Hailwood

Awesome route. Hopefully I can make this one. I can even ride sweep, since I'll most likely be on the FZ1.

*** Sold *** After some serious thought, I have decided to thin the herd down a bit, and part with my 1995 Ducati 900SS/CR. The bike has a clean/clear title, currently has ~22,000 miles, and is in overall excellent mechanical and cosmetic shape, especially considering its age. $3500. This bike is extremely fun to ride and has tons of character. The engine sounds amazing and has excellent torque, and combined with the superb handling, is an absolute blast on a twisty road. The riding position is pretty relaxed, and with the Corbin seat, I've had no problems doing a couple 400+ mile days. The current Racetech suspension setup is absolutely fantastic, and the bike handles like nothing I've ever been on before. It just wants to turn anytime - on the brakes, off the brakes, high speed, low speed - doesn't matter, and the damping is top notch. Here's a list of the extras included: Racetech Front Fork Springs and Gold Valves Re-sprung/Re-valved Rear Shock Corbin Seat Stainless Steel Brake (F/R) & Clutch Lines Carbon Slip-On Exhaust Stage 3 Jet Kit w/ K&N Filter and Open Airbox Desmotimes Hard Anodized Clutch Basket Barnett Clutch Kit New Clutch Pushrod Seals STM Crankcase Breather Valve Speedymoto Stainless Clutch Springs & Anodized Spring Retainers Cyclecat Billet Anodized Top Clamp Desmoparts Stainless Steel Bolt Kit The clutch components were replaced by me < 1500 miles ago, and it drastically improved the clutch action. The previous owner had the belts and valves done last year, so she should be good for at least one more season before any significant service is needed. Here are some photos as she sits today: The bike has never been down, but having the trade-mark Ducati self-retracting sidestand, the bike fell over in the previous owner's garage on each side. The bodywork was not cracked, but was scuffed and touched up by the previous owner: Other than this, the bike has a couple of small scratches on the tank, but is in overall very good shape for being ~16 years old. Feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions or to set up a time to come by and check the bike out in person. Thanks for looking!

*** SOLD *** After several years of enjoyment, I have decided that it's time to part ways with my 2006 Triumph Speed Triple. The bike has a clean/clear title and currently has ~7200 miles. It is in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic shape. $6200. This has been one of the best bikes I've ever owned and probably has the most balanced performance of anything I've ever ridden. The riding position is great for spirited riding, but comfortable enough that 9 hours in the saddle are no problem. The real gem on this bike, though, is the engine. It has an excellent amount of torque, and sounds fantastic, especially with the Trident exhaust. Here's a list of the extras included: Triumph Fly Screen Triumph Seat Cowl Triumph Carbon Tank Pad Trident Carbon Slip-On Exhaust w/ TORS Tune FAB Rear Hugger Fender Eliminator LSL Frame Sliders Photos of the bike as she sits today: The bike has been down once in a relatively slow lowside back in 2009, and had some cosmetic damage. It was completely repaired using new Triumph OEM parts and is indistinguishable from new. Feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions or to set up a time to come by and check the bike out in person. Thanks for looking!

Made it out to the GP weekend at Indy again this year and had a blast. The event was bigger and better than ever. The re-surfaced infield seemed to be a hit with the riders after they got some rubber down, and the races wound up being pretty good. Fortunately I was able to score paddock access, so we had some awesome opportunities to see/meet some of the riders. Valentino Rossi through T8: Ben Spies in T6 - He had a really bad start during the race, but his move through the field to take the podium was nothing short of amazing: Casey Stoner getting really low in T8: Stoner in T6: Nicky talking with his mechanics: Rossi in T6 The famous VR46 'package adjustment' leaving the pits during qualifying: The tribute they had to Gary Nixon and Barry Sheen was very well done: Elias' mechanics doing some test runs on his bike: Stoner's garage: Nicky coming through T8 during Qualifying - He had a really tough weekend, but I think it speaks a lot about him that he got back on the track and finished the race on Sunday: Moto2 race winner Marquez: Lots more at My SmugMug.

I'll definitely be doing a long ride down South this weekend, but it will probably be Saturday.

Glad you guys had a good ride, and sorry I couldn't make it. Maybe next time I can leave the skirt at home and get out there. How was OH-556? From the map it looked like a really nice road, and I'm interested to try it out sometime.

I don't like the radar in the Southern half of the state right now. I'm thinking I may bail on this one.

