Beyond's first Track Day

**beyond** · 19th November 2009, 20:09

I did my first Track Day on Sunday at Pukekohe Race track. So, I'm no longer a track virgin

Touched base with Kiwi Graham who is one of three principal instructors and the co-ordinator for ART track days so was good catching up with him again. He was scooting aroud the track on his 14 keeping an eye on the proceedings.

I booked a little late and ended up only being able to get a spot in the fast group as the other three groups were all full. You can imagine I was a little apprehensive at first thinking I would be a moving target considering it would be my first track day and the first time on the track as well.

I tucked in behind a mate for the first couple of laps to get a feel for the track and get some heat in the tyres and then off we go. You get fifteen minutes around one of the fastest tracks in the Southern hemisphere and man those fifteen minutes go real fast. It's all over before you know it. Got two sessions in on a dry track then the rain came down and we had to shut shop, so missed my last two sessions.

Never mind. I did have a lot of fun and was impressed with the way my bike handled and that I really do have the standard suspension sorted.
I pushed her off the clock at an indicated 260kmh down the back straight then hard on the binders to slow for the 50kmh hairpin. It's a pretty well pin the throttle kind of track in most places. The 14 was great in the corners and under braking with heaps of stonk till about 150-160kmh and it was then that the racers would pass on their supersports doing another 30-40kmh more than me once I had her topped out.

The bike was well behaved through the high speed sweepers but you do have to get the weight over the side a bit to stop the undercarriage touching down.
I ride pretty hard on the road anyway but this is the first time I'm ever blued the discs because of the huge braking forces at the end of the straight.

Things get pretty hot when you are pinning the throttle for fifteen minutes. The logo on my Scorpion exhaust that's been there for 32,000kms simply went black, melted and ended up having to be pulled off.

I had fun. Thoroughly enjoyed it but I can imagine doing this all the time would end up costing a fortune in brake pads, eventually discs and mainly tyres. They ball up pretty fast.

Aside from getting left behind on the straights, the 14 is actually a pretty darn good track bike.... now if I could drop a B-King motor in her I might have the back straight sorted.

**Grasshopperus** · 19th November 2009, 20:25

Cool write-up bro

You sound like a pretty experienced road-rider, what do you think you got out of riding on the track? Highest speed ever? Found the limits of the bike?

**beyond** · 19th November 2009, 20:34

Just bloody enjoyed it but there is no way I would have joined the fast group on my first track day if I did not know the limits of these bikes. I've known the limits of these 1400's since my first one, a K2 which I bought six years ago. I've done 65,000kms on 1400's now and have pushed them to the limit many times.

A very capable bike. The track just proved to me that I really do have the stock suspension sorted and don't really need to go for aftermarket suspenders. However, I would love to get some more top end but she's a big unfaired brick pushing through the wind at that speed.

It was a lot smoother over 240kmh without the largish mirrors on though

**Edbear** · 19th November 2009, 20:43

I'm only a wee bit envious, mate! I doubt it would be worth taking my bike to a track day... I've worn the footboard knobs down a bit as it is...

Must be nice, though, to have your suspension settings confirmed.

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 19th November 2009, 20:44

Hi Mate, you did good

Rain came and spoiled the party at the weekend, next one is on the 17th Jan.

Ther isn't many guys that can cut it in the fast group on there first track day but many of you wont be supprised to know Paul had no trouble at all.
Its the first time I've seen a 14 at full chat, doing the buisness around the track (I'm usually sat on it) and an impressive sight it is too. The first corner is approached at 220-240 a dab on the picks and down two and pitch it on its ear............fookin impressive stuff. To get the 14 to top out down the back straight means getting out of castrol corner (right hander) at a fookin good pace to start with. Slowing her down for the hairpin is a challenge and shows just how capable the 14 is late braking but it does show up a bit of flexibility in the front forks.

The consumables do get a work out but what better way is there to wear them out? You just cant do on the road what you can do on the track lap, after lap, after lap.

