do you see why people say it is addicting? I am driving to Blackhawk Farms Raceway tonight after work to spend two days at the track. I am so exited that I can hardly think about work.

I took me about three or four days to physically recover from over my first track day. I was just racked from it. No matter how good shape your are in, you can become exhausted if you are tense. It does get much better after you have done it a few times because you will learn ways to conserve energy and relax more. The bike will behave better the more relaxed you are, so that is another benefit. When the bike behaves better, you can feel more comfortable and relax even more.

[Chain]

Hey gang, I'm up after sleeping the sleep of the dead last night. Thanks alot for all the positive feedback, it's really nice to see.

A couple thoughts after reading through some of the responses. Grattan's still on my radar screen, but I'm not in a position to commit right now. I've still got this domestic situation simmering away (I'll spare you the details, but if she and I stick together, we're looking at closing on her house and moving during that time frame), and my street riding buddies are begging me to return to the Smokies again in June for the Honda Hoot. So I've got some competing interests that will have to play out.

Anyway, another comment or two on the track school...

Milroy and company are very competent instructors and racers. Each of them are mind-bogglingly fast on a race track. By the end of the night when they pretty much let us play on our own, it was truly inspiring to hurtle down the long front straight at 130 miles per hour, to brake as late as I dared, only to have one of them come blasting by -their full race 600cc machines still hard on the pipe- and leave me like I was going the other direction.

While I believe the FZ1 is the best overall streetbike I've ever ridden, it's not the machine I'd return to the track on. It provided plenty of poke down the straights and short chutes (I saw a couple little power wheelies and even a good wobble or two on corner exits). However, the bars are way too high for this sort of riding (dropping your center of gravity is hard, and there is too much steering leverage). Also, the rubberized pegs made it almost impossible for me to feel where my feet were on top of them, causing me to adjust my foot position virtually all the time - not conducive to hanging off or properly weighting the pegs on turns. They ground frequently too, and I'm sure had I not installed the heavy fork and shock springs, I'd have been grinding the center stand or even the bottom frame rails in the turns.

Time to make my way back to the coffee pot for a refill...

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Chain

Time to make my way back to the coffee pot for a refill...

And a couple of Krispy Kremes

Again, way to go Chain!

[Chain]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

And a couple of Krispy Kremes

Actualfly, I just downed a Myoplex Carb Sense protein bar.

Edit: "Actualfly"?! I really am tired!

[fivestar]

Well spoken, Chain.

Exactly my thoughts too, after my first day!!!

[john954rr]

So Chain, are you now ready to return from the dark side, sell the FZ1, and buy another Honda? How about the new 1000?

[Serial Thriller]

Originally Posted by phozed

there's nothing like sharing the on-track experiences (e.g. lies, aka benchracing) w/your buddys at the bar afterwards!

[Chain]

Originally Posted by john954rr

So Chain, are you now ready to return from the dark side, sell the FZ1, and buy another Honda? How about the new 1000?

Good question.

Should I one day decide to take further steps in the arena of track riding, a bike other than the Fizzer would be, in my mind, mandatory. The FZ1 will in all likelihood remain in my garage for a long time to come though, as it's a fantastic street bike.

As to the question of the 1000RR, honestly, my Yamaha was putting out more power than I could fully use at the track. I think an(nother) SV or perhaps a 600cc I4 would be better choices for learning to carry speed in the corners.

Interestingly enough, I found the long front straight coming off T14 the least entertaining bit of the whole track...

[ER]

Originally Posted by Chain

Interestingly enough, I found the long front straight coming off T14 the least entertaining bit of the whole track...

Yup, that's the wasted time between knee-dragging corners...

[coderedcbr]

Originally Posted by Chain

Good question.

Should I one day decide to take further steps in the arena of track riding, a bike other than the Fizzer would be, in my mind, mandatory. The FZ1 will in all likelihood remain in my garage for a long time to come though, as it's a fantastic street bike.

