| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
Yesterday was ridiculous. Absolutely amazing. My bike is getting old an tired, so I went to this event with the intentions of Demoing as much as possible, and that's exactly what I did! Not simply 'demo', but race the piss out of, grind away peg feelers, bounce off rev-limiters, and destroy knee pucks on EVERY SINGLE BIKE. Session 1 (My Buell Cyclone): No demo's for session 1, so I took my bike out. The combination of a cold track and cold tires made for a VERY unnerving experience. Sliding through just about every corner through the entire sessions. This destroyed any self-confidence I had. Session 2 (Buell XB12Scg Lightning Low): Fun bike! Those curb feelers are the devil though. Despite my confidence destroying previous session, this bike had me back up to where I wanted to be in just a few laps. Lots of peg and knee dragging on this one. I loved the 'all blue' look too. They didn't tape the speedo's on the demo bikes, so I got to take a look at the speeds I was hitting. I was by no means going all out, but the back straight I was able to hit 135 pretty consistently. Also, I was quite pleased to find that shifting into forth would pull the front wheel off the ground at 90 MPH. No 'wheelie' per say, but the wheel would definitely float for awhile. Impressive! One thing I don't like about the new XB12's is the rev limiter. I know they raised the redline a bit for the new 12's, and it pulls fantastic all the way up... in lies the problem.... There is NO drop off in power at all, nor any change in sound to tell me when to shift. I was CONSTANTLY bouncing off the rev limiter, I just simply couldn't tell I was at the top. Session 3 (Buell XB12SS Lightning Long): Rumor has is this new SS has the same suspension as the TT. I've always wanted to demo the TT, but since it's now extinct, I figured I'd give this one a try. It was quite similar to the Scg, the differences being; it was slightly harder to hit the peg feeler, and it was a bit more solid accelerating (didn't float the front tire) I also noticed the new 8 piston front brake on this one. I don't know if I just never hit the brake hard on the Scg, but this one became very apparent how awesome the stopping power is with that beast of a caliper up front. Same rev-limiter issue applies here. Break! Another great lunch from Buell... Session 4 (Mark's Race XB12R): What a bike! This thing was ridiculous. The lean angle just goes on forever, and the weight reduction really shows itself when accelerating. This bike brought my riding level up a notch (or two). Session 5 (Buell XB12XT Sport Touring): This was the first bike I signed up for a demo. I have been thinking for a year now that this will probably be my next bike. A bike that's just a capable touring two up as it is on the track sounds too good to be true. But this darn bike has been next to impossible to get on. Demo rides in Georgia were rained out. Demo rides in Columbus were rained out. Then when I showed up for my session to ride it here at mid ohio, the thing was nowhere to be found. Apparently it was in the truck being serviced. They said it might be done for the afternoon session. As soon as I saw them pull it out the back door of the trailer I was there! It sat there behind the truck waiting for me. So innocent, obviously only having ridden demo loops around the block; with nearly two inches of chicken strip on each side. The touring two up has been proven by many on the board already, it's the track duty I wanted to experience for myself, and experience it I did! This thing TORE UP that track. I had a fricken BLAST on this bike! I was giggling like a little school girl the entire time I was riding it, it's just fun. Obviously not as fast as some of the others on the track, so if you’re out there for the speed or lap times, you’re not going to be a big fan, but I’m just out there to have fun, and this bike was great. It took a couple laps to get used to the height. Well, maybe not so much the height as much as the ergonomics. WAY spread out, and WAY upright. That's different for the track. But as soon as I was used to it, it worked fantastic! This bike was the easiest to hit the pegs, which meant I had to over compensate, and hang WAY the hell off! This had to look hilarious. I was hanging so far off, my outside foot wasn't even on the peg anymore, it was just hangin out over there. This bike finished off my first set of knee pucks for the day. When I came back at the end of the session I found chunks of aluminum hanging off where the peg feelers previously were. All the Buell workers came up and were staring…. I was slightly worried about their take on the situation, but the first thing one of them said was “That’s Awesome!”. Session 6 (Buell 1125CR): It’s damn near impossible to use this bike to its full extent after riding XB’s all day. I had a tendency to shift about half way to redline. I’m not a fan of the riding position of this bike at all. It worked well, but it’s just not for me. The motor’s smooth and fast, with a huge powerband, but it’s still noticeably hot on my right leg, even through leathers. I had a hell of a time with head shake though. Everytime I’d enter the straightaway I’d get on the gas, and it’d start into a very minor tank slapper. I could let of the gas for a second and it’d go away, but as soon as I shifted at WOT it’d start shaking again… EVERY TIME! It got quite annoying. Session 7 (My Cyclone again): I was extremely worried about getting back on my cyclone. The XB’s (and 1125) are MUCH more capable bikes on the track, and I had completely gotten used to pushing my envelope on them. