Moto-Brian

I'm just doing sprints. Unless Justin or Jeff ask, I wasn't planning on anything. I am just bringing the GSXR to sort out...

I'll be there to ride behind Jeff and Justin. Well, Jeff at least! Sunday only for me!

The bottom line has been expressed by guys already, but coaching SHOULD be a thing where you WANT to help others and are good at interacting with others. I firmly believe that skill needs to be involved, but personal interaction and coaching are things that should top the list even above skill level. Are there coaches that don't get it? SURE! Hell, look at a lot of videos out there and you will see coaches ignoring customers as they fly by. It frustrates me to no end when I see a group of instructors pass a customer that is in a group that exceeds his/her skills. However, they continue on and never offer any help nor ever are seen going to that rider to discuss. The hard things to do as an instructor are two fold. One, instruct and assist. Two, pulling someone that should be in a lower group than they signed up for. Safety and fun are two reasons alone. Self evaluation (primarily the basis of most track days) is great, but it also can be an issue. If coaches cannot work one on one with riders and elevate their ability to fit into the group they signed up for, they should move them to the correct group that suits their ability level as well as what will equate to more fun for that rider. I have watched two of the three instructors on here (Sorry, Nick... I've never seen you instruct, but know you probably are great at working with riders - I just have only witnessed Craig and Jeff) work in their element and can say for sure that both have done exactly what should be expected of coaches. They pull people aside, they watch and report any issues occurring out on track and above all, are personable and easy to approach. I will also say that asking a customer if they speak up at rider's meeting or approach the staff is the wrong way to look at it. Customers are usually intimidated and may WANT to go and speak up, but may stay silent and keep to themselves. It's a difficult situation to ask for help... The idea should be to watch for those needing help and TRY to reach out and touch every customer to some degree. There's enough coaches that it should be possible... Once you reach out and ask leading questions, you will find that those questions and such will pop up. I fear at times that there are too many coaches doing it for the wrong reasons. This is evident and should be handled quickly or customers will soon stop coming as they feel it isn't worth doing it if there is no assistance or help available... Overall, however, I think the coaches that post on here are great folks and have the right mindset. Again, haven't watched Nick, but know him personally and know he is a good rider and the way he has worked with people at the retail level, know he is probably one of the good ones. Craig and Jeff are for sure and both can be of assistance even on here. You can NEVER ask enough questions. No matter how good ANY rider may appear, we can ALL learn something. It is a sport that is ever changing and ever evolving and we as riders no matter is new or veteran, can learn something...

I still have a few Bohn ones. $45. They are like new or some are new...

I'm with Dub. You are worrying too much. I never run fast times at a track day as it is just too hard with traffic. The idea is that even at 44s, if you are smooth and consistent, you'll be fine. 44 is a little tough when talking regular days in Advanced, but at RC8 events, that's really good and easy to run around... Remember, it is half the traffic also and you get a lot of open track.

As I mentioned, your PSI was probably too low and you needed more. You are showing hot tearing... Bumping up will add air and therefore cool the tire essentially... The OP was most likely too high and showing signs of cold tearing. Most people will NEVER believe that a tire HOT after warmers or the track should be in the low 20s... Most guys start at 30 and go from there and 30 is too much for a tire like the GP-A and the Michelin race tires. It has to do with the stiffer sidewall...

It's not hard to acheive, but take into account that people are on bikes that they are not used to and that the bikes may be different feeling to them vs what they are used to. So, in general, you were told correctly...

Honestly, sign up for Advanced. Your skill set should be fine. MOST guys were nowhere near that 39 timeline. Only Pinson, Reuben and myself were running those times on stock bikes... I'd say if you can do a 42 or less, you can do Advanced. The bottom line is this - it is more about smooth and consistent that is more important than speed. I've seen guys running 37s, but it was at the VERY limit and they were running erratic and sketchy. That could be better had they run 3 seconds slower and smoothed it all out and learned more. Not so much time as much as how you ride. Know what I mean?

The top pic looks to be entrance to the Thunder Valley area which yes, I would be trailing. The bottom pic I think Marty mentioned was at the Keyhole and I wouldn't be trailing, but coming off the brakes from trailing slightly... I keep fingers at the ready and in most pics, you will see this... However, in areas like exit of keyhole, through Thunder, front straight, etc., I am off the lever and full grip twisted... Many racers do it, as I think it is habit, but is quick reach to the brakes when need be. Even Keith Code students like Tommy Hayden and others do it. GP guys do it, etc... Kinda normal and I do it for sure on the street as I am always ready in case something pops up quickly...

Not quite, but a 39 is Advanced pace for sure. I think we were doing 36s Monday on stock bikes...

It's hard to tell from the pics. I guess I assumed it was cupping, but you bring up a great point. If the sipes are raised on the back edge (trailing edge) it is a high and low speed issue possibly as an example. Suspension... If the leading edge, it is most likely rebound. In all honesty, it is probably suspension if it relates to the sipes. If it is cupping, it is pressure. It's a tough call as to the right PSI as it can depend on suspension, the way you ride, where you ride, your aggressiveness, etc. It's really tough to tell people PSI numbers without those things known. I always state that 36-40 on street isn't too bad a place to start. 29-30 is where we tend to tell street tire riding folks to go at the track. ALL are general and can vary - it is a deal where you as the rider need to look at your tire and catch it before it gets so bad it ruins the tire...

