| Author | Message | ||
     Trac95ker |
I did the street rider track day through Penquin Racing School at Loudon (NHIS). I can't say enough about the school - they were very helpful. From suspension tuning to riding tips, proper lines, points of reference, and following you around the track. Before each riding session you could ask any of the instructors (for the class "A" beginner group) to watch you during the session. Then, after the session was over they would debrief you. There were never more than 5 students with each instructor. There was an 1 1/2 hour class followed by 5 20-minute riding sessions. There were three riding levels in 20-minute rotations - this allowed you a 40 minute break between each of your assigned sessions. The break was nice - it gave you a chance to relax (because the sessions were exciting, but stressful), re-hydrate, debrief, and talk with the other riders. During the class they said everyone should "check their ego at the door", unfortunately there were 5 mishaps (none too serious, except for a guy hitting the wall and messing up his ankles and his day - since the accident happened during his second riding session). The first session I was a bit nervous, by the third session I was starting to feel comfortable, and by the 4th and 5th sessions I was using the tips given by the instructors which allowed me to stay on the right line better and ride faster. I really didn't know how my bike was going to handle, but it performed flawlessly (XB12S) with my custom bars and new Tomahawk tires. By the way, I was the only Buell there - but it definitely left an impression. The Drummer muffler has a unique sound to the track, and was complimented. I kind of felt like I was an underdog. I was wearing street leathers, no knee pucks, and touring boots. After the first wreck, people were like "is that the guy on the Buell?". By the end of the day I think people gained respect for the Buell...I did lap a few of them! My wife came with me and to our surprise she got to do a 20-minute session on the back of one of the instructor's bikes. She loved it - especially when other riders came up to her after and said it was pretty embarrassing to think they were riding at their limit only to be passed by an instructor with a passenger. There's one more street rider track day this summer - September 28th, Luke and I are going. It would be great to hang out in the Pit area with more Buellers and lay down some rubber together! | ||
| Benm2 |
Rich, if you ever decide to do a Team Promotion trackday, let me know. I too am usually the only Buell on the track. For me at least there is a wildly interesting gentlemen (ex drag / dirt track racer) who occassionally shows up with an old road-race 883 sportster. If you ever feel like riding Pocono, let me know. Ben | ||
| Trac95ker |
That sounds good. Loudon is a technical track, full of turns. What is the Pocono track like? Also I was talking to Luke, He said that if you joined some club, there is a track in Pa. that is closer to where I live in Ct. Poconos is around 4 hrs. This other track is around 2 hrs. 20 mins. Do you know of the track?, is that near you? | ||
| Benm2 |
I usually ride Pocono East. Relatively short (1.6 miles) and I've never used 5th gear. About a 120 MPH straight, if you've got the b**ls to hold it open till the second or third brake marker. I can't think of a closer track than pocono, the other PA track is out by Pittsburg. Hopefully he didn't mean Watkins Glenn. My .02 is NEVER RIDE THERE. Aarmco city. | ||
| Niceharleystuff |
 That's GREAT Rich!!! Glad to hear you enjoyed your 1st track day. | ||
| Race_pirate |
Rich- I race the Loudon Road Race Series, the track especially "the Bowl" is very addicting. Im glad you had a good safe time. I really believe that Loudon is a great track for the XB, plenty of time turning which is definetly the XB's strong point. I usually squeeze in 1 or 2 Team Promotion track days at Pocono as well. Pocono East course is similar to Loudon except has no elevation changes. Its good fun and plenty of time on the track. I will be back up at Loudon on Aug 19-20th. The track is the best place to see what these bikes can really do..... | ||
| Trac95ker |
Race Pirate You aint kidding about the bowl! I felt the same way when I would fly my canopy in a turn, lots of G's! Turn one is pretty scary too! I was in fourth and hit the rev limiter just before putting on the brakes before entering turn one. I wish I could go again in Aug. but I'm going for the last street rider track session Sept. 28th. I hope to see you at the Danbury Buell H_D Buell day. One more thing, My rotor turned blue. Have you had to replace your front rotor? Should I be concerned? | ||
| Race_pirate |
That means you are doing it right.... I really dont know, my rotor turned gold. If it still stops she'll be fine!!! | ||
| Hammer71 |
Trac...was planning on doing the Sept 28 school. Mikexlr was also looking to go with me. would be nice to have at least three Buells out there. Will let you know when I get the time off approved and reserve my spot. | ||
| Henrik |
I'd advice against the Pocono North track as well. That NASCAR turn & banking is just too dangerous. Henrik | ||
| Trac95ker |
I hope you guys can make it. That would make four!!!! Hurry!! Its the last one of the season!! I asked for availability and he said in a couple weeks it will fill up fast. Maybe to add to it we can try to get a few people who are coming to the Danbury Buell day to come with us! You know they're doing a suspension-setup/ BBQ/ Ride to Bear Mtn. Aug. 20th - thanks Rod and Jeff. | ||
| Eeeeek |
Hand your cheque-book over, you've caught the bug. Congrats on a successful first track day. Vik | ||
| Hammer71 |
mikexlr and I are going to be at the danbury gig. We will have to chat about and set it up then. | ||
| Lpowel02 |
COOL!! that would be 4 of us on the 28th...I'm pumped for it!! | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