As to the question of the 1000RR, honestly, my Yamaha was putting out more power than I could fully use at the track. I think an(nother) SV or perhaps a 600cc I4 would be better choices for learning to carry speed in the corners.

Interestingly enough, I found the long front straight coming off T14 the least entertaining bit of the whole track...

I say get a used SV do the suspension It will also take the fear of tossing the Yam down the track. Doing some stretches after each session will help too.

[CBRjack]

Sounds like you had fun Chain. After my first track day I slowed down my street riding. It just isn't the same anymore after you've been on the track.

[tigerblade]

The SV is hella-fun on the track.

[929flyer]

You think your tired tigerblade, should of been here local chiding him!

OK, we didn't have to beat on him to bad. He just had to get ready in his mind to go do it. AND I think it turned out awesome for him when he did. Way to go CHAIN!!!!

Have bad news though guys! I just talked to Jim Milroy (MAM chief instructor) a bit ago and, well, ahhh, he said that ole' chainy-boy was pretty darn good rider. Took to the track really well. Givin' a more track oriented mount and he might just humble a rider or two.....

Damn that hurt to admit that!!!!!!!!

Oh well, WE got him out there guys and he's seen the dark side. A few more snorts (Gratten) and a little more chide here and there, WE'LL HAVE HIM CONVERTED FOREVER!!!!!

[Chain]

Originally Posted by 929flyer

Have bad news though guys! I just talked to Jim Milroy (MAM chief instructor) a bit ago and, well, ahhh, he said that ole' chainy-boy was pretty darn good rider. Took to the track really well. Givin' a more track oriented mount and he might just humble a rider or two....

I just PayPal'd you and Jim $20 each - thanks.

[abtech]

Sounds like he's back peddling on Grattan though. We may never see Valentino Chain . . .

[Chain]

Originally Posted by abtech

Sounds like he's back peddling on Grattan though. We may never see Valentino Chain . . .

Not peddling really, just being realistic about what I can commit to just yet...

I'm still laughing at the Valentino comment.

[HondaGalToo]

Aw, Chain, come to Grattan. The Honda Hoot will be there next year, and Deal's Gap will always be there. Who knows if there'll be a Grattan event next year? I'd grab this opportunity!!!

[Chain]

I hear ya bab-ah, I do! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[HondaGalToo]

Originally Posted by Chain

I hear ya bab-ah, I do! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Fingers and toes crossed!

[maxib]

Okay, it's time for a heart to heart talk here. I truly thought I was done with this sort of talk after the Birds and Bees thing my wife MADE me do with my youngest offspring. Now it looks like I gotta do it again!

Give yourself a couple of days and plenty of ibuprofen and fluids, and you'll feel much better.

What I have to say is not going to be pretty. So tough it up big guy, you can 'handle' things (according to your post).

By the time June is here, you will be itching things you never knew about before that itched. Antibiotics won't help. Mid June will come and you will be bouncing off the walls looking for a 'fix' and you know what that fix would be, doncha?

Admit it, you are a junkie, just like the rest of us. So send in your deposit and spend 2-3 days at Grattan. There is no need to go through withdrawal. However, if you choose not to go, the pains, the hallucinations, the 'what ifs' questions in your mind will drive you absolutely mad. You really don't want that, do you?

Believe me, noone should go through this type of hell. The only way to not suffer is to go to Grattan. If you want to be able to sleep through the night without waking every 30 minutes thinking you are in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, just commit to Grattan. We'll caravan out there if you want.

Chain, let me show you how easy it is. "My name is Tom, and I am a track addict". See? It didn't hurt at all. Now you say it!

[Bacchus]

Chain, the pressure is on! I just wish I could join all of you there...

[bwhip]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Chain, the pressure is on! I just wish I could join all of you there...

I know everyone's going to have a great time. Man do I wish I could be there!

[Northy]

Congrats on the first track day. Had great weather for it. Hope I get the chance to ride with you out there before I leave. Thinking of doing any of the weekend Track Addix days coming up?