Anybody do track days?

Shortly after getting my '95, I decided to finally try the track day thing. Got some gear, a truck and trailer, and jumped on in. I'm about 60 miles from Barber Motorsports park, so I get to play on one of the most beautiful venues in the US. Here's a couple of photos from the March 20 event. It was so much fun that the next day, I ordered April 17 and June 5.

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Looking good.

I'm about 60 miles north of Barber's. I've been planning for years to get there for a track school. Life continues to get in the way.

I'm building an '04 VFR for Track Days.  Should be done in 2-3 weeks. I've done track days at Road America and Blackhawk Farms on my F4i and GSXR.  It's so much fun.

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I'm curious why you'd bother with a VFR when you have a far better for track specific bike. I use a VFR because that's all I've got. If my circumstances were such that my time was my own, I'd be willing to get a track only bike and it would be based on an actual supersport bike. 

I've been to Thunderhill, Portland International Raceway, Oregon Raceway Park, and The Ridge Motorsports Park with the R6 and CBR600RR I had.

Trackdays are super addicting.

Unfortunately I crashed pretty hard at ORP last year and messed up my body, so I don't know when I'll go back to the track. If I do I'll probably take my girl's CBR250 and slum it in C group until I get my confidence back.

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I did half day in the B-Group before being bumped  into the A-Group. Have done 33 A-group track days right up until Oct. 3rd, 2009 when my only Highside ended breaking both my legs. 5-6 months with no load bearing on either and having to learn to walk again.

I got back on the VFR before I could really walk that well, but have not returned back to the track. i do miss it still. 

Started out on bikes

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Built a nice 02 CBR F4i

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Love barber as well

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Built my dream track machine, 07 GSXR 750, but ended up having to sell it after two track days.

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Never even got it dialed in

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So after selling it I ended up building this VFR Vtec Track Pig w/Catless headers, PC3, F4i forks, etc.

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Bike felt great, but ended session one like this. 

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now I just hang out with the Umbrella Girls

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BR

Baileyrock, 5/2/2016 at 5:46 PM

So after selling it I ended up building this VFR Vtec Track Pig w/Catless headers, PC3, F4i forks, etc.

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Bike felt great, 

BR

And then I bought the track pig from you.

DachshundUberAlles, 4/28/2016 at 11:56 AM

I'm curious why you'd bother with a VFR when you have a far better for track specific bike. I use a VFR because that's all I've got. If my circumstances were such that my time was my own, I'd be willing to get a track only bike and it would be based on an actual supersport bike. 

Honestly, I never liked my GSX-R.  I said for a year and a half that I'd "get used to it", but I never really felt good on it.  It has gobs of power, and sticks well in corners, but it always felt a bit disconnected from it. It always felt more like a tool than part of me. My 600F4i on the other hand, felt great on the track and very natural.  I was actually faster at road america on my bone stock F4i than on my GSXR, even though I'd hit much higher top speeds on the GSXR.

I want to see how good I can get a VFR on a track. It will be a good challenge.

Almost fell over!  But seriously, because I was never competitive on the track, a VFR would be more than fine.

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5 hours ago, paulmeisterpk

And then I bought the track pig from you.

Woo Hoo, Paul I wondered how things were progressing for you???

So it's not hit the track yet?

DachshundUberAlles , I was amazed at just how well the Vtec track pig performed. My lap times on my F4i were consistently in the top 3-5 A-group slots. My best time every at Nashville Super Speedway was a 1:08 something on the F4i and my only full day on the new GSXR (2nd day on bike) at the same track was a best of a 1:09:34. i figured that NSS would be the Vtec's worst track as it had the tightest infield turns and highest speed (Tri Oval) of any track I ran.

In my very first session on the vtec track pig where I thought I was at least 5-10 sec slower a lap because this was just a shakedown session. I did a 1:09:34 which matched the best time on the GSXR in a full day! Amazing, the handling was spot on, but it had some type of fueling issue in the turns. Never got a chance to develop the bike and felt I should have easily dropped a sec off my times w/o much effort.

The only passing I was doing was out braking guys into the corners until my last lap where I tried to square of a turn and hard accelerate on a short shoot for a slide pass. When I grabbed a hand-full of throttle for the first time the rear spun up into my only highside. 

I wish I still had the Bike & Balls to continue it's development! 

It showed an indicated 179 mph on the Tri-Oval which with a 1dn/2up sprocket set-up was probably mid 140's or more.  It pulled well up there surprisingly. 

Keep me in the loop Paul, please!

BR, it is in the midst of a new paint job.  First track day for me this year is 5/25.  I will send you some picture or post some up here when It's ready.

I'm considering Nola MSP on 5/25, but this is too nice of a bike to bin and I'm not one to get on a track and not push myself.

Here is the nearly finished paint job.  Still have to add some black to the rear seat cover.  Also have to add decals.  Not sure if that part will get done before my first track day of the year next Wednesday.

