Hondalover And Lee 2002 Hit The Track

Mike is a bad influence on me... according to my Wife anyway. He called me up to inform me that he could get us cheaper tickets to a Track Day at Heartland Park Topeka through Rusty the founder of Motorcycle Closeouts . Rusty, by the way, is a really cool guy who I had the opportunity to visit with at the end of the day.... I am going to have to make sure to visit his store in KC. I rode my bike to the track with my 'cigarbuf' $100 saddle bag solution carrying all the junk I thought I would need to survive the day. When I got to the track I pulled my fuses and taped lights. Mike showed up and we got checked in, everything went real smooth. Mike set up his easy-up and we had shade for the day. I had put new pads on the front brakes on Saturday and was having some issues with the pads dragging. I chose to monitor the situation with my eyes, nose and ears. I will say that the EBC HH pads are a huge improvement over whatever was on there before. Or maybe it is a perception thing with new fluid and a more firm lever. Mike gave me some suspension advice and set my tire pressure for me. Being the total noob that I am, I figured that I would just run street pressure. I had also never done anything to my fork pre-load... that made a very noticable difference. Despite what my wife says about him being a bad influence, Mike is a great guy.... a bad influence, but a great guy. Unfortunately, Mike is way faster than I am... so the only video I have of him is us pulling onto the track from the paddock.... that is the last I ever saw of him. The other rider you see in my video is one of the control riders who was helping me with my lines and pace. All I wanted from the day was to not wad my bike up (accomplished), gain a little confidence (accomplished), expand my envelope (accomplished), and get a better feel for how my tires are talking to me (not really accomplished). I guess in a round-about way I did get a better feel for the language of my tires... but I still don't know where I am at in relation to their limits. But I do think that the tire's limit is way beyond mine. The course.... http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2782980546_a0761d3d05_o.jpg Mike's cool track day hospitality set-up... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2782605504_53f7c53e95.jpg Me all taped up getting ready to hit the track... i'm a real fashion statement. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2782605606_c1c9dd3839_o.jpg Video I filmed out on the track. First me going around all alone, then me getting some help with pace and lines from one of the course stewards. Then a blooper and some photos. I know that Mike's brother-in-law took some photos of us out on the track. So hopefully we'll be able to see some shots of Mike hot rodding around the course too.

:fing02: Mike's a good guy for sure not to mention speedy.

The video was not quite as exciting as BR's track videos but very cool nonetheless! I'm envious!

Very cool Lee! :fing02:

I have been thinking I would also like to try the track someday, just don't really know where to start or where. Mike a bad influence? Sounds like a great person to me!

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


I learned A LOT.

I'll be real honest, I told Mike before the first session that I was feeling real nervous. That went away pretty quickly and I left the track with a huge smile, talking faster than I was riding.

I was such a noob that I noticed I was using my turn signals for about the first 5 laps.

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 20 2008, 11:55 PM, said:

I was such a noob that I noticed I was using my turn signals for about the first 5 laps.

:rolleyes: I can totally see myself doing that too!!! :biggrin:

Another thing....

I was telling my Brother this was pretty much cost-neutral from a tire perspective.

I have a commuter tread wear pattern. The track day used all the parts of the tire I don't normally get to use too much.

I have never been able to use up all the rubber at the edges before I shot the center. I still won't but at least I got more benefit out of them.

Fun, isn't it?! Did you guys have the track to yourselves? That looked nice and empty.

You looked nice and smooth out there. Once you picked a line, you stuck with it. That's something that took me a while to get.

You definitely weren't worrying about gas mileage! :biggrin: It's an adjustment hearing the bike run at high revs the whole time, but it sounds great once you realize the engine isn't going to come apart. I could only imagine trying to ride home after a day at the track! I would be all aggressive, not to mention tired.

[image: View Post]tyrroneous, on Aug 21 2008, 06:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 20 2008, 11:55 PM, said:

I was such a noob that I noticed I was using my turn signals for about the first 5 laps.

