[Heavy-Dee]

Well I took the first half of the race school through Fasttrax at Nelson Ledges yesterday. The weather was great!

After Bob Stanley talked our ears off for about an hour and a half while everyone else was on the track he finally called everyone else in while Fearj, myself and two instructors went out for a stroll. After that it was basically a free for all track day. Which, I think worked out well for me. I learned a lot. For example:

1. I ride faster, better, smoother, and more confidently if I allow myself to get into my own rhythm, rather than follow someone and try to mock their lines. "Basically ride my own ride"
2. The 954 is still too much bike.
3. Look waaaayyyy up the track.
4. Plan ahead.
5. When your steering damper shakes loose and comes off it scratches the hell out of your gas tank!
6. Fill your gas tank BEFORE going on the track w/ instructors.

Some things I got better at:

1. Turn 4 is not so spooky anymore. If I plan enough ahead it can be fun. It's bumpy, and that kept me from improving much at the end of the day.
2. Turn 13: Ride like you are riding off the track, then dive down into the turn. Stay the hell off the patches as a number of people have lost it there this year alone. My back end slipped once too. This turn is a challenge for me, and by far the slowest part of the track. I need work here.
3. Stay to the outside of the kink, then dive to the inside. Plan ahead, and turn early b/c I was going about 120 (slow) by the end of the day, and things come at you fast!
4. Getting on the brakes. This is my biggest goal for the year. I found myself in racer crouch, then on the brakes and trying to get shifted over to lean into the turn. There is a definate "order" to braking. a) pop up b) brake c) lean. I need to stick to that. Sounds silly and basic, but important. I need to get better at knowing how much to slow down, and when to start braking in order to do so in time to navigate the turn. I found my self braking too early and not carrying enough speed through the turn. I suppose this is rookie stuff (parking it in turns), but some places I did fine (T1, T2, T3, Carousel)


In all the day was a success. I did buy a couple of pics, but haven't gotten them yet. I'll post when I do. I scraped my right knee quite a bit, but the left not at all.

HD

[ND4SPD]

Good seeing ya out there man. I'm glad I rode out. Weather was absolutely perfect. Wish I had my full leathers with me so I coulda got out there

[Heavy-Dee]

I'm pretty sure that w/o at least taking the Advanced Street School Bob probably would not have let you go out. Not yesterday w/ the group that was there. If there wasn't anyone there, the story would probably be different, but there were a good number of people there, and not all responsible.

HD

[ND4SPD]

Like that guy on the Gixxer 1k? I'm surprised he didn't get booted

[SuperDave]

Good deal! Yea, Bob will talk forever. I've memorized the whole speech now, and it IS long.

Same here as to the knee scraping. Turns 4-5 (?) are the only left handers and they're negative camber(?) turns. I've only scraped the right knee, will take the grinder to the left one . The kink CAN catch you off guard when you're through a lot of gears and the kink appears then adjusting your line inside for 10, 11. I love turns 12-13, the rest, well, just too freakin bumpy. I'm still a rookie, the majority of riders there fly around superfast.

Glad you had fun, what kind of beer did they have there, and wait a minute, wasn't ND4 meeting you there?

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Glad you had fun, what kind of beer did they have there, and wait a minute, wasn't ND4 meeting you there?

The beer came after I got home, just to calm down before bed.

HD

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

The beer came after I got home, just to calm down before bed.

HD

Just kidding dude, joke was apparently missed (related to title).

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Just kidding dude, joke was apparently missed (related to title).

I didn't miss it, I just chose to ignore it

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Just kidding dude, joke was apparently missed (related to title).

Oh I get it. The sex came after the beer. I AM married!

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Oh I get it. The sex came after the beer. I AM married!

No you don't, you definitely missed it. He was trying to hint at tender manlove. Must be jealous Or desperate

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

No you don't, you definitely missed it. He was trying to hint at tender manlove. Must be jealous Or desperate

No I got it. That's why I insisted that he know I was married.

HD

[Fearj]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Well I took the first half of the race school through Fasttrax at Nelson Ledges yesterday. In all the day was a success. I scraped my right knee quite a bit, but the left not at all. HD

Yesterday was a definitely good primer for Gratttan....I can't wait for that TREAT

2 things come to mind from yesterday's track time; 1) there's a BFH in turn 5 about meter up from the inside that you need to avoid (actually its a good reference point), and 2) as the sun sets around dusk you get wicked glare going into 5 and the last portion of the carosel.

I'm convinced that you need a lap timer so that you can gauge progress. An order is in order.

[SuperDave]

In all seriousness now (since no one appreciates my sense of humor ), I think HD's right. I think a 600cc would really rip on that course, not that the 929s or 954s don't do alright, just the weight/flickability and the non-requirement of top overall speed would suit the 600 class better. I'd like to take a 600 or 750 around there.

[F4i80DMN]

Sounds like you guys had fun. I need to get out there and get the street riders course done. Dan, Like you said, "it will help my riding tremendously". I was out yesterday for a few hours looking on the backroads for twisties to ride.

[SuperDave]

Hey F4i, welcome. The rider course is very good. You're not being passed by anyone until the last session, very relaxed and at your own pace. Don't get me wrong, it really gets cookin in the last couple sessions (if you want). As far helping normal every day riding? I'm probably going to be the only one that believes - no. Trackday prep? Yes. For me, I just don't take any street corners to the extreme where the riding course experience would really help. They say it will so will be classified as a "Steet Safety Course". But it is mind blowing the first time you've got the bike leaned over and you're hanging off of it while accelerating through the rest of the turn. I literally was grinning ear to ear under my helmet.

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

No you don't, you definitely missed it. He was trying to hint at tender manlove. Must be jealous Or desperate

I'll expect my royalty check within the week.

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by Fearj

Yesterday was a definitely good primer for Gratttan....I can't wait for that TREAT

2 things come to mind from yesterday's track time; 1) there's a BFH in turn 5 about meter up from the inside that you need to avoid (actually its a good reference point), and 2) as the sun sets around dusk you get wicked glare going into 5 and the last portion of the carosel.

I'm convinced that you need a lap timer so that you can gauge progress. An order is in order.

YEa, lap timer or a new/used 600. Choices. Definatly pumped and scared about Grattan now.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

YEa, lap timer or a new/used 600. Choices. Definatly pumped and scared about Grattan now.

No need to be scared whatsoever. This will be a great time, especially for newcomers or people with limited track experience. I will guarantee there will be at least 3 transponders for the lap timers at Grattan. I always bring mine, but have yet to set it up, as someone else always brings one and sets it up first.

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by tigerblade

I'll expect my royalty check within the week.

My resignation letter is in the mail instead of the check

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Definatly pumped and scared about Grattan now.

Why are you skeered? It's gonna be a good time!

[Red Rider]

HD...the Fireblades event at Grattan will be THE best opportunity for anyone who may feel intimidated about riding on the track. I can assure you, as will others, that this will be the most relaxed, safe, and organized track day(s) you'll ever attend. For anybody who is still trying to decide about whether riding on the track is for them, I can promise you you'll go home with a whole new level of confidence, not to mention a huge grin from all the fun you'll have. Speed is not the goal of this event...a fun time is!

[Heavy-Dee]

Not totally scared. I would say "very respectiful" of the dangers. I did run off the track a few times yesterday, and managed to keep the bike up. It's pretty amazing that I did actually b/c the ground was really wet.

HD