Been awhile since I posted anything, the only riding I have done in the past 3 years has been on the track. This past year with Covid really impacted how much I went to the track, I did about about 12 or 13 days, I typically to double that.
In the past 6 years I've logged a little more than 15,000 miles on the track, and I hope I'm not jinxing myself writing this, I've stayed on two wheels for all of those miles.
I'm an okay rider, who every once in awhile when the stars align, can actually have a fast day. If I had to use one word to describe myself on track, it would be "smart" I feel that I have excellent awareness for the track conditions, the riders on track with me, and I never lose sight of actually how good or not so good of a rider I am. All of these attributes have served me well, so far.
I never forget - the only thing that can happen at the track is how much money the day is going to cost you. I'm not racing - I'm certainly not getting paid to be out there, I'm not going to win a trophy or win points. So when that competitive urge does kick in, so far I've not let it get the best of me and made bad decisions. Bad decisions will only get you hurt or get your bike wrecked or both and they all cost you money.
I've had many oh shit moments for sure - I've been hit twice, both times I've stayed up, really nothing to do with my skill, just luck, and in both instances I was happy to have more luck than skill on my side.
So most of you know that I've been riding an S10000RR since 2012. I'm on my 3rd one and unless something really changes my mind over the winter, I will be saying goodbye to the mighty S1000RR.
It is an awesome motorcycle, more HP than anyone needs, very sophisticated machine, lots of electronics, all of them have been bullet proof. But the reality is especially for me, it is really hard to ride the bike, so much HP and it really is a little on the heavy side and as good as it is, it steers hard. It is expensive to run, my average tire bill just for the RR per season just about $5,000.00 yes $5,000.00.
I do run a Yamaha R3 as well - now that bike is totally different than the RR - no HP, no electronics so you have to ride the bike, nothing going to save you - very cheap to run - a few sets of tires for the entire season - under $1,000.00.
But going from the RR to the R3 is a challenge or going from the R3 to the RR. They are so different, from the speed to the braking to the weight difference - it may seem like no big deal, but when you are going way faster on the RR all your reference points, tip in points, everything happens much sooner because of the speed, now pit in and switch to the R3, holly smoke - I almost go off the track in every corner, I'm way to early for everything.
So after 3 years of trying to ride both of these bikes well, I decided something was missing - and what was missing was a 600, I've been told for years get a 600, all around best bike for most tracks, didn't listen until this year. Bought a Honda CBR600RR completely setup for the track. I think I found the love of my life - well as far as motorcycles go.
So yes now I ride 3 bikes, but mostly the 600, It is easier to ride than my S1000RR, if you are into lap times, yes I ride it faster than the S1000, less expensive to run as well.
I didn't make it to any of the iconic tracks this year - stayed close to home, again Covid had a lot to do with it.
Here is a video the last day I went to the track this year - riding my old, 2007 CBR600RR, no electronics no frills, just my limited skills.
https://youtu.be/E1J7C1f1e0k
In the past 6 years I've logged a little more than 15,000 miles on the track, and I hope I'm not jinxing myself writing this, I've stayed on two wheels for all of those miles.
I'm an okay rider, who every once in awhile when the stars align, can actually have a fast day. If I had to use one word to describe myself on track, it would be "smart" I feel that I have excellent awareness for the track conditions, the riders on track with me, and I never lose sight of actually how good or not so good of a rider I am. All of these attributes have served me well, so far.
I never forget - the only thing that can happen at the track is how much money the day is going to cost you. I'm not racing - I'm certainly not getting paid to be out there, I'm not going to win a trophy or win points. So when that competitive urge does kick in, so far I've not let it get the best of me and made bad decisions. Bad decisions will only get you hurt or get your bike wrecked or both and they all cost you money.
I've had many oh shit moments for sure - I've been hit twice, both times I've stayed up, really nothing to do with my skill, just luck, and in both instances I was happy to have more luck than skill on my side.
So most of you know that I've been riding an S10000RR since 2012. I'm on my 3rd one and unless something really changes my mind over the winter, I will be saying goodbye to the mighty S1000RR.
It is an awesome motorcycle, more HP than anyone needs, very sophisticated machine, lots of electronics, all of them have been bullet proof. But the reality is especially for me, it is really hard to ride the bike, so much HP and it really is a little on the heavy side and as good as it is, it steers hard. It is expensive to run, my average tire bill just for the RR per season just about $5,000.00 yes $5,000.00.
I do run a Yamaha R3 as well - now that bike is totally different than the RR - no HP, no electronics so you have to ride the bike, nothing going to save you - very cheap to run - a few sets of tires for the entire season - under $1,000.00.
But going from the RR to the R3 is a challenge or going from the R3 to the RR. They are so different, from the speed to the braking to the weight difference - it may seem like no big deal, but when you are going way faster on the RR all your reference points, tip in points, everything happens much sooner because of the speed, now pit in and switch to the R3, holly smoke - I almost go off the track in every corner, I'm way to early for everything.
So after 3 years of trying to ride both of these bikes well, I decided something was missing - and what was missing was a 600, I've been told for years get a 600, all around best bike for most tracks, didn't listen until this year. Bought a Honda CBR600RR completely setup for the track. I think I found the love of my life - well as far as motorcycles go.
So yes now I ride 3 bikes, but mostly the 600, It is easier to ride than my S1000RR, if you are into lap times, yes I ride it faster than the S1000, less expensive to run as well.
I didn't make it to any of the iconic tracks this year - stayed close to home, again Covid had a lot to do with it.
Here is a video the last day I went to the track this year - riding my old, 2007 CBR600RR, no electronics no frills, just my limited skills.
https://youtu.be/E1J7C1f1e0k
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