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised by how well my bike did. The tires stuck great and it felt quite solid through the corners. Compared to all the rest of the bikes, there was noticeable chassis flex, and a steering damper would probably be a good investment. Also the brakes felt absolutely pitiful. After Buell left I stuck around with Mark and friends and KTM showed up with about 10 guys and 10 bikes. Some sweet talking and a little help got me back on the track. Another short session on my bike. Fallowed by three more sessions… Unofficial session 9 (KTM RC8): This bike is pretty ridiculous. It’s fast, and has a HUGE powerband. Problem is it’s Buzzy as HELL! The higher the RPM the more buzz. Once you hit 8 grand it’s about ridiculous. SUPER vibratey. It’s also pretty twitchy. Of all the bikes I rode today, this one took the longest to get used to (and get a knee down on). The suspension and brakes were great! But the biggest down side was that it was completely impossible to transition from off throttle to on (or vice versa) smoothly. It was more like a switch, the throttle is either on or off. One thing to note as well is that the whole bike is adjustable! The entire subframe has two sets of mounting holes, so a matter of four bolts can raise or lower the subframe and seat about an inch. The pegs and shifter/brake lever are also adjustable, as well as the clip-on bars. Cool bike! Not for me though. Unofficial session 10 (KTM Superduke 990) I really enjoyed this bike. This was right up there with my favorites of the day. There was plenty of power, and the thing LOVED to rev. It took absolutely no time at all to get used to it, and within half a lap I was dragging my knee. It was mighty twitchy, and it felt like it wanted to throw me off whenever I tried to transition hard. But I got used to it, and spent quite a few laps out ridding the piss outa that thing. What a blast of a bike! For my final session I took Marks race XB12R out again. It felt like an ENTIRELY different bike after that Superduke. Super solid, but it felt like it took much more effort to get it to lean. Crazy stuff. In the end I had to stop simply because I could no longer pull in the clutch lever. I wouldn’t have thought that my wrist would be the first part to get worn out, but it was. Today my entire body is simply exhausted. That was a long day. It was an amazing experience and I can’t thank Buell and KTM enough for the opportunity. Also a big thanks to Mark for letting me ride your bike and helping me out. Hopefully there will be some pictures up shortly! | ||
| Thumper74 |
Looks like another thumbs up for the XT... I had a pleasure of riding a buddy's Superduke 990 and I love that bike. Sadly, since I got married, we're in the market for a bike more suited for two up. What didn't you like about the CR's riding position? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
You're basically laying on the tank, with your face sitting on the instrument cluster. It truely is a cafe racer riding position. I was thinking the next 1125 should've be more upright, but they went the opposite direction. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Mike - Glad to hear you got so much ride time in. Is it typical for an Inside Pass Track Day to have 7 sessions? I have my first in October and am looking forward to it. I'll be on my new 1125CR by then. Did you notice any of the problems (aside from the heat) that the '08 owners have been talking about? | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
Mark, i thought the CR was pretty smooth. i was able to ride the whole track in 3rd gear and have no problem keeping up with the lead rider. it felt very smooth in the corners with LOTS of lean angle to it. i only noticed a little bit of head shake. i would love to ride one with the upright bars on it, and the shifter changed to GP style. that is why i rode the entire track in 3rd...lol but it will do 130+ in 3rd.. it was also starting to cook my right leg as well. but i am not sure if it would be as big of a deal on the street. i don't think you will be pushing it any where near as hard as we where on the track. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Eh, well, I didn't notice the low RPM stumbling, because I was never in the low RPMs. Brakes, Tires, and suspension are all great. Engine is smooth and powerful from 4 grand to 10 grand. I don't really have any complaints other than the heat and the head shake (but other reported not noticing that at all). The riding position is purely personal opinion. (Message edited by Mikef5000 on September 04, 2008) | ||
| Glitch |
Sounds like you had an experience of a life time. All those bikes, all that track time! I'm green KTM will be at TWO during Buelltoberfest. You gonna make it out? | ||
| Dynasport |
Sounds like a great day. Just curious, which bike was the most FUN that day? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
