I hauled my '05 S3 up to BeaveRun raceway in Wampum, PA (north of Pittsburgh) this past weekend to give it a run-through on the track, and really test out the handling, acceleration and overall agility.
First time on the track was the ladies/two-up session (Sportbike Track Time runs these at select tracks right after lunch).
With my girl on the back (rather apprehensive as this was only her second ride on this bike), we set out for the session, immediately I notice the lack of room for both of us due to the short seat. This makes shifting body position all but impossible, so I do the whole session on the seat and leaned forward (no knee draggin...) The extra active weight allows for very quick flips between turns 1 and 2, and 5 and 6, but it was definitely feeling that weight pulling onto the straights. I also refrained from full throttle turn exits due to the afore-mentioned short rear seat, and Heidi found herself having to adjust position a couple of times, anyway. The session went very well, and I think she's hooked! :-D
So for the last two sessions of the day I resolve to save the rear tire on my GSXR race bike for the next day, and I took out the S3 for two sessions in a row.
The handling was superb as expected, and ground clearance was an issue (also somewhat expected). The rearsets dragged well before I felt the bike was achieving max. lean. The Pilot Powers worked perfectly, without so much as a bobble under the torque-y triple. The brakes performed superbly, I was actually able to out-brake a couple of the A-class guys because of it. And I had to out-brake them, 'cause the top-end acceleration just wasn't there. Now don't get me wrong, it would still shoot out of a corner like a champ, but when speeds got over 100mph indicated, I feel like the bike lost a little muscle and by 120 indicated, it just wasn't pulling with the lower-powered 600s I was chasing (and being passed by). That being said, all that's necessary on this bike (acceleration, brakes, handling) is perfect, and if I can't go banzai fast on a track well, that's not what I bought the bike for anyway
.
Now I have a lot more confidence in my street rides because I know a lot more about what the bike is capable of. And needless to say, I was all smiles after each session on my new Triumph :-D
Best times (unscientifically taken via stopwatch by my uncle)
S3 (two-up): 1:12.3
S3 (one-up): 1:09.8
Gixxer6: 1:04.5
And yeah, y'all got me... after three 120+ mile trips down on the triple, clip-ons are no longer an option. The wide bars make steering a breeze, and allow for great comfort, I don't wanna stop riding! So you win, no clip-ons, I will be chopping the fender per the "fender eliminator" thread, though. Two thumbs up to him!
Alex
