Moto-Brian

Now, that is the CC size and probably the 1290 motor proposed. It also appears to be the same chassis. So, it could be, but there are so many custom things done and Kiska is the design team behind all of KTM machines. Basically, this COULD be the real deal with a bunch of add ons and custom stuff. Although, what we saw last year was not a finished and production ready machine. However, we saw the new Adventure and it is exactly what we saw... In any case, these are some of the coolest bikes I have seen. A lot of passion and design in these and they are a load of fun to ride!

It's a custom build, guys. Not a production piece. I have seen the soon to be released NEW Super Duke and that ain't it... But, that being said, it is an awesome loking machine and had some serious care when built... Oh, and Rev - 150-200 in a sub 400 lb machine is pretty standard stuff these days...

Uh, wow... So, you think what was done that event was due to Mid-O being malicious and such? Really??? Dude, you have some really skewed facts and seeing if you haven't been there since 2006, you have missed what both the AMA and Mid-O have done in the last 7 years. Christ...

You might also want to consider grabbing some 9.5s or maybe also some 10.5s as well. Depending on your skill level, braking ability and overall feel desired, you can take and mix the springs (10.0 in one leg and 9.5 in the other for a 97.5 rate, for example) and be able to get the suspension dialed in even more. The issue is that calculators are great for a starting point and most guys usually fit into those suggestions. BUT, you get generic responses and middle of the road results. If you are a middle of the road guy or average rider, they may work fine. You can also mess with spacer length. The GSXRs are very easy to change these spacers. You can get with McMastercarr and get some aluminum tubing to do it right and make a few different lengths to be able to change for different tracks. This helps tremendously. I have a few I have made and stock I could give you to make a couple of sets... That would save you from buying so many springs...

Just setting it up as in sag, etc? If so, I could help for free. It takes maybe 15 minutes with an additional person required. But, the idea is that if fresh and new, set the sag the day of your track day. Setting it now and then getting to it later is a waste of time. Now, if adjusting geometry or trying to get the forks installed, etc., yes... Now is the time and suggest having someone assist you. We need to do a suspension seminar or similar in the CBus area sometime...

Yes. They have a threaded spacer essentially that compensates for any "gap" between frame and motor. Same with a GSXR, for example. Kind of a layman response, but yes, they are a threaded spacer... Basically, you can remove the swingarm bolt and the spacer still snug (they have a low ft lbs rating), the swingarm will not move much if at all. You then need to loosen the spacers and the swingarm will drop right out. Boom.

i'd be available to assist or offer any insight/do a seminar on something, etc... Just if you think it makes sense. I will be working on my own race bike at that time so, I amy be knee deep in transferring from street to track, but let me know.

Dude, you haven't seen my hands obviously... If I would rub a smooth piece of cloth, the results would look like pulled cotton as my hands are as rough as your attempt of having a nice hairdo...

Nate told me he talked to the guy and he said he said "Thanks, but I'm good for now". Which is weird because unless he has a shit pile of spares, he needs stuff if he crashes and the stuff I have covers everything he can ever do outside making it a soda can. I have also talked to Ed and he is working on it... The list of stuff I have is crazy long. I can email you and you can go from there. Shoot me your email if you want.

He wasn't interested. Dub? You get ol' boy to buy the package for anything over $5k (STOOOOOOOPID deal!!!) and you get $500. I've talked to Nate at Indy and told him the same thing. You guys get the deal done at $6000 and I will give you $750. I also found a few other new parts that are things every track day guy should have in their spares box...

Doug was the man behind my current number. One of the most awesome dudes I have had the pleasure of being passed by. VERY cool dude and NEVER spit with a big ol' lip full of Copenhagen...

I couldn't sell it at the time. You were given an opportunity for a new one below dealer cost. Had to keep my demo for a set amount of time before I was able to offer it for sale.

Is the idea to work on shit or maybe do something like talk about planning, setting up, etc as related to track bikes or racing?

You can't really compare the two tracks. Mid-Ohio is much more of a technical track where putnam is not. You have two turns that are somewhat sketchy. If you had AMA caliber riders there, turn 9 & 10 could be considered deadly. There is no deadly turns at mid-Ohio. The safety aspect of run off at mid-Ohio utilizes gravel traps to assist in slowing riders before obstacles. Now, do I think Putnam is deadly? Not at all! It think for club racing and track days, it is by far perfectly safe and accessible to new riders as well as challenging to advanced riders. But, you put AMA Superbike at Putnam and no way those last two turns get the seal of approval. Not one turn at mid-Ohio gets that stamp.

They moved it after a friend died there around 1995. The guard rail was closer as in right up against the track. Think the rail everyone watches from and it went straight down vs angling back like it does now.

It isn't concrete... Not that it makes it any better, but it is rail... You can crush that turn as it is WAY better than it was before they moved it back...

"In the United States, BMW police motors have been utilized by more than 450 law enforcement agencies, including the three largest fleets operated by the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department." It's becoming a thing of the past with the HDs being used. It actually has been something being phased out for quite some time now...

