| Author |
Message |
    
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 01:11 am: | 
|
Really? When?
:-) |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 07:15 pm: |
|
Exactly. |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 08:43 pm: |
|
Did I miss something? |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 09:39 pm: |
|
No. There's nothing to miss here because nothing is going on. |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 07:50 pm: |
|
Oh. Well... How about this?
I noticed on the track and a few times since then that when I have the bike leaned over rather far it some times feels like it's going to low side. Only noticed it twice on the track and ... twice? on the road. Is this a tyre problem or suspension?
Before you ask the tires are in pretty good shape, not even to the wear bars yet. |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 12:43 pm: |
|
What do you mean "it's going to low side?" Was it pushing out? Maybe you were going fast and power slid it or something? Were you leaning the bike more than your body? I've pushed my front end around a couple times, but never felt like anything was going to low side on me. |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 07:24 pm: |
|
I guess what I am trying to say is "fall over"
Doesn't feel like it's loosing traction. More like it leans a bit further than I thought it would for about one second. |
Buellnick
| | Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2010 - 01:00 am: |
|
You seem to be describing "falling into turns." Happens for a variety of reasons including scrubbing off too much speed - too fast - in turns. My BMW does it, my old Triumph used to do it...the Buells not so much. It wants to fall inside turns when there is not enough centrifugal force to keep it up.
If you've tried the obvious (suspension settings, air pressure, body position, etc), pay close attention to your turn entry and try some maintenance throttle in the turns.
All bikes do it to some degree under the right conditions.
Drifting the front out or actually losing traction for a moment would also give you a feeling of falling-in. |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 12:03 am: |
|
It looks like we are going to run the new configuration counter clockwise this weekend!!! I can't wait! |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 10:16 am: |
|
Wow! That's exciting for me since I've only ever done that track clockwise. I'll be bringing Anthony out, too, so that should be interesting. |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 01:28 pm: |
|
New Track eh? Hell I haven't even figured out the old one! Should still be fun though. |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 07:12 pm: |
|
I'm off on both Saturday & Sunday this week. I'm going running Saturday morning, not sure how far, but I'll almost certainly be done and showered and ready to ride by 1100 or 1200. Anyone interested in a nice half-day ride Saturday afternoon? I know Ed isn't free until 1600, but maybe he could meet us out or on our way back or something. Anthony may or may not go as he's been invited to Cliffs for a free day of whatever it is they do there nowadays. |
Buellnick
| | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 01:08 am: |
|
New layout counterclockwise? Hmmm. I wonder how the "airborne" section feels in reverse? Kim - any ideas? I'm still learning the old track.
Saturday half day might be doable for the wife and I... |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 06:39 pm: |
|
Saturday in the after work is out for me. I have to get my rental trailer and load everything up.
I leaning toward excited for the new layout. At the last track day they did a short control ride going clockwise; it was ok. I didn't like the "jump" section but if one is careful it seems like it wouldn't be too bad. |
Buellnick
| | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 09:24 pm: |
|
I spent two hours on the track today...mostly practiced the old layout but did a few laps of the new layout in both directions.
CW is ok except when you transition across the old back straight. Running it CCW you run across two transitions that upset the bike... I don't like the CCW direction...front wheel came off the ground under power. Actually, it was exciting... |
Ridesinnm
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 07:43 pm: |
|
Just wanted to say hi, and see if there were going to be any others on Buells at the track day on Sunday. This is going to be my first time on a track, I bought a new XB12SS in November and have always wanted to do some track riding.
It says on the site that they have leathers to rent, is that something they generally have enough of? |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 09:21 pm: |
|
Well, I will be there on my Lightning STT, Ghostrider will be there with his Firebolt. I think Nick should be there on his 1125R. I think that guy Branden from Farmington on his 1125 will be there.
There are leathers to rent, they are 25 bucks. I would get there early to get a set. They have about 7 or 8 sets. I need to rent as well and will be there at about 7. |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 10:50 pm: |
|
Nick,
Where are the two spots that you didn't like? I haven't ridden the new config CCW, but a number of the "FAST" guys ran it during the race weekend to test it out. They felt the CCW direction was the better direction.
I know that CW the two transitions can be rough if you are on the right sections of the track. There is only one line through the transitions from old to new.
Ridesinnm,
It's just as Daschunk said. Get there early, there aren't a lot of leathers for rent and the sizes are limited.
We are going to set up straw bales and cones to funnel the riders onto the sections they need to take.
