my friend offered me a track day on his R6

[Old Lemon]

Normally, i would like to do trackdays on my bike to just get better with the thing ill be riding around. But since its a 2fiddy ive never really gone "fast" in the straights. So my friend said he may go to summit main (like 10 turns) and invited me even though we had planned to go to shenendoah on the 13th (22 turns) which i like doing on my 2fiddy. As i told him this, he said, why do you take my r6 for the day and ill bring my r1. But the problem in my mind is that hes going to be running slicks on both bikes. im novice just moving up into intermediate group pace, will i be able to keep these tires hot?

TL;DR will intermediate group pace keep slicks warm enough?

[Sirref]

I'd be torn personally, I feel that shenandoah is a better track but the chance to track an R6 would be so difficult to pass up.

That's a good point on the tires though, I think in the middle of July it wouldn't be as much of a problem but at the same time I don't know how hard you need to ride to heat those tires up.

PS: I am planning to be at shenandoah for the 13th/14th on my pregen

[alex.s]

maybe drop a few psi and they will stay hotter. most of the heat comes from accelerating and braking anyway

it's funny when you go from 250 to 600 on track. it feels like you're cheating

[CC Cowboy]

I love Summit' main track. The thing is fast and you should be fine with slicks. The main straight is like 15 miles long (on a 600), .5 on a 1000. I've always done well there so go and enjoy.

If your tires get cold, go faster! You will be surprised how they stick.

[Old Lemon]

i see i see, thanks

@Sirref i can only do one track day a month, and my friend has the trailer so i go when he goes. he will let me know if hes going to do main on the 4th or shenny on the 13th. dont know yet but he likes shenny better as well. Ill be sure to post something when he decides

[tnr4]

Main is definitely a bit more boring than Shenny (6-8 is really the only technical bit), but it IS fun to go fast if you haven't gotten to do it yet. Be careful on your buddy's 600 -- it's super easy to get sucked in to braking too late before turn 1, and then you're in the grass, trying not to bite it. Unless you can afford to replace it for him; then go balls out.

I haven't used slicks before, but that track is so fast, I can't imagine you'll have any trouble.

[csmith12]

Oh dear.... you're in for a treat! Go go go and write up a full report for us.

imho... The 250 and a r6 share many handling characteristics, when in doubt, ride it like a 250. Cept be mindful of that throttle hand. Also, I have ridden my r6 using the same lines and markers as my 250, if you gotz da stones, she will handle it. The only other thing you need to know is, a r6 falls over FAST, a lil countersteer goes a loooooonnnnnggggg way. Take your time getting used to the very twitchy steering but she will be hard to turn while on the throttle. A well set up track bike rides like it's on rails, a well set up r6 is like riding a razor blade.

I wanna see the smile you gotz when you hear and feel 14k in 4th gear, it's where she shines.

[nickjpass]

I want to ride a two fifty.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Take your time getting used to the very twitchy steering but she will be hard to turn while on the throttle. A well set up track bike rides like it's on rails, a well set up r6 is like riding a razor blade.

I wanna see the smile you gotz when you hear and feel 14k in 4th gear, it's where she shines.

Doesn't that hurt your ass?

[mgentz]

slightly.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Doesn't that hurt your ass?

shinny /no wait
rubber /no wait
sharp side down...

[Sirref]

@csmith12 man that description is selling me on the r6

I love the way my 300 handles but want that 600cc power and brakes from time to time.
If you end up at main then def ride the r6, just don't push it until you're used to it

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by csmith12

shinny /no wait
rubber /no wait
sharp side down...

My ass doesn't have a sharp side!

[alex.s]

you kinda gotta bully the r6 on turn in when WOT on the gas a little bit though. not as bad as some of the fatter-assed 600s like the zx. the 250 is like a derpy dog that's excited to go in a new direction when WOT cause it doesn't have enough power to really pick up the front end that much. i kinda like way the daytona triple turns in. easy as the 250 on the gas... but down low its kinda twitchy you know

[nickjpass]

Probably all that torque @alex.s

[alex.s]

um i meant the steering

[Old Lemon]

i doubt i will be wot, to scared of high sides. one of the reasons i like my 2fiddy so much. such a very very very small chance of that happening

[Kscreations08]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

i doubt i will be wot, to scared of high sides. one of the reasons i like my 2fiddy so much. such a very very very small chance of that happening

Actually, I seem to remember reading somewhere that a member here has had one or two highsides on the 250... If my memory serves me right, Alex S was involved in the thread and there was a specification that those highsides were at the crazy speed of zero. Maybe he can shed more light

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

i doubt i will be wot, to scared of high sides. one of the reasons i like my 2fiddy so much. such a very very very small chance of that happening

Have you seen the straight at Summit! Any bike can highside. It's not the bike it's the rider input (or fukup).

[nickjpass]

You can highside with no throttle at all...

[tooblekain]

Ive ridden a few R6s before (various years...all same generations for the most part---2007, 2012, 2013) and its a blast!! The first time was on a 2007 R6 and was before I ridden a 250. Prior to a 250 I had a Daytona 675. Everyone said that I was riding the R6 much better than I was riding my Daytona 675.

