Who runs their SF(S) on the track?

[desmolvr]

I did some searching and found a lot track stuff mentioned but nothing specific. I am thinking about putting the suspension & slipper from 1098 of my SF for occasional track days. I would then sell my 1098 to purchase a dual sport bike for some other fun. I used to do about 15 to 20 track days a year. It is a lot of money and not as much fun as it used to be.

Who runs their bike at the track?
What other bikes have you tracked?
How does the SF(S) compare to your other track bikes?

Thanks - John

[FlyingQ]

Here are my thoughts. I've been averaging one track day per month with my SFS. Prior to the SFS, I had a 749S that I tracked a few times.

My SFS is mostly stock except for the typical crash protection, DP slipper clutch, Bitubo adjustable steering damper, a professional (track) suspension setup, a ShiftTech CF rear hugger, and a couple of FatDuc O2 Eliminators. I'm using the Pirelli Corsa III tires...I like 'em.

A very talented, ex-SFS owner, friend of mine tracked both his 1098S and SFS. He commented that he was almost as fast on the SFS as the 1098S. He didn't care for the peg placement and had right foot interference issues with the exhaust, but otherwise loved it. However, he ended up selling the SFS and still tracks his 1098S.

On the other hand, I'm not nearly as quick or talented as my friend is. I'm usually on the faster end of the B group, but can keep up in the A group. For me the Streetfighter S is the perfect bike, perfect blend. It kicks ass, it's reasonably comfortable, and seems people just love it. I also have a thing for naked bikes.

I would say a good suspension setup and good adjustable steering damper are almost "musts" for track use. The slipper clutch, as you know, is also super nice to have.

Good luck with your (tough) decision.

[cts]

i do. i use pirelli PIRELLI DIABLO SUPERCORSA and i love them...
the sf is a great bike even on the track, but i think that youll be more comfortable with the 1098 on the track rathen than with the SF!

[RetroSBK]

Trackdays are a must... Cheaper than a speeding ticket!

Actually, the Showa Stuff on the non S models is VERY close in performance to the Ohlins stuff. the ohlins has no mid-valve, and needs a good rework to be really good suspension.

I instruct at about 20 trackdays a year, for various organizations, and attend another 20 or so. I have logged about 2500 track miles on the SF since I got it last year, and it has become one of my favorite track weapons. Having to do 200 plus miles in a given day, at the pace of all three groups, it is far easier to do, for me, sitting upright. There is a slight drawback to the 10/10ths pace, as its a bit hard to keep your weight foreward, and down, but you just stand up a bit more.

Other track bikes? Wow - 1994 900ss, 1993 Monster, 1995 916, 1997 GSXR750, 1998 CBR900, 2000 996, 2000 F4I, 2001 996, 2003 ZX6RR, 2004 CBR1000, 2005 CBR1000,2005 gsxr600, 2006 ZX10R, 2007 GSXR1000, 2007 zx10, 2009 1098, 2010 SF, 2011 1198. I get bored easily. But I also test and sort out all of our project bikes on the track.

Mods I recommend for the track - Slightly narrower bars. You dont hav TC, so you dont have to turn that off. I have become a HUGE fan of the Dunlop Q2 tires, the grip is really good, but they last like no other... its pretty amazing.

All and all, have fun, get some training, and work on breaking bad habits, LONG before you try to go fast.

[silvrsled]

I've taken my sf to the track once. It was fun but honestly, it does not compare to the fun I have on my race bike. I think part of it is because I'd hate to dump a $15k bike where as on my race bike, i know it's going down some day and accept that. The SF does handle pretty well on the track but that's after I tweeked some of the settings. Foot pegs defintely touch down a bit early. Also the right heal guard really gets in the way of body positioning. Lastly, for some reason, my bars vibrates extremely. Half way through the sessions, my hand was numb and I had no idea what it was doing. I'd come up to a turn and hope it was hitting the brakes. Only way I could tell was that I was actually braking was because the bike was slowing down. Will need to look into why that is. I'm running some Fatbars.

[desmolvr]

Thanks for the feedback and I still not sure which direction I will go. The 1098 is and has been my primary track bike. It is pretty well setup but off-road riding is also great fun and much cheaper.

Retro - The Ohlins is actually the 803 forks & TTX shock so they are well sorted. What organizations do you run? I also help out with control\coaching with the thetrackclub and trackdays are a must it just gets expensive.

[RetroSBK]

I used to be one of the head instructors with club desmo... Jason, myself, and the rest of the crew left when things got bad a few years ago, and went to Lets Ride, Veloce, and others...

I may go ride the club desmo.. errr track club days at BW coming up

[Trickle X]

I managed to hit 168mph occording to the speedo without much issues, except when there was a headwind up the front straight, then it was trying to push my knees out and was making it a bit more difficult to hang on. The bars bend a bit on hard switchbacks, the steering dampner mount is a joke as it with flex quite badly if you mount an adjustable in the stocks place. The brakes are the best I've felt and only go better as the day went on. I was only 4 seconds off my race pace from 7 years ago, so it is quite capable. If I replaced the stock street tyres and at least set sag, I could drop those 4 seconds no problem. It is just prone to crosswinds and headwinds, other than that it felt fine if it was calm even at near 170.

[jdurward]

What rpm were you doing at 168?

[desmolvr]

Look forward to seeing you at BW. Looks like I will be doing the Labor day event and the October events.