I'm really looking forward to the change, I really like figuring out new tracks. |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 11:36 pm: |
|
Well, this is starting to sound pretty good. There are going to be several Buells, then. |
Buellnick
| | Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 10:49 am: |
|
I don't know if I'm going to make the track day. I will know later on today. The bike is loaded up ready to go.
As for the track layout...I do not dispute the fast guys. Just providing my thoughts after a few slow laps...
I think the CW transition across the "old" back-straight is unnerving because you do not have visibility on the following turn and it is technically challenging because of the sudden rise, fall, and turn. This is singularly the most difficult and technical part of the new layout and I can see why the fast guys recommended going the other way for track day.
The CCW transitions: at the same spot as above but in reverese...is not as bad but still a challenge. The second transition I'm talking about is continuing left on the oval back-straight (after coming out the old hair-pin area), then going right into the transition and dropping into the new asphalt, then settling the bike down for the following left hander. This will be "fun" - suspension and nerve will be very important...
So one really challenging area or two moderately challenging areas going in an unfamiliar direction? Generally I felt more comfortable going CW because I was used to most of the rest of the track.
Sorry for the long email. One picture might have explained all of this. Where is the new track layout on the website?! |
Ridesinnm
| | Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 07:09 pm: |
|
Do they have the food concession open for trackdays? |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2010 - 10:50 pm: |
|
They do. They also take about an hour for lunch. |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:03 pm: |
|
Shame you didn't make it Nick. The feedback in the am was mixed, but by the afternoon, it was pretty much all positive. The exceptions, were the bumpiness of two transitions. There were lines through that were smooth it was just a matter of trying different things.
No track is with out issues, for someone.  Most people don't like blind turns, but on a race track, I don't know why it's a big deal... You know where its going and its not going to have a car in it. Like, ya said, it comes down to nerves.
My bike was twitchy and unsettled for most of it... I've gotta get the suspension dialed in. I still managed to deal with it. I'll be resetting it back to a baseline this week until I can figure out why I had that horrible chatter.
It was fun to see how much Anthony progressed during the day.
(Message edited by buell_nm on May 17, 2010)
(Message edited by buell_nm on May 17, 2010)
(Message edited by buell_nm on May 17, 2010) |
Buellnick
| | Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 06:19 pm: |
|
I couldn't make it...I would like to have been there. It sounds like fun was had by all. I'll be there the next race day. Any idea what direction they are going to be racing?
As for your comments, I agree with all of them. It also reminds of a quote by Mario Andretti which applies to all racing as well as other things in life... "if you're in complete control, you're not going fast enough..."
N |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 08:16 pm: |
|
Next race is this sunday the 23rd and we will be using the old configuration. The club wants to give all the racers some more time on the new config before they race it. |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 11:49 am: |
|
Well... I had a really good time on Sunday. I was the second slowest guy in group two. I have the advantage of having passed Marco a couple of times. This was all tempered by my being smoked by Ed in the fifth session and then him not wanting to get back onto the track.
Anthony did really well. The pointers that Kim offered during lunch were extremely helpful. I think the advantage he has is not having much to unlearn from years of riding. He just takes what you tell him and puts it to work. He improved dramatically from morning to afternoon. By the end of the day, he was on the edge of his tires and moving well.
For me, the toughest part was the second hairpin, the left hander. I felt like I did well on most of the rest of the track, but going into the turn just ahead of that, I never got the best line and/or speed. Then, going into the hairpin, I'd go far right while braking (often too much) and then dive over through the turn and stay well left on the exit so that I'd be better positioned for the transition across the big oval and onto the new asphalt between ovals. I realized that I was target fixating on the cone at the edge of the new asphalt and as a result, not carrying appropriate speed or line through there. Also, there was enough roughness in the transition that it upset the bike EVERY time regardless of line and I was usually leaned over through there, so it was unnerving. By the time I passed that cone, I'd be accelerating like mad but would always be passed there by someone.
I experimented with doing the whole circuit in second gear (and a couple times in third by accident) but found it best to grab third in the front straight, hit the old turn seven fast in third and blast out of there fast into the old turn six, then back down to second for the double-apex. I also was unhappy with my lines through the double apex. Experimented a bit, but never found it. I would sometimes be fortunate enough to follow someone through there and try to mimic their line to see how it worked. I think Shauna had the one that I liked best, but would need more reps to feel more comfortable.
I liked the transition from the old turn two, around the hay bales, through the chicane. I felt like I wasn't holding up the field for that brief bit of the lap!
Anyway, I think I need to do a couple of things:
1. Get a bike that I won't be heartbroken if it crashes. As it stands, I'm really unwilling to wreck that Firebolt. I like it TOO much.
