Uh I need a runway, really let me explain

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The discussion centers around modifications and upgrades to a BMW motorcycle, specifically the S1000RR, highlighting various components such as Ohlins shocks, a PUIG windscreen, and Yoshimura accessories. The owner expresses excitement about upcoming track days and advanced training, with aspirations to participate in the Isle of Man TT in the future. Key technical features of the bike are discussed, including its impressive power-to-weight ratio and advanced traction control systems that enhance safety and performance. The conversation also touches on the thrill of riding, the importance of skill in handling high-speed situations, and the desire for safe environments to practice. The owner reflects on personal riding experiences, the appeal of twisty roads, and the challenges of finding suitable locations for high-speed practice. Overall, the thread conveys a passion for motorcycling, technical appreciation for the bike, and a commitment to safe riding practices.
  • #331
Today was one of those days where one split second, one body position meant the difference between avoiding a collision and disaster. I believe I ran into one of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_pe1s3GhY8&feature=related" head on, wings folder back like an F-14 diving at about 50 mph, total rate of collision estimated 120 mph, 70+ mph in a semi tuck (that saved me from a face shield, neck or full body hit). The bird I believe it to be a swallow was in a full tuck diving for a bug, on my piece of road I was traveling head on, he hit the upper right side of my helmet, and bounced off, I went back to see if I could find him/her, no dice, there was blood everywhere on my helmet so I assume the strike was fatal. Had I been 5 to ten inches higher, his beak may have hit my face shield (bad but not real bad), neck, that would be very bad, or upper body, no drama, because I had a leather jacket, gloves on. All I know is I saw a missile in front of me for about 1/10th of a second, no chance to avoid it. In all the years riding I have had multiple close calls with birds, flying between my windshield and helmet at highway speeds, near misses, but never a 100% dead on perfect collision like this one. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I feel bad for the bird, and at the same time glad he didn't skewer me like shish kabob.

Rhody... :bugeye:

If you watch the video carefully, the swallows take a number of wing beats then go streamlined, I was hit in the streamlined position because if his wings were open the lift from my air pocket would have repelled him like two same polls of a magnet. When they are streamlined they continue on whatever path they are on like a missile. Swallows are natural lawn darts, and I was lucky.

P.S. I found this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daiGh1rfkhU&feature=related", good thing it was low speed, and glad I am not him. If I hit that sea gull at 70 mph I wouldn't be making this post, I would probably be in hospital.
 
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  • #332
I have hit birds (mostly on the legs, more's the luck) a racoon, and a porcupine on various bikes. Many years ago, before I even owned a car, I commuted on my motorcycle and after a hot day at work, I'd ride home shirtless. Unfortunately, there was an orchard with lots of bee-hives in it, and about every day, I'd smack a honeybee or two and get stung as the little rascals died.
 
  • #333
Turbo,

Go back and watch the seagull hit I just added. No fun for sure.

Rhody...
 
  • #334
Ooh. Not good.
 
  • #336
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  • #337
Track day is fast approaching in a little over a month, and I haven't sold my old FJR or found a used Yamaha R6 track bike. Thanks to good karma, and a friend, I may have the ability to pick up one of these in my price range. The flames are not me, this is a 2008 Limited Edition Yamaha R6, and the flames were a 200$ added cost at the time. Specs http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/347/1250/Motorcycle-Article/2008-Yamaha-YZF-R6-First-Look.aspx" in case you are interested.

One thing for sure that will have to go before track day are the clip-on bars, heli bars or a set of cheaper knock offs are a must. I have been spoiled with top of the line Ohlins suspension, immense power, quick shifter and ABS brakes and will have to recalibrate my brain to a junior version of a very fast bike, no ABS either, not one that instantly will kill you if you are careless, a little more forgiving, but still deserving a lot of respect to ride at a track pace.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4570/2008yamahar6.jpg

I should know early next week if the deal will go through, will keep my fingers crossed. Will let you know how things progress. My friend says the owner says it is low miles and in perfect condition. We will see.

