| Author | Message | ||
     Blublak |
Some pictures from the Sunday session - Thanks to Race Day Photo for these..  Lookie, New Drummer SS!!  This is the corner that 'bit' Jose..   (Message edited by blublak on May 17, 2006) | ||
| Blublak |
Monday.. Summit Point – Main – The day started out kind of crappy. I got out on time, filled the bike up with fuel and headed to the track. It had rained pretty well the night before at the house and I was hoping it hadn't been too bad at the track (about an hour from home). At first it looked like it wanted to clear up.. Then, just as I was pulling into the pit area, a light drizzle started, but the sky was light and I figured it wouldn't be long before it blew out and we were riding. Oddly enough, I ended up pitting next to the same guy Jose and I had been next to on Sunday and when he saw me he asked after my partner and I told him what I knew, he was fine, just really sore. He and his partner had camped out there last night and were literally pouring water out of the tents and wringing out sleeping bags. Dang, it rained really hard at the track last night. Just as tech opened the sky decided to join in and the drizzle became a downpour! I climbed into the back of the explorer with the lift gate opened and listened to the radio while the rain fell hard for a good 30 minutes. Finally it started to lighten up and a riders meeting was called by TPM. We all made our way to the classroom and they told us we would be riding, they were going to open the track. We got warnings about pooling water and where it was. Since the turnout was once again very small, first off would be an open track, any level rider on the track at the same time, then later they would run combined groups; White and Red (beginner – intermediate) together and Blue (advanced) on it's own, each group getting 25 minutes per session. More thoughts on that later. Just as the meeting broke up, the deluge resumed and most of us just went back to hiding from it. If you hadn't checked in, they would (if you had 'Event Fee Protection') give you your 70% refund for weather. I had it, but didn't use it. Once we were back to a drizzle I was suiting up and getting ready to go out. I cleared tech just as the clouds seemed to run out of ammo, this was really nice since soon I only have one thing to deal with out there.. The wet track. For those of you that have never ridden in the wet, well.. The two rules you have to keep in mind are: Do ALL your braking before you start your lean in for a turn and HANG OFF more, lean less. After that, use your own discretion. As I made my first lap I got a taste of what my day was going to be like.. A screaming blur rocketed past me about three feet from my outside elbow as I exited T-2 .. HOLY FRAK!! Ok, calm down, hold your line, I'm going verrry slow compared to everyone else out there (I was the only white rider to venture out on the wet track while there was still a little water falling from the sky) I spent the first two laps finding all the little lakes and trying to get some heat into my tires. It's interesting (to say the least) to be cruising down the straight at say 75mph and have a group of 6 or 7 bikes blast past you close in on both sides, with the spray and everything else flying. Don't get me wrong, by lap two I was already thinking of getting off the track. But something said I could do this.. They are aware of me.. Just stay predictable and take it easy, let them pass me.. Oh.. Kay.. Standing water.. I don't have an image of Summit Main, but here's what I found as I made my 'sighting laps'.. Inside of T-1, a small lake from just past the entry point to just past the apex. You need to stay at least 5 feet out from the curbing. T-5, deep looking standing water on the inside of the turn, T-6 from a point that you don't see until you're committing to the turn to about ten feet past apex, standing water (there was a cone stuck in the middle of it and I couldn't see the bottom couple of inches so there was no way I was sticking my knee into that). T-8 muddy water lining the curb deep enough to hydroplane on easily and just past the turn (where you'd be coming back to vertical before T-9) there was a small stream flowing from the inside to outside of the track. Those first 4 or 5 laps were quite a challenge even without the maniac blue and red group guys screaming past me. After the group of screaming demons past me on both sides at T-9, so close I could almost 'feel' them brush my elbows, I actually pulled in and cruised up the pit lane, then re-entered the track after taking a minute to catch my breath and re-compose myself. I went out and made one more lap when the red flag came out. I pulled in and went to my pit