| Author | Message | ||
     Redbuelljunkie |
Yesterday at Jennings was a day of firsts for me: It was the first time using my new trailer, which is a huge improvement over the metal utility trailer I had been using. It was the first time I've ever had parts fall off my bike- I started the final session with swingarm spools, but finished without them. I had the Dark Horse Moto billet rear axle sliders (love 'em), and installed them a few months ago per the instructions (using locktite)- but they're gone now. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess you can't count on anything attached to an XB. I'm hoping to get a "loss discount" when I call to order the replacement. It was the smallest track day I've ever attended- four expert, five intermediate, and seven novice. This is not a bad thing- besides having a clear track, management decided to try something new... running the track backwards. Jennings normally runs counter-clockwise, which results in nine left turns and five rights. This suits me fine because I prefer left turns, and due to my injuries I have trouble hanging off the bike- especially on the right. But from what I hear, most riders prefer right turns so they ran the last two afternoon sessions backwards... and everyone loved it. For me, running clockwise presented real challenges- I prefer lefts, there were no markers to follow, and the rubber on the race line was definitely the wrong line to follow going the opposite way. Just about everyone else liked it better than the normal direction. In fact, one of the expert riders, in the span of two ten-minute sessions, got his time down to 1:19- even though he had never ridden the track backwards before! Amazing. Track management used us as a test to see if riders liked it, and because of the positive feedback will most likely be offering track days with morning sessions one way, and afternoon sessions the opposite in the near future. It really is a great deal- where else can you ride two different tracks on the same day, at the same place, for one low price? Jennings is the bomb! Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:         | ||
| Ceo79 |
I love it!!! Looks like fun times!! | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Really nice clear shots. If the photographer works on following you with a slower speed setting, it'd get a nice motion effect. (Message edited by iamarchangel on May 12, 2009) | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Great pics! Sounds like a ton o fun to me. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
RedBuell, Awesome pics!! I plan to hit the June 5th all-day counter race day. | ||
| Ducbsa |
This was a while ago, but the Ducati Club had an annual event at Grattan and would run in the reverse direction. | ||
| Xoptimizedrsx |
i plan on being there that day in June all day backwards. i hope they start mornings one way then the opposite the other half. this will help tire wear even out. and work on a few suspension things. even if they did every other session that way it would be sweet. two tracks one day. one price. you cant get any better than that. i could have 4 times as many crashing places this way. lol | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Every other session would be WAY too confusing!! | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Yeah, I was completely discombobulated on the first lap out. I kid you not- for a second there I had to remind myself which lever was the clutch, and which was the brake. When you get used to doing something one way for years, reversing it really messes with your brain. It's like waking up in Britain and driving to work on the wrong side of the road (and car)- real twilight zone material. On a related note- I spoke with Keith at Dark Horse Moto about the sliders. I'm officially the first customer to have lost a set, but he hooked me up with a discount and is shipping a replacement overnight so I'll have them on the bike Saturday for Riding Into History. Since the honored marque is American motorcycles, I have entered the XB in the Concours d' Elegance as a competition model. Gotta represent! A great big thank you to Keith at Dark Horse Moto for excellent products and superior customer service. And check out ridingintohistory.org- it's one of the best bike shows in the country, and it's a charity event. | ||
| Schwab |
How was T1 backwards after the kink? sounds fun. I rode jennings on a sv650 at 39 degrees. ccccoooooold!!! suspension and tires chattering | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I'll say this... no more wide-open through the kink. Between the kink and turn 14 (T1) the outside of the track is really close, and then powering out of 14 on to the front straight pushes you right to the edge again, and the runoff is pit road- scary stuff. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
RedBuell, I should be there on June 5th for the backwards day. You going to try and be there?? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I don't think I'll make it... having surgery scheduled for June to remove the hardware in my leg. Also, since I'm pretty much a left turn kinda guy, I'll probably be avoiding the backward days. |