Not only did Paul do his first track day, in his second session he was involved in a full on 'full grid' practise start along side seasoned racers and hardened track day addicts. A first for us to organise but what a site, bloody impressive.

We organised a 'star' instructor for each event and last weekends was Sam Smith one of New Zealands young up and coming talents, this guy can ride a motorbike so bloody fast with so little effort its obscene.

Turn up on the 17th Paul and we'll get out together and show them all what these beasts can do and I'll sort a photographer to catch the action.

Mate you did good, real good

**Jacko2** · 19th November 2009, 21:16

Wondered who that was going hard on the naked.

Impressive!!!

**javawocky** · 20th November 2009, 08:26

Originally Posted by beyond

Just bloody enjoyed it but there is no way I would have joined the fast group on my first track day if I did not know the limits of these bikes. I've known the limits of these 1400's since my first one, a K2 which I bought six years ago. I've done 65,000kms on 1400's now and have pushed them to the limit many times.

A very capable bike. The track just proved to me that I really do have the stock suspension sorted and don't really need to go for aftermarket suspenders. However, I would love to get some more top end but she's a big unfaired brick pushing through the wind at that speed.

It was a lot smoother over 240kmh without the largish mirrors on though

Nice write up, I'm doing my first track day tomorrow at the downs - how am I going to sleep tonight?

Anyway, I am sure I am going to enjoy track days but have had mix reviews about this place called Pukekohe - some say its not a bike friendly track, others say its the devils playground others say na, she'll be right mate.

Besides being super fast and not much run off at the end of that long long straight, did you feel uncomfortable at all?

**Sidewinder** · 20th November 2009, 08:28

puke is a gay track paul! get ya ass to hampton downs now! ASAp! like my ass lol.
good on ya, tracks not as hard as everyone says now is it.

keep it up and ride hard and fast and give all these pussys the middle finger as you waste them on ya whale rider!
peace.

**Motoracer** · 20th November 2009, 08:36

Hi mate, good on you. Maybe you just might get addicted, so be careful. :-)

I would have liked to see you taking the big girl around the track.

**BoristheBiter** · 20th November 2009, 08:46

my other half are Myself and going down to Mansfield this weekend for our first track day.

We have only been riding on road for a year and with only a few months under our belts on our bikes we have know idea how hard we can push them or us. i know i can go fast in a straight line but i was much better on my little ninja around corners.

We will be the only gsxrs in the slow group but i gues we have to start somewhere.

Can somone let me know what the best tape is for tapping up the mirrors/lights etc.

**sinfull** · 20th November 2009, 08:58

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

my other half are Myself and going down to Mansfield this weekend for our first track day.

We have only been riding on road for a year and with only a few months under our belts on our bikes we have know idea how hard we can push them or us. i know i can go fast in a straight line but i was much better on my little ninja around corners.

We will be the only gsxrs in the slow group but i gues we have to start somewhere.

Can somone let me know what the best tape is for tapping up the mirrors/lights etc.

Duck tape bro, ya don't want to see the likes of Sheriffs, Fitzgerald or Slight coming ! They'll be gone before ya knew they were there !
Keep in mind there is only 2 left hand corners on that track and your tyres may never really warm up on that side so don't get cocky toward the end of the day, the first left bites !
Gonna be a bit of rain next day or two and the laying water either side of the track may keep the track temp down !!!
Have fun, take it easy and enjoy the stupid grin yr gonna wear all day !

**BoristheBiter** · 20th November 2009, 09:18

Thanks for that.

If the wide grin after riding home on tues was anything to go by i will need a bigger helmet.

**Hiflyer** · 20th November 2009, 14:59

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

keep it up and ride hard and fast and give all these pussys the middle finger as you waste them on ya whale rider!
peace.

God that was taken the wrong way

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th November 2009, 15:25

Originally Posted by Kiwi Graham

Ther isn't many guys that can cut it in the fast group on there first track day but many of you wont be supprised to know Paul had no trouble at all.

Nooo. Are you trying to tell me Beyond can ride. Surely not.

Where is katman anyway? Doesn't normally take him this long to find one of Beyond's threads.