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I have been doing track days for a long time and still love it. Track bike is a well sorted 06 CBR 1000rr. I have thought about bringing the VFR to the track but now I think I'll just keep her on the street. I think the first time I was leaned over and not already in vtec I would have a heart attack when it engaged. lol I have rode in the twisties in NC and Tennessee with the VFR and I find that I either have to stay below vtec or just keep in screaming in higher rpms. An older gen VFR would be the ticket for me to track probably. 

A pic from the first track day with the bike.

The VFR in its new environment!

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That's pretty freakin' cool.

join us...

nice short straight, good for the VFRs

I will be doing my first track day tomorrow, actually cornering school. Then I think I will book Thunderhill on the 30th! There are at least 6 tracks within reasonable driving distance, so hopefully I will get some good seat time this year.

How was your cornering school?  Enjoy it?  I had a track day at Road America with the VFR yesterday and it was great. The VFR could use a bit more power on a track like that, but it was not a slouch by any means.

Kingmdm, 5/5/2016 at 3:31 PM

Almost fell over!  But seriously, because I was never competitive on the track, a VFR would be more than fine.

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Anyone ever tell you that you look like Kevin Schwantz?

I got to ride Barber once, and it is a crazy beautiful track. If you ever head south to Jennings GP let me know and I'll try to join you. I go to all the Southern Track Days events as a professional Novice-group rider.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW9TujlX8GA

Here is a vid of one of my sessions at Road America on the '04 VFR. It definitely doesn't have the power down the straightaways that a liter bike does.

This was the first time at RA with this bike.

paulmeisterpk, 7/12/2016 at 2:59 PM

How was your cornering school?  Enjoy it?  I had a track day at Road America with the VFR yesterday and it was great. The VFR could use a bit more power on a track like that, but it was not a slouch by any means.

Hell Paul, everything could use more power there!  :goofy:

The bike looks Awesome! Nice job!  :cheerleader:

two representing. 

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Yes......

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Are all 3 of those shots you?

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A horse of a different color, my XRR at Tally ... :smile:

Ace

11 hours ago, paulmeisterpk

Are all 3 of those shots you?

Yes :) 2 at Miller in Utah, and 1 at High Plains in Colorado.

This bike does very well on the track, I still have stock front forks so its not entirely a weapon yet for me but it is more than adequate for any track. It might not win any races that it could even qualify for but is a hell of a lot of fun to ride and listen to. Its also a great learning tool if I should move on to either a lighter bike or a 1000 knowing how to throw that extra weight around.

Very nice body position in the lower vid screen shot!   :beer:

Thank you, I think I need to get my head/chest down and forward more and keep my outside knee against the tank. Its hard to think about it when focusing on everything else. Most of the photos were from novice and the pace was pretty slow but there is no way I can push this bike hard without good body positioning. 

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You make me want to Build another Vtec Track Pig!  :beer:

I love trackdays, Lucky enough to have 2 track within 2 hours of home. Calabogie is a great track.

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23 hours ago, Poncho

I love trackdays, Lucky enough to have 2 track within 2 hours of home. Calabogie is a great track.

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Where have you been brotha???  :unsure:

I'm part of the Eh Team.... It's supposed to be had to find us.  Lol

- Built a house

- Full rupture of my Achilles tendon

- Site wouldn't let me log in

- Too lazy to send emails to fix it

- got a message from wrestler last week

Finely able to reset password and log in. 

I think it covers everything.

Good to be back.

FYI Tumbles is doing his 1st race this weekend.

I have only done this one on my VFR but did many in the past. 

7 hours ago, Poncho

I'm part of the Eh Team.... It's supposed to be had to find us.  Lol

- Built a house

- Full rupture of my Achilles tendon

- Site wouldn't let me log in

- Too lazy to send emails to fix it

- got a message from wrestler last week

Finely able to reset password and log in. 

I think it covers everything.

Good to be back.

FYI Tumbles is doing his 1st race this weekend.

Awesome, the Eh Team lives on!   :cheerleader:

20 hours ago, Baileyrock

Awesome, the Eh Team lives on!   :cheerleader:

Tumbles qualified for 2 races today....  2nd place in each of them.  At least he is consistent!

Race day tomorrow.

I guess that's the next step up from trackdays.

Go Eh Team!

3 hours ago, Poncho

Tumbles qualified for 2 races today....  2nd place in each of them.  At least he is consistent!

Race day tomorrow.

I guess that's the next step up from trackdays.

Go Eh Team!

Hey not bad, but be sure to tell him that 2nd Place is the First Looser!  :wink:

Gets one's blood pumping seeing all this track-fiendishness. As an alternative to blue masking tape [I've put plenty of blue tape over motorcycle lights/signals], check out TAP Plastics' polyethelyne tape for covering lights and turn signals. Applied carefully, it stretches around compound curves and cuts easily - just slide a sharp knife or razor blade gently along the seam between bodywork and lens.

