R1100RT On The Track...

[RTNewbie]

Ok. I'm headed to the track on Saturday with Ole Blue. She runs right and i think handles pretty well but i'm looking for pointers.

Let er rip.:lurk

[alien_hitchhiker]

Keep the shiny side up!

Remember the old saw - it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

Have fun!

[RTNewbie]

Keep the shiny side up!

Remember the old saw - it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

Have fun!

How bout riding a slow bike slow is that any fun? Kidding.

Has anone ever heard of putting race gas in the RT?

[MotorradMike]

AFAIK racing fuel is just higher octane. I've seen 110 at a track and the price was so high I took a picture!

There is no need to put in higher octane than your manual says your engine requires. Like watering geraniums with Vichy water. It's better water but...

[pffog]

Forget the race gas and save the $$$ for additional track days. I run mid-grade or super in my R1100S at the track, no problems.

As some have mentioned, DO NOT try to be fast, be SMOOTH!!!! Smooth IS fast, and much more fun, when you try too hard some of the fun goes away. SMOOTH makes you comfortable and thus you go faster naturally.

Where are you going?? I will be at Mid-Ohio Saturday running my touring/track BMW.

.......

Remember the old saw - it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow. ................

I can't agree more, I have an R1100S and a dedicated CBR600 track bike, guess which gets more track time?? Noting is more satisfying than running the technical sections of the race track, passing kids on far "superior" bikes, with my touring bike complete with saddle bag mounts. And I run the expert and intermediate class, so I am not passing slouches.

[RTNewbie]

Forget the race gas and save the $$$ for additional track days. I run mid-grade or super in my R1100S at the track, no problems.

As some have mentioned, DO NOT try to be fast, be SMOOTH!!!! Smooth IS fast, and much more fun, when you try too hard some of the fun goes away. SMOOTH makes you comfortable and thus you go faster naturally.

Where are you going?? I will be at Mid-Ohio Saturday running my touring/track BMW.



I can't agree more, I have an R1100S and a dedicated CBR600 track bike, guess which gets more track time?? Noting is more satisfying than running the technical sections of the race track, passing kids on far "superior" bikes, with my touring bike complete with saddle bag mounts. And I run the expert and intermediate class, so I am not passing slouches.


I would love to be at Mid Ohio but i'll be at Nelsons Ledges. I will be at Mid Ohio for vintage MC days though...

[RTNewbie]

I'm using a brand new (plus scrub-in period) Michelin Pilot Road 2's for the day.

...So I got that going for me... Which is nice.

[pffog]

Who is putting on a track day at Mid-Ohio on Saturday 4-25?


Sport bike track time (STT), they are running Sunday as well, but as it is first track day of the season, I am only doing one day, to get the muscles prepared for the season. From there I am heading to the Smokies to ride for a week, and use up the rest of the tires.

[alien_hitchhiker]

I'm using a brand new (plus scrub-in period) Michelin Pilot Road 2's for the day.


I'm thinking that may be your best ticket - a good set of properly inflated tires.

How's your suspension?

I'm starting to turn green with envy (I'm not kidding - look at my avatar).

I've never had my RT on a closed circuit but I think it'd be a hoot. If the sport bike boys & girls give you attitude just threaten to let your bike sit on theirs. That'll shut 'em up.

[kbasa]

Think. Be concious of what you're doing to the motorcycle.

Don't be afraid to slide your ass off the seat and experiment with body positioning.

Follow someone that knows what they're doing and emulate their line.

If you don't regularly ride there, learn how to use higher engine revs to control the motorcycle. You have significantly more engine braking in the upper reaches of the rpm range.

Most of all, learn to be smooth. Strive for seamless shifts, both up and down. If the bike is jerking around, you're doing it wrong.

Ride smoother to go faster.

[RTNewbie]

Think. Be concious of what you're doing to the motorcycle.

Don't be afraid to slide your ass off the seat and experiment with body positioning.

Follow someone that knows what they're doing and emulate their line.

If you don't regularly ride there, learn how to use higher engine revs to control the motorcycle. You have significantly more engine braking in the upper reaches of the rpm range.

Most of all, learn to be smooth. Strive for seamless shifts, both up and down. If the bike is jerking around, you're doing it wrong.

Ride smoother to go faster.

Yeah, higher engine revs is on the list! Ole blue doesn't see anything above 4500 rpm very often and I'm not sure my wrist bends that far but we'll figure it out together.

We do, when the roads are right, remove unwanted material from the outside edges of the footpegs though... I'm guessing I'll have have some new shiny spots on there to show off saturday night.

[kbasa]

Yeah, higher engine revs is on the list! Ole blue doesn't see anything above 4500 rpm very often and I'm not sure my wrist bends that far but we'll figure it out together.

We do, when the roads are right, remove unwanted material from the outside edges of the footpegs though... I'm guessing I'll have have some new shiny spots on there to show off saturday night.

4500rpm is the torque peak.

The hp peak is just below redline. Surf your engine between those two spots and you'll able to get rid of speed without having to use much braking. It's all in your wrist, man.

I almost never ride my bike BELOW 4500rpm. :deal :evil