Rhody...

P.S. I am just finishing my ghost chili, and I must say I am pleasantly surprised, the sweet taste of the pepper is unique and identifiable. I like the minute or so of heat whenever I get a small pepper bit. See the food thread for the review. I guarantee you are in for a treat Turbo.
 
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  • #338
Love the new bike, Rhody. My rice-rocket days are well behind me, but I know what 600cc monsters can do. Many years back, vehicle insurance companies used to charge higher premiums for larger displacements. That was stupid. A typical 650cc British twin was a nice bike, but it wasn't the Darwin-tool that eliminated so many bone-heads that bought 600cc Japanese bikes to get the lower rates.

We Harley riders finally got that moderated so that classes of bikes (cruisers vs sport-bikes, for instance) got charged different premiums. It took a long time. My RD 350 Yamaha could wheelie easily, and the two times when I misjudged that are the only two times that I hit the dirt.
 
  • #339
turbo said:
Love the new bike, Rhody. My rice-rocket days are well behind me, but I know what 600cc monsters can do. Many years back, vehicle insurance companies used to charge higher premiums for larger displacements. That was stupid. A typical 650cc British twin was a nice bike, but it wasn't the Darwin-tool that eliminated so many bone-heads that bought 600cc Japanese bikes to get the lower rates.

We Harley riders finally got that moderated so that classes of bikes (cruisers vs sport-bikes, for instance) got charged different premiums. It took a long time. My RD 350 Yamaha could wheelie easily, and the two times when I misjudged that are the only two times that I hit the dirt.
I haven't bought it yet Turbo, haven't seen it in or made an offer. If the price range I am told is where my friend says it will be, we can probably make a deal, last time, it was the same thing, my friend suggested the price and the guy wanted 1200$ more than he suggested, so I will hold my breath till them. I will try not to get excited, but hope that the second time is the charm.

Rhody...
 
  • #340
Good luck! Some of the limited-edition bikes years back used to feature little track upgrades, so maybe this is better than the average "dealer" bike.
 
  • #341
That R6 upgrade is decals only as far as limited edition goes.

My advice having read this forum. You have bought one of the most sophisticated liter bikes known to man and have added Ohlins suspension components. Instead of trying to find another bike to track put the money into more track days, perhaps riding school. Seat time is more important than anything else. Find sport rides in RI and nearby CT to learn some of the twisty roads in CT especially and some of the RI/CT border towns. New England Street Riders forum is a great place to start. There are many dare I say "less sophisticated" liter bikes at the track in racing and track days (GSXR, R1) as well as high end (Duc). Of course both in WSB and AMA superbike the BMW results have paled behind every other manufacturer. Ride the bike on the track and on good back roads. Get a comfort level between you and the bike and enjoy.
 
  • #342
Be Real said:
Find sport rides in RI and nearby CT to learn some of the twisty roads in CT especially and some of the RI/CT border towns. New England Street Riders forum is a great place to start. There are many dare I say "less sophisticated" liter bikes at the track in racing and track days (GSXR, R1) as well as high end (Duc). Of course both in WSB and AMA superbike the BMW results have paled behind every other manufacturer. Ride the bike on the track and on good back roads. Get a comfort level between you and the bike and enjoy.
Be real,

That's my plan, sort of. I am working on trying to put together a "runway day" where novice, intermediate and experts can safely explore acceleration and braking in a controlled environment. You could probably tell if you read some of my older posts, but I am pretty anal about details and I can tell you from advice and experience, it is easier to handle an R6 sans electronics, ABS than it is to modulate the power of the BMW. I agree with you wholeheartedly about "seat time". The more the better. I don't wish to race at an amateur level, too old. I want to have fun, gradually improve, and not be in the wrong place at the wrong time at a track day, of course there are never any guarantees when it comes to that. If you read some of my older posts you would have seen me discuss how three other guys with new powerful bikes, Ducati 1198S, etc... all came the collective conclusion that I did, to find a cheaper 600, and not ruin your expensive investment, not to mention your hide. You sound like you know your way around a track, if you watch video's with telemetry and compare throttle use with a powerful 1000, you see that judicious use is mandatory coming off corners and even pinning it on the straights. In contrast, the BMW will power wheelie between 3rd, 4th gear from 125 - 145 mph, whereas it is no drama on a 600. I have the Nate Kern video at NJMP to prove it. I agree you need as much time at speed and under braking and cornering at street illegal speeds as possible, the trick, at least to me then is how to get that experience as safely as possible. I will give NE Sport Riders Forum a look as well. Thanks for your post.

