Motorcycles and Track Days

I started doing track days on the VFR a few years ago. I made progress over time as I got farther off the bike and got the bike leaned more. In 2009 I was getting pretty comfortable being on the track. I try to be smooth first, and fast as a result. Sometimes I'm neither. It's a learning experience. It is SO much fun to ride on the track, there's a point during each track day where you feel like you're going to get arrested. It seems like it can't be legal to be going that fast, and having that much fun.

By 2010 I was starting to touch knee pucks occasionally, and my times were getting better. I bought some inexensive (used) and better fitting leathers so I could move better on the bike. They're gaudy as heck, but they have good protection.

This is the BMW R1100S bought in Dec. '08. I looked for months to find an R1100S with all the right features and color. I finally gave up and bought a bike with the right features (Ohlins shocks, Corbin saddle, BMW "system cases") and figured I'd paint the bike when it was convenient. Two weeks later, I broke my collarbone in a bicycle crash, so since I couldn't ride it for a month or so I went ahead and painted it.

And a shot with the hard bags painted to match....

I also had the front fender and chin spoiler painted to match. The bike doesn't have the primal rush that the VFR has, but I got it mostly for commuting and touring. It's heavier than the VFR but the center of gravity is low and the bike is fairly nimble.

I found a 2001 Honda 600 F4I that had LOTS of nice modifications for the track. It has Marchesini lightweight wheels, Ohlins shock, rear sets, an Attack triple clamp, an Erion 636 cc big-bore kit, full Erion exhaust, etc. Its still comfortable enough for commuting and occasional rides in the hills.

There's an expression in motorcycling that "Four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul". Well, the Beemer just didn't move me enough. I decided to just go back to throwing some soft luggage on the VFR to go touring. That gives me enough storage, with more adreneline. I used the $$ from the BMW to buy a bike that was primarily set up for the track, but was also street legal. That way I could use it for commuting and shorter sport rides.

In the spring of 2012 I sold the VFR and bought a 2004 Ducati ST4S. It has removable hard bags, and a top case that allows me to commute and bring my laptop to work.

I guess I have a thing for red motorcyles.

It also has more power, more torque, and ABS, which I hope I'll never need. It's a serious wheelie machine.

I guess if I'm gonna ride on the track, eventually I'll screw up. That happened in 2012 at Laguna Seca in turn 2. Fortunately, I was able to finish riding the track day, and I wasn't hurt at all. That's why riding gear is so important.

Ducati used a dry clutch in the ST4S which drives me slightly crazy with the noise. I'll get used to it someday.

It's only a mistake if I don't learn from it. I didn't get the tires hot enough to start pushing the tempo on the second lap. That won't happen again.

I spent a few weeks replacing all of the damaged plastics and fairing brackets.