Hi Fellas. Boy what a day Saturday was. The most fun I've had riding ever. One of the best parts was how nice everyone was to me and my family. I want to thank all of you who I met, and there were a lot, for spending time helping me out and just being great people. I felt like I did OK my 1st time out, although the ZX12 is not a track bike per se I got her around OK. I obviously need work on my "hanging off" and it will take time to get better at it, I know that. It's hard to change 17 years of habits but I'll get there. I want to thank Justin too as he is a great teacher and truly helped me out a great deal not only with his words but by me following him. I wish I could pay him for a day of one on one lessons. It was funny cause I was feeling pretty damn good following him, but once he put me out in front so he could evaluate me, I blew almost every corner and screwed up the laps. I was pissed at myself and was thinking, "damn, he's got to be dissapointed in me". LOL Anyway Justin, thanks brother and I mean it. I hope next time I come out, you'll be there and I can somehow get into your group. I am hooked something bad. Been purusing the internet this morning doing research on a track bike to buy soon. Also seeing what my schedule is like for the rest of the summer so I can get back to Grattan and also Mid-Ohio. And damn my legs were SORE on Sunday, and Monday. I'm in pretty good shape but all that hanging off and back and forth over the bike sure does work out your legs. And while I never felt tired while at the track probably because of all the adrenaline coursing through me, by the time I was 20 minutes on the e-way coming home I was drained. Slept real good Saturday night, that's for sure. Thanks for the great time guys and STT. I really enjoyed myself and hope to see all of you again.
The first crack rock is free (so to speak) :twisted: . He's hooked. Glad you enjoyed. The question is "How far will your credit limit take you to get more of what you are fiending for?" Rob
LOL, money isn't too much of an issue for me but I am looking at buying a used ZX-10R for my track bike. There seems to be quite a few of them on the market for good prices. I know I know everyone says I should get a 636 but I just like the grunt of the liter bikes and the weight difference isn't too great anymore.
Cush is absolutely correct... he is HOOKED! Chris, thank you for the kind words and i am glad you had such a great time! I am glad to hear that you are looking into a track bike.... I think that you will be amazed at your progress the more you come out! Oh, and stop being so hard on yourself.. everyone... and i mean EVERYONE boots a corner here and there! It was a pleasure to meet you and your family this weekend. Half of the fun of these track days is meeting more and more nice people! I look forward to seeing you out again soon!
LISTEN TO "EVERYONE!!!" They are right..... You will go faster on a 636 at every track we visit except one. The odds you'll hurt yourself on a litre bike are about 10 times greater...
i agree a million percent. get a 600. there is a reason everyone is saying to get a 600...that is what belongs on a roadrace track. you will learn more and enjoy it more. trust me, i speak from experience of racing on a 600 against 1000's for two years. you want to put a 12r or 10r on the track....go to the dragstrip. you want to experience road racing...get a 600 (or smaller). edit: btw...glad you had fun at my home track. i was supposed to be there but had to go out of town for a family wedding.
again, get a 600!!! It's a track bike, right? just put zx-10 stickers and no one will ever know. there's a reason that STTGuy makes the comments in EVERY rider meeting about guys on literbikes blasting down the straights and camping in the corners. you will learn a LOT more on a bike with less HP, and learn it a lot faster. get a literbike later, or get one 4 for the street, where bragging rights are based more on what you ride, than HOW you ride. it's counterintuitive, but You WILL go faster on a 600 on every track that STT goes to, other than Mid-America. why? cornerspeed and drive out of corners! Your average liter bike is so busy spinning the tires on exits, that it won't hook-up well. when it does, you'd better hope that it hasn't stepped out, otherwise, you're headin straight to high-side city. a 636, with less power, doesn't have this problem, unless you've got a fist of ham. not losing traction on the drive means not losing speed, either, just increasing it as you apply the throttle. you can focus better on learning how to ride, rather than trying to figure out how to control the throttle, in addition. Brutha, the biggest thing I learned after my first few track days, is that i really didn't know squat about how to ride a bike. 16 track days later, I still don't, but i learn a little more each time. don't make it any harder that need be, get the 636! Cheers, Lance
I vaguely remember a comment about a 600 at the track as well... I am with Jig, Monte, et al on this one! It is sooooo much easier to go fast on a 600![/quote]
Hey it was good meeting you there......glad you tried that first rock :twisted: :twisted: . :lol: It's so addicting. I'll see you again soon I hope.