In reality, it is probably a cold tear from too much PSI if it is a pressure issue... The idea is that it does not show any balls of rubber on the outter most edge. If there are balls of rubber or bands of rubber, it is hot tearing which is under inflated... Usually cold tear is smooth on the edges which it shows. The bottom line is two fold. One, he has been running them on the street which is not what the tire is designed for. Two, the GP-A is a full blown race tire and depending on the compound, it looks very normal and very much what we have seen on especially liter bikes. That is the meat of the tire and when brought up to that point of the tire, it is most likely under the most load, it will tear. Looking at the edges of the tread is more what you need to look at in his case. The edges having a slight tearing on them indicates possibly a high and low speed issue with his suspension... Your tire shown is indicating hot tearing with the rubber on the edges. That means you are under inflated for what you are doing. It also can mean that the tire is getting too hot because you are using it on the track when it is a street tire. It is also indicating to me that you need to adjust rebound. You have a definitive strip that appears on the tire and looks to wavy. It also appears that you started as a cold tear and then it was adjusted. But, the rebound looks too fast to me... In any case, the GP-A considering the wear it has received is in better shape than the second tire shown as an example. The tread on the GP-A is done for and well through the wear marks. With the wear it shows, it is looking good. The other tire is needing adjusted and could possibly be brought back to be used more... 9 out of 10 times, it is a combo of PSI and suspension. Knowing the OP's comments, I am betting that he never had the tire at 23 PSI hot off the track... at 180 degrees off the warmers, it should be 21-ish. I am betting a few bucks that he was running more PSI than that.

Just pick an instructor and ask for some help. That's what they are there for. As for the video, not really sure. The deal is that even though you may be an accomplished street rider, taking the novice class is ideal as it teaches a few things that are important for track riding. Remember one important thing - street riders develop some seriously bad habits when street riding. Track requires some changes and some insight into those habits and how to avoid them any longer. That's why riding track days helps become a better street rider than vice versa...

Yes. However, you can get one on one instruction in ANY group.

Cupping is usually PSI issue. Cupping is not a trend of suspension issues. Tearing and wear on the surface is what suspension will cause. Of course, it can lead to cupping, but typically, poor suspension is going to cause some serious indication via wear. Cupping is pressure...

I am 15 minutes from Mid-Ohio... Rusty is on his way through to the track, though and does a ton of events...

No, perfectly normal wear... I would NOT suggest the tire be used again... The price that Rusty has for a NTec is crazy good if it has enough to go even a single track day. I suspect that it does as he takes care of his stuff... The tire you are showing is done for. It has served it's purpose very well. If you like the GP-A, I have a set of take offs with great life left and even a brand new set if interested. Hard front and Med rear which was the choice for Mid-Ohio...

DAYUM!! I will be in contact! That bottom shot is really cool! Haven't seen that angle yet!!

Yeah, last year was tough for some reason. I couldn't get the GSXR out of 31s, but ran 30s in the race the year prior. We felt the track was the culprit. Everyone last year was slower than the year prior... I'm happy with the times knowing there was more. I think had I changed front fork springs, we could have got the front better. But, would've, could've type deal... I was just happy we didn't have to deal with rain!!

That GP-A looks perfectly fine and looks to be inflated properly. It does NOT appear to be under inflation. Remember, these are to be about 23 hot off the track and 21 off the warmers after 45 minutes to an hour. Typically speaking, if you get wear like seen in the other tire where it is tearing slightly, it is a suspension issue and not inflation... Always a rule for everything and of course exceptions, but that GP-A looks great and considering it was through the wear marks, it was most likely off a well setup race bike. GP-As off a liter bike being raced or track day ran is usually VERY hard on them. I wore a GP-A rear in three sessions.

Yup. Guy on the Duc got into a high :32. Could have probably done a mid to possible low 32 if need be, but that would be turning laps in anger. Wasn't a need to push really hard...

That would be sweet!! Frame MAY not hold up under the stress that motor provides, though! I saw a few CB350s and single cylinder Yamis I fell in love with, but had to pass on until I get a bigger garage! That small single cylinder stuff is so freakin cool!

Yeah, he has a TON of money in that bike. It is pure Superbike build and from what he has posted, it is literally as close to an AMA bike as you probably can get. But, the second race, he was closer as he gridded right next to me. I figured as long as I could get to the front first, I could set the pace and force him to pass. If I ever heard him (never did), I could wick it up a bit. I would look over at the entrance to Thunder Valley and see him. Saw he was getting closer, but he was maybe a few tenths faster and he never really could close. But, you obviously saw first hand how he reeled me in on the straight!! You should come and join us! I really am liking the twin!

Should be. Took a nasty fall and seemed to be concussed. They held him from racing as a result. Was 10th in the first early practice so, he was doing well considering...

No worries. They offer a modern twins and triples class for lightweight, middle weight and heavy weight.