No Substitute For Experience
oneilldn,
I don't want to come off as a smarty pants...but it's gonna sound like it so I'll say sorry in advance.
The very first thing I would do is get new rubber and set it to the proper PSI for that tire. Second thing I would do is get a lap timer. The only real way to see improvement is with a lap timer. With that being said buy and go to as many trackdays as you can. That's the first three things I would do.
How many trackdays have you been to?
Find out what the track record is for the track you'll be going to. If your within 10-15 seconds of the pro liter bike time it's time to start looking into improvements in the bike, namely just better rubber, I.E. slicks and the required tire warmers. Tires and a good suspension set up are biggest bang for the buck.
Or let me put it another way.
Typically, there are 3 groups at any given trackday. A, B, and C. With "A" being the fastest group. Once your running in "A" and turning consistent lap times that can't be lowered then maybe it's time for a racing school and up grade from high performance street tires to slicks. To see if this will help you break through the "wall" you hit in the fastest group.
Only then would I start moding the bike. Suspension, brakes and gearing other then stock. Would be first on my list.
From what I have seen in my VERY LIMITED experience at the track is that the rider not the machine is the weakest link in the quest for lower lap times.
My personal experience is two trackdays at Willow Springs International Raceway. 2.5 mile track with 9 turns. The liter bike fastest lap is 1:19.xxx
I started in the "C" group. I was bumped to "B" group after 2 sessions. I stayed in "B" group the rest of the day. Had a great time. Since I had no laptimer I had no way to really measure how I was doing. So I guessed I was turning laps in the 1:50.xxx to 1:45.xxx range.
About a month later I went again. Same everything and again no laptimer. This time I started in "B" group. I got behind some friends that spent $20.00 to rent a laptimer for the day. I followed them for 3 laps. Their pace felt good but I knew I could run better. So I passed them and had fun until the session ended. I asked them what their lap times were for the session. Turns out they were running low 45's to with their lowest being a 43.xxx's I would guess the reason for the lack of similar times might be due to traffic or a yellow flag on course.
Next session out my friend crashed. So since he wasn't going to be riding anymore I borrowed his laptimer for one session.
On the "Outlap" and second lap I turned 1.42.xxx each time. Now with some heat in the tires it was time to push. I ran 7 laps in the high 1:39.xxx's. Then a trackday control rider comes by me in a hail of bullets (there is always going to be someone faster then me) and taps his tail...the sign to follow him. I dropped in behind and turned one more lap passing the timing marker only once, and then we were on the last lap off the session which I am sure would have been quicker still. My best lap that day for one session only was 1:38.448. SO BECAUSE of the laptimer I was able to see an improvement of what? Maybe a second in one session. Or look at it the other way. A 4-10 second improvement over my first trackday?
Now I will NEVER do another trackday without a laptimer. My new goal on that track is 1:32.xxx constistantly
A 1:30.xxx pace is widely thought to be a good pace on a stock machine with high performance street tires. To get lower then that provided the rider has the skills to do so requires an additional commitment with $$$ and equipment for most. 1:19.xxx to 1:25.xxx is typical race pace by pros there.
Note again that the track record for a 1000cc Race bike, a motorcycle set up only for racing with an experienced racer is at 1:19.xxx I am 20 seconds a lap off the best ever done there. I have a stock bike with stock gearing on DOT tires on my second trackday ever. Pretty sad when I think about how far I have to go. Or looking at it the otherway I'll never run out of hobby.
Of course I might be full of crap too...YMMV.
All the best.
-Gilman
, so I think is time to start changing some things to make the bike better.... The QUESTION is WHAT???
JK enjoy have fun