area. The track was cold for a while and they brought in one of the blue group bikes on the trailer, it had gone down somewhere behind me it seems. The sun was now out and the main portions of the track were drying rapidly, there was a line at tech now (it's about 10:30am now) and out of the corner of my eye I see this girl.. Dyed black hair, heavy makeup, wearing a blue skintight leotard thing, thigh high boots, stockings and a 'police' hat. The photographer was there as well, taking pictures as she walked around and posed with some of the riders. It seems that someone had hired her from one of the local strip clubs to come out and 'strut around' or some such. I was talking to someone when I noticed she was lying on a bike, showing her goodies to the camera. Oh my! .. She would change outfits three times that I saw (she was operating out of a large "A" class camper one of the TPM folks had brought and it was parked not more then 20 yard from my pit) They announced now that the groups would start running properly. Blue went out and I watched the throng of guys around the stripper. I got a good look at her.. (Ok, not THAT good, but good enough) and thought, not really right for this environment, also not the best photo subject. Talking to the photo guy later, he was kind of exclusive to shoot her all morning long, which meant no real photo work on the track until after lunch. Oh well.. I was happy to see that I wasn't the only Buell there that day. A British gent on a black 12R was there as well, taking the ART Basic (Advanced Rider Training) and had gotten a really sweet deal on the bike as he bought it used from some skippy that had never ridden before, gotten it and scared himself silly the first day he had it. He's pretty quick, I can assure you as I saw him once or twice throughout the day. Unfortunately, he had to leave early as well so we didn’t get to hang out much. He's also a BadWebber (sort of, he's only been here a couple of times so far, but I told him he had to come out and join the fun!) As the day progressed some of the red group riders were busy trying to beat Rossi's times around the track. There were the usual crashes and run offs that seem to be par for the course at a TPM event (can't speak to other track days since these are the only ones I've attended aside from CLASS). For some reason, as the day wore on, I seemed to struggle a little with my lines. I think I was spooked by the water sitting where I normally would be riding the turns. But, slowly my average speeds crept up. After the lunch break I think I was more relaxed and had a good handle on the lakes I still needed to ride around. There were still several rough passes being made with the upper level red riders racing each other around the track (a few would inevitably crash out – bringing the flags out). My first session after lunch was a good one, I got caught behind someone for a few laps and finally snaked passed them in T-9. Then, I realized I had increased my speed through both turn 9 and 10 (ok, so mid 70's isn't fast to a racer, but for me it was pretty cool and I was being consistent). During the break between sessions the heat had actually set in and I found my self sucking down water and sitting in the tailgate again trying to cool off. When they called us back out, I rolled up to ask the photographer a question and the stripper came over to me wearing a set of leathers (MotoGP brand) and commented about how ungodly hot they were. Next thing I knew the camera was clicking away for a few and I said I'd talk to him later (there was a shot from the previous day that I'd sent my wife and she's liked it so much I thought I'd by her a print). Back on the track things were really heating up as people took off from pit out and hammered it into turn one. I had already formulated my plan and for the most part didn't try to keep up, let them all go by me and then I'd have some clean track to ride for awhile as I negotiated the turns. Once again, I found someone to follow. Somehow he'd gotten ahead of the really fast guys and caused a bottleneck at turn one. I watched as a couple of the faster bikes slid around as they tried to slow enough so as to not pass him on the inside (there was still a small lake there) so I ended up at the back of the train. (So much for my plan to let them all run it and give me clean track to ride) By turn three most of the 'fast' gang had passed him and by the time he got to T-5 it was he, then me then.. Well.. I'm not sure if anyone was behind us or not. I watched as he slowed to almost a stop to make the turn, then we creeped around T-6 and into T-7 I wanted to pass him, but his bike had more straight-line power then I did and he'd gun it through