My first trackday

[strat10]

Well, I had my very first trackday on Friday. Got to go backwards on streets of Willow. I have to say I had a blast. It really got good after I got past the fear of dropping my baby. I really got a great feel of the bike and how it handles. I also had a Ohlins guy setup my suspension, and I have to say it made all the difference in the world. saw the Doug Pollen guys out there. Felt good to really open the bike up.

One thing, how many of you have a "track bike" I think that if you make a habit of this track thing, it might be the way to go?

A couple pics:

[He Man]

Nice pics! glad you had fun!

I did 3TDs last year with my Monster S2R1000.

The monster sucks as a trackbike. You really reach the lean limits of the bike real soon. In the end its about waht you want out of it.

You can ride the snot out of the monster on the track and if you have fun thats all that matters, but you will never really progress without really modifying the bike, or getting a more sport oriented bike. But again it just depends on what you want out of the experience.

I had a blast, but i will not bring my monster to the track ever again bcause you will crash eventually as you learn to push the limits more and more (mistakes, bravery whatever you want to call it), and it will suck if your mosnter is your street bike.

[duc996]

Track days are fun! love using my monster on track,that's the best way to get use to your ride and apply everything you need to learn for the streets safely.Nice pics and nice new suit 

[Scotzman]

Cool pics. Motoyard also offers classes there. I think there's a section in the racing and trackdays where you can post future stuff and see others experiences with it the whole track thing.

[Slow Guy]

My track bike (if it ever gets dine) is my first Duck...1999 900 monster. I seriously can't wait to flog the snot out of her!!!!!

[DoubleEagle]

Monsters ( S4Rs) ARE easy to crash.....

Don't ask me how I know that !

Dolph     

[Monsterlover]

Track bikes are good things. Much more freedom to ride the way you want.

Also, there's a sweet 900ss in the f/s section

[Radar]

Howdy folks,

Would you please expand on the reasons Monsters are not good track bikes.

...and why not S4Rs?  I'm wondering because I have an S4R, and I assumed it was considered a good choice for the track. It is pretty fast-

Is it frame geometry and riding position?  And why are S4Rs considered easy to crash?

...just wondering...

Thanks-

Eric M.

[zooom]

well....the Monster's in general don't have the greatest ground clearance...when you start going faster, that will reveal itself moreso when you start scraping hard parts...

BTW...looks like you had fun...maybe next time you might want to think about getting some instruction so you can get that body position better since it looks like your butt is glued to the seat....

[strat10]

BTW...looks like you had fun...maybe next time you might want to think about getting some instruction so you can get that body position better since it looks like your butt is glued to the seat....

Too true, I suck. Being my first day, I just took my time and started to get more comfortable as the day went on. I really dont have plans to do much more tracking on the Monster. Its my Ortega cruiser. I just wanted to get a better feel for it when I open her up.


 I think now I am ready to take the next leap and get more of a sportbike/trackbike, and lessons. I did take out my buddies 600, and felt a lot faster on that. Ill look for a older jap bike, you can pick those up for a song.

Thanks for all the comments, I really did have a great time, and the S4RS was a hit!

[Jester]

Howdy folks,
Would you please expand on the reasons Monsters are not good track bikes.
...and why not S4Rs?  I'm wondering because I have an S4R, and I assumed it was considered a good choice for the track. It is pretty fast-
Is it frame geometry and riding position?  And why are S4Rs considered easy to crash?
...just wondering...
Thanks-
Eric M.

Its fast in a straight line and can definately be hustled through twisties, but yes riding position and geometry are reasons.  The monster line tends to start dragging parts earlier than a superbike would.  The wide bars, tank, and upright position make it more difficult to get your body in good position.... its just more work.  They just aren't designed to set the track on fire.  I'm not saying you can't keep up with a lot of people on a monster, because you can, its just more difficult and at some point you will want more.

[gm2]

what he ^ said.  a monster is a 'city' bike, not a track bike.

[duccarlos]

what he ^ said.  a monster is a 'city' bike, not a track bike.

+2

It's great when you're the occasional track guy. I does also help you to find the limits of what you ride on the day to day. But simply getting your weight forwards it's 10 times harder than a regular sportbike. Hence the limitted feedback and grip of the front tire. I bought and rode my buddy's 900 SS and immediately noticed the difference, even with the suspension not even close to what I should be using.

[duc996]

Definitely not a track bike,but still fun though 

[Statler]

congrats on the first day.

It'll turn into the second, and the third....


I have a lot of fun with my rs at the track too... but I've had just as much fun on other bikes and after sliding it into the gravel trap I do wish I had bought a track bike juuuust a little bit sooner.