track day report

[salty_scuff]

here we go.. did a track day at pocono this weekend. perfect weather, warm. tried the stock settings first-- at anything more then a walking pace the bike wallowed and swayed and ran wide on the exit, and was just plain scary to ride. back to the pits, I discover that the rear has nearly 5cm of sag !!!(I'm 180 with gear). out come the hammer and a screw driver (no spanner in triumph kit, thanks triumph), and preload down to 30mm. the front on the other hand, preload is 15 mm. I back out 2 rings (3 showing stock), and preload out to 20mm. really hard to get a consistent reading on the front sag-- seemed like sometimes when I took out preload, the actual measurment decreased!!, must be sticktion. also add a turn of preload and rebound at both ends (discover that front has comp and preload on different fork legs ***? cost saving???)
back out on the track for session 2, things are muuuch better, now I can actually feel whats going on upfront, start to feel comfortable and throw the bike around alittle-- overall suspension is ok, but still at deep lean angles the front feels kinda vague, not sure if its pushing or folding, but kinda giving me an uneasy feeling.
the pilot powers ROCK, I've always ridden on the track with race DOT's, but I guess I was a fool. the powers warm up instantly, grip fabulously and turn great. there is a corner coming on to the straight where you just hammer the throttle to get good drive, and they gripped like nobodys business, and looked nice and smooth afterwards (no tearing like on dots)
the engine: great drive in the midrange, I could pass people on exit with ease, but top end is weak. I was barely keeping up with 600s at WOT on the back straight. but the engine only has 400 miles, maybe it will loosen up. I'll also get Zard system and map it, and I'm sure it will get faster. The gearbox it sloppy, knotchy, and does not want to clutchless shift at high rpms, but that will also imprive with miles I hope.
overall: like expected, soft and cushy out of the box, but better with tweaking. feels heavy on a bumpy track. plenty of ground clearence. Oh, breaks are fantastic but lever travel IS an issue and it IS spongy. So, for next track day: exhaust and map, brembo master, rearsets (the pegs are kinda slippery); more tweaking of the front for more feel. I'll stick with stock suspenders this year, and maybe upgrade ove the winter

[brettmess24]

Good write up.

Everything you said is exactly how I feel.

So I did the same tweaking and droped the forks 15mm in front ended up with 25mm and got the rear to 35mm preload.
The progressive springs feel really vague when in full lean and under hard braking, they almost feel that there bottoming out, but my tie wrap tells me different.

Added the Brembo Radial Master 19X20 with new spiegler line and mushiness is gone works like a charm.

Rearsets also are an issue when in fast transitions, they also fold and slip on my sidi boots so I have the LSL's on order.

Got the TOR cans and map and the top end rush really improved and smoothed out the low end grunt.

Next would love to get the front springs and rear penske. I too may wait for winter. Would love to get the rear shock about 5mm longer.

[cheapbastard]

On 2006-04-18 09:58, salty_scuff wrote:
(discover that front has comp and preload on different fork legs ***? cost saving???)

I'm not really sure if it's a cost saving thing, GP bikes have comp and preload on different fork legs!

the pilot powers ROCK, I've always ridden on the track with race DOT's, but I guess I was a fool. the powers warm up instantly, grip fabulously and turn great. there is a corner coming on to the straight where you just hammer the throttle to get good drive, and they gripped like nobodys business, and looked nice and smooth afterwards (no tearing like on dots)

Pilot Powers are the shiznit!!! I've never ran any tires that grip as good with such great and even wear! I won't be switching anytime soon!

the engine: great drive in the midrange, I could pass people on exit with ease, but top end is weak. I was barely keeping up with 600s at WOT on the back straight. but the engine only has 400 miles, maybe it will loosen up.

My bike has right around 5500 miles, and I still think it lacks a little up top. But definately worth the small sacrifice for where the power begins! Just expect to get passed from some 600's on the straights with skilled riders!

overall: like expected, soft and cushy out of the box, but better with tweaking. feels heavy on a bumpy track. plenty of ground clearence. Oh, breaks are fantastic but lever travel IS an issue and it IS spongy. So, for next track day: exhaust and map, brembo master, rearsets (the pegs are kinda slippery); more tweaking of the front for more feel. I'll stick with stock suspenders this year, and maybe upgrade ove the winter

I'd have to agree with you on that. She's a little soft straight from the factory, especially for me, about 210lbs. The brakes are great, but definately spongy as you stated. I'm looking for a nice aftermarket radial master now! And ground clearance is great, just don't stick a Triumph bellypan on there, she'll be dragg'n!

[ This message was edited by: cheapbastard on 2006-04-18 10:32 ]

[Corse]

Actually, I also did a track day this past weekend, except it was in Japan. I still have to play with the sag and set it up again, but I used the firm settings out of the owners manual and it was a good place to start. But I bet some upgrades would help tons.

I have to say the brakes suck in the feel department. They slow the bike down no problem, but I can't stand the long lever travel and crappy feel.

I have a Nissin radial master that I just bought (they are cheaper here in Japan) and I was wondering, brettmess24, what you had to order for brake lines. I can get the build it yourself type lines from goodridge but for a dual line setup it will cost about $140. What length lines did you end up with?

Pilot Powers are awesome, but has anybody tried the new metzler m3's?

The torque on the triple is awesome, but in stock form it is lacking a little bit of grunt on the top end.

I also have to agree on the rearsets. My Sidi's were slipping all over the place, but the guy behind me said I was leaving nice silver arcs on the track from grinding off the feelers.

[brettmess24]

I bought the spiegler line for $180, they have the stock measurements and I just told them to make it 2 inches longer on the top. I opted for the black line and black fittings so it was a little more $$$ but well worth it IMO.

What track in Japan?

[Geof3]

Shocks are like that. Most of the shocks I have seen are comp one, reb, the other. The motor will loosen up, as will the gear box. Get about 6000 on it and you'll see. Very smooth. Also, check your shifter, they can get loose and basically suck in general. Vague at best. I'm still working with the suspension. As soon as I have the $$$ I'm doing an Ohlin's rear. Adjusting the rear shock is a MAJOR PITA...

To tires. I really liked the pilots, but found them a bit tippy in initial turn in. I recently replaced with M3's. While transitions are not quite as "snappy" the tires are very nice. Very predicatable, and super smooth. I'm sold on the M3. As soon as I put in some track time on them, I'll update.

[Corse]

$180 huh, I may just do the build it myself lines and get all the parts without having to wait for shipping. Do you still have the stock handlebars? I went to Ebisu Circut north of Tokyo. Nice little place up in the mountains.

By the way if anyone wants a Nissin radial master cylinder, I can get them for about $150 plus shipping, which would be through the USPS (so not much). Here is a link to the one I am talking about. http://www.calsportbike.com/cgi-bin/....56649&count=1

It is cast and not as fancy as the Brembo but comes with everything and cheaper. The price is a sale price so I don't know how much longer it will last.

[ This message was edited by: Corse on 2006-04-18 19:37 ]

[crashmasterd]

If I'm not mistaken, that's exactly the Nissin Radial Master that the 675 comes with factory.

I'll think about it.

[TonUp]

Yeah I agree, the 600's are fast and the SV-650s are really a handfull.

Trackdays are a lot o fun. I get to increase my skill level on and off the track and get to have some pretty awesome riders instruct me as well.


Ton Up!