Rhody...
 
  • #343
Wow, I was just blown away. Just got an e-mail from Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction. He travels around the country over 200 days a year and is a leading expert on bike setup, a stickler for detail who informed me that the training I recommended (he also races bikes) worked for him very well. I was shocked to at first and glad he took the time to respond so positively to my e-mail early this spring. To me this is proof positive what I have been saying all along about Visual training using Posit Science's Insight program. Who knows, it may have saved me from crashing that brute of a bike last June as well.

Here is how Dave ended the correspondence:
Thought you would appreciate the information, and in knowing that I plan to do a great deal of work on this in the post season as prep for next year.

Here is a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm4KnrtPKWw&feature=related" of what he does for riders, men, women of all ability levels from beginner to expert at the track.

This is so freaking cool. Woo Hoo... :cool: :-p

Rhody...
 
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  • #344
Pretty neat! The first thing that he talks about is the need to change fork oil. When I was hopping up Harleys, the guys at the parts counter said "Why do you want so much fork oil?". I explained that I'd have to bleed fork oil in order to change levels, and leave it at that. Suspension is pretty darned critical, and some folks don't get it.
 
  • #345
turbo said:
Pretty neat! The first thing that he talks about is the need to change fork oil. When I was hopping up Harleys, the guys at the parts counter said "Why do you want so much fork oil?". I explained that I'd have to bleed fork oil in order to change levels, and leave it at that. Suspension is pretty darned critical, and some folks don't get it.
If you have watched as many of his video's as I have turbo, he is pretty much an expert on every sport bike made in the past 15 years or so, tire expert as well, you should google video him and you will be amazed at the depth/breadth of his knowledge. He can tell by the tire wear precisely what type of adjustment is required to suspension, that is invaluable for racers and track day folk like myself.

Rhody...
 
  • #346
After riding the beast to the beach parking lot intending to go for a walk, had a close encounter with a couple deer, and not my first at the natural preserve walking trail either. This took place in about three minutes time. As I was rounding a corner, I spotted a doe and a yearling. I saw them before they saw me and froze in my tracks in the middle of the path, the deer seemed oblivious, and the yearling which was closer looked right at me and away four or five times, eventually came about eight feet away, I had headphones on and the music on pretty loud. I am pretty sure they could both hear that from time to time. No way for me to turn it off without spooking them. The yearling passed, then the doe approached, much more wary than the yearling. She got close enough for a good whiff of me or heard my music and raised her tail, then they both sauntered off at a leisurely pace.

This incident reminded me as a kid my Dad and I were in the woods during hunting season, hunkered down near deer runs while light fluffy snow fell, and practically no wind, it created a dream like feeling. I had an inch of snow on top of my 16 gauge barrel when all of a sudden a fawn, couldn't have been more than a month old approaches. The mother was at the top of the ravine and pawing the dirt and snorting for the baby to return, I didn't move and almost stopped breathing fearing my breath plume would spook the little guy, it came right up, sniffed the gun barrel no more than a foot away. Then scampered up the hill to reunite with Mom. True story. A nice memory to reflect on.

Rhody... :smile:
 
  • #347
Wow, just looked back and almost a year has gone by and this thread has a lot of life left in it. Since I have been baring my soul and finding stories and videos of bike related stuff, how about this, post your most awesome video and/or story to go with it. I am sure there are tons of them that I missed. That would be very cool.

