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Re: [ST] Back from the track...



The rear shock is stock (I have both preload and damping cranked all the way up), and the front was Race-teched with Gold Valves and Cartridge Emulators (with the choice of the stiffer/sportier spring rate option for my weight)....
 
Matt Heyer

----- Original Message ----
From: Jeremy Witt <Jeremy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 12:55:05 PM
Subject: Re: [ST] Back from the track...


Remind me what upgrades you have done to your suspension, please.  With
your description, I'm really hoping to hear the word "stock" a lot!  :0)

Jeremy Witt
Newbury Partners
(o) 603-893-3022
(c) 603-475-4228


-----Original Message-----
From: st-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:st-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Matthew Heyer
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 8:55 PM
To: st@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ST] Back from the track...

So I ran the snot out of the ST today up at Summit Point, WV raceway.  I
took the past few days prepping the bike (no blinkers, mirrors,
reflectors, "comfort" items, etc).  Trailered the bike up and ran 7
20-minute sessions.  Now the ST is a GREAT street bike, but I really
found the limits of it today.  Was grinding bits like crazy, and even
unweighted the bike getting on it hard out of a turn (setting up another
rider to pass getting a better drive - I was leaned over, well off the
bike, lots of weight on the inside foot peg, and trying to get on the
gas and keep the bike turning).  Heard the rear end start to
scream/screech (what a terrible sound), the rear started coming
around...and some how I was able to recover with a dramatic almost
highside, tank slapper and all, and a shot to the nuts to boot - ouch!
But I as able to stand it up, somehow stay on top/over/on the bike, let
the bars do their crazy thing, run it into the grass, and safely brake
off the track.

The instructors said my form and lines were good, and that the bike was
on the edge (they could see many bit touching down through the corners).
They suggested that I get myself of real race bike to be able progress
any further.  So one of the control riders let me take out his fully
track prepped R6 for the last session - all I can say is "WOW"!  Now
this things was dyno tuned with tons of after market parts, and is
mapped to run on race fuel (and was - what a smell!).  I had to re-learn
all of my shift points, and the noise and feel of the 4-cylinder, and
the noises the engine makes, but shifting that thing at 15k+ is really
something else.  The front end gets light coming out of the corners at
full throttle, and the shifts make the bars wiggle - I finally see why
the really put steering dampers on bikes.  I got used to it, especially
in one particular section where you are coming out of a full lean right
turn, start to stand up and really get on the gas, and then there
is a kink to the left - and right at the kink is where the bike needs
to shift at 15.5k.  Again - all I can say is WOW!

I really think it was beneficial to run something like the ST, and truly
find the bikes limits.  I think it really makes me appreciate the next
level of bike, and understand the real differences (not just all the
tech talk).

The ST is a great steed, and it is more than anyone can safely use on
the road.  For the track, the pegs are way too low (also ruined a new
pair of boots with my feet that low - ground right through the tow
slider and the sole after the 6 sessions - 7th was on the R6, and I
wasn't getting those aftermarket rearsets to touch down....).  I really
did feel the weight of the bike in the turns too, and suspension
short-comings, and some pretty bad brake fade by the end of the day.

Just to clarify, this is not an ST bash - for from it - finding the
limits consistently turn after turn makes me realize how good the bike
is.  Especially because the bike can still cover long miles in comfort
with luggage.  I am rather just sharing my experience, and thoughts from
it.  I am however looking at some track bikes this week (2001 R1, 2003
R6, 2002 GSX-R 750).  I will hopefully have one all set up for my return
to the track in a few weeks (Pocono Raceway here I come - finally a
track run counter-clockwise)

And in closing - man this sh!t is fun!!!  Everyone should do it, and it
makes me re-evaluate road riding.  Oh yeah, and one last thing.  There
was a guy from the Albany, NY running in the beginner group on a yellow
RS.  Made the trip all the way down to run the two tracks at Summit
Point.  Good thing - he saved my canopy when it tried to blow away
during one of my sessions.  Really nice guy, but he had no idea what
this site is!?!?!!

Matt Heyer
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