It's more of a DARE styled piece for exposure. That's about the dumbest choice for a police bike if used solely for patrol. I would be willing to bet it was a recovered unit and they converted it to a promotional piece. They even elude to it...

Bill, Bill... Come on, man. No need to get so upset and start the F-bombs. I think what happens is that sometimes, someone states something on the board and then the responses look as if you are being targeted. Here's the thing - you can easily be an exception. An exception is fine. Look at Brandon's example. I've seen the exact same thing. Hell, Ryan Kerr jumped from MX and Supermoto to road race and didn't do anything. He did rather well... It's possible, been done and is something that has me in awe a lot of times. However, it is an exception more than a rule. Look at it this way - I am going to show my age on this, but when I started, we didn't have track days. Nothing. Brandon's example is exactly how I started. I bought an F2 and headed west to Putnam in 93 and did the WERA school and the mock race on Saturday and my first race on Sunday. Was gridded on the 40th cone row. Almost to the exit of 10! But, I was thrown to the wolves and just jumped right in. Bought a 600 vs a 400 or Hawk and stuck with it. Today, the sport is SOOOOO much more accessible. WAY easier to get involved and WAY easier to buy something that is so much a better machine to track ride than a CBR 600 F2 was... I look back and wonder if guys like Reuben, Rentzel, etc would have had track days, schools like Swantz has, etc. as to how they'd be at their peak? They and myself had nothing. We did all of this on our own. I never did anything, but would NEVER suggest anyone start doing track days anywhere beyond Novice. It's just the norm and what is the most common in terms of people's abilities. 18s at Putnam are perfect for Advanced. You've come along nicely and should be proud. What I think I was trying to say and possibly the others is that suggesting to do anything like that to the AVERAGE track day rider is something similar to a poor suggestion. I think the idea should be to say "I did this, but would suggest this instead." Or, church it up a bit and say you would have maybe done it differently or whatever. The internet is a great tool, but also something that can take advantage of not so aware or newbie riders. They read and believe... I think you were slammed indirectly. My ego comment is that we talk ego when people sign up for groups. Trust me, I have seen more than my share of ego driven people riding in groups they should never attend. It's an ego driven sport also. We all have big egos. Otherwise, we'd be playing golf.

They do, they do. But, they also hold you up in the keyhole!

Some will advance faster than others. I would also tend to think that those that THINK they advance faster than others may very well be in the advanced group, but may not belong there. It isn't about a single fast lap time, it CERTAINLY doesn't mean shit that you can drag a knee as exampled by Twisted (I personally barely drag my knee, by the way - guess I need to drop down a group) and just because every org with exception to NESBA has a self evaluation, doesn't mean it is correct to decide to jump. My point is this - I see advanced riders everyday I attend a track day that are so far out of control or out of their element that they need to bump down. I also see a ton of Intermediate guys that should have taken additional days in novice to get acquainted. As for the lines idea? Well, seeing that most guys I have been around don't always use the race line properly, who is to say that you are? But, even if you "know" the race line, doesn't mean you should use it. Meaning, a lot of guys run out wide on exit and do not have the needed speed to do so and while a faster rider behind is trying to overtake from the outside, gets pushed wide because at the speed the passee is going, there's no reason for them to sue all of the track. Thus, they may be "using" the race line, but not needing to until they get the proper speed... Bottom line is this - there are a TON of good examples listed here. Craig, Hob, JBot, Twisted, etc are all guys from top to bottom that have experience doing this in different capacities and have made some really solid comments. Personally? I have yet to see even a super fast street guy come to the track that didn't have habits that were bad and needing fixed by running minimal, novice group. I tend to agree that some can go from novice to "I" rather quickly and even in the same day, I have seen it and approved the bump up. But, ZERO track experience? I would NEVER suggest jumping into "I". Simple reason is that you have zero ideas as to what to expect. Novice allows the basics and if you can understand, implement them with control, you'll get bumped by an instructor. Ego is an awesome thing, ain't it?

If I knew the names, it would be better. Me asking "Hey, you know those two guys with RC8s?" Only goes so far...

Not sure what direction I am taking as to what model 1199 I will be choosing as of yet. Looking like a standard and building it from there vs. the "S" model. I am working with our service tech guys to see if the electronic Ohlins stuff is similar to the race stuff and if so, I will go that route... Better wheels...

I have over $10k worth of RC8R spares and race related parts. Everything a serious racer or even serious track day guy would want. Race plastics, spare wheels, PC V system, everything. $10k at retail plus canopy and little other things. Even gear. I know there were two guys (father and son) that rode Mid-O all the time and I gave them my card, but that number has changed and I have no idea how to get ahold of them. I also know there are a few other guys that were at the track, but not sure they'd be interested. So, if anyone knows that father/son combo, I have a ton of stuff I will sell STOOOOPID cheap so I can get some Panigale stuff!!

Do it at another track, man. Barber is always booked to capacity and you'd get better track time somewhere else. I am looking at possibly checking this out also. We should try and do something at Jennings or something...