:rolleyes: I can totally see myself doing that too!!! :biggrin:


LOL love it!

well that puts you ahead of me....i was too SCARED on my first track day to do anything except grip the bike and pray!!

Fantastic!!!
Track days are a serious blast no matter what speed you are going. A great place to learn many useful things are the bike and your skills, the needle is set now, let the addiction begin! :fing02:

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Aug 21 2008, 09:43 AM, said:

Fantastic!!!
let the addiction begin! :fing02:

.........and why some of us know not to go............. :rolleyes:

Way to go guys!

I'm trying to convince a few local guys here to join me for our next track in September.

Looks like they're pretty relax on the gear and bike prep were you went too. Do the textile need to be attached together?

Great show!

SG

Nice video.....you really kept the V4 spinning! That looks like a fun track with good surface. You definatley approached this with the right attitude. Pushing past your comfort level does not really increase the fun factor and raises the chances of making a critical mistake.

Track days are addictive!!!

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


Hey TC...............................Where can I get me some RICKY RACE GEAR?

PS........................ Lee nice video and and I wish I had the nerve to take my RWB out on the track for a track day.

I've been on a track before an AMA Superbike race but with over 100 bikes on the track you can't do much!

[image: View Post]Honley, on Aug 21 2008, 02:05 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


Hey TC...............................Where can I get me some RICKY RACE GEAR?

PS........................ Lee nice video and and I wish I had the nerve to take my RWB out on the track for a track day.

I've been on a track before an AMA Superbike race but with over 100 bikes on the track you can't do much!


honley, you should be wearing BUCK SKINS and moccasins! :biggrin: !!

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 21 2008, 02:11 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Honley, on Aug 21 2008, 02:05 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


Hey TC...............................Where can I get me some RICKY RACE GEAR?

PS........................ Lee nice video and and I wish I had the nerve to take my RWB out on the track for a track day.

I've been on a track before an AMA Superbike race but with over 100 bikes on the track you can't do much!


honley, you should be wearing BUCK SKINS and moccasins! :biggrin: !!

Buck Skins, moccasins, and Depends.......OOOooops, he cured that last one................ :goofy:

Back on topic: Great Video, looks like it was a great time............... :beer:

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 20 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

Mike gave me some suspension advice and set my tire pressure for me. Being the total noob that I am, I figured that I would just run street pressure.

Just out of curiosity, from a non-racer, what tire pressures do you run at the track vs. the standard street pressures?

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on Aug 21 2008, 03:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 21 2008, 02:11 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Honley, on Aug 21 2008, 02:05 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


Hey TC...............................Where can I get me some RICKY RACE GEAR?

PS........................ Lee nice video and and I wish I had the nerve to take my RWB out on the track for a track day.

I've been on a track before an AMA Superbike race but with over 100 bikes on the track you can't do much!


honley, you should be wearing BUCK SKINS and moccasins! :biggrin: !!

Buck Skins, moccasins, and Depends.......OOOooops, he cured that last one................ :goofy:

Back on topic: Great Video, looks like it was a great time............... :beer:


If I had killed the deer I would be wearing Buck skins under my new Ricky Race Gear.

OK................Skuuter,Depends won't help when you are face to face with a deer. You need something stronger and can carry a heavy LOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[image: View Post]Honley, on Aug 21 2008, 03:23 PM, said:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on Aug 21 2008, 03:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 21 2008, 02:11 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Honley, on Aug 21 2008, 02:05 PM, said:

[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Aug 20 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

lee, i love the fact you show the pic on the bike as it shows folks that you dont have to have 'all the ricky racer equipment' to go do a track day, have a great time and learn something. :fing02:

i think that really stops too many people from doing it the first time..


Hey TC...............................Where can I get me some RICKY RACE GEAR?

PS........................ Lee nice video and and I wish I had the nerve to take my RWB out on the track for a track day.

