Triumphrat

mosby · 02-20-2006, 05:42 AM

I tried a couple of track days last year and am now irreversibly hooked. I'd like to do some modifications this year to improve handling and increase the hp. Already got a performance Triumph can and dealer re-map. Ohlins suspension and steering damper appear to be the logical choice. The factory brakes are better than my buddie's Ninja but I suppose I can do considerably better. Does anybody have any suggestions?

YYZSKI · 02-20-2006, 05:29 PM

The bike should have ample power and handling to be more than competitive as is.

I would suggest the following (if you haven't already done so)

Braided stainless steel lines for the front brakes
High quality brake pads (prefer DunloPad (DP) HH+)
High quality tires. I'm partial to the Michelin Pilot Powers, but the Dunlop 208GP and Pirelli SuperCorsas seem to be in very common use by the other racers etc.
Full suspension setup. Even if you don't replace the rear shock (though it will make a difference) having the forks and rear adjusted to your weight & riding style by a pro will make a world of difference. Fast lap times are set in the corners, not on the straights
Gearing. Adding a larger rear sprocket will help acceleration and drive out of a corner. Inexpensive too....

Unless you are planning to race formally in novice or amateur superbike class, the above mods and some good race schools will have you hunting down most other bikes & riders with regularity.

To put it in perspective: I've just returned from 2 trackdays at Jennings http://www.jenningsgp.com using my trusty '94 Daytona 900 with the above mods and a Yoshimura 3into1 pipe. 100HP even at the rear wheel on the dyno. A bike that's several generations old and 100+lbs heavier than most other bikes on the track.

Heck, a rider that's 100+lbs heavier than most on the track.

Track record: 1:15
Pro/expert class lap times this weekend: 1:20-1:25
Intermediate class lap times: 1:28-1:50
Best lap time on the 900: 1:32 running between 1:37-1:40 pretty consistently even with traffic and having a great time picking off new 600s, a few R1s, a ZX-10 and various Gixxers :-)

Ground clearance is now the biggest issue with the bike as I'm hanging off as far as possible and the pegs are still digging in.....

Above all, have fun!!! :-)

corners · 02-20-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

On 2006-02-20 15:29, YYZSKI wrote:

Braided stainless steel lines for the front brakes

The newer Daytonas already come from the factory with braided stainless steel lines on the front and back. They just have a black coating on them so they look like the rubber one. that is why Triumph brakes feel better than most stock brakes.

mosby · 02-21-2006, 05:46 AM

Thanks for the advice--- all good points, well taken.

Japawhat02 · 02-21-2006, 06:04 PM

I recommend picking up a good book I use Sport Riding Techniques it will really make you think about what you are doing, and its only like 20 bux :-D

quirky · 02-21-2006, 06:33 PM

A new 675 Daytona, perhaps? :wink:

Well, that would be a good option, at least for the smaller tracks with less long, 200kph straights.

Anyway, in general, you might want to improve your brakes and reduce the weight. Just to add to the comments made already, I'd recommend a set of proper brakes, including better discs and calipers and pads, like those from ABM or Brembo, or perhaps just the Galfer or Braking sets. Then, a new set of pipes and fuel maps if you have the stock or Triumph ones, lighter rims from Marvic of Marchesini, for example, and perhaps carbon fairing where feasible.
It's often much easier and cheaper to gain track speed and more control by reducing the weight of the (stock) bike than to go to an extensive (and expensive) tuning project on the engine alone, which is the usual way wannabe racers are going. You'd be surprised what the lightweight rims alone (together with proper brake pads) can do to your stopping, cornering and accelerating power.

Oh and get proper tyres, too. I'd warmly recommend a set of Pirelli Supercorsa SC1's. You won't regret getting those, after you've taken a couple of warming up laps with them. You'll know why.

After you've put your baby on a diet and given her proper stoppers, then you can start thinking about the usual stuff, like tuning up the engine. :razz:

Oh and btw, before you spend your money on Öhlins parts, I'd recommend that you first make sure you've optimized the use of the existing suspension. Have a good long while to learn and adjust the suspension correctly for your weight and for a track session. I second the notion mentioned above; A set-up session done or supervised by an experienced race track rider or a pro would be a good idea, for you'll learn a lot, and it will indeed make a difference. I'm pretty sure the standard suspension will work pretty well, as long as you've set it up correctly, together with slimming the bike down, and installing proper set of tyres.

[ This message was edited by: quirky on 2006-02-21 16:52 ]

Tomsk · 02-22-2006, 08:02 AM

I guess once you have sorted out the suspension then a slipper clutch would be good (don't know if there is one suitable) also a quickshifter device that electronically kills the spark on up shifts allowing clutchless upshifts without rolling off the gas.
These should allow harder breaking and subsequent downshifts into corners without locking up the rear due to engine braking and a much quicker and smoother acceleration out.
Keith Code's books are also very good.

Tomsk · 02-22-2006, 08:10 AM

Some useful links
Cheers
Tomsk

http://www.quickshifter.com/home_int.htm

https://secure.echoalley.com/superbikeschool/store/

http://www.sigmaperformance.com/index.html

quirky · 02-22-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

I guess once you have sorted out the suspension then a slipper clutch would be good (don't know if there is one suitable) also a quickshifter device that electronically kills the spark on up shifts allowing clutchless upshifts without rolling off the gas.

I don't think there are slipper clutches for Triumphs ...yet. Furthermore, I think the quickshifter is a tool for the racers, and a beginning track enthusiast could do better in spending his/her money on some other items first.

STM make slipper clutches for Ducati and several other brands, for race, sport and street bikes and for motocross bikes. So far the product line doesn't recognize Triumph bikes. But then, they are to release a slipper clutch line for BMW bikes this spring, so one could assume that a Triumph range is not an impossible project in the near future, either.
STM homepage

[ This message was edited by: quirky on 2006-02-22 08:13 ]

Tomsk · 02-22-2006, 12:26 PM

You're right, also if one was available it would be expensive. Most of the top racers reckon that performance is 80% rider and 20% bike so you could argue that the best investment is not in trick parts but in attending a race school.

That said we all like "cool extras" and if I could afford them I would have them.