Track bike possibilities ? ?

[gm2]

suspension: you may know exactly what you're doing there.  i for one sure as hell don't. 

one thing i've learned, for me anyway: let a pro do it.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

Oh, I am no Pro on Suspesion set-up. I just go by feel. I dont think I can blame the suspension of the bike for any bobbles. Its the Bobble head riding it that influences any of the errors.

[sh]

I think mechanical ability might factor into the decision.  One bike might require A LOT of tinkering where the other you just hop on and ride. 

If you're wrenchophobic like me, that might be an issue.

[gm2]

Oh, I am no Pro on Suspesion set-up. I just go by feel.

after a certain point, which is not very far, that's really not a good idea.

I dont think I can blame the suspension of the bike for any bobbles. Its the Bobble head riding it that influences any of the errors.

yes, you probably can. 

to get it set up properly you need a good deal of info about the bits that are on the bike, the bike itself (generally), and at least 2 ppl... you to get on the bike, the other to measure.  then you need a lot of intrinsic knowledge about how to set things up for the type of rider/riding you are or are going to do.

unless you feel like this is something you could at least semi-confidently do for anyone, i wouldn't try doing it for yourself.

[Grio]

Consult a professional for suspension. 
You want to know what to expect from the bike if the sh*t ever hits the fan, no?  If you've got some funky set up, who knows what you're going to get when you really push the limits of the bike.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

I just got back from the track. I added a little bit of compression to the forks tonight. I felt the difference. The front didnt dive as much on initial brakeing. Which felt better.

Still playing with it. I have read a few threads on Suspesion set-up. I am no expert tho.

gm2. I never noticed as much "Drive line lash" tonight. I find that when I use a taller gear, 4th instead of 3rd. That the lash isnt as pronouced. Finesse-ing the throttle helps a great deal as well. The GSXR 750 motor seems to have enough low end grunt, compared to the very high revving 600's.

Getting a better feel for this short track. Having the line & being smooth is the key. Got timed tonight. 1:08.8. Was my best time.  Now I have something to work with.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

In responce to a reply I had on another post.

why does staying under 1000cc matter?

and yes, a 999R is a superbike.. but there's a lot of debate about whether or not it's a *good* superbike.  especially, and if you're already talking those kinds of $$$, in light of, say, an 848.  or 1098.  both farrrr better track bikes that the 749/999.  but personally i don't know why you would track any ducati, unless someone was paying you to do so.  or at least providing the bike and paying for it when it goes down.  or you have lots of cash.

Especially if you already have a track bike that you bought a month ago!  Fix the one you have.  No point in spending 15k+ on a bike that you won't be any faster on than the one you already have in your garage.

Staying under 1000cc lets a guy Race in a few more Classes. I dont have the Race Classes with me right now,, as I am at work.
Its really just a thought. No,,, I wouldnt buy a 15 K track bike.. I would buy a Ducati that has a salvage title & put it on the track !!!

Hey,, I like driving this $2600(plus Ohlins rear shock $500, $200 Vortex Rearsets, ok,,, $3300 for a Good Track bike ) 750 GSXR...It has a little more "Low end Grunt" then the new 600 I4's. I get pulled(just a little) down the straight away againest a new 600 CBR with my friend that weighs 130 LB.

 But,,, I sure wouldnt mind putting a 2 cylinder Ducati on the Track,,, I am pretty sure it would do well 
I am not that up on the 999's. Are they not that good ? ?

I am really just toying with the idea,,,,,,,,,,,,I like your input.

[gm2]

i still say you REALLY ought to have the suspension set up by a pro.  even if you're close on your own.

re the 1000cc thing, that limitation is potentially different for a twin.  it ought to be.

999s... they aren't terrible but a lot of ppl hated them.  and the price:performace ratio for a 999 and 1098 is not even a comparison.

as for the the rest, if you actually want to race, go smaller.  like a 400.  or a ninja 250.  straight line speed is irrelevant.  anyone can go fast in a stratight line.  the key to racing, the key to learning to go fast on anything, is cornerspeed.  if you're riding a bike that *requires* you to carry a lot of cornerspeed, you're going to learn how to have it.  anyone can square off the corner on literbike and then wack the throttle.  but pretty soon you'll either get passed by lots of other much smaller bikes or get very injured trying to control all that horsepower as it hooks up and throws you into next week.  don't let your balls make these decisions.  if you actually want to race, get something small and learn to be really quick on it.  THEN you'll be able to be really quick on almost anything later.  keep in mind that even any modern 600 is nearly too much bike for most mortals. 