16 track days, 1 collar bone, a couple ribs, some cherry flavored lung butter.... (luv yew, kiss kiss!) :wink: So far you've heard from your coach, another coach/racer, the owner of STT, and a number of seasoned track riders. Let me add my opinion as another coach/racer. Lance explained it perfectly. Get the damn 636. You'll be safer, faster, and happier.
Ohhhh the pressure!! LOL Went and saw a pristine 2005 ZX-10R last night 2300 miles. $8K. Oh the pressure both ways. :shock:
I can't make STT's 29th date but Kensington Motorsports is putting on a track day on the 28th (Fri) for their customers. As of yesterday they only have 15 guys signed up. I think I'm going to take that day. Then look to the August STT day. They have an instructor who is going to be there from Jason Pridmore's school. They break the group up into 2, pro and the rest. My buddy who works there said I'll get more laps in than I could want.
LOL. I hear ya brother, I do. I've been riding liter or higher bikes for 17 years, it's in my blood. Considering I'm coming from a 12 to the 10, a 120 lb. weight decrease and I'll get an Ohlin shock it'll feel like a 600 to me. It's all good. I'm out to have fun not get into WERA.
If 6 were 9 Hey Chris - I just had to jump in here cause I have been down that road and back. So in case you don't remember I was on the #33 2003ZX6R 636 and my wife Ann was on the 05 ZX6R 636 across the parking lot from you. I got off the RC51 two years ago, after lugging that thing around the track for 3 years, and will not go back (at least for the track). The difference is too numerous to detail here but what I can tell you is that I am much faster in the turns, much smoother on the throttle, and most of my extra change has gone into suspension and brakes. Anybody can aim stright and shoot but I believe most of the seconds are found in the corners braking, not braking, and learning how to be smooth (ie throttle control). I know the 636 has saved me a number of times when screwing up the throttle and at leasst a couple high-side adventures coming onto the straight at Grattan. The ZX10 is a work of art but you might be suprised what the combination of light weight (compared to your bike) and big power will do if you just happen to make a mistake. The Gixxer 1000 is the only liter / track bike I would ven consider going to from the 636 but I believe it will come with a price - including more work, less fun, and well I'm willing to admit that I'm getting too old for that. Perhaps a 750 would be a nice compromise. JC
All true what you say Jon. Sometimes I just don't listen till I burn my hand on the stove though. It's all good, I'm picking up the 10 tomorrow. Justin, don't be too disappointed in me, I can't take much more of that. LOL
Steering Damper is a must Don't remember if the damper comes stock on that bike but the very first thing I would do before going back to the track is invest in a steering damper, set it correctly, and make sure you have decent rubber (pilot powers or equiv) before testing the throttle limits on yur new toy. An ounce of prevention....well more like $600 worth. :wink: Good luck, practice restraint, JC
The 05' does not come with a steering damper but I'll be ordering one tomorrow. Decent rubber is also on the list before the 28th.
WAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!Lance, you're effin' killin' me here! Now I have to clean spit off the computer screen!
Here is a great way to protect the $3K in bodywork and headlights your new Ten will be wearing when you buy it. GP Composits is top shelf stuff, and that's a darn good price! I copied this from the CCS classifieds: Lithium Motorsports is offering Morse Racing Products' GP Composites bodywork for 650.00 shipped this month. This is a special pricing deal for every kind of bodywork except the Honda 600rr and 1000rr with tank cover. The tank cover adds another 100.00. To get this special pricing you will need to call in your order to us at 712-546-7747. (BTW, Lithium Motorsports hosts trackdays for STT in the Midwest and Great Plains regions, so you're keeping it in the family when you buy from them....)