2nd Track Day for Me and the SF, FFS! - Ducati.ms

Gilly · Oct 31st, 2011, 9:18 am

Packed up the Jeep Cherokee and trailer for a 2 day event at Roebling Roads in Savannah this past weekend. While the mornings were a bit cold, and Saturday morning had residual water from Friday nights rain... it all went well.

It goes without saying that each event you go to, you learn more about how to prepare better in terms of the bike and the temporary living quarters. I think I do need a master check list so I don't forget anything on the next event. I had one ear plug in my riding jacket pocket. Haa! Luckily there are always nice folks around here in Georgia, and one guy gave me some of those wax press in ear plugs. They are made for swimming, but worked fairly well, if not too well.

I ran DTC for the first two Saturday morning sessions, then turned it off. I had it at level 3, then 2, but something was not right with it. I'm still running the 2CT's and have no complaints. The front had trouble heating up and the rear was a little better but not by much on Saturday. Sunday I lowered the pressures to 29F/29.5R. Since all this is based on how hard you push them (equaling more heat), for me it was close, but I could have probably dropped the front a little more. Track temp probably played a lot in this as well as Saturday was cold and overcast compared to Sunday which was clear and slightly warmer. Very comfortable riding weather.

I'm still hanging in the White (Novice) Group to get better at all my skills and don't desire the next group just yet. I'm not in any rush to Eff my shit up. So waiting for straights to pass is fine.

The bike and I handled pretty well. No real big moments that scared the shit out of me. Just lots of practice moving around on the bike and trying to think ahead, which is in my mind the key. I don't see how anyone can keep the stock pegs on the bike. You need that peg tip to spike into the boot, at least I sure as hell do and the stock one with is nice and shiny ball end is not safe. Rear sets are on the list of wants/needs.

Roebling has a fairly long front straight. For me it took some time to get use to how deep to go in and how fast. I know I can improve on this and I wonder if to good an ear plug is not letting me hear the motor as much as I'm use to with the sqwishy foam ear plugs.

On Sunday, weird thing happened, the dash froze at a set MPH/RPM. Kind of freaked me out when I glanced down for the front straight. I do glance (not stare) every now and again for corner exit when I lay down (however that looks on the SF HAA!) on the tank before the front stretch. The video attached was a red flag shortened session, but I got props from the 1098 I passed on the front stretch just before that happened. As we pulled in for pause/restart, he rolled up and high fived me, then said, "Dude, I thought you were gone. I'm thinking, no way is he going to stop, but then you came over and just (motioning with his hands) layed it over into the turn. That was totally cool to watch".

There's another session I'll put up that has me following one guy, and all the while behind me are the two new friends I made chasing after me. As soon as I pulled in, the woman who was riding a MV Brutale comes running up to me shaking her fist, "I almost had you! I almost had you but each time on the straight you pulled back away". She is a really good rider and while I'm not saying how old she is (old than me), you would not know with her helmet on. Next track day I will try to mount the GoPro for rear view.

So once again that question is put forth, is the SF a good track bike? Yes. If you can handle the wind on the fastest parts of the track, I see no reason you have to give up all the comfort of the SF. If you tuck well enough, it's only windy when you pop up. I think the most I got up to was 135 according to the GPS, the dash lies.

The video. This is again, the SmartyCam. I pointed one of the accelerometer channels to "braking", so any backing off the throttle or braking will show red bar growth. This happens during shifting as well. Not sure why I lost the engine temp read out. But the rpm and speed are accurate. If I post any other session videos, I'll tag a reply on this thread for those who want to see them.

Wonway · Oct 31st, 2011, 10:09 am

Looking good Bill. Looks like you are about ready to move up a class. Gotta love the video when the Streetfighter walks every other bike on the straights.

Those Brembos are awesome.

Ducposer · Oct 31st, 2011, 10:16 am

Holy hell, you have the smarty cam?!?!?!?! how much was it and how does it integrate into the bike? How do you mount and install it? I super want one of these cameras!

flynbulldog · Oct 31st, 2011, 10:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducposer

Holy hell, you have the smarty cam?!?!?!?! how much was it and how does it integrate into the bike? How do you mount and install it? I super want one of these cameras!

Wonway · Oct 31st, 2011, 10:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducposer

Holy hell, you have the smarty cam?!?!?!?! how much was it and how does it integrate into the bike? How do you mount and install it? I super want one of these cameras!

Most of your questions can be answered here I Am A Gadget Whore!

DuckMan · Oct 31st, 2011, 10:59 am

Wonway's right Bill. You should move up. The others in that group were really holding you up. That track looked awesome. The corners seem to go on forever.

Gilly · Oct 31st, 2011, 11:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducposer

Holy hell, you have the smarty cam?!?!?!?! how much was it and how does it integrate into the bike? How do you mount and install it? I super want one of these cameras!

Feel free after reading the Gadget Whore thread to drop me a PM if you have any questions. The next upgrade to this unit is adding the AIM SoloDL, which works in conjunction with SmartyCam (same company, different product line). The SoloDL will allow creation of trackmaps using GPS, standard data logging of what is available from the ECU/ECU Bridge Unit (only a few channels are there for the stock ECU) and most importantly the GPS lap timer. I don't recall if I mentioned all this stuff in the GW thread or not. But when it comes out, I will be getting it from PrecisionAutoResearch.com.

Gilly · Oct 31st, 2011, 11:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckMan

Wonway's right Bill. You should move up. The others in that group were really holding you uhttp://www.ducati.ms/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1214815p. That track looked awesome. The corners seem to go on forever.

If you look at the google image from there... The turns do go on for quite a bit, which is good work on throttle control and lean. I needed this "schooling" and it REALLY helped to do the two days. Let things soak in from day one, then progress. Mind you again, I'm not fast, not trying to be fast, not gonna race, just want to improve my skills and enjoy the SF for what it REALLY is meant for... hauling my ass around!!!

**** · Oct 31st, 2011, 12:36 pm

Super good on ya, Gilly! 2 thumbs up!!!!!!
Glad you had fun too!

Just to hold you over, might want to take a raspy file to your rearset peg, and file it a bit to make it grippy. Not a permanent solution, but like I said, it might hold you over till you can afford to get some proper sets!

Looking great out there man! I love hearing about peeps track days!!!

Lastly, I'd advise next time you're out there, pick one or two things per session to work on. Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to do too much at one time. I personally pick one, mayyybe 2 things to work on, per day. That affords me the concentration, and the focused energy to do my absolute very best, for those things that need to be worked on.

Keep it going Gilly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DuckMan · Oct 31st, 2011, 12:36 pm

That would be a perfect track for what you are doing! Looks like a blast.