3rd Trackday on Superhawk
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3rd Trackday on Superhawk
Decided to get off my butt and start doing trackdays instead of riding in the canyons for all these years (20+). The Superhawk has been doing great so far- I'm so impressed with the versatility this bike has shown me since I bought it in '98. I've rode it numerous times to Laguna Seca from LA, I've hit the twisties with it, I've used it as a commuter. And now on the track, it's not bad at all.
This time I took it to Calif. Speedway, and had a blast. Granted, it's not the sharpest knife out there, but it's plenty fast, and nice and stable (except when I push it hard in the chicanes). It holds it's own out of the corners, and of course, the really fast guys seem to get me down the straightaway or braking into the apexes (which I will never push- gotta work on Monday!). A friendly observer said he enjoyed the exhaust note- though he did mention the word "Duc" in that statement.
Riding on the track is such a joy. I'm just disappointed that I waited so long to do it. Thanks to all who've posted great info here, it's helped out quite a bit over the years, and also thanks to my buddy Kiyo Watanabe for his impressive tuning magic. Pics are courtesy Powersportsphotography.com.
Cheers. Skin side up.
This time I took it to Calif. Speedway, and had a blast. Granted, it's not the sharpest knife out there, but it's plenty fast, and nice and stable (except when I push it hard in the chicanes). It holds it's own out of the corners, and of course, the really fast guys seem to get me down the straightaway or braking into the apexes (which I will never push- gotta work on Monday!). A friendly observer said he enjoyed the exhaust note- though he did mention the word "Duc" in that statement.
Riding on the track is such a joy. I'm just disappointed that I waited so long to do it. Thanks to all who've posted great info here, it's helped out quite a bit over the years, and also thanks to my buddy Kiyo Watanabe for his impressive tuning magic. Pics are courtesy Powersportsphotography.com.
Cheers. Skin side up.
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World Champion
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Really, Kiyo is your "buddy"? Ask him if he can still get Mori exhaust for the VTR. I've been trying to get some replacement parts from BVH for a couple of months now and they keep blowing me off. He's a great resource for the VTR, and many other bikes as well.
Have you done any suspension work?
Have you done any suspension work?
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Thanks, yes, I'm still slobbering all over myself thinking about the next time I go out there. The straightaway is something else.
Attached are a couple more shots.
The other pics I have aren't as good. They always seem to get a lot of pics of us on our warm up laps...(Geez, those photographers seem to have quite a racket going!).
Attached are a couple more shots.
The other pics I have aren't as good. They always seem to get a lot of pics of us on our warm up laps...(Geez, those photographers seem to have quite a racket going!).
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Really, Kiyo is your "buddy"? Ask him if he can still get Mori exhaust for the VTR. I've been trying to get some replacement parts from BVH for a couple of months now and they keep blowing me off. He's a great resource for the VTR, and many other bikes as well.
Have you done any suspension work?
Have you done any suspension work?
Yes, Kiyo has redone my suspension, which transformed it completely. Re-sprung front end and Fox prototype rear shock with Eibach spring. (No idea on the spring rates.)
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Are there other good track clubs locally? I know about WSMC....
The PSP guys are good, but yeah, it's super expensive. I was too cheap to buy all those pics, but at least they allow you to download the "samplers" from their website.
Hmm?
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Track clubs for racing, or track clubs for riding at tracks? WSMC is for racing, and is only (until next season) at Big Willow (aka: Willow Springs International Raceway). Supposedly WSMC will run a small series at Streets of Willow next racing season, but we'll see how that goes.
As for trackday providers (a la Fastrack), there are many to choose from: Club Desmo, TrackDaZ, Take It To The Track, Dial It In Tracktime, etc. You can take a look at several providers here:
http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2007.html
As for trackday providers (a la Fastrack), there are many to choose from: Club Desmo, TrackDaZ, Take It To The Track, Dial It In Tracktime, etc. You can take a look at several providers here:
http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2007.html
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I too, love California Speedway. I have rode my Superhawk, Buell Cyclone, and even a Ninja 250 (on the infield course). The price is about right for me as I live in San Diego where there are no tracks. If I go to Willow Springs or Buttonwillow, the extra gas and the extra time on the road takes away the joy of their cheaper prices and generally would end up costing as much as if I went to Cali Speedway. Plus the garages (workbenches with electricity and air outlets) are great! Fastrackriders also starts all their sessions on time 99.9% of the time and no lunch breaks. It's great!
I recently picked up another 98 Superhawk and am making it a track only bike (520 conversion-sharkskinz upper-racetech front-ohlins rear) and am scheduling myself to be at Cali Speedway 5 times this year. If any of you go, post on here in advance and maybe we can pit together!
phil
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I recently picked up another 98 Superhawk and am making it a track only bike (520 conversion-sharkskinz upper-racetech front-ohlins rear) and am scheduling myself to be at Cali Speedway 5 times this year. If any of you go, post on here in advance and maybe we can pit together!
phil
members.***.net/vtr1000
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Track clubs for racing, or track clubs for riding at tracks? WSMC is for racing, and is only (until next season) at Big Willow (aka: Willow Springs International Raceway). Supposedly WSMC will run a small series at Streets of Willow next racing season, but we'll see how that goes.
