First Track Day after 4 years of recovery...

wyckedflesh · May 3rd, 2009, 05:26 PM

I had a mechanical failure, that became catastrophic by the time the bike was finished tumbling down the road. Anyways, I ended up with some extra metal in my arm at the elbow and some nerve damage (my funny bone now resides on the inside of my arm under the bicep). Until recently the nerve damage caused enough concern that I wasn't sure I would be able to make and control an emergency stop. The damage is permanent, but with therapy and work, it has made it so the lack of nerve command only affects my pinky and half of the next finger. I don't use those to work the brake lever, to its easy to just keep them on throttle duty.

So this track day was to knock the rust off my skills, and let me relearn my limits as well as the limits of my Ninja. The heavier springs made things perfect. I was able to go through some of the rougher lines of the track that were causing others fits with some "Sketchy" moments...

My impressions...I love it, she handles like a dream, and for this track she was perfectly geared to save on shifting, and letting me focus on the cornering skills that had rusted over.

The track was dusty thanks to last weekends Off-Road Truck event, so a few of the corners were a bit on the timid side until about the 3rd session when the different ride groups managed to clear some good lines. Til then, it was point and pray...

I need new tires before the next track day

jonb08 · May 3rd, 2009, 05:30 PM

Welcome back man. You'll knock that rust off real quick. Nice bike.

kkim · May 3rd, 2009, 10:56 PM

when you're ready, buy a green one for even more speed.

congrats on getting back on the horse.

ninjabrewer · May 3rd, 2009, 11:46 PM

congrats on the remount, can't say git back on the horse, SOMEONE already said it

anywho, glad to know the prognosis is good and you have work arounds for the controls,

nb

Broom · May 4th, 2009, 11:55 AM

welcome back to the track. sounds like you had fun

wyckedflesh · May 5th, 2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

when you're ready, buy a green one for even more speed.

So I can slip and slide all over the track in the slime falling off the fairings?

Wife and I were talking last night after work, and she is asking what would be cheaper, a dedicated track day bike or running my commuter. I haven't decided but it is interesting that she is the one bringing it up. I don't intend on racing anytime soon, just hit up the monthly track day every month or two.

wyckedflesh · May 7th, 2009, 06:54 PM

rceezy · May 8th, 2009, 10:44 AM

SWEET... I am so happy to hear you're back out there. Congrats! Looks like a lot of fun!

Kurosaki · May 8th, 2009, 09:02 PM

ride or gay

that's my motto

OldGuy · May 8th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyckedflesh

Wife and I were talking last night after work, and she is asking what would be cheaper, a dedicated track day bike or running my commuter.

Sounds like you have a very special lady their Mikel.

Kurosaki · May 8th, 2009, 09:35 PM

I would get some track fairings for the bike and just switch back and forth when you track it. Save the money for tires and such.

Or track it as is. The 250 is not so bad. The whole right or left fairing is only about 260 new compared to 250 dollars for just one piece of a fairing on a supersport...

But track fairings are cheap peace of mind that it doesn't really matter if you lay it down. Give you the freedom to really let loose. I've already crashed mine in street trim at the track so I don't care anyway.

i916it · June 8th, 2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurosaki

I would get some track fairings for the bike and just switch back and forth when you track it. Save the money for tires and such.

Or track it as is. The 250 is not so bad. The whole right or left fairing is only about 260 new compared to 250 dollars for just one piece of a fairing on a supersport...

But track fairings are cheap peace of mind that it doesn't really matter if you lay it down. Give you the freedom to really let loose. I've already crashed mine in street trim at the track so I don't care anyway.

This is an old post but.
After your baby gets beasted (cracks/rash/no more beauty), you start to go all out!

CC Cowboy · June 9th, 2009, 06:29 AM

That's when your bike becomes a race bike!

May 3rd, 2009, 05:26 PM	#1
wyckedflesh ninjette.org guru Name: Mikel Location: Valley of the Sun Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue Kawasaki KLE650 Versys, '95 Ducati 900SS/CR (undergoing track conversion) Posts: 287	First Track Day after 4 years of recovery... I had a mechanical failure, that became catastrophic by the time the bike was finished tumbling down the road. Anyways, I ended up with some extra metal in my arm at the elbow and some nerve damage (my funny bone now resides on the inside of my arm under the bicep). Until recently the nerve damage caused enough concern that I wasn't sure I would be able to make and control an emergency stop. The damage is permanent, but with therapy and work, it has made it so the lack of nerve command only affects my pinky and half of the next finger. I don't use those to work the brake lever, to its easy to just keep them on throttle duty. So this track day was to knock the rust off my skills, and let me relearn my limits as well as the limits of my Ninja. The heavier springs made things perfect. I was able to go through some of the rougher lines of the track that were causing others fits with some "Sketchy" moments... My impressions...I love it, she handles like a dream, and for this track she was perfectly geared to save on shifting, and letting me focus on the cornering skills that had rusted over. The track was dusty thanks to last weekends Off-Road Truck event, so a few of the corners were a bit on the timid side until about the 3rd session when the different ride groups managed to clear some good lines. Til then, it was point and pray... I need new tires before the next track day

May 3rd, 2009, 11:46 PM	#4
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	congrats on the remount, can't say git back on the horse, SOMEONE already said it anywho, glad to know the prognosis is good and you have work arounds for the controls, nb __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

May 4th, 2009, 11:55 AM	#5
Broom Track Junkie Name: Jon Location: Dallas Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602	welcome back to the track. sounds like you had fun __________________________________________________ Las Escobas -- Track Bikes Save Lives JonBroom.com

June 9th, 2009, 06:29 AM	#13
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	That's when your bike becomes a race bike! __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

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May 3rd, 2009, 05:30 PM	#2
jonb08 ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 91	Welcome back man. You'll knock that rust off real quick. Nice bike.

May 3rd, 2009, 10:56 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	when you're ready, buy a green one for even more speed. congrats on getting back on the horse.

May 7th, 2009, 06:54 PM	#7
wyckedflesh ninjette.org guru Name: Mikel Location: Valley of the Sun Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue Kawasaki KLE650 Versys, '95 Ducati 900SS/CR (undergoing track conversion) Posts: 287

May 8th, 2009, 10:44 AM	#8
rceezy Lean Me Name: RC Location: America Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 678 Blog Entries: 4	SWEET... I am so happy to hear you're back out there. Congrats! Looks like a lot of fun!

May 8th, 2009, 09:02 PM	#9
Kurosaki Akai Suisei - 赤い彗星 Name: Joseph Location: socal Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Kurosaki 250, 09 Honda 600RawrRawr Posts: 540	ride or gay that's my motto

May 8th, 2009, 09:35 PM	#11
Kurosaki Akai Suisei - 赤い彗星 Name: Joseph Location: socal Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Kurosaki 250, 09 Honda 600RawrRawr Posts: 540	I would get some track fairings for the bike and just switch back and forth when you track it. Save the money for tires and such. Or track it as is. The 250 is not so bad. The whole right or left fairing is only about 260 new compared to 250 dollars for just one piece of a fairing on a supersport... But track fairings are cheap peace of mind that it doesn't really matter if you lay it down. Give you the freedom to really let loose. I've already crashed mine in street trim at the track so I don't care anyway.