lobsta954

i was running around  1:48-1:50 Monday in the afternoon. Took along time for the track to warm up. Partly sunny my beehive!

Yes, but it's still possible for an SV to catch and pass a 954 if the SV rider carries more corner speed onto the straight, and then brakes later to carry more speed through the following turn.

 

I believe Lobsta was being modest, and admitting that he has been passed by more skilled riders on slower bikes.  That's actually a good way to learn.  Follow faster guys through the turns, and watch what they do, then catch back up on the straights where their horsepower disadvantage hurts their progress.

 

 

As for those lauding the SV's torque, I hear that a lot, and it's really kind of a moot point...

 

An SV has 42-47 lbs-ft of torque (depending on the generation and quality of tune). 

 

An early 2000's 600 from any of the big 4 Japanese brands puts out in the neighborhood of 50.  So the SV does not have any torque advantage.  It reaches max torque at lower RPM, but it's got 4,000 fewer RPM to work with.  I'd call it a wash.

That's exactly what I meant. Try sticking with a more skillled rider in the corners or braking with them. Blowing past guys on straights doesn't teach you anything if all you're doing is outppower them. Sure, you have to have a certain amount of bravery (or stupdity) to go fast, but you have to have skilll to use it in the corners.

I plan on shaking some of the rust off on the 23rd at Mid Ohio. Anyone else going?

I learned how to ride on a Suzuki GS 450 and that was suitable for just about anything. I wouldn't go smaller than that if you are planning on doing any freeway riding.

Well I wrecked on Saturday. First motorcycle wreck ever! Stooooopid mistake. I ended up running in the fastest group in Novice with a coworker who used to do a lot of track days about 10 years ago. The pace was by far the fastest I've ever ridden and at first it was a bit beyond my skill level but I got comfortable with it after the first session or two and was having a blast by lunch time. From the pictures it looks like my body position is much better and I really improved my lines through some of my problem corners. First time I was able to get my knees down in every corner (except through the first part of the chicane)!

 

The session after lunch is where it all went wrong. We were doing the "leap frog" excercise when we got all out of order due to some older first timers putting around the track and a thunderstorm was just about to hit us. I was distracted and kinda blew T9, then went wide going into T10. Clipped the grass, then target fixated horribly and went right across the track and into the gravel pit. I thought I almost saved it, but the bike dug into the gravel too much and down I went. I think I went over the bars. My helmet is a bit scuffed up, I have a small tear in my suit, and my right hip is bruised, but other than that it wasn't bad. The easiest corner on the track and I managed to dick it up lol. It was still my best track day ever...

 

Debating what to do with my bike though, it needs about $300 in parts to fix it if I just get the whole front cowl assembly off ebay. I really want a track bike and a street bike though. Should I fix the R6 (2004, 18k miles), sell it for around $3500-4000 maybe, then buy an already built track bike or just buy some race fairings and call it a day?

Going down at the track (or anywhere really) always sucks, the good of it was you weren't really hurt. I binned my CBR at M-O a couple years back and it was the perfect excuse to turn it into a track bike. Just sayin'.

Starting out with a higher HP bike isn't going to teach you anything but how to go fast in a straight line, panic and crash. You will learn a lot more on an SV or even a Super Moto than you will on a liter bike, until you get good.

Sure getting beat on straights suck, but catching and passing someone in the corners or passing them as you drive out is far more rewarding than blasting someone down the straights. I ride a CBR 954 and I have been passed by the 600's, SV's and Motards.

My game is trying to stick with THEM in the corners.

Normally I say go with a 250 as a starter bike but the 500 is pretty good as well. I'd stay away from the freeway for awhile though esp if it's a really busy section of road. That's a lot to absorb as a new rider.

Love the GPz!  I had a silver one from !987 till about 2000 when the transmission gave out and blew a hole in the case. A very sad day.

It was a great bike, keep her on the road, they are becoming hard to find.

im thinking I might be there Monday im iffy though I would have to take off a day and I would be by myself

I'm still thinking about it. Let me know!

Welcome sir!

Great, should be fun driving back and forth between CLE abd Cbus all summer.

Just did that drive last weekend and it's tore up for miles. Sucks pretty bad, but I think that even the back way (to M-O) is under construction.

Thinking about Monday...

Nothing wrong with a 14 on track. Just have some restraint on the back straight!

Not only is the surface a bit "green" exiting the keyhole, but a 14 will be MOVING by the end of that back section. Gravel traps are bad, mmmkay?

Brake at the first marker until you get a handle on it. Maybe even stay in 4th gear...

:plus1:

I brake way early on the back straight and still hit 165-170 on my 954. That gravel trap can look pretty scary when approaching at speed and hard on the brakes . Some have also found the kink to be pretty daunting as well.

In novice there usually isn't any passing so having someone blast past you probably won't happen.

There are some good instructors at M-O and they will talk to you about lines, body position, etc after each session. In any case, as someone else said, it's not a race and the key to a successful track day is just like on the street, ride within your limits and have fun.

Well crash bars dont affect clearance.

Would definitely "novice" or "beginner" or whatever is first time on a track

I would want a more appropriate bike if doing anything more serious.

My suit does not qualify as is because the zip together is only about 8" in theH back. I guess I could consider a rental if I could find my size (6'2" 200).

Hmm may have to think about this a little harder. I know I could always stand to improve my riding and practicing on a track is sure to be safer than hitting curvy roads in southern ohio.

