[.b0link]

Absolutely, and aside from that, its where the majority of these bikes are MEANT to be!

After 6 years of street riding I thought I was a pretty damn good rider. Got to the track and realized I didn't know shit. I still ride 600cc's too. IMO they are already fun enough, plus I will consider moving up to 1ks whenever I feel that I am using all the performance available on a 600. Which will be never. It makes you a truly better rider. All the extra power can be a handicap for some people that makes up for their inability to turn fast.

Nothing more rewarding to me than getting passed by a 1k on the straight away at Jerez, and then passing them on the outside of the first corner to never see them again for that session.

[.b0link]

^And also no bigger reality check than finding out the 14 year old on the 250 is turning laps 10 seconds faster than you

lol true story.

[Cloud9blue]

Guys, truly appreciate the honest opinions. Will let you guys know how things went in the next few weeks.

[Razzy]

Listen to guys like B0link. He know's what he's talking about.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by .b0link

IMO they are already fun enough, plus I will consider moving up to 1ks whenever I feel that I am using all the performance available on a 600. Which will be never. It makes you a truly better rider. All the extra power can be a handicap for some people that makes up for their inability to turn fast.

Nothing more rewarding to me than getting passed by a 1k on the straight away at Jerez, and then passing them on the outside of the first corner to never see them again for that session.

Our newest local track has the lap record set by an R6, not a liter bike. Sure, on the long straight the 600's get killed, but through the 16 turns, the smaller bikes are just more nimble and able to change direction faster.

If it was all about straight line speed, then the 'Busa or ZX14 would be the kings, but 600's offer a great balance between speed and handling. But still, I'm not trading my 1099cc beast for a something smaller.

[Everfly]

[fitchesbass]

^ nice

[.b0link]

Originally Posted by scollins

Our newest local track has the lap record set by an R6, not a liter bike. Sure, on the long straight the 600's get killed, but through the 16 turns, the smaller bikes are just more nimble and able to change direction faster.

If it was all about straight line speed, then the 'Busa or ZX14 would be the kings, but 600's offer a great balance between speed and handling. But still, I'm not trading my 1099cc beast for a something smaller.

What track is this? Any good?

Gonna be stationed in So Cal. Might be worth it for a road trip in the future.

And yes...I know that is a LOOONG drive lol

[scollins]

Originally Posted by .b0link

What track is this? Any good?

Gonna be stationed in So Cal. Might be worth it for a road trip in the future.

And yes...I know that is a LOOONG drive lol

http://www.ridgemotorsportspark.com/

Track is pretty awesome, even in its current "not quite finished state." They still have to put down the final top layer of pavement. They have plans for paddock garages and a whole host of other upgrades.

The Ridge Complex has been compared to Laguna's corkscrew (which I have not been on.)

California Superbike School was just there this past week.

Here are two laps I did on the 1098S, first time ever on the track. With the blind apexes (and no prior experience on the track), I was taking it pretty easy. I'm not even sure I followed the same lines each time around, and after a full-on track day, I'm still trying to figure it out....

[.b0link]

Definitely looks like an active, interesting layout...and fresh pavement is always nice. That downhill right-left looks like it would be a blast balls out.

That Duc sounds like sex though...man I love the sounds of a twin.

Blind turns, once your learn the track and figure out your brake and turn in markers, are so much fun. Its mind over matter mainly, that your going to turn it, but theres nothing there yet, then when you clip that apex and hammer the throttle out....awesome.

If you haven't gotten any one on one with instructors I highly recommend it. Usually they have coaches available for not much (sorry if I'm telling you stuff you already know).

I personally have done track time with Neil Hodgson, at my last track day as a matter of fact. Getting towed behind him was unreal. I had NO idea I could take the corners as fast as we were going. I shaved about 10 seconds off my best time at that track by the end of the weekend, and my riding style and position was night and day from where it was. Not sure if I posted this in this thread already (sorry if I have) but here is me on a local track called Almeria. Im going to miss the tracks out here for sure, but Im def ready to get back to the US.

[Digital.James]

Originally Posted by scollins

Our newest local track has the lap record set by an R6, not a liter bike. Sure, on the long straight the 600's get killed, but through the 16 turns, the smaller bikes are just more nimble and able to change direction faster.

If it was all about straight line speed, then the 'Busa or ZX14 would be the kings, but 600's offer a great balance between speed and handling. But still, I'm not trading my 1099cc beast for a something smaller.

I agree that most supersports can be faster around a track by novice riders, but I would never want to ride a supersport around town.

