My first track day! Long.

[j1b3h0]

After 3 days of riding around southern California (in mostly miserable weather) with a bunch of pretty good guys on Kawasaki ZRX 1200s, we did a track day at Willow Springs. I was more than a little apprehensive about the whole affair - what with my motorcycle being a "sport-tourer" on well worn Stradas. On the street during most of the group riding I've done I can keep with the pace and, unless everyone is doing 3 digits, find myself near the front of the pack.
Willow Springs 2.5 mille road course has lots of high speed sweepers and a couple of straight aways on which 120-150mph is possible - a little out of my comfort zone.
I decided to be sensible that I should ride with the street group, and that turned out to be a good decision. Stiffened up the suspension, lowered the air in my 4000mile tires, removed the centerstand and headed out there.
Took a few sessions to learn the track (and settle down), but after that my ST4s performed beautifully despite flogging harder than ever. Never seen the tires so roasted. Soon, Mr. Duc and I were screaming down the front straight at 125 with my head on the tank, then braking, downshifting, and leaning waaay over with my knee down - like Bayliss. At least that's what it felt like. Great fun and a good way to improve one's riding skills and confidence. And Boy what that ST can do in capable hands (didn't say mine). But I did ACTUALLY LAP one of my buddys on his ZRX.
The ST was the only sport tourer at Willow (depending on your definition) and seemed capable of holding its own with the likes of serious supersports and litrebikes. Don't know of another 'tourer that can make that claim. Long Live ST Ducatis!

[rxrated]

Sounds like a good time..It only gets better
Next time you see see the boys in green , tell 'em the old guy on the 848 says Hey!

[butch]

Glad that you had a good time. Track days are a blast. I just had my second track day on my ST. I think that everyone should ride on the track at least once.

[Desmo_Demon]

Yes, those ST bikes are quite capable.....moreso than most people give them credit for...

[kevin_stevens]

Any of your friends get a calibration on their end-of-straight speed, or were they tip-toeing? I'm scheduled to go to the big track with the Buell demo day in November; and while I'm not sure what a ZX-14 will be doing at the end of that half-mile straight, I'm pretty sure I don't know how to pick a braking point at that speed. :eek

I'm guessing around 170, but for all I know it could be on the speed limiter. Trying to get oriented a bit.

KeS

[butch]

Kevin from what I have seen in a few rack days is that speed in the long straights is usually determined by the turn at the end of the straight and your ability to set up that turn. Seems like the fastest guys are the ones that really know how to brake. I saw an SV650 (track bike- upgraded very well) pass a 1098r at the end of the front straight all day long because the SV guy is better with the front brake- the 1098 guy would be rolling off the throttle while the SV was catching 6th and still rolling on the gas. The ZX14 has lots of motor but get those breaking point down to get top speed.
I would not want to be hauling a ZX14 down from 170mph looking at turn 1.

[kevin_stevens]

Exactly - especially I don't want to pass the 600s by 30mph near the end of the straight, then throw out the anchors more than a second earlier than they do and have them *re-pass* me right before the turn, with all the ancillary consternation and confusion. I'm hoping to have my 748 track bike ready by then, but trying to cover my bases.

KeS

[jimr140]

This you?

[j1b3h0]

That's me, JimR. I think this trackday thing could be habit forming - mentioned to one of my fellow riders that I heard trackdays were as addictive as cocaine. He looked at me, deadpan and said "I was able to QUIT cocaine."

[stMats]

Track days are a blast. I did my first one earlier this month and the ST performed flawlessly. I didn't drag any knees, but maybe next time.