[darylbowden]

as for the the rest, if you actually want to race, go smaller.  like a 400.  or a ninja 250.  straight line speed is irrelevant.  anyone can go fast in a stratight line.  the key to racing, the key to learning to go fast on anything, is cornerspeed.  if you're riding a bike that *requires* you to carry a lot of cornerspeed, you're going to learn how to have it.  anyone can square off the corner on literbike and then wack the throttle.  but pretty soon you'll either get passed by lots of other much smaller bikes or get very injured trying to control all that horsepower as it hooks up and throws you into next week.  don't let your balls make these decisions.  if you actually want to race, get something small and learn to be really quick on it.  THEN you'll be able to be really quick on almost anything later.  keep in mind that even any modern 600 is nearly too much bike for most mortals. 

+1.  Except the part about cornerspeed on all bikes.  Literbikes def don't need cornerspeed, but they're in a class of their own.

If you're going at all fast, you're going to be going through tires like they're free (and they most def aren't) on even a 999 (or similar).  You can get about one race and a half a track day (MAYBE) out of a set of tires.  So, if you're racing those classes you're talking about, you're probably doing 3 classes a race weekend, which means 1200+ a weekend on tires minimum.

As for the S4RS, I think it's a terrible idea to track it.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

250..........lol,,, how the hell are U suppose to do a wheelie on a 250 ? ?

I hear U on corner speed. The better ridders out here leave me in there dust. Man,,,, there is a guy out here on a 250 - 2stroke twin Yamaha that will eat anybody in the corner's Those Supermoto's can corner nicley as well.

Hey guys,, I am 50 Yrs old. I am not making a career out of this,,,,,,kinda been there & done that,,,,many many Yrs ago. Did well with the old 900SS 's.
Got killed on the straight away's,,, always caught them in the corners,,, while the old the 750 & 1000  I4's were wiggleing,,, I was motoring. Then it was just because the Ducati handled that much better. Now the Jap bikes dont wiggle.

Ok,,,, I wont put the S4RS on the track,,,,That was a silly thought,,,,,,,,,,but,,,,,,crap,,, I still might take it out for a track night.

Fricken tires,,,,,,,,,,,tell me about it. They melt.,,,, on my 2nd set,,,,,,in 5 track nights( 5 - 10 min sessions),, 1 full track day( 9 - 10 - 10 min sessions)

Suspension,,, I have a good feel for the front,,,,,,,,the back,,,,,is kinda  baffeling to me. I cant interpet the feedback

[gm2]

+1.  Except the part about cornerspeed on all bikes.  Literbikes def don't need cornerspeed, but they're in a class of their own.

yeah, i was speaking in relative terms. 

[gm2]

Suspension,,, I have a good feel for the front,,,,,,,,the back,,,,,is kind baffeling to me. I cant interpet the feedback

...you've read the solution for that problem several times now.

the other thing a suspension pro will be able to do is ask you questions.  with the answers to those questions, he/she can assess your setup problem and fix it.  have you had the bike's geometry measured?  maybe it's not even straight.  or maybe the frame is straight but the wheels are cockeyed by a millimeter or two. 

if you go to someone good, it's more like a psychiatry session for you and your bike.  just do it.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

Ok,,, this Thurs night is another tracknight. If I can get off work early enough,, I am going. There is a suspension fellow out there (fellow racer) I will have him take the Su Zee out & set it up. He is about the same size as me.

 Are U happy now ? ?,, Your such a bully 

[gm2]

[Ducatista]

Big Steve ain't exactly svelte and we joke about how much the frame flexes, but he has been known to kill people while riding an SV 650.





I can tell you he's a bit more than 250 pounds. 

Ok, so bigger bikes can out-drag him on the straights, but he gets such an amazing drive coming out of turns that they don't have enough of a lead not to look like they're tied to something as he blasts on by in the braking zone.