| Author | Message | ||
     Bsanorton |
My body is tired and sore. This is the morning after my 1st track day. I took the novice class at Jennings GP. Well worth the extra cost, you get an introduction to the track, helpful hints, an instructor for the day a T-shirt and $100 towards another track day. Oh and you get the track alone for the class, mine was a group of seven. I will take the novice class again, several in my class are repeats. It was organized well, my instructor was a WERA champ an very easy to communicate with. We got a lot of track time, I was pleased. The day starts off with an introduction to the track and safety stuff. Then we did a leisurely lap around the track in line, then we picked up the pace and each rider would get to ride behind the instructor for a lap. After that we got a few laps to ourselves and came in to chat about our experience. They laid out clear rules for passing and getting off the track. The track is marked to give you an idea of the lines to follow, although they realize we are all individuals. In our group a Ninja 250 was the fastest! This track has a lot of turns and not too many long straights. There were a few gixxer guys and big litre bike owners that flew. They were in the more advanced class. Can't wait to do it again! My Buell was up for the task, but the old girl got pushed hard.  (Message edited by bsanorton on March 24, 2012) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Aren't track days great?!?! I look forward to the chance to do another one someday. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Cool stuff!!! The track is where it is at!! And what better place to be than Jennings! I am hoping to do get out there sometime in May. Probably a Monday (cheaper & less crowded). | ||
| Bsanorton |
Yeah, I will be off Mondays soon. I hope to take advantage of it. $105 for the day at Jennings for Monday. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Is that after your $100 discount? Or is that their list price now? | ||
| Slaughter |
Welcome to the addiction! (and bravo for taking it to the track) When I first started doing track days, I STAYED in the novice groups until they asked me to leave. You can't imagine how much it gives you to have more instructor coaching than you usually get in the intermediate group. (and the intermediate is usually where most of the stupid moves are made due to riders egos) (Message edited by slaughter on March 25, 2012) | ||
| Bsanorton |
The price for Monday's is $105 with no discount. The novice class is $250. $100 of it goes towards a next track day. Normal track days are $130 if you preregister, $150 the day of. | ||
| Reepicheep |
+1 Steve. By the end of my second track day I was getting a knee down, was one of the "fastest" novices, and was getting held up very frequently. I would love to do another track day, but have no interest in moving to intermediate. When I was stuck behind somebody slow, I just worked on form and played with different lines. Thats a great price for a track day. I hope Mid Ohio does something like it, I'd definitely go again. | ||
| Bsanorton |
so what's up with my front tire? We ran counter clockwise which had mostly left turns. Is this due to heat buildup?  | ||
| Smoke |
front tire is fine, boogers from the track. looks like you had a good time! welcome to the addiction! tim | ||
| Bsanorton |
Thanks Smoke. So to clarify, this is stuff that is picked up from the surface due to the heat of the tire and not the tire falling apart? LOL! What should be the top speed of an old tube frame X1 on the straights? | ||
| Paint_shaker |
What smoke said. It is the result of your tires heating up. Tires become "sticky" providing you grip. The stickiness also attracks tire boogers (and gravel, dirt and other small items). If I recall, the theoritical top speed is in the 140ish range. You are probably up to the 120ish range (depending) somewhere between T-2 and T-3. | ||
| Notpurples2 |
If you looked around at the track you'd see a lot of tires like that, perfectly normal. Jennings is a great little track, I need to get back there. It is an addiction.  | ||
| Slaughter |
Yeah - those are what are often referred to as "marbles" - you will see those around the outside of EVERY turn on EVERY track. It's a pain when using tire warmers. You put on a mechanic glove and spin the tire to remove all those boogers and rocks that you pick up coming back to the pit. Looks like you got some use out of the SIDES of the tire! Warning - do not EVER go to a racing 12-step program. They'll want you to admit you have a problem. Trust me, DENIAL is called for! | ||
| Slaughter |
Since you asked: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-marbles-in-auto-r acing.htm If you EVER have to pass somebody on the outside, the marbles are a BIG FACTOR in choosing your line! (Should always be part of a track introduction. If you EVER go to the outside of a turn with any speed, it can bite you) (Message edited by slaughter on March 26, 2012) | ||
| Bsanorton |
Gotcha. Since my tires are cold now these look like they will take some effort to get off, no? Should I be cleaning the tires immediately after I get off the track? | ||
| Slaughter |
If you have wheel stands, it's easier or you can have a buddy roll the bike while you use a glove to roll them off. Don't worry about them if you're not using warmers, they're right on the middle of the tire which you're not using anyways! :-) | ||
| Notpurples2 |
They'll come off eventually with normal street riding. Though you might get tired of explaining to people; "What's wrong with your tires?" | ||
| Xb1125r |
glad you are doing track, its worth all the fun | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Dang Slaughter.... I do most of my passing on the outside! LOL | ||
| Bsanorton |
Does anyone have any suggestions for lower handlebars? I kind of felt the stock ones were too high for track work. Something that would not bang against the tank. | ||
| Slaughter |
Lower bars and tank collisions are a problem. Sometimes you can invert your stock bars - kind of "Clubman" like. Try it and see if it clears. | ||
| Notpurples2 |
You can try clubmans. They move the bars down and forward. I have a set on my XB9S and they really help at the track.  | ||
| Tony216 |
I'm so jealous, I can't wait until I'm back out on the track!!! Welcome to the addiction. (Message edited by Tony216 on March 29, 2012) | ||
| Bsanorton |
Way to hang off Notpurples! Thanks Tony! Signed up for the May 5th novice track day at Jennings, I figure the extra $ is worth it for my first few times. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Crossroads makes a bar kit for an X1. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/6037.html | ||
| 99buellx1 |
BTW. An X1 isn't the worst track weapon out there, though the corner clearance will be the first hold back, but the shifter pegs are replaceable.  Still TONs of fun and learning to be had on the track regardless of bike. Years back:  | ||
| Bsanorton |
I like that color combo with the carbon(?) and yellow buell lettering. Thanks for the pictures guys and info... |
