Lapping days on GT 1000

[mothra]

I took my GT 1000 out to the local track on 4/22/07. For those in the midwest it was Hallett Motor speedway close to Tulsa, Oklahoma. I have not seen any postings of a track experience on the GT 1000. I would be interested in other points of view. Hallett is 1.8 miles long with 8 turns and is rated technically difficult.

This was my first track day so I have little to nothing to compare my experience to. I was interested to see what the bike could do and Oklahoma has few to no curves except for the cloverleaf exchanges on the interstate. So, I wanted to lean 'er over. I actually wanted to drag a knee but being such a novice I figured the only way my pucks would touch the road is if I fell off. My pucks remain pristine thank you.

The bike's performance surprised me both pleasantly and unpleasantly. The handling on curves was excellent. The traction at lean was fantastic. The torque was great on the curves saving me several times from being in too high a gear. I now have the back tire fully scrubbed in all the way to the edge. Breaking from speed 100 mph plus was smooth and efficient. The body position on the bike allowed easily for shifting from side to side to hang out. I did notice that the exhaust pipes could drag with a steep lean. I came very close to dragging. The sports bikes seemed to lean without this worry. The major problem with the GT came during the straightaways. The longer straight section is about 1/2 mile. The Japanese superbikes would hit 130 or 140 mph on this straight and blow by me as if I was standing still. Curves I would catch up and stay up, straights I would feel as if I was riding a 125cc. Today I went and looked at a GSXR 1000 Suzuki. I doubt I will give the GT up but I sure would like to have had the grunt that the Suzuki has on the straights.

The best thing about the day was the dozens of compliments that I got on the red GT. There was a professional photog there that got some great shots. When I get them loaded I will post them for your viewing pleasure.

So, question???? Has anyone dragged a knee yet on the GT. Anyone dragged a pipe?? If anyone else has a track experience, what did you think?

Stan

RED GT 1000

[EGGMAN]

I have a red GT as well. My first thought as I read your post was why would you want to go 140mph on the GT? No wind screen like the Jap bikes. It might be hard to control going that fast with all of the wind, etc. I think you need to decide what you want from your bike. Perhaps you should add a fast Jap bike to your collection.

[Mhe225]

Originally Posted by mothra

I took my GT 1000 out to the local track ..... The bike's performance surprised me both pleasantly and unpleasantly ..... The major problem with the GT came during the straightaways .... The Japanese superbikes would hit 130 or 140 mph on this straight and blow by me as if I was standing still. Curves I would catch up and stay up....

You're a brave man, Stan, chapau

I must say, though, that what you call unpleasant surprises are that to you: surprises. Just looking at the spec-sheets, you know this is going to happen. Compared to the Japanese (super) bikes, a "few" pounds too heavy and a few ponies short. But that shouldn't be a problem, in my book. Don't you just feel great being able to catch those superbikes in the curves?

I have never taken my bikes to the track and out on rides with friends, I would always have the slowest and heaviest bike (R75/7 -> XLH883 -> R100R -> MH900e / Sport1000), yet would always keep up with -or even stay ahead of- them on the twisties. Now how is that? Of course they would dust me on the straights

A friend has a similar experience on 4 wheels. He takes his '91 Miata to the track and is able to hang / catch up with the big hp cars like Mustangs, Corvettes, even Porsches and Beemers, in the slower, curvier sections and then sees them disappear quickly on the faster, straighter sections.

You need to do some soul-searching and determine what type of rider you are and what you enjoy most. That determines the type of bike you should get. Of course, you can have both ...... in one bike (e.g. 749 / 999) or in multiple bikes (e.g. GT1000 / any of the J4 600's / 1000's).

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new. But it doesn't hurt to hear that once again.

Enjoy your GT and if you get the Gixxer or something alike .... be careful: the world comes at you a lot faster on those bikes (personally, I'm not yet ready for them and doubt that I'll ever be )

RonB

[DUCeditor]

Originally Posted by EGGMAN

Perhaps you should add a fast Jap bike to your collection.

Or a desmoquatro Ducati.

One thing you learned is that the GT is just what it was designed to be: A great handling streetbike. The Ducati Superbikes are exactly what they were designed to be too.

-don

[HayBailEY]

hard parts will rub:



-Bri

[Mhe225]

Originally Posted by DesktopRacing

hard parts will rub....

One more reason why I'm asking for the high / low, left / right, 2-2 exhaust sysytem (I would buy one if somebody made it...)

RonB

[corky4891502]

maybe a change up in gearing or a 520 chain with light sprockets would help you get to 130 faster. I know that a lighter chain and sprockets help you at higher speeds and if you change your gearing slightly, you will still be able to run it up to a buck thirty! I think that the handling aspect is awesome because it kind of makes our bikes the "underdogs" when it comes to stacking them up against 1000 cc 4 cylinder race bikes.

[mooner]

Last year I did a track day on my KTM 525 supermoto bike. I had it gear for maybe 115mph or so. Since I had a slow bike I rode in the C group. After a few sessions on the track, in the classroom the instructor asked the class " How many were getting spanked in the corners by the supermoto bike". Half the class raised their hands. To me not so much the the top speed, but the thrill of braking and cornering. I say as long as you are having fun, improving your skills, who cares if you don't have the fastest bike on the track. Once I break-in my Paul Smart, I'll be at the track having fun. Hell, one trackday there was a
Multistrada with hard bags and he was dragging his knee in the corners.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Mhe225

One more reason why I'm asking for the high / low, left / right, 2-2 exhaust sysytem (I would buy one if somebody made it...)

RonB

I e-mailed NCR to see if they might produce their 2-1-2 high mount in stainless steel. The Ti version is $3600. Waiting for a reply.

[fujinator]

Originally Posted by mooner

Hell, one trackday there was a
Multistrada with hard bags and he was dragging his knee in the corners.

Hmm...that sounds like a friend of mine . Was that at Portland, Seattle or Spokane perhaps? Just curious.