I also spent a couple sessions breaking in a brand new R6 for Trackdaz (it literally had no miles on it!!!) It was a blast. When I got back on my 250, I felt like the 250 was gutless.

You'll have fun. My CSmith12's comments are spot on about the R6...so I can vouch for what he says based on my experiences

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by alex.s

um i meant the steering

Thought you meant the throttle was.

[burningscooter]

@Old Lemon Wait a minute.. You crashed out in Novice group and then got the bump to intermediate afterwards? TO answer your TLDR: YES. Intermediate pace is fast. The issue isnt Intermediate, it will be your own pace and riding capabilities.
@tnr4 Summit Main gets technical once you start churning out 1:30s. Then its the battle to drop them down to 1:19 -18s. So you can come in 5th place come race day. LMAO

[Old Lemon]

@burningscooter i crashed in intermediate

[burningscooter]

@Old Lemon I assumed you crashed in Novice because it was, from everything Ive read, your 2nd track day. What organization do you ride with? Id like to know so I can make it out with you at least one time out there.

Ill be at Summit Main next Friday.

[Old Lemon]

it was my 2nd track day and i crashed in my first intermediate session. I go with motorcycle xcitement and will either be at main on july 4th with my friends r6 or at shenny on july 13th probably with the 2fiddy

[Old Lemon]

looks like my friend wants to do the jefferson circuit......well im not gonna pay 235 dollars for 7 turns even if i am riding an r6

[mgentz]

why not bring your 250?

[Old Lemon]

because its still 7 turns, i may be sounding picky but its in the same motorsports park as shenendoah that has 22 turns. jefferson just looks boring and its more expensive with TPM which he wants to go with.
@Sirref how do you plan to get your bike to summit point? trailer or ride? if you are trailering maybe we could work something out

[mgentz]

7 turns that you could get better at and actually experiment with. You cannot just look at the number of turns.

[Old Lemon]

yea i know, but with my budget i can only do one track day a month and jefferson doesnt look worth it to me

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

@Sirref how do you plan to get your bike to summit point? trailer or ride? if you are trailering maybe we could work something out

I bought a pickup truck so I'm loading it into the bed. If you want to rent or otherwise get your hands on a trailer I will gladly team up and tow your bike in the trailer. I have an extended cab so we should be able to fit 2 sets of gear. As it is I'm planning on filling up the bed with all of my non gear essentials using tie downs. I'm planning on doing the 13th and 14th so if you would need me to tow you back on the 13th after the first track day I can probably do that though I'll likely be exhausted lol

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

looks like my friend wants to do the jefferson circuit......well im not gonna pay 235 dollars for 7 turns even if i am riding an r6

It's about the flow, track environment and you yo. The most challenging track I ride on only has 12 turns because of the track surface and environment. The track I ride on that has the best flow, some of my friends refuse to go to because of the bumps and such, 12 turns. The most technical track has 14 turns, blind ones, decreasing radius and a hard slightly downhill hairpin. I would say my "home" track (first time I dragged a knee) was at Putnam, 10 turns.

The number of turns really doesn't meach much but however... it is your $$$.

[ninjamunky85]

Doesn't seem worth the $$$ to me, but I can go to the cart track for $20 so...

[Old Lemon]

@Sirref i wouldnt be so cold hearted as to make you drive all the way back to md and drop me off and then you drive all the way back for the next day. Do you plan to spend the night in a hotel? i could rent a u haul trailer for like 15 doll hairs but definitely need time to think about the 2 day deal

[Old Lemon]

i found something whilst looking at their site....

http://www.motorcyclexcitement.com/#!agenda/c1fl4

i spy with my little eyeeeeeeeeeeee

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

@Sirref i wouldnt be so cold hearted as to make you drive all the way back to md and drop me off and then you drive all the way back for the next day. Do you plan to spend the night in a hotel? i could rent a u haul trailer for like 15 doll hairs but definitely need time to think about the 2 day deal

nah, I was gonna sleep in the bed of my truck under the stars (inside the cab if it's raining)

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

i found something whilst looking at their site....

http://www.motorcyclexcitement.com/#!agenda/c1fl4

i spy with my little eyeeeeeeeeeeee

that's not you on the bottom #93 is it?

[Old Lemon]

naaa its not me, but i thought it was cool to see a ninjette on their site.

i will definitely get back to you. would you have enough tie downs for another bike? im not gonna lie, my friend has really done everything for me so loading / unloading and tieing down will be new to me

[Sirref]

no I only have one set, but tie downs are cheap and last forever. I'm using a pack of bungie cords for all the extras that I'm bringing (cooler, gas can, 2 folding chairs, toolbox, etc)

actually I'll have to check on something, uhaul requires wiring harnesses for all their trailers (includes turn signals and brake lights) I get the truck in a week or so but I can check tomorrow or so to see if I'll have that or just the tow hitch. If I don't have the wiring harness then I'll check to see how much it costs to install, if that's the case I'll do it if it isn't too expensive (I don't see it being very expensive really)

[mgentz]

Always have extras