I've been on a track before an AMA Superbike race but with over 100 bikes on the track you can't do much!


honley, you should be wearing BUCK SKINS and moccasins! :biggrin: !!

Buck Skins, moccasins, and Depends.......OOOooops, he cured that last one................ :goofy:

Back on topic: Great Video, looks like it was a great time............... :beer:


If I had killed the deer I would be wearing Buck skins under my new Ricky Race Gear.

OK................Skuuter,Depends won't help when you are face to face with a deer. You need something stronger and can carry a heavy LOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see your point............ :rolleyes:

[image: View Post]checksix, on Aug 21 2008, 04:21 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Lee 2002, on Aug 20 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

Mike gave me some suspension advice and set my tire pressure for me. Being the total noob that I am, I figured that I would just run street pressure.

Just out of curiosity, from a non-racer, what tire pressures do you run at the track vs. the standard street pressures?

it depends on the tire you're using. With the Bridgestone BT002, it's 36/36 hot (begin at 30/32 cold and check them when you arrive back in the pit) I can't remember what I used for my Pirellis (track tires), but I think it was 34/34.

Street tires, I have no clue, but you want them hot quick, but not greasy when they get some heat in them. I believe that keeping the "street" pressure was a good choice.

[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Aug 21 2008, 09:00 AM, said:

Did you guys have the track to yourselves? That looked nice and empty.

At times I felt like I was alone out there. The course was 2.5 miles and I think there were about seven in the novice group. Novices were only allowed to pass when the bike was not leaned over.

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Aug 21 2008, 09:43 AM, said:

Track days are a serious blast no matter what speed you are going.

I was going slower than many (most?), but I'll bet my excitement level was as high or higher as anyone elses. It is all a relative thing based on experience, I'm sure.

[image: View Post]St�phane, on Aug 21 2008, 10:25 AM, said:

Looks like they're pretty relax on the gear and bike prep were you went too. Do the textile need to be attached together?

Textiles were only allowed for the novice group. They did not have to be a one-piece garment. I guess they do this to allow a beginner to give it a try. The intermediate and advanced were required to have leathers.

The tech inspection was pretty lax, as Mike said it would be. Although it was pretty obvious that I care for my machine and it is dead stock. Wasn't a lot for the guy to be suspicious of. They hit the high points, tires, brakes, chain, handlebars.

[image: View Post]checksix, on Aug 21 2008, 03:21 PM, said:

Just out of curiosity, from a non-racer, what tire pressures do you run at the track vs. the standard street pressures?

Mike set my tire pressure at 30/32. I did notice a small difference from the 36/42 that I run on the street. It did not feel vague or mushy. It actually inspired some confidence because I knew my tires would be running warmer and be putting more rubber on the ground. The one time I shot my rear with my infrared thermometer it read 145 F. I have always lowered my tire pressure in the winter for the same reasons.

I just got the chance to post up some pics. I know I'm open to comments on my riding posture, but the pics don't have a very good angle. I had a great time as this was my second track day, the first one was last Sep. For anyone wondering about the Road 2s, they worked pretty well on the track, not as well as the PP 2CTs I ran last year, but this was not a long-range planned event. Without further ado here are the highlights.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2918.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2907.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2908.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2966.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2987.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/Lee%20and%20Mike%20at%20HPT%20on%20Aug%2018/100_2999.jpg
You can see all the pictures here on Photobucket.

[image: View Post]hondalover, on Aug 21 2008, 05:42 PM, said:

Without further ado here are the highlights.

You can see all the pictures here on Photobucket.

Very cool, Mike. Tell Curtis he did an awesome job.

Now I'm off to find SEB's cheap poster thread.

Nice video Lee 2002. I especially love the V4 sound track.
Call it the song of the VFR. :biggrin:

I actually found it as related to a video a friend took of me titled Lee's first ride on the Tuono.
Wacthed your video next and thought, I hope this guy is a VFRD member. :fing02:

enjoyed the video, awesome V4 sound track :D