Rhody... :cool:
 
  • #348
Another e-mail from Dave Moss founder of Catalyst Reaction. I am glad my suggestions worked for him in a wonderful way...
I will let you know what comes of this. I wasn't sure if he used the Insight program or not, my e-mail response to him should clear that up.
Stay tuned.

Here is a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9zUIzU1dwQ&feature=related" with Kristie interesting to watch her progress and with Dave's expert observation's and advice.
Hi David,

Through my own work based in your suggestions and reference material I secured the fastest times I have ever run on my VFR 400, I have podiumed on a regular basis and last race weekend I went flag to flag for the victory winning by 30 seconds. The ultimate gain is that I won the 450 Super Bike championship with 223 points on bike 223.

I am wondering if you purchased the materials you mentioned below and have validated them for use through your extensive inquiries.

Rhody... :wink:
 
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  • #349
My good karma must be following me. Got a call from my salesman buddy at the bike shop. They have a 2009 Kawasaki ZX6R with low miles, and he is giving me a really really good deal, with the bike shop owners blessing. Here is a picture: a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2RnxhdZIJw&feature=related":

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9431/kawasakizx6r.jpg

Have someone interested in the FJR too, e-mails to and fro at the moment. It will be a tight fit to get it ready for track day, and unless I get enough familiarity miles under my belt, I would rather err on the side of caution. I know after riding the monster BMW, how hard can it be, right ?! Well, you need to get familiar with the power, braking, suspension, etc... etc... Just because it is a 600 doesn't mean it can't spit you. Power wheelies are not an issue, but grip and suspension feel are critical. There is little room for error on the track.

Will let you know what I decide. I really like heli bars, nice short levers, etc... and that should not be an issue to have those done by track day. The lime green isn't really me either, but I can deal with that little by little. I will let you know what becomes of trading e-mails with Dave Moss as well, who knows maybe he will be at one of my track days and we can chat and I can get a few pointers from him.

Rhody... :wink:
 
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  • #350
That looks like a fun machine. Get used to it, and be careful for a while. Every bike has some quirks and strengths. They may not be real evident right away, but they're there. Best of luck with the new ride.
 
  • #351
I am beginning to get really comfortable with the beast, (3000 miles and counting). Have been riding the traction control "off" for weeks now, and finally am getting comfort level in playing with the throttle with second gear power wheelies, and now with first gear power wheelies. The goal is eventually to feel comfort with third gear ones as well, but you have to be at 110+ to be in the zone, not smart on the street for every reason you can imagine.

Another thing I am noticing is that I like the handling much better when my gas tank is almost on empty, the bike just feels more planted for some reason. I turned down both the front and rear compression and rebound damping to 5 from full soft, and the bike feels very stable and planted on the street, not skittish as it used to be when the suspenders were set on the stiff side.

I have to go through this whole exercise all over again soon with the used Kawasaki ZX6. My friend at the shop took it out on a shakedown today. He said it was tight and the brakes, suspension and tranny were all good, no issues. From the look of the tires whoever owned it last never even got within two inches of the chicken strips so I know it was not ridden hard. Too bad all the extra's I am adding to it and more important I have not has any seat time to sort it all out before taking it to the track. If I were an expert rider it would not be an issue, but since I am naturally cautious I always take it one step at a time and step by step. So far, knock on wood, so good. In a funny way I am glad I am older and wiser when I began this little adventure at the beginning of this year. It may have been a different story a decade or two ago, of that, I am sure. :eek: It has been a blast so far, and hopefully things will only get better. That's it.

Rhody out... :wink:

P.S. BTW. Guy Martin won the Superbike Race at the Ulster Gran Prix. A little http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXHFFviIJ-M&feature=related".
 
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  • #352
Put a few miles on it, get used to how it brakes, turns, and accelerates. Trackday isn't a race. Any modern bike is ready for a trackday off the showroom floor. Just follow the organizer's set up rules (any safety wiring or taping of lenses), take some air out of the tires and go have fun.