the straights, then slam the brakes on into the turns.. I almost passed him going into T-10 but he popped up right in front of me as three bikes screamed past my inside not giving me anywhere to go. I practically stood the bike on end slowing enough and then was in the wrong gear for the big straight. Damn! Once again, by the time he was exiting T-2 I was on his back tire. I kept trying to 'peek' up the inside but wasn't going to get by him that way. I decided at T-5 I'd see what I could do. As he went to the far right side of the track (T-5 is a left) I held my power a little longer then usual and slipped past him on the inside then hauling it down with some more heavy braking then throwing it and myself over to make the turn on his inside. I rolled on as soon as I was at apex (which was almost as soon as I'd entered the turn) and my torque monster leapt towards T-6. I knew he would try to do that if it's straight, I'll accelerate thing and so I (for me at least) really cooked it through the following turns. As I blasted out of T-10 I put my head down and rolled on as hard as I could. Got to my braking point and had fun hauling it down to make the turn. I didn’t see him again that session. Once again, I got a break and was feeling pretty good about that pass, and was a little anxious to get back out there and work on some of the things I'd done and felt a little nervous about (T-5/6/7/8/9 and 10 as hard as I was riding that last session through). He stripper was now wearing see through black panties, a white tee and sneakers with her thigh highs.. yes she seemed well groomed. So don't ask for any more details (although more may follow at a later time) The next session was pretty good and of course there was the guy I'd made the T-5 pass on. He started out a few spots behind me. Out we went and of course, on the 'warm up' lap he ran past me going to T-1. Did I mention that I'm a slow, full lap warm up kind of guy? Any way, things heated up again quickly and before long I had a couple of these red guys shooting past me. Then, on like my third lap, there was the T-5 guy, off the track in T-1. Oh well.. There had been only a few crashes so far and all I could think was he got on the gas coming out of the turn too fast and low sided. Towards the end of the session, I had actually caught up to a small group and was hanging with them through T-4, 5,6,7 8 and 9 before loosing them as they exited T-10. The session ended and I was feeling good about my riding, as a matter of fact, I realized I was still doing consistent speeds through pretty much every turn. A good sign. After the break I was back at it. A few laps into this session a red (I'm not sure what) came screaming in on the inside of T-1 and I dumped the throttle and stayed on the brakes into the turn giving him room (remember the lake inside of T-1?) he waved as he exited (seemed like a cool gesture that a lot of the guys would do if they made a 'off pass') There were also some that didn't seem to care, but I won't go into them too much. Right behind this guy came Glen, TPM owner and a VERY fast rider on his Ducati 999r. About three laps after this, I was coming out of T-9 and had a bike pass me on both the inside and outside. Now that normally wouldn't be much of a problem, but I was only about a foot from the outside edge of the track. He was in the grass and I could see he wanted to come back in. I instinctively let off the throttle (I should have held on and passed him before he got back on, but hindsight is 20/20) and waited for him to cross back onto the track. Ended up following him around for the next two laps before we got called in. I think he was spooked since he appeared to me to have slowed down somewhat. Ok, last 'event' and I'm done with all this typing. During my last session, I came up on a girl on an older Suzuki GSXR. As with a lot of other white riders, she was of course, quite quick on the straights.. But a bit slow in the turns. One of the coaches was shadowing her and I fell in behind him for a full lap. Several other riders passed us and I finally realized that the coach wasn't going to leave her just yet so I started trying to work out a passing plan. I'd have to pass them both and that might be tricky. I did my usual creep up in the back side turns (5,6,7,8,9) and as we exited T-9 I rolled on and slipped up the right hand side past the coach, then had to back down as she did what I'd seen her do earlier. She sat up, started braking, wiggled her butt side to side a little and then, leaned it into the turn. I was slightly inside her and rolled on for all it was worth, as she took off down the main straight. Staying inside her line I hoped to catch up and try to pass at T-1. Just