Time to move up?

[Mk1inCali]

Whaddya say?

[scratch]

Did you get bumped up to B class? 

[Mk1inCali]

Yup, and by the 2nd session that I was in B, I wasn't getting passed by more than maybe 5 guys in a session, so right in the pack, and the last session where something just clicked and I was carrying waaaay more corner entrance/mid-corner speed, I only got passed once by an actual racer.  (This is of course not accounting for the litre bikes blowing passed me on the front straight, even if I usually did catch them back by last corner before said straight).

[mille2race]

Whenever you want.  Look at my list of bikes over the last few years, back to the GS!!

[galahs]

I think its time when you think you are at the bikes limit.

P.S. What Chassis modifications have you made?

[Mk1inCali]

15wt oil, was running a Kat shock (have a GSXR in waiting, and an SV that I could mount up for free as well) and Progressives with a spacer for more preload.

I've ridden a GS with a fork brace and it helped a bit, so I might get mine mounted and re-assess, but I'm getting tired of being cramped, too.


One of the control riders that I know through my local riding club/shop that I work at got footage of me doing about a lap in one session, and he said it's pretty apparent I'm riding the shaZam! out of the bike with it flexing and squirming all over the place.  Hopefully can get that video posted up.

[galahs]

What tyres are you using and why didn't you go straight rate springs?

[Mk1inCali]

Rennsports in 110/60 and 150/60.

Progressives because they were the "hot ticket" for my initial use of the bike when I bought it new in '01 as a left-over, which was entirely commuting.  I did that right away, along with swapping the stock shaZam! tires for Pilot Sports.

[Mk1inCali]

Got this uploaded, will post links as more vids get up into cyberspace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGcvT0EDh9Y

[Jarrett]

The GS is what it is.  Race Reps/big bikes are what they are.  If you want more, then that's how you know when it's time to move up. 

[dgyver]

I have always rode in the intermediate group except for once in the advanced. Never had a problem with other bikes on the track. I usually ride by myself and have had riders follow me since I was taking the turns so smoothly and fast to learn my line. I maybe get passed by less than 6 bikes per session, usually in the straights. I keep the corner speed up and have even passed riders exiting turns. Sometimes someone will try to pass me going into a turn but I can brake later and deeper in the turn. You have said it yourself of how the expensive bike riders look after being out turned by an old school bike.

Getting bigger faster more expensive bikes does not make track days more enjoyable. I had over $7000 in a SV race bike and I still have more fun on the GS. I guess it is the cost thing with me right now. With a $1500 GS track bike, if I crash...no problem. They crash well and parts are cheap. Tires last longer. I have not had a problem after suspension upgrades. Resprung Kat forks and Fox TC on my first track bike. My current bike has Kat forks w/ Sonics and a 04 GSXR600 shock. I can switch to most any aftermarket GSXR shock later if needed. I mod all of my GS's to use newer GSXR shocks.

The GS is a great track bike and best to be dedicated to the track. Nothing I would race in an open class (eventhough I beat an R6 before) but a the most fun I have had on the track.

[galahs]

Got this uploaded, will post links as more vids get up into cyberspace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGcvT0EDh9Y

Even I can ride fast in a straight line 

[scratch]

Does the bike feel like it's squirming all over the place?

Setting up the suspension properly will go a long ways.  You already know which link I'm going to insert...: www.peterverdonedesigns.com/introduction.htm

[pantablo]

if you're looking for more speed or a bigger safety cushion move up. I upgraded when I felt I needed a wider rear wheel...never looked back. you should get a track specific sportbike, or maybe a 'tard...

[mp183]

When you are tired of throwing money at the Harley's chassis to improve handling.
When you are tired of the vibration at freeway speeds.
When you go to a trackday and get bumped up to B class and aren't getting passed hardly at all, while dragging  hard parts *and* hanging off as much as you can.

Just think, you are getting the full Harley experience for a lot less money.