I figure I'd post this while it's fresh.



As I believe many of you know, I've never been on a racetrack and I've only ever ridden a sport bike once and that was only for maybe 15 minutes.

As part of student review at the California Superbike School, each student rides an S1000RR outfitted with a raised camera at some point during the day. The student is told to ride at 75% and focus on the techniques that have been taught up to that point. This allows the coaches to critique the rider in more detail. The track was really wet in places so I was going at 75% of wet track speed. Additionally, at this point of the day the instructions were "3rd and 4th gear, no brakes" which further slows things down. It was really hard to gauge how much the engine would slow the bike down so I went into most corners too fast and as a result went wide.

At this point I had also not developed any sense for how well the tires would grip in these conditions so that made me really tentative. In the 2nd lap you can see the rear end skip out as I crossed some water which freaked me out a bit. Later on in the day I got a good feel for how fast I could go in each section and would often feel the bike starting to let go. (I had always wondered how I would react to that. Once you feel it a few dozen times you get used to it and it's no big deal.)

As the video shows there's a lot I wasn't doing correctly.

I did improve quite a bit by the end would have loved to do a lap with the camera bike at that point in the near dry being able to use full gears and brakes.

I'll try to write something up about it.

This is the camera bike rig:

Ah, that explains it. When I was looking at the pictures you posted on FB I was wonder what the hell that yellow truss thing was sticking out of your posterior!

As a true friend, I watched all 11:31 only taking my eyes off the screen to see how much chicken my fork held. So, how long until there is a shiny new S1000RR in your garage where once parked an old man's Merc?

Nice vid Yermo. Like everyone else, I am both petrified and jealous of what you have done.

Very nice--especially given an unfamiliar bike on a wet track.

I seriously doubt than any of us could have done better.

Looks like a great experience. Maybe someday...

Looking at the photo again, it does look a little wrong, eh?



That was kind of you given how boring it is. But it does give you an idea for the track and pace for when you take the course.

I posted a question on the BMW tech list and the consensus is that 11,500 rpms in 4th is about 135mph, which is what I was doing down the straight. I've read some guys race down the straight at 160, which seems awfully fast to me.



It is tempting. I found myself thinking I could get one as a track day bike. Just ride it up to the track. Not a problem. But it's not that simple. I'd have to go up the night before. I wouldn't want to be baking in the sun, so I'd have to get a trailer, something to pull it with, a canopy, other gear and a bunch of stuff ...

So maybe I just put sport tires on the 'S and take that to the occasional track day ...



You could do it, very easily. I also think you would have a blast out there. It's Total Control+++.

The hold classes at Virginia International Raceway a few times a year. Maybe you can join us down there to take levels I & II while we take levels III & IV.

It was incredible in ways that completely surprised me. Hopefully I can find some time to write all this stuff down before it goes stale, but work is interfering in my life this weekend.

When are we going to go for a ride?

I'm sure it was a great learning experience. I've always wanted to feel more comfortable in the wet - ever since that one time years ago when I went down on a wet oily road, that is.

Can't imagine what it's like to ride such a powerful bike.

There's an easy way to find out.

I certainly understand about work interfering with life.

As for riding, very soon--I just had Bob's replace my left handlebar control cluster yesterday, so everything's working again.

Hard to believe that I'm only 500 miles away from my first biannual service on the K13...

So when are we going to put those 500 miles on it?

This upcoming weekend is going to be gorgeous!

"Easy?"

This is another clear example of the Universal Constant of Motorcycling. Yermo rides more, Ian rides less. Ian rides even less than before and Yermo goes to the California Superbike School. I haven't even been able to get around to getting my bike to the shop for a tune-up. Due to work, that is.

So you're saying I need to ride less so you can ride more?

Not at all. Ride your ass off. I'm not riding anywhere, so you might as well make the most of it.

This isn't exactly pure science, by the way, despite my use of capitalization in the reference to the Universal Constant of Motorcycling. More like the matter/anti-matter conundrum - why is there more matter than anti-matter? At the moment, I simply happen to be victim to some kind of Dark Energy.

The laws of the universe can be mysterious.

Clearly you are caught at the event horizon of anti-motorcycling. Obviously there is only one thing to be done.

You must join us to Deal's Gap.

It will happen when the universe allows it.

Perhaps next spring!

If the 'S is spoken for, can I borrow Duncan's Civil War-era Trailmaster?

Ya never know, we might be able to find you something to ride by then

Of course riding the trailmaster could be quite the adventure--did Yermo ever show you that article about the guy that bought an old Yammie 360 enduro and then (literally) rode across the country on it?

Well, im thinking there needs to be a guest supermoto in the stable. Any takers? I'll let anyone ride my K if i can score a supermoto in the next 8 months.

Having a guest bike is a great thing.

particularly if it's a supermoto/ard