Keith Code said "Compared to the street, track riding is more forgiving. A track may be 35 to 45 feet wide whereas your ½ slice of a two lane road could be as little as 8 feet. In that case, an error in line judgment on the road is roughly five times more critical than on a race track. "
 
  • #353
Be Real said:
Put a few miles on it, get used to how it brakes, turns, and accelerates. Trackday isn't a race. Any modern bike is ready for a trackday off the showroom floor. Just follow the organizer's set up rules (any safety wiring or taping of lenses), take some air out of the tires and go have fun.

Keith Code said "Compared to the street, track riding is more forgiving. A track may be 35 to 45 feet wide whereas your ½ slice of a two lane road could be as little as 8 feet. In that case, an error in line judgment on the road is roughly five times more critical than on a race track. "
Be Real,

Did you join just to play in this thread ? Just wondering, out loud of course, hehe...

Rhody...
 
  • #354


Amazon said:
Nice bike, I just high sided mine almost 3 weeks ago. Wanna buy any 599 parts :P I've only been out on the track once, can't wait to do it again

[URL]http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2750/29611810150273882917127.jpg[/URL]
Amazon,

No, I don't need your parts, am getting an 09 Kawi Zx6 for a good price and putting a few track necessities on it before going back out there, high bars, quick shifter, power commander... etc... Hopefully your highside didn't result in broken or shattered anythings. The armor in leathers is amazing if you use the correct brand. I prefer Vanson leathers. BTW, was that a picture of your bike before the high side ?

Rhody...
 
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  • #355


rhody said:
Amazon,

No, I don't need your parts, am getting an 09 Kawi Zx6 for a good price and putting a few track necessities on it before going back out there, high bars, quick shifter, power commander... etc... Hopefully your highside didn't result in broken or shattered anythings. The armor in leathers is amazing if you use the correct brand. I prefer Vanson leathers. BTW, was that a picture of your bike before the high side ?

Rhody...

I turned out fine, my leathers defnitly did there job. I had a custom Velocity 2 piece race suit. And ya, that was before teh crash, the gas tank is pretty much flat now.
 
  • #356


I've got my eye on a Yamaha GTS 1000. Future classic right there, and very cheap at the moment.
 
  • #357


Kurdt, Amazon,

Let's switch this discussion over to my "runway" thread in GD, so we don't raise the ire of the mentors. BTW. Is there any way we can have the threads that belong there moved to the other thread ? That would be cool. I think I will report myself, hehe... and see what comes of it.

Rhody... o:)
 
  • #358


rhody said:
Amazon,

No, I don't need your parts, am getting an 09 Kawi Zx6 for a good price and putting a few track necessities on it before going back out there, high bars, quick shifter, power commander... etc... Hopefully your highside didn't result in broken or shattered anythings. The armor in leathers is amazing if you use the correct brand. I prefer Vanson leathers. BTW, was that a picture of your bike before the high side ?

Rhody...

Those aren't track necessities, in fact the high bars are the antithesis of a track necessity. Power commander? Are you replacing the exhaust system? I don't think you need a quick shifter to enjoy a track day. I guess I am doing it wrong riding a bike so stock it has the use 91 octane and always wear a helmet stickers still on it.
 
  • #359


Be Real said:
Those aren't track necessities, in fact the high bars are the antithesis of a track necessity. Power commander? Are you replacing the exhaust system? I don't think you need a quick shifter to enjoy a track day. I guess I am doing it wrong riding a bike so stock it has the use 91 octane and always wear a helmet stickers still on it.
For me, heli-bars or something akin to it are most welcome, less strain on the wrists, and since the 600 will be dual use at least for the moment, all the more reason to put them on. I am getting rearsets and with it a quick shifter, and with it to control the engine cutout when you shift a power commander V control module. If you have a competitor's blood in you, and I assume you do, you can buy race gas, which is like 100 octane in five gallon box/bladders. Most bike shops sell race gas as well. So, you are running a stock, bike, what year/model and how many years have you been at this, and how many track days have you had, and where, NJMP, Loudon, Road Atlanta, etc... ?

Rhody...
 

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