Moto-Brian

A BIG thing to consider folks... STT and Mid-O do Novice based classroom instruction. The idea is that if this is going to be the typical track day group and we are simply getting together for a love fest in a garage, it doesn't matter where we go as most will cross paths. My thoughts are that we look at trying to invite and pursue getting newer riders to the track. We have a site owner that has never been to the track, we have mods on here that haven't been to the track and we have members that outnumber us GREATLY that have never been. If we want to get more interest and more members, we need to consider the Novice aspect. With all due respect to MotoSeries, Indy Ducati and NESBA, they do not have good novice level instruction and not the depth of instructors at that level. Intermediate and Advanced are easy to work. So, my thoughts are that we need to promote a track day that is inviting to the newer riders. We all get to play whenever and wherever we want with any org. We need to consider the newer riders...

Great effort, Dub. I can talk to the new owner of STT and see what kind of deal we can get. I'll talk to him tomorrow or so...

Seriously, guys! Set a date and let's get it rolling. By the votes, nobody wants to go to anywhere else close. Mid-O works the best, is in Ohio and makes the most sense. Putnam would be the next easiest in my mind, but totally everyone's call. Start a thread with the Mid-Ohio dates you are thinking, the Putnam dates and Grattan dates and see which of the bunch is the best...

True. Good points. I just hate the way it looks like you have a cinder block on your head...

Now that you have to spend $80 in addition to the $259-$299 Go-Pro, there are some stick cameras with display that are a better choice in my opinion. MUCH smaller and not as bulky and stupid looking when attached to your helmet, etc... Here's what a buddy has been using and it is super small and easy to mount on the bike. It has the screen to see what you are filming and he has also attached to his helmet and you can barely tell it is there... http://pointofviewcameras.com/vio-pov-1-5-video-camera.html

That was also combined with two other sites...

Why not just simply get a date and start hammering people to take vacation days. Mid-Ohio is probably the best choice. It's only $35 more than Beaver at Motoseries and is going to be better for everyone as the school and classroom side of things for newer riders. I also think that you will NEVER get a complete track day for solely OR members. So, just invade whatever event you guys want. I'd come to whichever one you all do. Just pick a date and run with it. Call it the official OR track day and start a thread. The thing is, I am going to call out the guys that talk, but never come to a track day. Sign up or shut up. I mean that in as friendly a tone as I can. There's no reason that anyone that has even remotely mentioned they would - can't. No excuses. Dubguy is nominated with Nick to get a date/dates that work. I suggest a two day event as the newer riders will have more fun the next day once they learn some things. The rest of us just get another day - I ain't gonna complain. Make it so...

If we do any MotoSeries stuff, it will be only the endurance on the RC8R. But, I am not really sure we will do any this year as I plan on WERA in the NC region... I won't say we aren't 100%, but unless it is going to be solid weather and fits into the schedule, there isn't any reason to race with them otherwise... WERA NC is paying and I don't have to buy a license...

No, no... You can have an opinion. .

Nelson is cheap, it is cool enough to try out and it is certainly cheap.

Yup... Probably in the 08s then if I focused hard enough. Put it this way - I think I could hit a fast lap, but to string them together and do it consistently, no way... Plus, I think a 600 might be a better weapon at that track... Dunno... Maybe we will see by end of the year. It's going to take some time to shake cobwebs off...

I don't agree at all. You aren't out there to be in Novice class running like little Duckings in a row. You want to pass and getting off that little single line can cause some grief to under experienced riders... I am saying that 1:09s are a start and honestly, I have no idea what I'd run nowadays. We got into low 8s when I was racing there in 2003. I'd suspect that 7s-8s would be still my speed... Nothing near what Wrobel and guys like Gaige do...

Yes, I was there Sunday. I was technically there Friday when I dropped it off also... I wasn't directing the Nelson response your way. Everyones way as the track isn't this magical thing that has a line that isn't rough. The exact thin line works, but the last I checked, you don't ride single file...

I feel it is a great layout and one can have a decent time if they slow the pace down.

Great responses, guys. Good to see a lot of you are becoming more and more used to performance track riding. Great thoughts.

Yup. Key is to get hydrated days before the event. If not, your body will never catch up. It's that way no matter what sport you are doing... As for Mid-Ohio... In the cold, it is a bit tough, but so is any track. Hell, the last event there for the CA day, it was 50 degrees and cloudy, but you could still run decent times... I would say with all the snow and rain we've had, it will be out of Mother Nature's system by then. Or, at least that's what I am telling myself!

All were pretty sweet. However, if they could only CONVINCE Honda to actually produce something like this... Honda is way too conservative.

I understand the concept isn't new, but aren't the shotgun based master keys a pump variety and the one they are working with doesn't require a pump action? Meaning, it is easier to use and can be faster in an intense moment? Note: I haven't finished the second show yet... I am basing it off the shotgun they were using for suppressor testing...

Dude, that thing is BALLER! I love me some 950 Super Enduros! Had some serious fun this year on one and am bummed we aren't bringing it in to the US this year...

Yeah. Instead of STT-Brian, I asked Ben to change it to KTM-Brian. It allows me to post info on Mid-Ohio events from KTM without it being a conflict. I think everyone knows I am still helping STT... I just thought it more fair to promote w/o having STT in the name. Plus, the Mid-Ohio guys are awesome and are doing a great job.

