Triumphrat

sprintboy · 09-16-2008, 08:08 PM

Hey All,
Does anyone have any experience with the GBRacing engine protectors? I'm looking for something to usw and I've seen these and the Woodcraft engine cases. I like that the GB ones just fit over the stock engine covers but they're made out of injection molded resin so I don't know how well they'll hold up in a crash. Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks for your help!
Sprintboy

TripleThreat · 09-17-2008, 08:51 PM

I have the WoodCraft Case Covers and the GBRacing Clutch Cover. I'd have a WoodCraft Clutch Cover if they made one, but since they don't, I have the GBRacing one.

No experience crashing either - thankfully... It is certainly better than nothing, but can't begin to compare with the quality and durability of the WoodCraft products...

Jeff

Will · 09-18-2008, 12:08 AM

I do have experience crashing with a GB Racing sator cover. It worked in a roughly 80 mph getoff in Turn 2 at Pacific Raceway. I was contemplating whether my elbow was close to dragging and suddenly ended up dragging significantly more than I really intended. The bike slid forever, bent a Woodcraft rearset bracket to a 90 degree angle, destroyed a Heim joint (Woodcraft said it was the first trashed Heim joint they have heard of), and ground through the stator protection. It is a one use item, but it worked. The stator cover didn't get cracked or ground through, although it did get pretty well scuffed after the cover ground through.

So, it works like a frame slider. It isn't going to completely prevent damage, but it will prevent catastrophic damage up to a point. I replaced it all with a Woodcraft, simply because the Woodcraft will last a whole lot longer and take a whole lot more abuse before grinding through. You can't beat the price of a GB Racing part, though, and installation is a whole lot easier than replacing the cover.

sprintboy · 09-18-2008, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the feedback Gentlemen!
That's what I was looking for. I'm hoping to get one more trackday in this season, hopefully portland, is I can get new tires so I'm begining to think about what upgrades to make over the winter. I've been pushing my luck on old tires frame sliders and the stock bodywork, so far so good but I don't want to push my luck too far.

Thanks for the input!
Sprintboy

jrelloway · 09-19-2008, 08:48 PM

Hey Sprintboy, I've been wanting to do a track day and I live in Portland OR but Im a little hesitant on going out there because I've never been. I'm a regular street rider with a jacket and helmet and gloves with the bike and that's all. What kind of gear do I need to do a track day and what should I do to prepair for one. Maybe this should be a new thread but I just wanted to ask a quick question. And how is the Portland track?

jafkaf81 · 09-19-2008, 08:55 PM

Will · 09-20-2008, 12:38 AM

OUCH! Thats ugly, especially if it is also full of gravel.

jrelloway- Portland is a really nice track to ride on. It was smooth before the repave, and now it is even better. By comparison, Pacific in Washington is a motocross track. Portland isn't as technical as Pacific, but it is a whole lot of fun. It runs clockwise, while Pacific and Spokane both run counter-clockwise. Beware of turn 4 (I think that's the one). It is one of two left turns on the track, and it tends to bite people who take it too fast early on cold tires early in a session.

You will need at least a two piece zip together suit, a full face helmet, gloves and boots. A back protector is highly recommended by all of the organizers, and I think you would be nuts to ride without one anyway. Once you get hooked, as you probably will be as soon as you ride on the track, you will start finding all kinds of other things you can't live without, but for starters, just make sure you have good protective gear and a calm attitude. Don't go in thinking you are Valentino Rossi, just go in to learn what you and your bike can do together and have fun. It is absolutely a blast.

sprintboy · 09-22-2008, 10:47 AM

+1 on what Will said. Once at the track you will need to tape up all your lights and mirrors. I wouls suggest taking a class with some instruction if you can. I don't think NESBA has a class but the track marshalls are good at helping you out with basic information. The 2Fast group in Seattle does have a great class that will give you information on body position and the correct line around the track. Like Will said, don't plan on being super fast first time out (I'm still pretty slow myself) but take it as a learning experience.

Sprintboy