2. Attend a couple of track schools that will help me learn more about my body positioning, lines, etc. I can usually tell that I'm doing something wrong. I'm just not smooth or consistent at all.
3. See how it goes with a few more track days. Maybe a couple different tracks, for variety.
We'll see how that works out. It's powerball in a couple days!  |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 12:03 pm: |
|
Oh, and then on Monday, I rode the Firebolt up to Taos with Luis, Murrae, Xen, and Jay (a friend of Luis). Jay has an XB12R, Luis is on his 898 Ducati, Xen had some other new Ducati streetfighter, and Murrae took his Uly.
Ride up was really congested for a Monday. We had a few weird stops and starts. First, I had a hand cramp, so rolled my right thumb up to the top of the grip while holding the rest of the grip with my palm. All of a sudden, the bike dies! I'm really confused, pulling over just before Truchas. I realize that I accidentally hit the kill switch. DOH! Meanwhile, these nine cars that we'd just passed pass me and all the rest of the guys are still way up there. I get going again and see Jay on the side of the road, so I stop. He motions to keep going, so I do. We make the turn and here comes Xen going back toward us. He turns around again and we're off again. Pretty quickly, we see Murrae and Luis on the side of the road waiting for us. All those cars we'd passed now are ahead of them.
So, we go again and pass all those cars again. Then Jay pulls over, so I stop. Turns out he's gotta take a piss. We go again, and eventually catch Murrae and group stopped waiting for us. We go again, and pass all those cars AGAIN.
Eventually, we make the turn at the rock wall and head up the mountain. We catch a group of cars on the downhill and are stuck behind them for a bit. At the next appropriate time, we move to pass. As Murrae pulls out with Luis and Jay hot on his tail, the last vehicle in line ahead of us (a small SUV) also makes a move like they're going to pass but has to abort at the realization that there are already a fleet of bikes in the passing lane! He's pissed and flips the bird. Xen and I linger in the back waiting for the next chance to pass. Once it comes, we blast by them all and high tail it down the mountain to catch the group. Nothing like 120 down the mountain to get you moving in the morning!
Lunch at a place called Michael's in Taos. Good food, greasy spoon kinda place. Thanks to Murrae for picking up the tab!
So, on the way out, I'm cleaning my visor, waiting for everyone else. Jay is out there, and I swear I smell someone smoking weed. Sure enough, a minute later, he asks me, "Hey CJ. Do you blaze?" I'm like "WHAT?!?" I told him no, obviously. I decided not to make a big deal about it. He's a grown up adult, he can do what he wants. I'm going to give this guy a wide berth. He kept doing this weird move when he'd pass. He'd get SUPER close behind a car, flick it out into the passing lane really fast, then flick it back into the main lane super quick, barely leaving room between him and the car he had passed. Kinda pissed me off. He's a nice kid, but I'm probably not going to spend much time riding with him.
Meanwhile, it was super windy on the way back home. I was pretty tired after three straight days of tearing it up. I'm pretty happy with the weather lately, so I see myself riding a lot this year. |
Daschunk
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 11:10 pm: |
|
You are a lot more consistent out there than you think CJ. I really want to do some some track schools as well. I know Kurt (I can't think about his last name) runs one based at Sandia. I was talking about it with him today at Moto Authority. Does singles, doubles and groups up to 5. Half and full day sessions too I believe. That might be a good place to start.
The new track I didn't like very much the first one or two sessions. I liked it much more as the day moved on; I jumped up to the intermediate group and didn't have to fight all the lap traffic. I found the second transition to be more fun than the first. The second hairpin, the follow up right hander that falls down the back straight into the main straight to be alot of fun. The old double apex thru me for a loop the first time I carried any real speed thru it. "Oh crap, tightening radius!" is what went thru my head. I took about 5 or 6 laps to really figure out what line to take. The turn after the first hairpin I noticed CJ more than once had both tires off the ground. All in all I did have a great time. I really find that I have improved quite a bit in just the 2 track days I have done this season.
I need I track bike. Something with a V-twin. Probly a Firebolt if I can afford one.
(Message edited by daschunk on May 25, 2010)
(Message edited by daschunk on May 26, 2010) |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 01:04 am: |
|
If you really want to do a school, check out the Star school wit Jason Pridmore. He is going to be at High Plains in Aug. I've already signed up for it, it will be the third school that I've done with them. |
Ghostrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 11:03 am: |
|
I don't know if I'll have a track bike by August. This year is not being nice to my wallet. |
|
New Mexico »
Archives 37-43483-001 »
Archive through May 26, 2010