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/adhesive_tapes/polyethylene_tape/407

I didn't know TAP made a clear version of the tape until I looked up this link - clear could be the hot ticket. My cousin/track day conspirator turned me on to it. I used the black TAP tape on my GSXR's lights and signals during my 'wilding year' of track days [Looked great with the black/gray bodywork]. I didn't take the bike out on the street for more than a year, so I never took the tape off. When I finally removed the tape, it came off steadily and left absolutely no residue.

Not on a track, but is thematically aligned with this thread:

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8 hours ago, sfdownhill

Not on a track, but is thematically aligned with this thread:

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That is member Sebspeed, the Yankee Flyer. 

Sweeper, 4/26/2016 at 0:01 PM

Looking good.

I'm about 60 miles north of Barber's. I've been planning for years to get there for a track school. Life continues to get in the way.

So get on with it already.  Keith Code goes there, so you don't even need a track bike.  You could look like this if you joined me at VIR:

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4 hours ago, Baileyrock

That is member Sebspeed, the Yankee Flyer. 

That pic never gets old. 

I attend the May 2-day Keith Code Superbike School every year.  Well worth every penny.

1 hour ago, 007

I attend the May 2-day Keith Code Superbike School every year.  Well worth every penny.

I've never done any type of Riding School, I bet it would be a blast and maybe even learn how to ride!  :blush:

21 hours ago, Baileyrock

I've never done any type of Riding School, I bet it would be a blast and maybe even learn how to ride!  :blush:

Pretty sure you're doing something right, my friend.  The main benefit I would see in the school for you would be body positioning.  Then again, that doesn't matter so much on the ST or your newly found desire to be responsible. 

The school has turned into a thinly veiled excuse to be "safer" going fast.  At this point, I'm just feeding the speed monster.  I am going to need a Grom for a constant reminder of personal responsibility on the street.  The 500X at WOT is satisfying, but still too fast. 

The school usually posts the schedule for the next year around Thanksgiving or a little after.  Earthshake was talking about going to the 2 day school this year.  I will post up when the schedule is available.  It is usually a week or two before TMAC.  They have been going to Vegas for the past year or two over the winter time, which is really tempting. 

Baileyrock, 09/24/2016 at 6:55 PM

Hey not bad, but be sure to tell him that 2nd Place is the First Looser!  :wink:

Baileyrock,  race day is done and Tumbles did good. 

1st race he was in 1st from the start until the last lap when he go held up in lap traffic.  He ended up with a 2nd. Not bad at all for his 1st race ever.

2nd race......  Well Tumbles made his 1st appearance in years. 

He is a little banged up but not broken, unlike the bike. 

Hope that doesn't bring back any flashbacks of your trackday for you lol.

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Maybe if he changed the moniker it might influence his misfortune...

Heal quick Tumbles... Soon to be Rumbles?

Cool pic anyway!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see one big problem, he's facing the wrong way! 

That never helps!  :goofy:

I do like his uniform body position though!  :beer:

Did a California Superbike School at Laguna Seca, circa '89ish.

Rode my 85 Yamaha Maxim 700 to the track. I had never ridden a sport bike or anything like a Ninja 600 they had.

Weather cut into the riding time. It did not help I had no sport bike experience.

It was still awesome, it was Laguna Seca!

Did a handful of track days on the VFR, a CBR954, my 03 Tuono.

Willow Springs big track, love it, scary fast into turn 8.

Streets of Willow, did not like the bumpy, the shortness, and the last funky turn.

Fontana motor speedway or whatever they call it. The circuit they used to use for AMA racing. Prolly still use for Nascar.

Hated that one. Flying along close to a wall, then dropping left into the infield and finding your way through the forest of cones, wtf?

Some guys liked that if they ran into a corner too hot, there's lots of asphalt to just go straight.

To me it's a frigging parking lot with cones. :wacko:

Somewhere along the line I concluded I did not feel a desire to push the envelope. I just wanna ride.

If you're not pushing the envelope you don't belong on the track. imho.

So it's been maybe 5 or 6 years since the last one.

If you wanna push the envelope, get thee to a race track. :beer:

Learning to push the envelope could save your life. You've got more track experience than me, though, so you don't need to hear that from me. I'd say it's a good idea for newer riders becoming more competent to try a few, though, remembering that it's not a race, but a place to hone your skills.

I did one this past weekend at Fontana. Took the 5 Gen. Sorry no pics but I have video from the bike POV. I would have had more video and one of my best time (1:55.882) but I forgot to turn on the front camera (GoPro Hero2). The rear camera I have turns on and off with the ignition so I don't even have to think about it, other than to download the videos before the SD card gets too full.

You make up for a lot of what the VFR lacks in acceleration under braking. Hard for most bikes to out-brake a 5th gen.

Fontana really is a crummy road course. Too flat, and abrasive.

Here's a little clip from a few years back featuring my 2 best girls at the time with Reg Pridmore at the helm:

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Can I play too?  I love my Piggy so much. 

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I love little Piggies. Nice RC 51

I'm signed up for the March-25 season opener with Keigwins at Thunderhill and for California SuperBike School at the Ridge in July.

I've heard lots of good stuff about California Superbike school.  You should learn a ton!