oilfieldtrash
Zone Head
Kawasaki enthusiast
Posts: 506
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posted August 06, 2010 09:20 AM
First track day tomorrow
Just out of the blue decided to call a local race track and ask about track days. Turns out they are having a class there tomorrow. Signed up and I'm pretty nervous now. They teach you the fundamentals of riding in a class then it's off to the track for a ride. You then go back to the class then they critique you. Then more class then track. Figure after tomorrow I'm gonna be a better rider for it. I watched this YouTube video they emailed me and I'm a little nervous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd1xz6kj-N8&feature=channel_page
Never had any formal riding training even though I've rode for years. I figure it's gonna be a humbling experience. You only live once though and it's gonna be great to ride the crap out of my bike and not worry about being arrested. 
Any advice? Would it be okay to take my wife? Would she have anything to do while I do this?
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'09 zx6r lime green bone stock
'07 white S.E. ZX-14 sold
  
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bgordon
Parking Attendant
Posts: 14
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posted August 06, 2010 12:09 PM
 Edited By: bgordon on 6 Aug 2010 22:52
You're going to LOVE it. I've done 3 track days at Miller Motorsports Park -- two with the ZX14 and one with my son's CBR600RR. Just don't be surprised when the smaller bikes zip past you through the corners. The smaller bikes are born to turn -- not so much the 14.
You may want to lower your tire pressures a bit. They may suggest a good pressure for your tires. Generally, you want to run lower pressures on the track than on the street. I run about 40psi on the street and was advised to drop down to about 31 (cold tires) for the track (Pirelli Angel STs). The pressures will increase 5-6 PSI when the tires heat up.
Not hanging off the set yet -- working on that next:
Have fun! -bg
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Superman T
Pro
Posts: 1831
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posted August 06, 2010 03:20 PM
Have fun!
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Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
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posted August 06, 2010 03:43 PM
Great experiance for me the first time out learnd a lot.
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77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
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CraigChrist
Pro
BAWLS
Posts: 1043
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posted August 06, 2010 05:05 PM
when i was hitting the canyons a lot before I stretched my bike I liked 29r/31f for pressure. that was just me though.
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60ft-------1.42
1/8th------5.97
mph-------119
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted August 06, 2010 06:25 PM
Have fun oilfield! Send some pics and video of the Back straight flybys!!!!
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2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted August 06, 2010 06:28 PM
Have Fun Shane. Have your wife take pic's or a video. Call my cell when you get back we shold be back from trip. Wife is doing a photo shoot at Love Field tomorrow.
Louis
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oilfieldtrash
Zone Head
Kawasaki enthusiast
Posts: 506
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posted August 07, 2010 04:24 PM
Well I went today and boy was it a learning experience. I learned more today than probably all my years riding together. Definitely worth the money I paid. First few times they took us around the track I could barely keep my big bike up with the instructors pace and they were going extremely slow just to give us an idea of the track. I almost left after the few short laps because I was so disheartened by it. I gutted it out though and returned to the track nervously. I was then able to learn at my own pace and as the laps went on I started figuring out the lines of the track and I was no longer fighting my big bike. I was flowing with the track. It's really a beautiful thing when it works like it should. Of course I was the only zx-14 or busa on the track. All 600cc's or liter bikes. I was no match for a 600 or liter bike on such a tight track. I stayed just fast enough to be in the flow of traffic and could follow behind most guys for awhile but eventually they'd get away from me. Need to find a track better suited for a bigger bike with horsepower. My wife got a couple pics but couldn't get within a 1/4 mile within the track and our little camera couldn't zoom in enough. They had a professional photographer there so hopefully he'll have some good pics of me on the bike tomorrow.
No chicken strips here
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'09 zx6r lime green bone stock
'07 white S.E. ZX-14 sold
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kawasakijockey
Pro
Posts: 1876
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posted August 07, 2010 04:31 PM
That looks like Cresson. I have definately put the hammer down there a few times. It is a technical course.
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Get on the shortbus boys 'cause its time to get schooled.
2007 ZX-14
1.38 60ft
9.03 @ 149mph
8.95 @153 small shot n2o
8.68 @160mph 5lbs boost
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted August 07, 2010 04:32 PM
Edited By: LAB3 on 8 Aug 2010 00:54
Way to Shane, glad you had fun and did not hurt the bike....Or You... :-) wow you did lean over to have no chicken stripes. This fall may be you get time off and go to Ozarks with us for 3 days and ride in Mountains.
Louis
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zx14fan
Zone Head
Posts: 547
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posted August 07, 2010 11:46 PM
very cool.That is on my list of things to do this summer.keith cody school.awesome how the mind works when it comes to road racing.
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Hellmutt
Needs a job
Posts: 2013
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posted August 08, 2010 07:49 AM
Awesome experience huh!!! I did it years ago on my old YZF and loved it, kept getting warned by the instructors to keep my speed down and be patient. Had a day on my 14 at Mid Ohio, but it's not a big enough course to really tap into her power either -- damn 6's and 750's were shreddin me up in the turns too........you get better at body position and turning techniques, and you'll be hangin' with the smaller caliber bikes.......or at least stayin' close enough to reel them right back in on the exit!!
I know that having confidence in your tires is a key factor to better turning speed and tighter line choice.........I was always having issues with that on my street tires........good gp sticky tires is the remedy, but expensive.
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British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
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