Thread: Trackday..

First real (as in "dry") trackday. This is the 6th session of the day and I'm following the track instructor's advice, "slow down on the straights, and speed up in the corners". Guy on the yellow (Triumph 955) bike gives a demonstration on why they tell us newbs these things.
HD vid, hit 720P.

[youtube][/youtube]

Were you shifting? I couldn't hear any shift points. Specially downshifting before taking the corners. It sounded like you were in one gear. And I'm not trying to be an ass either. What track was that?

Tom, by chance were you able to talk and find out what happened to the 955 rider? Speculating I would say he came out of the turn on the throttle, slipped the rear end, got a tank slapper and lost it. It appeared his entry was way over speed, too wide and then cutting in beyond the apex. Pretty common for inexperienced riders and track riders, which definitely reinforces the instructors lesson lower straights speed, so you can setup your corner cleaner and exit heavier on the throttle. Some have a hard time controlling the adrenaline despite the instruction.

Originally Posted by CAT3

Tom, by chance were you able to talk and find out what happened to the 955 rider? Speculating I would say he came out of the turn on the throttle, slipped the rear end, got a tank slapper and lost it. It appeared his entry was way over speed, too wide and then cutting in beyond the apex. Pretty common for inexperienced riders and track riders, which definitely reinforces the instructors lesson lower straights speed, so you can setup your corner cleaner and exit heavier on the throttle. Some have a hard time controlling the adrenaline despite the instruction.

He was already down the straight and cresting the hill into the down hill left affectionatly known to us locals as "The Bitch".. From what I seen (was a lot clearer in person than the camera recording), he crested the little hill too fast for his experience, seen the other rider already crashed, corner closer than he remembered, whatever.. back of the bike swapped to and from a few times, and he was down, on the straight still.
I'd say, panic, locked the rear brake, and Boom.. on the ground.
Was just one (2 if you count the Aprilia 250 already off in the middle of the corner), of the several crashes in Novice that day.

Oh not an Ape 250RSV? Damn those are sweet. Are you riding your Busa around that track? What track is it?

Originally Posted by Pro Lux Racing

Were you shifting? I couldn't hear any shift points. Specially downshifting before taking the corners. It sounded like you were in one gear. And I'm not trying to be an ass either. What track was that?

Track.. Hallett Raceway, Jennings Oklahoma. Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
Yes, I was riding it all in 2nd gear. As I said, my first real trackday, so I adhered to the instructer's advice, and held the straight speed down. (80-90mph, 8000-9500rpm). Was trying to focus on lines and body positioning (body positioning I need to work on a LOT more).
Next time I'll bump 3rd in 2-3 places (will be running the course in the opposite, normal, direction then) to bring the straight speed up a little more and work on braking and corner entry, along with my body positioning.

Originally Posted by CAT3

Oh not an Ape 250RSV? Damn those are sweet. Are you riding your Busa around that track? What track is it?

Yup, Busa.


Had somebody drop one of those 250 Aprilias RIGHT in front of me in the rain at Heartland Park Topeka last fall. Something about 250 Aprilias..

Tom, I'm looking over the track map now. Its about the same distance as my last track day on the Duc and Busa, Deming NM, bout 600mi. The track rental is very affordable, $1,100 for Tu-Th, very nice. I assume your vid is from a lapping day event? Nice to know there are more options.

Yes, was last Sunday (June 6th) lapping day.
I ride out with some friends of mine who are regulars there. Only track other than Heartland Park within a day trip distance. I, personally, like Hallett better than I do Heartland Park. HPT is a bigger, smoother track, but more expensive, and on the day I was there, nowhere near as well ran as Hallett.

See what I mean about body positioning? Terrible, gotta work on that first and foremost..

Good thing is you have pics to reference off of. Nothing worse than having a group of friends or riders, where your trying to coach or give tips and the other guy is thinking he's been riding however long etc etc etc. Elbows bent a bit more, which will pull your upper body over the tank more; slide your ass off the seat (this actually keeps the bike more upright (not leaned over as much) and will help maintain maximum traction) shoot your inside knee out towards the ground, let your outside foot slide back on the peg to get it up higher (more comfortable when sliding your tail over); keep your head on a pivot like a hula dash dancer, let your body move around, but keep your head as level with the surface as possible while looking into, through and then beyond the turns (keeping the horizon level will prevent your natural off chamber tendency to upright yourself i.e. slow down to not lean as much). In the video while maintaining 2d gear, try downshifting as you approach the tighter turns, as it is now your backing the throttle off so much that its difficult for you to pull out of the apex hard. By maintaining lower gear, more throttle but same same ground speed you will be able and more comfortable leaning the bike over further, and drawing out of the apex pinning the throttle will shoot you out of the exit like a slingshot, the difference in exit speed will be amazing and your lap times will drop huge. Practice trail braking now before you get too set in your riding style (always hard to introduce new habits/break old the longer you do them). Approaching the turn, gently apply front brake to scrub the speed, tap down a gear, bleed the throttle back on or maintain throttle position while bleeding off brakes as your entering the actual lean/turn, about the time you bleed off the brakes you should be squeezing the throttle back and shifting as soon as your upright out of the turn.

Anyway, just some info, not bashing you at all. Hope this helps. Love seeing pics of the track days and hearing of experiences. Enjoy.

Charlie

Oh yeah, what tires and pressure? Have you set-up your suspension for your weight? No offense but if you haven't done so already, you really need to upgrade fork and shock springs, I highly doubt you are in the 155lb category looking at the pics, which is what the Busa is actually setup for OEM.

You just need to get down lower on the tank. You are too upright. Your arms are too straight out. You gutta get that leg out more. and your left hand should be hugging the tank when you are taking that right hand turn. Just a few things I can see that may help you.

Originally Posted by Pro Lux Racing

You just need to get down lower on the tank. You are too upright. Your arms are too straight out. You gutta get that leg out more. and your left hand should be hugging the tank when you are taking that right hand turn. Just a few things I can see that may help you.

This would be the cliffnotes version of my notes above

Originally Posted by CAT3

This would be the cliffnotes version of my notes above

Sorry Charlie. I kinda skip over long posts. Don't take it to heart. I just have never been into reading a lot at one time. it's my attention deficit kicking in.....

I skip many of them as well, but for the benefit of OP I try to be detailed (and anyone else learning), a trade fault of my own.

Nice Vid, Glad you had a great day and got some time on a track....