outside the 600ft marker she sat up. I kept my head down, throttle open and counted "one, one-thousand" and saw her wiggle her butt as I passed. Then I saw her again; she had accelerated when she saw me (WTF?!) I didn't get off the gas and onto the brake until about the 300ft marker (yeah, I know not too bad, but she was now trying to outrun me to the turn!) I kicked it down two gear and while still on the brakes started rolling on the throttle, my new Drummer SS let loose a howl that sounded like one pissed off beast and over I went with her front tire still in the corner of my eye. Watch the puddle, get it out around and pulled back in.. Still hanging off the bike, I rode it into T-2 feeling the monster beneath me leap forward as I approached redline. I was upright again and gave a quick wave before tossing it into T-3 having no idea where she was of if she even saw it. One lap later, she hadn't passed me but the session ended and when I rolled in, I saw the coach that had seen the whole pass at T-1. He said it was a bit close for comfort and I should have watched farther ahead to make sure I'd have to clear track before the turn. Oops.. Bought my wife the print she liked. Packed up and headed home, tired with sore muscles but feeling like I had a very good day.. And that was Monday.. Tuesday, I was back at work.. Oh well.. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool write up, thanks! So, does anyone do track days where there is not a racing element? I am thinking something along the lines of if you are holding people up in the turns, you let them pass you on the straights. If you are behind a slower rider in the turn, you give them room to ride their ride then pass them in the straights? And maybe some observers / coaches? I am not interested in "beating" anyone, but would love a controlled place to explore more of the capabilities of my bike and expand my abilities. | ||
| Blublak |
Actually, the best I've ever been too is Reggie Primores' CLASS. It's a 'performance Street Riding School' and in 5 days I've ridden with them, I've only seen one accident. It is very much geared to learning control and moving at your own pace. There are racers there, but they are in their own group, not riding with the street folks (usually) and the instruction and experience that I've had with them was second to none. Oh, and they will be at VIR in Sept. of this year and yes, I'll be there. | ||
| Pellis |
At what time and place does Saturday's ride start? Here's a link to the map for Saturday's ride. http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/index.php#mvt=m&maxp=location&q13=39.419600,+-77.4267 33&q12=39.383167,+-77.301000&q11=libertytown,+md&q10=39.525333,+-77.397833&q9=ro ckyridge,+md&q8=39.608817,+-77.351283&q7=39.640500,+-77.394000&q6=middlepoint,+m d&q5=ellerton,+md&q4=myersville,+md&q3=middletown,+md&q2=39.429000,+-77.506667&q 1=39.419600,+-77.426733&trf=0&lon=-77.403488&lat=39.511987&mag=7 14 way-points all together, wait for them to load. | ||
| Rasmonis |
The ride Saturday: I will post start time and start location later today so check back for the official start time...I have to pick up a bike in Ohio that I'd like to take on our ride. Depending on when I can arrange for this pick up will determine when we begin. More than likely we will begin at HD Frederick between 12-1pm. http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/index.php#maxp=location&q13=39.419600,+-77.426733&q12=39.383167,+-77.301000&q11=libertytown,+md&q10=39.525333,+-77.397833&q9=rockyridge,+md&q8=39.608817,+-77.351283&q7=39.640500,+-77.394000&q6=middlepoint,+md&q5=ellerton,+md&q4=myersville,+md&q3=middletown,+md&q2=39.429000,+-77.506667&q1=39.419600,+-77.426733&trf=0&mvt=m&lon=-77.273026&lat=39.389509&mag=7 (if this link doesn't open right, copy it and paste it into a new browser window) We should begin future rides in the mornings to avoid traffic.  | ||
| Bluelightning |
You guys have fun riding on Saturday, I'll be at the shop fixing all the broken down Harleys coming back from Myrtle that just have to have them back on the road before Rolling Thunder.  | ||
| 1stbuell |
I think I will be doing the NESBA track day on Saturday. Waiting til the last minute to see if everything falls into place, if not, then I'll be joining you for the ride. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Looks like the earliest I can pick up my new bike is 10am @ Youngstown, OH. This will put me back in the area around 2pm if all goes well. Ride will begin @ 3pm. Meet at HD Frederick. I apologize for starting so late and understand if no one shows up. I'll be there regardless, hadn't planned on buying a bike this Saturday. -Ras | ||
| Cborel |