sounds good to me! where do we sign up & how far away is louden. definitely have the buell day at danbury checked off as well, seems as though there may be quite a few of us there. after all it's good for us to support our "only" buell dealer. i'm hoping they'll have a tech session where i can ask about detonation, my 12r pings constantly no matter how careful you ride it. i even had hammer ride it just to make sure i wasn't hearing things. just how much detonation is "normal" with these motors, i always thought any at all was bad news. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Good to see were on the same page for louden mike. By the way we a go for sunday? | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
hell ya, whats he going to bring this week? i need to run 218 and 6, it's been one of those weeks. each time i work up by rock hill i think we need to check out the roads up there, they have hills and turns, always a good combo, just need to learn the area better. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Very cool. Sounds like a great school. I'm glad you had such a good time. NESBA also does Pocono track days. They are a very enthusiastic and safety conscious organization. The control riders are about 5/1 ratio there, and they will also debrief with you after each 20 minute session. Good guys. | ||
| Trac95ker |
Where are you guys riding on Sunday? How can I hook up with you? | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
trac95ker, we have been at perkins drive (top of bear mtn in new york) for the past several sunday mornings. if hammers up for it (not sure what his schedule is, we usually ride till about noon) we might be able to meet up at marcus dairy instead if thats close to you. | ||
| Hammer71 |
I'm game for Sunday...dont go in till midnight. Let me know. | ||
| Niceharleystuff |
If you are going to meet at Marcus, I would be interested in going along for the ride. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
hammer, marcus dairy is about 45 minutes from my place, how early can you start? we could probably meet these guys at marcus about 8:30 | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
niceharleystuff any suggestions on where to go from marcus? | ||
| Trac95ker |
I'll meet you all at the Dairy at 8:30. Just to make it easy, can we meet on the right side of the lot when entering the parking lot. Hate to miss you. I like the ride to Bear Mtn. but I'm wondering if traffic will be bad? I'm sure we'll come up with something. | ||
| Hammer71 |
name the time mike and i'll be at your place. | ||
| Niceharleystuff |
Mikexlr650 - I always enjoy the ride up Rt 301. Then you can run down 9D to the Bear Mountain Bridge. Cross the bridge and go to the top of Bear Mountain. That is the route we will be taking the 20th on "Buell Day". http://www.hdofdanbury.com/ Click the ad for more details. On that note... I'm off to work for a few hours. I will check back in later tonight to see if everyone has decided on a time and place to meet. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow AM. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
hammer, if you can be at my place by 7:40 we should get there about 8:30. we are going to be getting on 84, i'm not sure where you're starting out from so if there is a better place to meet up (like maybrook exit5) let me know. the ride back to bear mtn over 301 is a nice one, sounds good to me. | ||
| Frausty12r |
Someone told me they have a rehab facility for Track days... they take your money, your motorcycle, your leathers, your lid, your boots, and your pride... and they give it to your wife. Can't wait til I check in. *grin* | ||
| Hammer71 |
Mike... see at 7:40 in your driveway. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
just gased up & cleaned the brake dust from the wheels, all set. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Well, hopefully, next spring/summer, I will be running with ya'll at Loudon...havent been to that track since the....90s... It would be nice to see a bunch of buells on teh same track,a t the same time....can we say hostile taketover? Chase | ||
| Hammer71 |
    Was a very fine morning...Met Mike at his house at 07:40 and we had a nice quick paced ride to Danbury. Met up with Trac95 and Niceharley at Marcus Dairy. Spent a while checkin eachothers rides out as well as some other bikes (2 other Buells...one missing a rider the other had the personality of a toilet seat). After hanging out talking and explaining our rides to curious individuals it was off we go.... And go we do..right out the gate Trac is 12 O'clock high down to the light (longest one I've ever done) LOL yeah O.K. Anyway nice ride down 84 to carmel and on to 301, decent ride nice long sweepers and ample room to stretch the bikes legs. Brief stop and it's off to Bear Mtn. nice flowing pace to the traffic circle then BAM!!. Nice Green Honda Accord decides it's a good idea to make a right hand turn from left lane right in front of Trac.. Long story short.. I get to see the highest endo ever done and a fellow rider go down. While Mike and Niceharley pick up Trac and the pieces I chase down the driver, who by the way "had no idea, is he ok?" W.T.F. get a$$hole back to scene and call the P.D. report filed blah blah blah. Driver suspended and appropriately ticketed. From the initial pics I took damage didn't seem so bad mostly cosmetic and the bars snapped. Little do we know and come to find out later that the frame is dented under the left puck sub frame bent bars broken windscreen scratched to hell as well as the other plastic. As for Trac... back ankle and pride a little banged up but walking slowly and somewhat upbeat. After a millenium the tow truck arrived thanks to Niceharley and the fine people at BRAG and off goes Trac and his ride. All in all it was a good day, in spite of all that happened...Bikes can be repaired and Trac will be back on two wheels in no time. Look at all the good chat time we had on the grass.. Hell I might even change my name to Rand McNally if one more person asks me for directions. Be safe guys and see ya on the 20th if not sooner. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Mike doin some explaining...  | ||
| Lpowel02 |
aw Rich, Jeff, you guys...that SUCKS!! At least there was a good group to hang around, pick up the pieces and make sure everyone was ok...and kudos to you for chasing down the prik... Rich...I'll call you later...let me know if there's anything I can do Luke |
