Back on the track after 37 years

**slofox** · 18th January 2012, 20:12

So I did the "track day" and I ain't'nt dead. And the bike ain'tn't broke.

And hey! I even passed a couple of dudes (I think they were riding posties...) Course, one or two passed me.

One run dry.
Second run WET

Third run mostly dry again.

Hampton Downs is a tighter track than I expected. Interesting up and down component - never raced on slopes - always flat where I rode.

Couple of nice corners and a couple of bastards as well.

Nice day. Nice to ride on a good surface. I could get to like this again.

**sil3nt** · 18th January 2012, 20:16

Wet? That sucks. Gutted i missed it. Got until Feb to save for the next one. Kinda sad when its only $50

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

My mate did the Sunday trackday there and said it was the best day of his life.

**slofox** · 18th January 2012, 20:24

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Wet? That sucks. Gutted i missed it. Got until Feb to save for the next one. Kinda sad when its only $50

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

My mate did the Sunday trackday there and said it was the best day of his life.

A large black cloud dropped its contents on us for the middle session. But the last session was pretty dry and the first, totally dry.

I'd need to have a day there to work out lines - hard to do after all this time and only a few minutes to sort it.

EDIT Ask Daniel his top speed...

**Grant`** · 18th January 2012, 20:31

What group were you out in? I was down there for the day taking a bit of video of a mate on a couple of his corners.

Was going to ride, but decided against it due to riding in February at the superbike school and hopefully track day.

**slofox** · 18th January 2012, 20:35

Originally Posted by Grant`

What group were you out in?

"Geriatric Grampas" I think it was called...or maybe it was "slow?

**javawocky** · 20th January 2012, 11:28

Originally Posted by slofox

So I did the "track day" and I ain't'nt dead. And the bike ain'tn't broke.

And hey! I even passed a couple of dudes (I think they were riding posties...) Course, one or two passed me.

One run dry.
Second run WET

Third run mostly dry again.

Hampton Downs is a tighter track than I expected. Interesting up and down component - never raced on slopes - always flat where I rode.

Couple of nice corners and a couple of bastards as well.

Nice day. Nice to ride on a good surface. I could get to like this again.

Ha! Finally - you got to taste what Vixen can do.

You will now notice a change in your blood - it will start small but will grow over time - track withdrawal will grow and grow till you feed it again.

**ducatilover** · 20th January 2012, 11:34

You've upgraded from the black and white world Slofox! Well done ol' chap

Much jealous of you getting to beat the Vixen up at a track.

**slofox** · 20th January 2012, 13:17

Actually, guys, to be perfectly honest, I spent the whole time trying to sort out some kinda line for each of the corners. I'd need to spend an hour or more out there on my own to sort things out a bit. So I didn't really extend the bike at all.

Now, next time...

**5150** · 20th January 2012, 13:23

Originally Posted by slofox

Actually, guys, to be perfectly honest, I spent the whole time trying to sort out some kinda line for each of the corners. I'd need to spend an hour or more out there on my own to sort things out a bit. So I didn't really extend the bike at all.

Now, next time...

And so the track day bug has bitten.......

**slofox** · 20th January 2012, 13:26

Originally Posted by 5150

And so the track day bug has bitten.......

I never really lost it actually. Just didn't think it would take quite this long to get back out there...

**javawocky** · 20th January 2012, 15:26

Originally Posted by slofox

Actually, guys, to be perfectly honest, I spent the whole time trying to sort out some kinda line for each of the corners. I'd need to spend an hour or more out there on my own to sort things out a bit. So I didn't really extend the bike at all.

Now, next time...

That brings back memories of my first noob session. Next time you are out you will go faster then faster again.

I have been meaning to write some kind of blog entitled 'Hampton Downs Riding Notes' or what ever to describe what goes through ones mind when traversing said track. Stuff like braking markers, track position etc. But, I am a lazy bastard so that probably won't happen...

...however, I can tell you this much. I have been out at HD 2X on the old SV1000 and 1X on the Gixxer and there is one key secret ingredient which made all the difference for me.

On the SV it was about late braking, turn and squirt. With all the torque you could get away with it. And for some odd reason, the SV was fantastic on the breaks with the Sintered brake pads. Could have been the longer wheel base and/or weight or something. Still not sure why it stopped so well. Maybe engine breaking =)

Anyway, fast forward to the Gixxer. First session at HD I pooped myself. It was going faster than I expected and it wasn't stopping as fast as I expected

not a good combination.

I though, perhaps I need to brake harder, so I did and the back wheel started skipping about and the bike started becoming unsettled which scared me even more. My suspension is probably not setup correctly anyway, but in the second session I soon discovered a far better and faster way around this 'problem' - Brake Less, use the lean to slow you down.

I was surprised how much speed was scrubbed off just by doing what Gixxer 6's like best, leaning over.

Now it takes some getting used to and you need to be a little more committed to getting through the corner. Especially the first few times you try it and think you are going way too fast.

A good example of this its turn 1 after the start finish 'straight'. When I come in I drop a couple of gears - brake a little - then as soon as I feel brave enough lean it over and keep it leaned until you are read to start applying some throttle. Soon enough you are flying around.

Now, obviously this works for me (an average trackday hero) and may have different results for you, so proceed with caution

but I think you are a level headed enough old bugger to know that.

**slofox** · 20th January 2012, 15:34

Originally Posted by javawocky

That brings back memories of my first noob session. Next time you are out you will go faster then faster again.

I have been meaning to write some kind of blog entitled 'Hampton Downs Riding Notes' or what ever to describe what goes through ones mind when traversing said track. Stuff like braking markers, track position etc. But, I am a lazy bastard so that probably won't happen...

...however, I can tell you this much. I have been out at HD 2X on the old SV1000 and 1X on the Gixxer and there is one key secret ingredient which made all the difference for me.

On the SV it was about late braking, turn and squirt. With all the torque you could get away with it. And for some odd reason, the SV was fantastic on the breaks with the Sintered brake pads. Could have been the longer wheel base and/or weight or something. Still not sure why it stopped so well. Maybe engine breaking =)

Anyway, fast forward to the Gixxer. First session at HD I pooped myself. It was going faster than I expected and it wasn't stopping as fast as I expected

not a good combination.

I though, perhaps I need to brake harder, so I did and the back wheel started skipping about and the bike started becoming unsettled which scared me even more. My suspension is probably not setup correctly anyway, but in the second session I soon discovered a far better and faster way around this 'problem' - Brake Less, use the lean to slow you down.

I was surprised how much speed was scrubbed off just by doing what Gixxer 6's like best, leaning over.

Now it takes some getting used to and you need to be a little more committed to getting through the corner. Especially the first few times you try it and think you are going way too fast.

A good example of this its turn 1 after the start finish 'straight'. When I come in I drop a couple of gears - brake a little - then as soon as I feel brave enough lean it over and keep it leaned until you are read to start applying some throttle. Soon enough you are flying around.

Now, obviously this works for me (an average trackday hero) and may have different results for you, so proceed with caution

but I think you are a level headed enough old bugger to know that.

Actually Javawocky, that vid is very useful...