First impressions

Well after many months I finally got a day off work and took the bike to the track. All I can say right now is I am pleasantly surprised. I spent the early morning getting the sag right and then playgerized some settings from Nicky Hayden's eval of the bike, (fast bikes mag...August issue). I found it to be a good base to start.

I then got to spend the day on track with Nial Mackenzie, and his son Taylor for some tuition. Taylor is a great kid and I would really recommend people following him in BSB. His father was pretty down to earth considering he was a multiple BSB champ, and a moto GP rider. Didn't break any lap records and was off my own best pace (about 10 seconds off...wouldn't you be on a new bike let alone an R), but was really happy with what I experienced.

Didn't feel any of the high speed weaving that I have read about.....I was hitting 289kph on the straights. Brakes felt different that what I was used to as I've never ridden with ABS. In the corners you can feel the front weave ever so slightly, as if it was following a pattern on the asphalt. Someone is going to have to chime in and let me know if this is normal, or should I try and chase tuning it out. Also, reaching the rev-limiter was blink of the eye quick, almost a distraction when not focusing on the dash. I figure after a couple of track days I'll gel more with the bike and be able to lay down better times.

Was running dunlops and 95 octane gas. Overall a great experience and despite the "mixed reviews" on this forum this bike really did exceed my expectations.

Thamer said:

Well after many months I finally got a day off work and took the bike to the track. All I can say right now is I am pleasantly surprised. I spent the early morning getting the sag right and then playgerized some settings from Nicky Hayden's eval of the bike, (fast bikes mag...August issue). I found it to be a good base to start.

I then got to spend the day on track with Nial Mackenzie, and his son Taylor for some tuition. Taylor is a great kid and I would really recommend people following him in BSB. His father was pretty down to earth considering he was a multiple BSB champ, and a moto GP rider. Didn't break any lap records and was off my own best pace (about 10 seconds off...wouldn't you be on a new bike let alone an R), but was really happy with what I experienced.

Didn't feel any of the high speed weaving that I have read about.....I was hitting 289kph on the straights. Brakes felt different that what I was used to as I've never ridden with ABS. In the corners you can feel the front weave ever so slightly, as if it was following a pattern on the asphalt. Someone is going to have to chime in and let me know if this is normal, or should I try and chase tuning it out. Also, reaching the rev-limiter was blink of the eye quick, almost a distraction when not focusing on the dash. I figure after a couple of track days I'll gel more with the bike and be able to lay down better times.

Was running dunlops and 95 octane gas. Overall a great experience and despite the "mixed reviews" on this forum this bike really did exceed my expectations.
View attachment 7233

Click to expand...

Nice photo mate. Glad to see you enjoying the track. And your new R.

Awesome . The tracking part may be a tyre thing never felt it .
Maybe double check your pressures . I have never run Dunlops

I took my base to the track last weekend and the bike performed phenomenally. I got the suspension setup, I ran the stock Pirelli tires (28/29 - cold) and the bike was stable everywhere. No nervous twitching at speed, held its line in the corners and the confidence insprired me to ride faster and faster over the two days. 'm in the process of upgrading the suspension to Bitubo, so 'm anxious to see how it performs over the stock stuff.

+1 or tighter up your steering dampener. I set mine tight for the track for high speeds.

more pics

Thamer said:

Well after many months I finally got a day off work and took the bike to the track. All I can say right now is I am pleasantly surprised. I spent the early morning getting the sag right and then playgerized some settings from Nicky Hayden's eval of the bike, (fast bikes mag...August issue). I found it to be a good base to start.

I then got to spend the day on track with Nial Mackenzie, and his son Taylor for some tuition. Taylor is a great kid and I would really recommend people following him in BSB. His father was pretty down to earth considering he was a multiple BSB champ, and a moto GP rider. Didn't break any lap records and was off my own best pace (about 10 seconds off...wouldn't you be on a new bike let alone an R), but was really happy with what I experienced.

Didn't feel any of the high speed weaving that I have read about.....I was hitting 289kph on the straights. Brakes felt different that what I was used to as I've never ridden with ABS. In the corners you can feel the front weave ever so slightly, as if it was following a pattern on the asphalt. Someone is going to have to chime in and let me know if this is normal, or should I try and chase tuning it out. Also, reaching the rev-limiter was blink of the eye quick, almost a distraction when not focusing on the dash. I figure after a couple of track days I'll gel more with the bike and be able to lay down better times.

Was running dunlops and 95 octane gas. Overall a great experience and despite the "mixed reviews" on this forum this bike really did exceed my expectations.
View attachment 7233

Click to expand...

Can you share the settings you have or where you got the article

Thanks
Colm

Dialed n sag my first day, took me 3 canyon runs to warm up to her and now the bike has made my runs faster then I have ever gone.

Like you no high speed wobble at all 170, and im not getting any wobble braking, all though your on the binders more then I ride.


Im still getting used to how quick it pops up to redline and notice it requires a little more focus then the 848 ever did. Under 100 it feels similar in first and second as far as top speed, it just pulls harder then the 848.


Im with Wilks betting its tires.

q3 or their track tire?

good read.

I'm still trying to get the 1,500 miles so there are no more limiters on the revving so I can get it out to the track… So can't wait!

mark419ny said:

q3 or their track tire?

Click to expand...

Dunlop slicks

Staymates788 said:

good read.

I'm still trying to get the 1,500 miles so there are no more limiters on the revving so I can get it out to the track"¦ So can't wait!

Click to expand...

What limiters

Mines redlined from the get go

Thamer said:

more pics

View attachment 7234

View attachment 7235

View attachment 7236

View attachment 7237

Click to expand...

Love the colour matched tyre warmers. Which front stand is that ?

bradp51 said:

Love the colour matched tyre warmers. Which front stand is that ?

Click to expand...

Yeah those are my old warmers"¦it just worked out that way. The front stand is a PitBull stand

reganc said:

Can you share the settings you have or where you got the article

Thanks
Colm

Click to expand...

I have to get home to check the settings, but they came out of the JUne issue of FastBikes. It is a U.K. publication. If can remember, they were not far off from the race settings.

Ljuice26 said:

I took my base to the track last weekend and the bike performed phenomenally. I got the suspension setup, I ran the stock Pirelli tires (28/29 - cold) and the bike was stable everywhere. No nervous twitching at speed, held its line in the corners and the confidence insprired me to ride faster and faster over the two days. 'm in the process of upgrading the suspension to Bitubo, so 'm anxious to see how it performs over the stock stuff.

Click to expand...

Jennings?

bwaide said:

Jennings?

Click to expand...

Yes sir.

Me and a buddy on his GSX-R1K will be down there 28-29 December. You should come out and try that butibo out, good times in the cold!

I hate cold weather. Trying to do some track days farther south.