- Joined
- Feb 2, 2018
- Messages
- 899
- Location
- Danville, Vermont
So, after breaking the engine in (560) miles I was finally able to take this beast to the track.
First run out was to feel the bike out and get a better feel for its chassis, suspension and brakes. I placed the rear sets on their highest setting for maximum clearance so it has the best chance of not catching on higher curbing (it is a $hitty way to crash). The higher setting on the rear sets caused my hips to cramp, i was stretching them down the straights to avoid terminal cramping. To get a knee down your really need to be leaned over, which only happened after 5 laps, i was surprised to feel how far it was on this big 200/55 tire and high mounted pegs.
After the first session I didn't really feel i had built much confidence, it could have been bc it was my first time on a track since early October and it is a new bike to me.
Second session out, I felt great on the bike, it was like I had been on it for ages. had a Knee down everywhere and the bike and I started to click. The good news is, the bike is more flick-able than my 959 was; the bad news for me is, the bike is more flick-able. At the slightest hint she just bomb dives into a corner. , so all day i fought early apexing my turns.
I set myself a goal to run the same or beat my lap times from last year at the track by next Sunday. I return to the track for a two day event next weekend. That being said, I turned the lap timer on and put her in race mode my second to last session. I wanted to get a baseline for where I was at the first day and hopefully improve on it by the next couple of days. I was very pleased to report i ran a 1:12.08 yesterday compared to my previous lap record of 1:126.
Overall I am very pleased with this bike, VERY pleased. It is an animal, power wheeling down the back straight on the top of 2nd gear, what a beast! I still need to get used to her steering geometry and strong brakes. Next Saturday I am going to get the suspension dialed in and set up, out of the box it is a little soft for what I need on a track. I will be hunting for 1:10's next Saturday.
Cheers!
First run out was to feel the bike out and get a better feel for its chassis, suspension and brakes. I placed the rear sets on their highest setting for maximum clearance so it has the best chance of not catching on higher curbing (it is a $hitty way to crash). The higher setting on the rear sets caused my hips to cramp, i was stretching them down the straights to avoid terminal cramping. To get a knee down your really need to be leaned over, which only happened after 5 laps, i was surprised to feel how far it was on this big 200/55 tire and high mounted pegs.
After the first session I didn't really feel i had built much confidence, it could have been bc it was my first time on a track since early October and it is a new bike to me.
Second session out, I felt great on the bike, it was like I had been on it for ages. had a Knee down everywhere and the bike and I started to click. The good news is, the bike is more flick-able than my 959 was; the bad news for me is, the bike is more flick-able. At the slightest hint she just bomb dives into a corner. , so all day i fought early apexing my turns.
I set myself a goal to run the same or beat my lap times from last year at the track by next Sunday. I return to the track for a two day event next weekend. That being said, I turned the lap timer on and put her in race mode my second to last session. I wanted to get a baseline for where I was at the first day and hopefully improve on it by the next couple of days. I was very pleased to report i ran a 1:12.08 yesterday compared to my previous lap record of 1:126.
Overall I am very pleased with this bike, VERY pleased. It is an animal, power wheeling down the back straight on the top of 2nd gear, what a beast! I still need to get used to her steering geometry and strong brakes. Next Saturday I am going to get the suspension dialed in and set up, out of the box it is a little soft for what I need on a track. I will be hunting for 1:10's next Saturday.
Cheers!
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