Yeah, I mentioned the rentals in the post. I do not know the cost they are charging. I am just responsible that they have bikes, they are maintained and if anything bad happens, I get a call...

As most of you know by now, I am with KTM and direct the Race Orange events at Mid-Ohio when we cross over with their PTR program. I should say that Brett still directs, but I am the call maker regarding the bikes and our program. I get to be the heavy and also the cool guy... Anyways, just a plug for the 2011 Race Orange Events this year. The dates are as follows: Monday, April 25 Monday, May 2 Wednesday, June 1 Thursday, July 21 Monday, July 25 Wednesday, August 31 You can get the basic info here: http://www.midohio.com/School/Courses/Motorcycles/KTM-Race_Orange-Fly-and-Ride-Program A little info regarding the whole deal. The bikes will be 2011 RC8Rs. This is a new generation of the previous RC8s. We no longer have a standard version and only an R model. The R model has had some great updates that will show themselves when you ride it, but overall, the changes feel like we added 20 hp to the thing. The bike is smoother, less vibration and overall, a better package. As for what you as a rider can expect, we treat these bikes like they are our children. Each and every one of them are my responsibility and we make sure they are treated well. I hate to be the dick and say this, but if you mis-treat my bikes, you will get an ear full and probably not enjoy my response. Treat them as if they were your own and not like it was a car from Enterprise Rental Car. Now, to the fun stuff... The bikes will be accessible by Novice riders all the way up to seasoned Advanced riders. This is a chance to find out what the bike is all about. It isn't everyday that you get a chance to ride such a great machine that is not only unique and somewhat rare, but also one that is a well performing bike in the environment it was developed - the race track! I know a few of you are somewhat hesitant to ride as you worry about crashing one. The deal is really simple. If you crash our bikes, you will most likely be held responsible for the damage. There is two ways to look at this. One, don't think you are going to crash. That will only lead you to be restricting yourself mentally and restrictive to your ability. Second, if the unfortunate crash does occur, we talk to you, find out what happened and we take that all in to account when going over the bike. Act like an idiot and try to do dumb things? We will send you a bill. Act professional and act like a normal human being and we will come to a great end result. Typically, the parts are at below dealer cost and no labor factored in. If you would crash your own bike and did your own repair, the likelihood of it being cheaper is very low. We have yet to have a major incident and typical repairs are levers, clip-ons, rearsets, scuffed plastic that cannot be re-used, etc. Again, we talk and we evaluate each and every crash. If you need rental suits, Mid-Ohio has a full line of S&S suits (I believe) and can accommodate you in that regard. In the end, you really just need gear and a way to the track. You are treated like a pro rider. We fuel them, we keep good tires on them, we line them up for you to come and ride away! We also have a few guys on the team that are pretty accomplished racers and can assist if the Mid-Ohio coaches cannot. We are also available to answer any questions you may have. Last year, we had a few other street models available to ride for customers. That should be the same this go around. I will verify that as soon as the info is available. Those bikes would be like the 990 SMR, 690 Duke, etc. The price is extremely affordable considering you are essentially showing up and swinging a leg over a brand new machine. Take out the cost of fuel you would use, the wear on the tires you would have and it actually is a cheaper event than had you brought your own bike! For 2011, we are providing the Mid-Ohio coaches with a number of RC8Rs. We are also giving Mid-Ohio some RC8Rs for rental use if you should wish to try one on a non Race Orange event. This is something I think will be a smash hit after the feedback we got from their customer appreciation day. We allowed customers to ride the RC8R and RC8 standard in sessions to get a feel for free. It was great and was sold out even though it was a colder day. We had many people asking if we were doing this more through 2011 and hopefully, the rental aspect will suit their needs. Here are some pics of the 2011 RC8R... White: Glossy paint this year vs. matte colors! Uploaded with ImageShack.us Black: Glossy paint also! Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Black with a few of our KTM Power Parts added: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Some action shots: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

That and a few other links posted are running some older school ideas and needs to be watched for guys with newer machines. The reason is that the newer bikes have had some really aggressive chassis changes in the last 5 years. That being said, this is a great read for knowledge sake and less for setting up your bike if something is 2005 and newer... Especially if it is 2006/7 and newer... The current genie bikes need a lot of trail and need things done differently than it was done just 5 years ago. Some current model bikes are still using older chassis geometry specs, but anything sport related is being done differently... Not a bad thing to read at all. In fact, I'd recommend it for base knowledge.

Here is a great watch ion tire wear for primarily the guys at the track days, but will give some real world insight as to what the clickers do and the results. This is educational to street guys also in an effort to understand what the adjustments do. Yes, extreme for the street guys, but the results are still going to show to a degree... http://www.onthethrottle.com/howto/dave-moss-unsprung-tire-wear/ Here is a vid that talks tires and PSI. Another good thing and not really suspension, but great info that is talking about numbers and such... http://www.onthethrottle.com/howto/rerun-dave-moss-unsprung-tires/

So, do you want to know why the clickers are there and what they are intended for? I can try and help with that when I get back. Suspension is a black magic thing, also... Realize that there are a shit load of guys with millions of pieces of data in their heads. It can get pretty deep if it goes too far in terms of technical. I can explain to the best of my knowledge in a layman's type of way...