I'm pretty sure I almost bought your 400 when it was for sale a couple years ago. I still regret not picking it up. Check out Rare Sport Bikes for Sale. They always have cool older stuff including FZR400, NC35's, and all manner of 2-smokes. I'm still looking for a good Aprilia RS250, and they pop up there pretty frequently.

That actually looks like a pretty nice route. I'll see what I'm up to on Sunday and may try to join in on this.

I'll be there all 3 days, and am planning on staying downtown.

For using footage of what was probably the most boring parts of the ride, that turned out pretty darn well - liked the music too. Looking forward to seeing some footage further up 164.

Hopefully just the one problem, and nothing after we split off?

I'm thinking that the universe is trying to tell me not to organize any more group rides, but at least no one was hurt this time. MadMax's bike was rideable, and we were able to make it back to the Massillon area without any trouble. The problem with the Ducati was a melted in-line fuse/fuse holder at one of the ignition modules, which is fortunate since that's about the only electrical component that's accessible without needing tools to remove bodywork. Fortunately an extremely nice couple on a Harley stopped and talked to us for a bit. They lived really close and offered to try and find a way to replace the fuse/fuse holder. After a few minutes they came back and we proceeded to do a damn professional re-wire with a new 30A fuse. After that the bike fired up immediately and ran like a champ. Saved me from having to bring a truck back. Hopefully the rest of you guys had a good and safe ride and made it back home. We'll have to try another one soon minus the mishaps.

I'm thinking I'll probably just head straight there, but thanks for the offer. See you guys @ DQ.

Yup, that will work.

Depending on where you are in Akron, I'd be happy to meet you somewhere and head down. I'll probably leave around 8:30 to make sure I have plenty of time. I'll probably take back roads through Massillon and head over on OH-212.

I'm guessing if we leave Bolivar @ 10:00 we would probably hit Salineville sometime around 11:00 ~ 11:15.

I started a new thread for a run up OH-164. Bummed we couldn't make a longer ride further South, but it should still be fun, and much closer.

Unfortunately the longer ride down South didn't really work out this weekend, so I thought I'd try and set up a shorter ride and hit OH-164 and OH-9. Here's the route I typically do: Google Maps Link It's not very long (~110 miles) but it's got some pretty fun roads, and it should allow us to get back by early afternoon. Pace is whatever you're comfortable with - ride your own ride. I don't plan on burning up the road, and I typically keep it 70~80 in the straights and whatever I'm comfortable with in the corners. I'm thinking meet up at the DQ in Bolivar 9:30, get rolling by 10:00, and be back by 1:00.

We could do a quick run up 164 and then down OH-9. Would take ~3 hours from/to Bolivar round trip, and I know the roads pretty well. I'd be up for an early start too. Let me know if you're interested.

Any updates/firm plans for this ride? If not, I may pull a Tpoppa and do a long solo ride tomorrow.

Ah, gotcha. One of the instructors I spoke with made it sound like that pace would be very difficult to achieve, so I assumed (me = ass) that you guys weren't going that quick. Definitely speaks to the RC8's (and the rider's) abilities. In hindsight I kind of wish I knew what laptimes I was running by the end of the day. I was playing with the bike's lap timer in the pits, but never did mess with it while riding, but it's probably good that I didn't have that as an additional distraction..

We didn't really talk laptimes that much, but my impression was that if you are able to run 1:39's on a 600RR you would have probably been at the lead of this advanced group. The KTM was incredibly easy to ride, and I have no doubts that you would adapt quickly. The riding position actually felt pretty similar to the newer CBR1000RR's.

Also having ridden with you, I'll echo UP's sentiments in that you could probably match the pace of the intermediate group, but I would definitely agree with Brian that it was quite a bit different than riding on the street. I found the real difference between track and road was that it is a different skillset, with different things to think about. Even in Novice I was riding quite a bit faster than I ever have on the street by the 3rd session, just because I knew exactly what was around the next corner, and had no concerns about street stuff. This type of riding was much more about getting good body positioning, finding the right line, and working on being very smooth and keeping good consistent throttle through the corners. By the end of the day in Novice (last 3 sessions) the instructors were moving aside and allowing individuals in the sub groups to lead and set the pace. By the last session I was out by myself and riding at a (for me) quick and comfortable pace, and most importantly I was having a blast. Even if I were to do a second day (which I will) I would still sign up for Novice, I would probably just put myself with one of the faster Novice groups. Regardless, if you try it and are bored in Novice, I'm sure they would have no issues moving you up after a session or two.