Moto-Brian

They are good for anything that stays on pavement. If it gets off on to the grass or earth, the risk increases for damage. Street or track. BUT, street is unlikely to be tossed into the grass at a high velocity like the track crashes that happen... Plus, if the off track/street is rough and bumpy, it doesn't make much difference in overall damage, but that roughness will increase the slider damage to the motor, frame, mount holes, etc a BUNCH... Again, it is personal and I have only given you what we experience. Again, it used to be a big thing and as stuff kept getting damaged, it was cheaper to replace bodywork vs a wallowed out and destroyed engine mount hole... Do what you feel best with. One thing I always tell everyone is that if it gives you peace of mind? Do it!

Bedding in brake pads is an old school thing and not needed anymore.

Guys, everyone is over analyzing this. With race pads, you get drag on GSXRs and really, other bikes also. Vs stock pads and with the stock clips in, they will not drag near as much if at all. Relax, folks. It's perfectly fine. I would worry more about the washer removal than anything...

Stripped an engine bolt at about 75 mph and a low side and it slid off the track into the grass. Caught, pulled back on the slider and pulled the bolt enough to strip the threads. Was still in there, was bent and a BEOTCH to remove being bent and when we needed to replace, we had a tough time getting the hole repaired to allow for the OEM engine bolt to go back in. Also crashed in the wet at Mid-Ohio coming onto the front straight and the bike hit the (at that time) high curbing and caught the slider. Ripped the slider back as described before and put the bike up in the air enough to have it come down nose first and flip. Ripped the fairings off and bent a bunch of stuff. You can say that "popular", but the fact is that if the bike goes off pavement at any speed that is fast enough to cause it to travel far into the off road section, it is in serious danger of causing more harm than good. Again, street crash and it comes to rest in the dirt? Fine. The idea is that the pavement is what they are designed for. But, the pavement isn't always going to be there when you crash - on track or on the street... Like I said, it used to be that every racer in the paddock used sliders. Now, you RARELY ever see them. Under fairing ones are popular, but most common are none at all. Think about that...

We don't do the conversion with removing the washers. Not sure how he did the outside ones as they are on the back. The front side or outside, are the buttons. Doubt he did that... They'd be REALLY floating rotors at that point. The thing is that the bike will get rolling and the pads will be fine. The drag is usually when the bike is cold and hasn't been run. Go out and run a session and come back and try it. It will be better... Anyways, we do use the new Galfer Superbike rotors and the same thing really. Drags a bit. It has nothing to do with the bike itself or really the rotors. My KTM with Brembo calipers is way better and spins MUCH better. So do the 2011 GSXR 600/750s...

For GSXRs, it is totally normal and standard issue with OEM rotors - especially with race pads... Don't worry about it. I can show you my 1000 sometime. Trust me, it doesn't slow it down at all...

They tend to use them on the older supermoto based bikes due to smaller axle size. If your axle size works, it is just a matter of getting spacers made. Pretty simple...

PM the Mid-Ohio person on here. Check in the sponsor section... I do believe that as long as the pants are 360 zipper, you are fine in Novice... However, if it is a mesh jacket, I doubt they allow that. I know SHIFT does a textile Cordura w/o mesh and that would be OK with most. You need to ask first. I also think the rental on suits is $75 per day. Again, clear that with Mid-Ohio. That's the best way to do it and get a good suit to protect you if something happens...

sold!!

There are quite a few that will be there. I believe it is almost sold out...

Hard braking? Only off the back straight... There's a little less at the end of Thunder, but it isn't what I would call hard braking. Pretty much, that's it. Most are engine braking entrances and trail braking... I take hard braking to be turns that require multiple downshifts to enter the corner. That's the back straight and off Thunder. 4 off the back straight (Some do 3 and 1 between 6 and 7) and 2 off Thunder...

I can. They are about $40 a set to ship. It's expensive... I am basing that on what it cost from here to WI for a set to be shipped...

On track, I will argue that idea. The fact is that the sliders will catch off the track surface and can cause a couple of things to happen. 1) they catch and bend thus, wallowing out the engine mounting hole or stripping threads. That's a MAJOR issue that is common. Try getting a wallowed and stripped hole on the engine repaired... 2) they tend to dig in and will lift the bike. Sometimes, enough to cause a flip to occur. No sliders allows the bike to skip like a pebble across a pond and not flip. The sliders point the nose down enough to catch and flip... Look at any club or AMA grid. Less and less sliders to the point they are rare. Like Rusty suggested. Underfairing sliders are common if used...

Do yourself a favor and keep them in the box and send back and do not put on your bike. We have gotten away from using sliders. They cause the bike to tumble if it runs off the track or road. For street, it makes more sense as you usually are on pavement most the time and rarely get off the road. Track? Not a good idea...

sold!!!

The Zook was not chattering at all. BUT, the RC8 felt like a jack hammer in one, in the lefts before the keyhole, turn 10 into Thunder, left before the carousel and the carousel turn... I was a bit frustrated as I dialed a ton out and in and came to a better feel, but when I rode it, I was having issue with pre-load. I essentially gave up and came home, added some fork fluid and am going to ride it with a band-aide until I get the cartridges put in... But, you were looking good and if I can help at anything with 6, let me know. I love that turn...

Yup, talked to Steve and at least he is in great shape and the bike isn't so bad. I am also sure he is going to learn from it a bit also. As for what you need to do and brain thingy, I know we had a rocky start, but if you EVER need to talk about anything, let me know. I don't have the answers all the time and quite honestly, it is a constant learning experience and I enjoy trouble shooting, if you will. It not only can be a time to allow both parties to learn - I always try and learn something at the track every time I ride - but is also a time to evaluate for future reference. I was struggling with the RC8 Monday. Couldn't get the front even remotely close to where I want it and the Zook was the first time out since that COLD last day at Mid-O last year. I was struggling and feeling pretty frustrated. I'd enjoy going over the track and such if you guys ever wanted to. I think we can all learn for sure. And, next time, I won't have to break in the RC8 and I can roll a bit better... If the front allows!! Anyways, keep at it. You'll find the touch to the track. There's so many places to gain lower times.

You were looking a lot better out there when I was out there with you on Monday. You are getting the lines figured out and looking good, Jeff!

$300 and I can bring it to Columbus or pretty much anywhere in Ohio... This thing is baller to use even if solely in the garage!

When we flew in, it was almost like it was fake. It was SOOOOO green and everything is so well maintained in terms of landscape and such. The area is absolutely breath taking. It was about the most beautiful place I have been...

Nah, they were cheap and only allowed for an R8... Was a chance at a Lambo Gilardo (sp?) also, but didn't happen...

Huh? Are you code speaking and saying you are envious? That's cool. I was thinking "Wow" when I read your response. I just thought I would share something that I am pretty sure is a bit of a rare thing to do here in the States.

Yeah, it's pretty amazing. It is powered by the Audi 2.0 Turbo. The basic model like we drove shown here is 240 hp. But, it weighs nothing. The white one pictured is the ROC Edition and has more power. We also make a Race Spec version that is even more powerful and lighter... It's pretty damn cool.

Hmmm... That was kind of brutal, no?

Tell me about it!! I think I should probably stay here and drive off my symptoms... We are probably going to drive tomorrow some more also. Not sure yet as we have some other things planned, but I won't be bummed if we do. Dude, if you could feel the way this thing runs, you'd be amazed.