[bumere90]

Originally Posted by Patrick719

My first bike. 2001 R6





And my beautiful 2005 Raven R1 that I just sold last week. I'll miss her!




I'll be shopping for either the S1000RR or Duc 1198 next summer.

[.b0link]

Originally Posted by Digital.James

I agree that most supersports can be faster around a track by novice riders, but I would never want to ride a supersport around town.

Why?

If you tell me a 600 doesn't have enough power for the street you are high.

[Digital.James]

Originally Posted by .b0link

Why?

If you tell me a 600 doesn't have enough power for the street you are high.

it's not all about power luke, it's how that power comes out.

[.b0link]

Not catching what your pitching man.

[Digital.James]

Originally Posted by .b0link

Not catching what your pitching man.

power delivery

[.b0link]

Originally Posted by Digital.James

power delivery

Yeah. Its a bit ridiculous on a litrebike. To say the least. I would hardly call it street friendly power deliver.

[Digital.James]

Originally Posted by .b0link

Yeah. Its a bit ridiculous on a litrebike. To say the least. I would hardly call it street friendly power deliver.

Sorry, but I'll take most liter bikes power delivery over a supersports power delivery any day. It's more accessible. Brutal yes, but then again so is a supersport. Last thing I want to do is ring one out to 10k to get up to highway speeds with local joe law checking me out. I don't know, maybe riding for 19 years has made me soft.

[.b0link]

Originally Posted by Digital.James

Sorry, but I'll take most liter bikes power delivery over a supersports power delivery any day. It's more accessible. Brutal yes, but then again so is a supersport. Last thing I want to do is ring one out to 10k to get up to highway speeds with local joe law checking me out. I don't know, maybe riding for 19 years has made me soft.

To each their own man.

Nothing personal against litre bikes at all, just feel that they are overkill on the street (for most people).

Too many idiots who shouldn't be on one, let alone any motorcycle. Sorta why I stopped riding street, seems like one massive dong measuring competition in the sport bike crowd.

[Digital.James]

Originally Posted by .b0link

To each their own man.

Nothing personal against litre bikes at all, just feel that they are overkill on the street (for most people).

Too many idiots who shouldn't be on one, let alone any motorcycle. Sorta why I stopped riding street, seems like one massive dong measuring competition in the sport bike crowd.

bottom line, I think both of us can agree that ALL sport bikes aren't really street bikes. they're meant for the track, period. 90% (number pulled out of my arse) of guys who ride sport bikes on the street have never smelled a whiff of competitive track riding. but I do believe for the EXPERIENCED rider, the power band of a liter bike will translate into better usability on the street

BTW, I don't ride either. I'm done riding sport bikes, nor do I track anymore. I've found that the simpler the bike, the happier I am these days.

[.b0link]

Originally Posted by Digital.James

bottom line, I think both of us can agree that ALL sport bikes aren't really street bikes. they're meant for the track, period. 90% (number pulled out of my arse) of guys who ride sport bikes on the street have never smelled a whiff of competitive track riding.

Truth!

I guess I just get annoyed right off the bat when someone says that.

Case and point. There is a girl stationed here with me, who used to have a Ninja ZX6. She is the kind that loves the attention of being a girl on a sport bike. The kind that rides around in 3 inch heel knee high boots, and makes sure to always be coordinating. She also always had a chip on her shoulder and bragged that she was a really good rider and used to ride a Hayabusa and bla bla blah.

Well she sold the 600 and bought a 1k. I asked her why and she said she was tired of not being able to keep up with everyone else. I told her that I ride a 600 and don't have a problem keeping up, and she didn't like that. But anyways, we FINALLY got her out to the track. It was the scariest shit ever watching her on board video. This girl had no idea what she was doing, and obviously had no idea how to ride. She was getting passed by 500s on the straight aways, wasn't rev matching down shifts, and ended up crashing on the second day.

Bottom line was she got a 1k cause everyone else had one and she wanted to be badass, but she had no business on one.

I just deal with too much of the typical Busa/1k who think they are gods gift to riding. I always tell them to come out to the track and see who's faster but they always have plenty of excuses lol.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Digital.James

I agree that most supersports can be faster around a track by novice riders, but I would never want to ride a supersport around town.

Track record was set by a WMRRA racer, not a novice rider. Even the liter bike racers weren't faster. But it is a new track, and the fastest line is still up for debate. They anticipate the track record will be somewhere in the 1:30's (currently at 1:41.) It was set by this guy:
http://www.wmrra.com/racerprofiles/p...er=Eli-Edwards

Gives me hope, as he's a little bit older than me! So old guys can go fast!