That is a tough question. The Scg was fun because I 'got my groove back' on it. Marks Race XB12R was fun because... well it's a fricken race XB12R! The XT was fun because it was so different, but I was able to ROMP on it. Passing people on this huge bike around the outside of corners while dragging a knee and the peg was sweet. The Superduke was fun because of the extremely rev-happy engine and the extremely agile handling. (Message edited by Mikef5000 on September 04, 2008) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
My few pictures:    High-sided Honda:  Custom Painted 1125R:  The XT:   Spent knee puck:  | ||
| Reepicheep |
That custom 1125 had an interesting aftermarket exhaust as well, it went right up by the swingarm. Owner said that with custom ECM mapping (no idea how he managed that on the new ECM) he was well over 130 at the rear wheel on an honest dyno... though at the cost of some low RPM runability (he uses the bike almost exclusively on the track). | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The exhaust was actually hitting the swingarm! But it did sound excellent! | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Mike, what tyres were you running on your M2? How did they go on the track? cheers, chili | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I run Pirelli Diablo Strada's and I love them! Like I said, when they were cold (and the track was cold) they were slippery, but so where everyone elses tires. Once the track warmed up they stuck Great! I've done two track days on this set, and I've yet to slide at all when the track was warm. | ||
| Mbsween |
Mike, You just need to gain some weight and the headshake will go away.  I didn't have much trouble. Following Sally (instructor) through 4-5-6 (on the CR) I got to stupid fast. The wind blast was tough I loved the CR, the powerband was awesome and throttle transitions were seamless. The riding position suited me fine. Like JimDuncan said, you could just leave it in 3rd and work the throttle around the whole track. Well except for leaving the keyhole. The 1125R felt "clunky" by comparison. I needed to down shift going into the keyhole. Maybe I'm just too slow, but I could definitely feel throttle transitions in an on/off sort of way. Once it was above 4K rpm all was well. I was on #08, I also road the XB12SS in between the CR and the 1125R. Like Mikef I was also into the rev limiter all the time. Maybe because I was coming from so much power to less power I was desensitized to the traction control handle. All in all a great day. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Some Passing Action:            Feel free to comment on and critique the riding position. All of my pictures can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikef5000/sets/721576 07120404711/ | ||
| Dbird29 |
You have a headlight out. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Question, how come the demo bikes don't have their lights/glass/plastics covered? | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
looking good Mikey!! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Re: Demo bike: I Don't know. Seemed like they forgot to tape just about everything! (Including the speedo, which is how I know: I can hit 135 consistently on the XBs on the back straight, and the Scg will pull the front tire off the ground at 95 MPH if you shift fast enough) | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
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| Hammer71 |
Gary, you look a tad stiff on the CR. Impressions? | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
i think he took that pic on the first lap. i loosened up pretty quick on it. the one thing that was totally f@#$ing me up was the shifter not being gp style. so i ended up leaving it in 3rd the whole time. but over all i liked it. it was pretty smooth in the corners. although it wanted to stand rite up if you hit the brakes. but then again it was not set up for me either. as far as riding position goes it is a little more upright than the 1125r but a little more aggressive than i like. but for the track i think it just right. i would like to ride one with the upright bars. but after it was all said and done. i still like my bike best. | ||
| Mbsween |
Gary, That last shot looks like you're draggin the chin fairing Do you recall what corner the CR pic is in? Mike you've got to win an award for hanging off that Uly, holy sheeeeeeit! | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
Matt, hell i have no idea what corner that is..... and yes it does look like my chin cowl is dragging. well we all know it dragged some where on the track that might have been it....lol | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
after looking at it. i think it might be going into the carousel. but i could be completely wrong. | ||
| Us_uly |
Just in case you need the link to the pictures, here it is. http://www.myinsidepass.com/g/09_03_08_mid_ohio | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Mike - I'll have to look into the Strada's. Much different to the BT021's? Thank you folks for posting, and all the pics! Knee-down pic on the red CR... I want one! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool shots!    I look ***soooo*** much better then I did last year... |
