Track day @ California Speedway - What a blast!

[Hawk]

Man, California Speedway is something else! I went faster, leaned farther, and had more fun on my bike than I ever have before. I rode in the novice group because today was only my 2nd trip to the track, so I didn’t get any idea of my times. There was way too much traffic out there. Next time I’ll ride in Group II. Maybe then I can start keeping a log of my track times.

My list of gear to purchase has gotten a whole lot longer. The 999 is destined to become a track only bike. So now I need the spare clip-ons, rearsets, race bodywork, etc. Today was the first time I felt like I needed a slipper clutch. When you’re braking from 130+ to enter a 90 degree right, rear wheel chatter on the downshifts can be a bit disconcerting…

Anyway, this was some of the best fun I’ve ever had. I’ll be doing as many track days as I can.

[vtwins4life]

Originally Posted by Hawk

Man, California Speedway is something else! I went faster, leaned farther, and had more fun on my bike than I ever have before. I rode in the novice group because today was only my 2nd trip to the track, so I didn’t get any idea of my times. There was way too much traffic out there. Next time I’ll ride in Group II. Maybe then I can start keeping a log of my track times.

My list of gear to purchase has gotten a whole lot longer. The 999 is destined to become a track only bike. So now I need the spare clip-ons, rearsets, race bodywork, etc. Today was the first time I felt like I needed a slipper clutch. When you’re braking from 130+ to enter a 90 degree right, rear wheel chatter on the downshifts can be a bit disconcerting…

Anyway, this was some of the best fun I’ve ever had. I’ll be doing as many track days as I can.

I have some used catalyst composites skins (street legal version) that I'd be willing to part with if you're interested. PM me for details, but here's a couple pics of them when they were on my 749R. They also had been on my 999 previously.

[jlcihak]

Originally Posted by Hawk

Anyway, this was some of the best fun I’ve ever had. I’ll be doing as many track days as I can.

I can't wait to do my first track day, if the FL deal goes down I am headed south. its going to suck if i lay her down tho, just spent all this time and money on the body. Can't afford to get leathers, and track skinz, but what ever can always do it again in a different style right, hahaha

[tye1138]

I can't wait to do my first track day either! GRRRR I refuse to ride my bike to the track because the last thing I'm gonna wanna do after riding for 7 hours is get back on the horse and ride another hour in traffic to get home. I'm also afraid that I'll be going a tiny bit faster then usual on the way home... that would just blow to get pulled over after a track day.

So...

I'm gonna score me a little cheap-ass van for track days. Get some spare wheels and racing slicks and go to town. "sigh" if only my pocket book would allow me to do so!

For the time being the lower-faster set of Big Tujunga is my track. Cops can't keep up with me and to be honest the road is so dead with traffic, you can really crank it up.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by tye1138

I can't wait to do my first track day either! GRRRR I refuse to ride my bike to the track because the last thing I'm gonna wanna do after riding for 7 hours is get back on the horse and ride another hour in traffic to get home. I'm also afraid that I'll be going a tiny bit faster then usual on the way home... that would just blow to get pulled over after a track day.

So...

I'm gonna score me a little cheap-ass van for track days. Get some spare wheels and racing slicks and go to town. "sigh" if only my pocket book would allow me to do so!

For the time being the lower-faster set of Big Tujunga is my track. Cops can't keep up with me and to be honest the road is so dead with traffic, you can really crank it up.

Yeah, you really can't ride to a track day. If you fall you're bike might not be ridable, and you might be in no condition to ride. Lots of people fell yesterday. We only had two sessions that didn't get red flagged...

As far as getting there and back - U-Haul has some very reasonable rates for trailer rentals. We got a 5x9 trailer with a fold down ramp for easy loading and it was only like $50.

Cranking it up is 150+MPH on a long banked straight over the Start/Finish line with nothing hard to hit if you lose it. I'm thinking a Bonneville would be a nice street bike...

[mnemonic]

130+ that's it?



I got to 140 on my S2R1000. I agree though, Cal speedway is really quite cool. Your bike was meant for the track.

If you are a short guy, get a Monster 800 for the street. Plenty of torque, great for the city / canyons.

If you are taller, get a Multistrada or Supersport...these are great bikes too. I've got a couple Monsters + Supersport myself, so if anything I'll pickup a SBK next.

[Hawk]

If I get a Monster it will be the smallest one I can find. I'd probably choose the 620 over the 695. I know myself way too well and if I have something that will take it, I'll go faster than I ought to on the street. After a couple That's why the Bonneville is attractive to me. It isn't really a cruiser, but it's not as sporty as a Monster.

Maybe one of these days I'll rebuild an old one. A pre-unit 500cc Bonneville would be fun to tool around on.

Originally Posted by mnemonic

If you are a short guy, get a Monster 800 for the street. Plenty of torque, great for the city / canyons.