Hello everyone!
This last Sunday did my first ever trackday. Amazing experience, completely hooked!!
The track is Autódromo Pacífico Sport in San Antonio, Chile. This was announced as the last trackday of the year, so I made u my mind, borrowed my father-in-law's old truck, asked a friend for a ramp and some tie-downs, and got my M696 and a 2nd friend's Triumph Street Triple on the trunk. The ramp/tiedown friend went as our mentor, as he's an experienced racer currently without a bike.
Heading out of my house
My lovely bone-stock M696 in track trim...ehh..just without mirrors.
The first thing to say: what a humbling experience. Any number of street riding years almost felt like nothing when doing my first laps. Laptimes were taken, and I had the 30th (or so) time in the slower group. No matter: I came here to learn, and I was enjoying how amazing and new it feels to actually use the bike's potential as much as I can, without worrying about road dangers.
I'm not a crazy street rider. I search for nice twisties and ride them at a "fun" pace, working on body position and throttle control religiously. And I'm happy to say, as soon as I started to understand the track, choosing better lines, and beginning to really know my bike, this all paid off in the way of learning a little bit faster than expected
I now understand that saying "take it to the track" much better... it feels pointless to ride "hard" on street right now. Even cruising on the track is better.
At the end of the day, I was 4th fastest in the group, and I left the track feeling VERY satisfied with the leap forward, having SO much to learn. I'm a new addict...cannot wait to be on the track again!!!
It might sound silly, but this photo makes me really happy:
This guy on the GSR 600 passed me like standing still on the first session. He looked fast, and on completely different level. But on the third session I caught him and finally passed the man. Best of all, it was due to being faster in corners -as he would escape me on the straights. I know a trackday is not a race, but it's fun to use somebody else's as a gauge for your laptimes.
A couple more:
About the bike:
I loved the 696 on the track, as far as engine and chassis goes. Being fairly inexperienced, the bike allowed me to ride hard, without feeling like I'm barely using its capabilities, or I might wheelie off each corner...
The problem is cornering clearance. I don't have a rear stand so taking the sidestand off was not possible. But damn...I grinded a mm or two off it (not pictured, but almost), and not even carrying much lean angle. Can you just take it off? Nothing electronic to fiddle with?
Then come the footpegs, low aswell, but specially the gear/brake foot lever. I'm looking into breaking one soon...
I'm waiting for my ordered 796 clevis to raise the bike, but I'd like to know if any of you have done this and feel there is a SIGNIFICANT clearance win by doing this.
I know the 696 is not a supersport, but come on...my friend on the Triumph had zero care for body position, and was nowhere near grinding anything!
(don't mean to use him as a bad example. We actually talked about this)