Craig

You gear would probably be fine for the Novice group. You would probably want to take the case off the back, though I have seen guys ride with them in novice.

The track is definitely he place to hone you skills.

These are the requirements for bikes and riders from the Mid Ohio site. http://www.midohio.com/School/Courses/Motorcycles/Performance-Track-Riding

Bike Preparation

• All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to being permitted on to the track. It is the sole responsibility of the rider to ensure their bike meets these requirements. If a bike fails tech inspection, it may be presented for re-inspection at any time. If a bike is involved in a crash it must be re-inspected prior to being permitted on to the track. No refunds will be made for bikes, which fail to pass tech inspection.
  
• All bikes must be prepared to endure high speeds on track. All parts must be fastened securely and adjusted correctly.
  
• All fuel, coolant, hydraulic and lubrication systems must be fluid tight (see below for additional information for Advanced and Intermediate bikes).
  
• Tires must be in good condition, without signs of excessive wear. Tire valves must have caps. Wheel weights must be taped.
  
• Brakes must be in good working order with a minimum of 1.5mm of pad remaining. Discs must not be excessively worn or loose.
  
• All bikes must have a functioning, well-marked engine cut-off switch on the handlebar near the right hand grip.
  
• Throttles must operate smoothly and be self-closing.
  
• Any glass or plastic lenses must be taped completely. Mirrors and turn indicators are permitted in the NOVICE GROUP ONLY. All others must be removed.
  
• Center stands are NOT permitted in the ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE GROUPS and we recommend removing them for the NOVICE GROUP.
  
• ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE GROUP machines must use a non-ethylene glycol coolant. Water and/or water wetter, or propylene glycol solutions such as Evans, Engine Ice, Liquid Performance, or 7th gear, are permitted.
  
• ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE GROUP machines must have oil drain plugs, oil filler caps, and oil filters secured. We recommend safety wire, but will accept application of RTV silicone to the fitting.
  
• It is recommended that any filler/drain for any fluid system be secured. Fluid leaks on the track shorten everyone’s day.
  
• License plates must have bolts taped or be removed.
  

Rider Gear Requirements

• All riders must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license.
  
• All riders must wear a damage-free full-face helmet with a properly fitted face shield. DOT certification is a minimum requirement; SNELL, ECE, or other enhanced certification is recommended. Modular (flip-up) helmets are permitted in NOVICE GROUP only.
  
• All riders must wear full-finger gauntlet style gloves.
  
• All riders must wear sturdy over the ankle boots.
  
• All riders must wear one or two-piece suits with substantial reinforcement and padding in critical areas (knees, elbows, shoulders at a minimum.)
  
• ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE GROUP riders must wear one or two piece leather suits designed for motorcycle use. Two-piece leathers must provide substantial attachment between jacket and pants.
  
• NOVICE GROUP riders must wear one or two piece leather or textile suites. It is recommended that two-piece suits provide attachment between jacket and pants.
  
• ADVANCED and INTERMEDIATE GROUP riders MUST wear a back protector designed for motorcycle competition in lieu of, or in addition to, the standard back padding in their suit.
  

That's not the only thing they love to smell on a young lady...

She made the classic mistake of announcing that she was a female rider AND posting a pic. Obviously doesn't frequent messages boards...

Le's try this again... Welcome!

She gone dude. Yer sniffing ghost butt.

Man you guys scared her off quick...

15 years of riding I've never been on a track. Thinking of doing a novice day at mid-ohio but not sure if I should bother with my tank of a bike. Any input??

I've seen a few ZX-14's and Busa's out there. Both are surprising capable at cornering and, of course, bilsteringly fast down the back straight. Bring it, you won't regret it (unless you bin it).

So how bad would it be for someone with modest experience to take a Vstrom 650 to a track day?

Would I have to remove the crash bars?

Would my adv tires be too limiting?

Crazy idea any ways. I don't even have a track worthy suit. Craig

I've seen V-stroms out there too. They are not too different than someone riding a Motard. You may have to remove the crash bars and go with different tires depending on how much they affect your ground clearance and what class you go in. As far as suits go, Mid Ohio will allow textile suits in Novice and they used to rent leathers, not sure if that's true any more. If you have a leather jacket that has a waste line zipper, you can get leather pants with the same setup and that will work as well. I did the two piece for years before I got my AGV suit.

Come out and play!

Um, I live in a cleveland suburb. By north Olmsted. If that helps.

Former C-towner myself. Used to live in Fairview, now a C-busser.

Welcome! Come to the track!

One of the biggest factors is that it has usable power on the street, unlike a liter bike. If you wrap out first gear you're not doing 100. That's why I don't ride my CBR on the street anymore.

It looks and sounds just as good when it goes by you on the track as well. Nice setup Prez and worth the bucks I'd say.

I had a couple green iguanas and I know how hard they can be to take care of, but they were really cool and remarkably friendly. I was pretty bummed when they died because of disease and I couldn't find a vet that could/would treat them (back in the days before the internet). Good luck with that dragon and other reptiles and with where ever you end up moving.

Man, it was a beautiful day at M-O! No sign of rain and the track was awesome! It was HOT, but the M-O did a great job of keeping water available and there wasn't even that many crashes though the "I" group was meg packed! They had like 56 riders in I and 26 in A. They even bumped a few guys to A to clear the track some. For as crowded as it was, it really didn't seem to bad.

I haven't signed up yet, but more n likely I will be in on Monday as well. Looking at 10% chance o rain right now...