Chasing the 600s

[burning1]

great vid. good to see someone running around with the skill over mods mentality and making it work. where was this at?

Thanks, yeah. I think the GS500 is a great platform for focusing on cornering speed and skill. Lots of easy suspension mods, good frame. I just helped my SO build a Ninja250 race bike. She's coming off of a 600, and was commenting about how much more the lightweight bike forces her to focus on cornering -- get it wrong, and you can't make up for it on the gas.

The video is Thunderhill Raceway, up in Willows CA.

[bill14224]

It doesn't look to me like you'll be in the B+ class for long.  Those guys are much slower in the corners than you, especially when you consider what they're riding and what you're riding.  Nice job!

P.S.  You have a track near where you live and the weather's always good compared to here so I hate you! 

[burning1]

Thanks!

Not entirely sure how I feel about making the jump to A, but we'll see; it would probably be good for me. I actually did the fastest group in my most recent track-day down south at Buttotwillow. Pace was well below what I was expecting for a fast group, and I had to make a few passes with a pretty unbelievable speed differential through the corners. :|

[mister]

After you change gears it looks like you're hitting your horn or indicator off button. What's that about?

Michael

[burning1]

It's the turn signal cancel button. It's a habit from street riding, and really serves no purpose on the track.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

as a newb, it seems like u took the turns wider than most of them them, allowing u to brake less and pass them up. am i right in that?

[burning1]

Generally, I took the turns wider because that's the part of the track that was available. On the track, passing usually means getting off of the ideal line, and using alternative lines. Had all those riders decided to run a wide line, I would have stayed tight and passed on the inside.

For the most part, I was able to pass because I was more comfortable being on the gas while leaned over, and comfortable at steep lean angles. For example, during the long straight, you can see that I fall way back, but catch up quickly after the following turn. I can accomplish that because I have a good deal of consistency through turn one (that corner) allowing me to carry more cornering speed and allowing me to use more of the track without risking running into the dirt due to a mistake. Because of that consistency and confidence, I can actually go through that corner without braking on the GS500 (though If I had a more powerful bike, I would have to brake there.)

Being fast on the track takes a lot of skills. There's no single magic bullet that makes it possible. I spend a lot of time observing, researching, and learning to make it happen. I walk the track. I put my head to the pavement. I look at satellite photos. I work with a mentor, and observe other racers.

[Paulcet]

It's the turn signal cancel button. It's a habit from street riding, and really serves no purpose on the track.

I wondered if you were doing that out of habit, since it is my habit to cancel the signal when upshifting as well.  But I thought you were really time marking your turns.

[Shaddow]

That video was unreal. Makes me love my bike even more. Need to do more track riding now.

[Twisted]

It's the turn signal cancel button. It's a habit from street riding, and really serves no purpose on the track.

Lmao...glad I am not the only one who has turn signal cancel OCD.

[impulse816]

It's the turn signal cancel button. It's a habit from street riding, and really serves no purpose on the track.

Lmao...glad I am not the only one who has turn signal cancel OCD.

If i had a nickel for everytime I hit that and it was already cancelled...

[Twisted]

It's the turn signal cancel button. It's a habit from street riding, and really serves no purpose on the track.

Lmao...glad I am not the only one who has turn signal cancel OCD.

If i had a nickel for everytime I hit that and it was already cancelled...

Hence the name Impulse?

[Twism86]

After you change gears it looks like you're hitting your horn or indicator off button. What's that about?

Michael

No the right answer is that your hitting your turbo boost button.  Maybe its the new push to pass system from IRL 

[mister]

After you change gears it looks like you're hitting your horn or indicator off button. What's that about?

Michael

No the right answer is that your hitting your turbo boost button.  Maybe its the new push to pass system from IRL 

It's the Milk Delivery System button. 

Michael

[burning1]

Lmao...glad I am not the only one who has turn signal cancel OCD.

Funny thing is, my street bike has auto cancelling signals. I just can't bring myself to rely on it.