Track day dilemma

[zvez]

Hi All,

Some years ago I did a track day on my Tuono and another one on an nsr 250.

Fast forward, I'm wanting to do more track days. I'm signed up for a track day at barber in birmingham and will be doing a level 1 and 2 code superbike camp at barber in june. Will be riding the bmw s1k at code's school

Question, I'd love to take the rsv4 but I'm for more used to and comfortable with my streetfighter which I've ridden 15k miles. My thought is in March to ride the sf as it's more upright posture and my familiarity with the bike makes learning barber easier, ie less distraction. BUT I do love the rsv4 but worry it might way to much bike to start with. I've been streetriding(back country and such) since 96 and ride about 15-20k miles a year.

ANyway, just seeking some opinions.

[Doxgon Racing]

I rode Barber just once back in 2003. It is a Very technically difficult track to learn. There was a huge difference in speeds between the guys who had run the Fri. practice day and those who just showed up to race. I was a little better on Sat. than on Sun., but it was one of two very technical tracks I've ever ridden, the other being Grattan Raceway in Grattan, Michigan. The point of telling you all this is to say that for your first time there, ride the bike you are most comfortable with. If all else fails, take both and ride the RSV4 on Sunday.......
Doc Stein

[zvez]

Doc,
Thanks so much for the input, others have told me as well that it's a quite technical track so the streetfigher might be a safer bet for me.

Thanks again!

I rode Barber just once back in 2003. It is a Very technically difficult track to learn. There was a huge difference in speeds between the guys who had run the Fri. practice day and those who just showed up to race. I was a little better on Sat. than on Sun., but it was one of two very technical tracks I've ever ridden, the other being Grattan Raceway in Grattan, Michigan. The point of telling you all this is to say that for your first time there, ride the bike you are most comfortable with. If all else fails, take both and ride the RSV4 on Sunday.......
Doc Stein

[JedB]

I'd ride the bike that you are most comfortable with.

Since you have a good comfort level, your brain can focus on learning the track while at pace. Or it can focus on learning the drills.

Be comfortable and learn Barber, you can always go back with the RSV-4

[steve p]

Agree with both above. Barber is a blast on any bike or any skill level. Have fun and use your head, Barber can also bite hard with no remorse.

[hank]

CSS levels 1 & 2 are ultra-controlled, it is actually difficult to do something so wrong that you would end up wrecking your bike - although anything is possible...

Have no fear using your own bike as Jed mentioned. Have fun and enjoy!

[Jet City Racer]

CSS levels 1 & 2 are ultra-controlled, it is actually difficult to do something so wrong that you would end up wrecking your bike - although anything is possible...

Level 1, session 1, lap 1 some squid wadded his EX250 dropping into the corkscrew.

Yep, anything's possible.

[illtal]

Hi All,

Some years ago I did a track day on my Tuono and another one on an nsr 250.

Fast forward, I'm wanting to do more track days. I'm signed up for a track day at barber in birmingham and will be doing a level 1 and 2 code superbike camp at barber in june. Will be riding the bmw s1k at code's school

Question, I'd love to take the rsv4 but I'm for more used to and comfortable with my streetfighter which I've ridden 15k miles. My thought is in March to ride the sf as it's more upright posture and my familiarity with the bike makes learning barber easier, ie less distraction. BUT I do love the rsv4 but worry it might way to much bike to start with. I've been streetriding(back country and such) since 96 and ride about 15-20k miles a year.

ANyway, just seeking some opinions.

I used the RSV4 at barber in Sept...
the track will work you true story
The ape is more than capable of handling it but turn 5 can get away from you if you aren't careful

[tharkun]

Chris,

IMHO take the RSV4! You will like it there!

Maybe I am prejudiced, but Barber is a phenomenal track to learn on, albeit it is technical. It is where I started trackdays. I have had my RC45 out there, ridden my Goldwing around a more than a couple of laps (that was a hoot), and regularly run my CBR600RR there.

I would not worry too much about the technical aspects of the track, as CSS will run you through a series of drills after orientation laps. If you are riding your first time there with NESBA or STT at Barber in March, they will help you through the first couple of sessions. Once you get your lines down, you will be surprised how easily the track "flows." The only thing you really have to get used to will be going over the blind hills in turn 3 and over the tunnel.

Last summer at CSS there were a couple of old coots on their BMW dual sports & by the second day there were dragging paniers and had to pull them off! You will love it!

See you there in June (and maybe March too)!

[Aprilia_Ryan]

Take both, start with the one you know better. Switch off at your own comfort.

[hurricanejohn]

Special ordered my Tuono V4 APRC just for Barber #5 - my traction control goes to 11. I call my scoot the "Spinal Tapper".....

but turn 5 can get away from you if you aren't careful