As for trackday providers (a la Fastrack), there are many to choose from: Club Desmo, TrackDaZ, Take It To The Track, Dial It In Tracktime, etc. You can take a look at several providers here:
http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2007.html
As for trackday providers (a la Fastrack), there are many to choose from: Club Desmo, TrackDaZ, Take It To The Track, Dial It In Tracktime, etc. You can take a look at several providers here:
http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2007.html
Regarding WSMC, KW invited me to go with him to a practice day on a Friday upcoming, but I don't think I'll be able to make in anyway. Not sure how I would've got on. Anway, I'll try the big track next year sometime (if I can find my ***** in the closet).
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I too, love California Speedway. I have rode my Superhawk, Buell Cyclone, and even a Ninja 250 (on the infield course). The price is about right for me as I live in San Diego where there are no tracks. If I go to Willow Springs or Buttonwillow, the extra gas and the extra time on the road takes away the joy of their cheaper prices and generally would end up costing as much as if I went to Cali Speedway. Plus the garages (workbenches with electricity and air outlets) are great! Fastrackriders also starts all their sessions on time 99.9% of the time and no lunch breaks. It's great!
I recently picked up another 98 Superhawk and am making it a track only bike (520 conversion-sharkskinz upper-racetech front-ohlins rear) and am scheduling myself to be at Cali Speedway 5 times this year. If any of you go, post on here in advance and maybe we can pit together!
phil
members.***.net/vtr1000
I recently picked up another 98 Superhawk and am making it a track only bike (520 conversion-sharkskinz upper-racetech front-ohlins rear) and am scheduling myself to be at Cali Speedway 5 times this year. If any of you go, post on here in advance and maybe we can pit together!
phil
members.***.net/vtr1000
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: San Gabriel Valley
Thanks marmaladeboy! I guess I should have worded the question a bit differently- I was just wondering if you personally have any favorites track clubs that you recommend. I'll definitely check out your link...
Regarding WSMC, KW invited me to go with him to a practice day on a Friday upcoming, but I don't think I'll be able to make in anyway. Not sure how I would've got on. Anway, I'll try the big track next year sometime (if I can find my ***** in the closet).
Regarding WSMC, KW invited me to go with him to a practice day on a Friday upcoming, but I don't think I'll be able to make in anyway. Not sure how I would've got on. Anway, I'll try the big track next year sometime (if I can find my ***** in the closet).
As for favorite track clubs, TrackDaZ runs a real laid back atmosphere for their trackdays. Cal-Sportbiike/Sportbike Tracktime also runs a great show - very professional and always on-time. Dial It In is also another good company.
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Oh and welcome to the site. :-)
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I agree with superbling to a point, that second shot in the first post is worth buying for sure, I would kill to have a shot of me like that.
But don't feel bad about posting the proofs, it helps advertise powersportsphotography.com, thats why they are proofs, low quality and for public use. I am sure they would have no problem with you using them, even encourage it i'm sure
And hey, you ride on your toes like me
good to see another "ballet dancer" (as i've been called), I thought I was the only one
But don't feel bad about posting the proofs, it helps advertise powersportsphotography.com, thats why they are proofs, low quality and for public use. I am sure they would have no problem with you using them, even encourage it i'm sure
And hey, you ride on your toes like me
good to see another "ballet dancer" (as i've been called), I thought I was the only one
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I got a poster size shot of that one, don't worry! I meant I was too cheap to buy all the shots ($100 for a CD plus the $60 already spent for the poster print).
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I agree with superbling to a point, that second shot in the first post is worth buying for sure, I would kill to have a shot of me like that.
But don't feel bad about posting the proofs, it helps advertise powersportsphotography.com, thats why they are proofs, low quality and for public use. I am sure they would have no problem with you using them, even encourage it i'm sure
And hey, you ride on your toes like me good to see another "ballet dancer" (as i've been called), I thought I was the only one
But don't feel bad about posting the proofs, it helps advertise powersportsphotography.com, thats why they are proofs, low quality and for public use. I am sure they would have no problem with you using them, even encourage it i'm sure
And hey, you ride on your toes like me
good to see another "ballet dancer" (as i've been called), I thought I was the only oneToe action is important in my book. No fun dragging feet!
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Next time buy the full rez CD and have anything printed at your local wallyworld or from internet printers. Way cheaper and you both get what you want/need.
Printer competition (especially internet) is so fierce I no longer do my own and farm it out as they can do it cheaper than I!
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Cool.
Next time buy the full rez CD and have anything printed at your local wallyworld or from internet printers. Way cheaper and you both get what you want/need.
Printer competition (especially internet) is so fierce I no longer do my own and farm it out as they can do it cheaper than I!
Next time buy the full rez CD and have anything printed at your local wallyworld or from internet printers. Way cheaper and you both get what you want/need.
Printer competition (especially internet) is so fierce I no longer do my own and farm it out as they can do it cheaper than I!
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Hope you are okay after get off like that!
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I have been to Roadamerica 4 miles long. Its a blast. and last year "only year I have been there" I met the 16year old Josh that did so good this year. AMA was comming we were leaving. Will have to look for him this year. Funny thing is it was my last day rain day to and he was walking his dog a Weimeraner pup. I have one also we just talked about the pups did not now who he was. Just turned 16 that weekend. sorry got to go wife is a nagging but she lets me do trackdays and cleans my bike when we are there.
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I have been to Roadamerica 4 miles long. Its a blast. and last year "only year I have been there" I met the 16year old Josh that did so good this year. AMA was comming we were leaving. Will have to look for him this year. Funny thing is it was my last day rain day to and he was walking his dog a Weimeraner pup. I have one also we just talked about the pups did not now who he was. Just turned 16 that weekend. sorry got to go wife is a nagging but she lets me do trackdays and cleans my bike when we are there.
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