Ill still be out there for the ride, its actually a good thing its starting a little late, i got to do a bunch of crap tommorow morn. ill see you there at 3. | ||
| 1stbuell |
Well, I'm confirmed for the track day tomorrow so you folks have a great and safe ride. Ras, is that bike for you or your wife? Mio | ||
| Cborel |
hey guys, this trip is an idea that i came up with last night, its a pretty long ride, takes about 3 hours without stopping. but its incredibly senic, lots of fast twisties, a few stops available for ice cream and whatnot, a really good bugger joint also is near the end of the ride. here is a link to the ride. it starts in winchester, so i know its about an hour from you guys , but believe me it is so worth it. http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/index.php#maxp=location&q10=39.093565%2C-78.060616&q9 =38.909208%2C-78.184899&q8=38.659242%2C-78.229557&q7=38.673208%2C-78.384739&q6=3 8.709652%2C-78.517262&q5=38.964481%2C-78.288926&q4=38.947141%2C-78.21203&q3=39.1 16044%2C-78.156783&q2=39.160348%2C-78.155882&q1=%20140%20independence%20dr%2C%20 winchester%2C%20va&mvt=m&trf=0&lon=-78.163605&lat=38.883016&mag=8 here is me makig a video on my bike last year, its a little choppy and the video cam is tilted a bit, but this video shows what the ride will be like. http://videos.streetfire.net/search/buell/0/A71BF069-2BAC-439C-AD8A-9D2339508BAC .htm tell me what you guys think, i work every other weekend, so itll have to be the weenend of like the 1st of june | ||
| Rasmonis |
Mio, Yeah, I got it for K. Awesome bike, it was a total blast to ride, it will make an excellent 1st bike for her (very smooth acceleration and shifting). She wants the stock handle bar back on, I have to replace the brake lever and that's about it. The pucks will be in by Friday. You guys won't believe all the extras that came with this bike. Incredible... Tim, if you read this post, thank you!!! We love the bike. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Chris, We can definitely do your route. It will be fun just getting there. -Ras | ||
| Blublak |
Well, as much as I wanted to go Saturday, as the start time got later, I had to decide to skip it. I had another (social) engagement to attend and just couldn't make it. Chris, That looks like 211 in your video, am I right? I glanced at your map and there are a few possible 'other' options as far as roads go. But we can discuss all that later. Ramon, Actually, I know a few fun ways to get to Winchester. Unless you think a 'straight shot' from dealer to dealer is best. Just chiming in, since I really need to do a few street rides here someday. I've done all my Buell riding on the track of late and really want to get out and do some nice relaxed back road bombing.. | ||
| Cborel |
yes that is 211, its a great run up that mountain. omg, there is so many options we can make up in that area, there are more back roads than there are people there. the best part of this route is that for the most part, there really is no cars to speak of. i have another favorite rt. that takes us to wv using old rt. 55, lots of twisties. and by all means, you can change and do whatever to the map for other roads. i just like the tail end of it because there is this killer burger place we have to stop at,its right next to sperryville. | ||
| Blublak |
"The Appetite Repair Shop"? Is that it? I haven't been there in years, but it was (as I remember it) a GREAT place to eat. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Blublak, Looking forward to have to you ride with us again. I was thinking the same thing, making it to Winchester will be half the fun. Are you doing the Memorial Day weekend Summit point trip? -Ramon | ||
| Rasmonis |
Chris, We swapped ECMs on Nick's bike and he's still having the same problem. Sputtering and engine light coming on. All, Another thing... I'm trying to take the seat(R-style) off K's bike but one of the bolts (right rear) just spins, can't tighten or loose. Any ideas? | ||
| Cborel |
an idea that would be a temporary fix is you can always use some loctite to keep it in place for the moment, but sounds like a stripped bolt or maybe the threads are stripped out of the subframe, which would suck ass. about the food place, i think the name now is the burger barn, its part of some organic farm market. ras- that sux about nicks bike, i wonder if the timing is off | ||
| Rasmonis |
That bolt isn't going anywhere. I need it off though. Should I take a drill to it? There's no room to work on it and no way to get around the frame or plastics. I don't want to mess up the seat either. On Nick: I hope he posts somewhere on the Badweb, before his bike ends up out of commission. -Ras | ||
| Blublak |
