Taking the ZX6R to the track....

[austexjg]

Looks like I am going to take the '09 ZX6R for a four track session on Monday. I figured I would gat at least one day at the track on the stock tires, the front one is worn in the middle with perfect sides, before changing them out for new BT016s (not stock ones). I need to fashion some sort of camera mount in order to take video with my older digital camera.

I just wish someone who knew how to set-up suspensions was going to be there, but he only shows up on full track days - I going to a "private member" 4-hour session at Harris Hill Road Track - H2R. I have a feeling that this experience will be quite different then being on the 250R.

[Alex]

Have fun! Take it easy on the tires. While there might be plenty of tread on the sides, if they are worn in the center it's likely that their ultimate grip is lessened from when they were newer just due to age and heat cycles already. Make sure that bike goes home as shiny as it arrived.

[Kevin2109]

Originally Posted by austexjg

Looks like I am going to take the '09 ZX6R for a four track session on Monday. I figured I would gat at least one day at the track on the stock tires, the front one is worn in the middle with perfect sides, before changing them out for new BT016s (not stock ones). I need to fashion some sort of camera mount in order to take video with my older digital camera.

I just wish someone who knew how to set-up suspensions was going to be there, but he only shows up on full track days - I going to a "private member" 4-hour session at Harris Hill Road Track - H2R. I have a feeling that this experience will be quite different then being on the 250R.

Let me know what issues you face and I can tell you what sort of adjustments you can make to make it feel the way you want it to

Are you seriously going to run BT-016s on the track? I wish you luck sir. Its a decent tire for the street, but I would never trust it on the track, at least get 003s at a minimum. Tires are what connect you to the ground, bad tires will make for a shittie track day...

[austexjg]

I know exactly what you are talking about, but for the next year or so, I plan on more street riding than track time. Not having a way, or desire, to change tires for one or two days at the track, I went with what I thought would be the best option - I don't plan to try to break any track records. I just want to get a little more intimate with the bike, and the streets are not place to try and get a real feel for the bike in a real turn, and the limits of the tires I chose.

But I do appreicate the heads up about the need for proper tires when really pushing yourself and the bike. I really need to get a better understanding suspension and how adjustments affect the handling - and help in this department would be helpful.

[alex.s]

i ran 16s on my 600 time before last and it was fine. i was doing 2:16 fine

[Alex]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i was doing 2:16 fine

Sure, but that was a 3/4 mile track.

[Kevin2109]

Ok, just making sure Ive done some stupid **** on the 16s (what im running now) There good for high speed maneuvers but nothing too technical. I run the pirelli slicks right now and there incredible, I just swap them at the track

[austexjg]

Do you think putting the new tires on now at breaking them in at the track makes more sense than running older tires?

[Kevin2109]

Originally Posted by austexjg

Do you think putting the new tires on now at breaking them in at the track makes more sense than running older tires?

Breaking in time is a myth, just do 2 laps slower then normal and you are fine. I took fresh slicks out on the track and was fine

[Alex]

Originally Posted by austexjg

Do you think putting the new tires on now at breaking them in at the track makes more sense than running older tires?

Yes. Two slow laps, gentle on the tip-in, and they will be good to go (and much better than the worn OEM's).

[austexjg]

Will do - makes sense, but I was just hoping to really give these old OEM tires a little time on the sides like they deserved - previous owner was definately a straight line guy.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by austexjg

Will do - makes sense, but I was just hoping to really give these old OEM tires a little time on the sides like they deserved - previous owner was definately a straight line guy.

dont bother.

[austexjg]

Getting the new tires put on Monday morning before I leave for the track - thanks for the input.

[alex.s]

make sure to post up video

[austexjg]

Well, the video turned out crappy - too much wind noise and too unstable; guess my mount failed.

But, I did manage to get my knee down. The ZX6R is a totally different beast on the track compared to the 250R. Not just talking about power, but overall riding position. It was easy to tell the supersports and superbikes belong on the track. The bike is amazingly stable in the corners, especially if you stay loose and relaxed with your upper body. The way the bike acts going into a turn, and on exit was awesome - it almost reads your mind. You definately have to keep your throttle smooth on exit to keep the rear from wanting to drift - only happened once during heavy acceleration with the RPMs deep in the power band in second gear. After that little scare, I mainly stayed in third gear for most of the day - hope it isn't hard on the trans to be in one gear for a long period?

Back to the knee draggin - it was late in the day and I finally decided that it was time to push myself, and the bike. I waited a little later for the turn in and then added more angle to keep the curve smooth, and then I felt the resistance on my knee and heard the scraping sound of something other than my toe guards (better foot position helped). After that, it was able to get a knee down on every left hander (we were going CCW) that required it and was damn close on the one right hander. I still feel like I was subconsciously holding my knee away from the track - guess I prefer the quicker "tap and go" versus the "prolonged dragged" - hear it's faster too.

I cannot say enough about the true pleasure riding on the track brings compared to the chaos on the streets. If you have only been on the streets, do yourself a favor and get to a trackday ASAP - you have only been on the bike, not RIDING it.

[Kevin2109]

Originally Posted by austexjg

You definately have to keep your throttle smooth on exit to keep the rear from wanting to drift - only happened once during heavy acceleration with the RPMs deep in the power band in second gear. After that little scare, I mainly stayed in third gear for most of the day - hope it isn't hard on the trans to be in one gear for a long period?

Tires Get some slicks on there and WOT half way through a corner, best feeling in the world

Nothing wrong for the trans keeping it in one gear, do practice shifting as much as possible on the track though. Its one thing I struggle with all the time, need to be 10k+ as much as you possibly can

Glad you had fun! Its a blast huh? If I had the money I would take everyone I know to the track lol In that one day you will learn more about your bike then your entire street "riding" experience

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by Kevin2109

In that one day you will learn more about your bike then your entire street "riding" experience

Ditto!

[illrational]

Change to gp style shifter big difference

[austexjg]

I was just thinking about making that change on my last ride - I know it would make things better at the track. Does anything need to be modified to make the change, or was it just as simple as rotating the connector 180 degrees?

[illrational]

Better is a understatement....coming out of turn and u want to upshift but have to.dig.instead of step sucks....yep just twist and adjust rod accordingly to yoyr taste

[leed]

Originally Posted by austexjg

I was just thinking about making that change on my last ride - I know it would make things better at the track. Does anything need to be modified to make the change, or was it just as simple as rotating the connector 180 degrees?

You can just flip it, problem solved! Just don't forget!

OH you may not be able to the full 180, but being off by a spline or two shouldn't pose a huge problem with leverage.

[austexjg]

Thanks for the info. - will probably make the change soon.