Took my baby to the track.

And when I say took it, I mean I rode it to the track, took the hardbags off, taped it up, got on the track, took the tape off and rode it home. First track day ever. I can now agree the VFR doesn't really belong there, at least not with Pilot Road 3 tires and no suspension upgrades

That said here have a few pictures. None of the event photographers really caught me doing anything amazing but it did happen I swear!















As far as I can tell these tires won't do track scrub... I probably just need to go faster.

 

Far Oot! My foot peg feelers are ground away into the foot peg it-self; all from spirited street riding up north. I am not as spirited lately, but do touch my pinkie toes down regularly. If you find yourself wanting to get oot there more often, I would suggest buying a bike that was already set up for the race track. Maybe an SV650, this way its turn key and you dont have to monkey around with suspension etc...I would suggest an EX500 but would be accused of being biased, but thats me. SV would make you eternally happy...Cheers

Nice pictures and thanks for posting.

 

I would have ground it down more but I took it off after the first session. They didn't like me causing sparks apparently

Already owned an SV650 that I turned into a track ready bike. I still rode it on the street but it was a handling dream. I would rather upgrade this bike since it fits me better!

 

What pressures were you running? Looks like too high tire pressures. I rode with PR2s and the sides did look like everybody else's track tires. I was running 32/34 I think.

 

30/32 The track was crazy hot and I guess I should have gone lower.

 

I just realize the pictures, they are in your garage right? after you rode it back home. If so that explains it. My tire looked like that after I put a few miles on the street. I did not have a problem with getting to the very edge before running out of clearance with my 4th gen. But I have a Penske shock and the peg feelers were removed. I have't ridden the with PR3 on the VFR yet. I rode my friend's speed triple with the PR3 and didn't like how it felt. So stuck with PR2.

Are you going to take the VFR to the track again or get another dedicated track bike? One thing that worked for me with the VFR was how well it fit me and that translated to confidence on track as well. I will be doing a few days with a ninja 250 before I try another one with the VFR though. I am going to Laguna this saturday and the week after a 2 day school at Thunderhill. I am excited

 

The VFR fits me perfectly and it communicates what it is about to do very clearly so I will stick with it. New rear shock, new fork valves and new rubber and I will be happy forever I imagine.

 

Nice! What track were you at? I occasionally see a VFR at the track but usually an older one with lots of bits added. I want to take mine to the track just for fun. I have a CBR 1000 for a track bike that is very fun but I still want to do some sessions on the V4.

 

That's cool learn a little more about riding. Now you might want to put a little lube on that chain.

 

Ya, that's the first thing I noticed a rusty chain. How can it work right with no lube, I think a set of custom chain and sprockets would do wonders for a VFR. No need for such a heavy chain!:flex::doh:

 

I swear to god I cleaned and lubed the chain the day I left, I have an issue with red clay. The chain is rusted but it is 10 years old can you blame it?

I see no reason in dropping to a 520 chain since I use this bike daily and I do need the longevity provided by the high quality 530 chains.

 

Thought I would share one last photo.



Picture really makes the VFR look big compared to that supersport.

 

What track? Track time on any bike is fun but for sure there are better bikes for it. I took my ST2 years ago and had a buddy that started on a VFR on the track and then moved to sport bikes. Being able to ride it home after means it was a good day . I only rode to the track once and rode all day and then rode home. That's an exhausting day.

 

That would be NCBIKE, located in... North Carolina! It's not really a track, more a testing facility that now has aspirations of being a track, but the turns are clean and, with all the sweepers, it is a good place to get to know a bike IMO.

 

That's what I thought. I'm in Raleigh area. I've run VIR in almost all configurations but haven't run NCBike. I've heard it's a fun track with long corners.