Ramon.. I thought when you switched ECM's you needed to do a TPS reset (dealer time).. Hmmmm.. I think they use a 'clip' nut on that, if the one back there has been abused, it may not be allowing the 'threads' to catch.. or the bold could be bent. If you have the other out, try and 'lift' the seat, carefully and see if you can get under the problem one, perhaps a little nudge or two will free it up. After that, use a new nut and bolt. I'll be at Summit Point on Monday (camera in action once again). The rest of the weekend I'm obligated to my cruiser club, we're hosting out of town riders. Hmmm.. On the trip to Winchester thing, perhaps I could show you a road or three.. We could meet up in Leesburg and go from there.. I know a couple of nice routes I may be able to string together for that ride..  | ||
| Cborel |
yea, leesburg sounds good.  ras- idk if you have one, but i know craftsman or somethin makes a nice little tool that you put on the end of a drill that will dig into the bolt and kind of make its own little notch and make the come out, shouldnt be to expensive, maybe like 10 bucks, if you have a sears or somethin near by. you can always drill it out, just be careful, subframe is expensive. lol. blublak- are you going to be at summit point this comming monday? is there some kind of event? | ||
| Rasmonis |
Pete, Yes I thought that too (TPS reset after ECM replacement), the only Buell tech @ HD Frederick reported that there is an apparent history of problems with the older pro-series ECMs which has been resolved with stock ECMs. This did not make sense to me. Then why have a different ECM? Unfortunately I do not know enough to make an intelligent diagnosis of the problem let alone come up with a resolution...I had an extra ECM and let him try it out to see if resolved the problem. Here's what I know: '03 XB9S running fine. Installed factory race kit (ECM, exhaust and air filter). Now the engine light comes on intermittently and the engine sputters. This lasts for a few seconds then resolves itself. This problem as stated above is intermittent and does not appear to be related to a specific condition i.e. engine temperature or at a specific range in the powerband. I gotta go. I'll post something later tonight. -Ras | ||
| Rasmonis |
All, I'd like to get an idea of how many of you plan on going to Summit Point this weekend. The plan is to meet Sunday @ HD Frederick after 9:30. The shirts for the 1st meeting attendees have not arrived yet, I'll check back with the dealer on Friday - keep your fingers crossed. Let's show our support for our fellow Buell riders this weekend. -Ras | ||
| 1stbuell |
I don't know if I'll make it on Sunday, but I will be going on Monday. Mio | ||
| Cborel |
hey ras- are you guys going to be camping out on sunday? cause i have to work in the morning till like 4, and im off on monday | ||
| Rasmonis |
Chris, Yeah, I'll be pitching some sort of tent. I forgot to mention that K will be driving so we can carry some gear. Please let us know so we can make sure to have enough room. I've been working on a chapter name and logo. If you have and idea let me know. Here's something for your critique:  | ||
| Cborel |
man i like that, pretty trick looking with the "s" curve... realy focuses on the turning. maybe the buell name could be streched out a little more, or enlarged, idk maybe a buell logo can be hovering over a road like in the horizon, like the oval one. and the "runners" logo could be on the road, with the sign actually being a sign on the side of the road with the "runner" to the left of it, idk (Message edited by cborel on May 22, 2006) | ||
| Blublak |
Christian, Yeppers, I'll be there Monday, all day shooting the races. Just hope I don't have another 'oops' like I did last time ($$$$!!). I'll also need to figure out a better way to get my shots transfered off the camera memory and into my computer or something some such. I tend to shoot a lot and sort later, this means I'll be shooting around 20 times the amount of memory my camera holds. Hmmmmm... Since I'm once again bringing my photo gear and possibly a lap top, I will have to cage it.. Just no way to carry all that stuff on an XB9R.. Now, if only it doesn't dump on us over the weekend, I hate trying to move around Summit Point when it's wet. Once you're off the pavement it turns into quite the mud bog in some spots. Ramon, Is it possible that the ECM hasn't 'learned' the bike yet? You need to run it at about 3000/3500 rpm for at least 20 - 30 minutes for it to finally catch on, if you know what I mean. Of course, I have no idea what the tech was talking about. But if the older race ECMs are a problem, then why wasn't the update made available to us as an upgrade, like the wheel bearing issue? |
