First race

Entered my first race this weekend on my '05 FS650E. I've done a couple of open practise sessions here at the local track (western Speedway in Victoria) but the race was at Saratoga Speedway (Black Creek, North of Comox -also here on Vancouver Island) -pictured below.

There was about 9 or 10 bikes (4 motards- one other Husaberg, a KTM and a CRF450 -the rest sportbikes) running the track counter-clockwise. I managed to DFL all 3 races (4, 8 and 18 laps), but I had fun and was able to pick out if not correct most of my errors.

Despite my own shortcomings my bike set-up is far from ideal and that didn't help matters. I find myself working very hard to keep the bike from running wide. I've gone up 2 turns of preload on the rear shock (being lazy I haven't actually taken the time to measure the sag yet) as I was getting tire rub on the muffler on highway on/offramps. I'll likely end up adding a bit more preload -and then perhaps moving the forks up in the triples slightly if need be.

I suspect I'll find the spring rate is a bit low for my weight - 97KG (215lbs) + gear, but a new spring is not likely in the budget this year- (btw, anyone know what they're worth roughly?).

I'm also working on finding a decent tire pressure (running the stock DOT Pilots). 28lbs was fine on the street, but the rear was extremely squirrely on my very first practise. I ran around 23lbs at the race this weekend and found I still wasn't getting a lot of heat in the tires. Maybe it was the nature of the track, but after the 18-lap event they were barely more than warm to the touch. That said I wasn't really getting them unstuck either so... I guess I'll see how it works at the local track with a few more turns.

I'm considering maybe a switch to the race Pilots that come stock on the C - but I do use the bike on the street so I'll have to think hard about that.

All this of course will not make up for my errors, but may make it much easier to feel and correct them. I'm still quite new to this type of bike (sportbikes only since about '87) and figuring out how it should feel, what sort of feedback to expect etc... also guaging my lean angle without a knee on the ground and not getting in my own way cornering with a supermoto body postion.

I'm getting comfortable with hanging the back end out coming into tighter corners - but I badly need to work on the transition back onto the throttle cuz right now I pretty much stop the bike

Gearing is 15/40 (it had 16/38 when delivered) and I think this is fine. I could probably go shorter but realistically I should probably be working on sticking to higher gears and holding a bit more corner speed anyhow.

Basically I need a LOT more practise

Here's an aerial shot of the track. There are pics and video of me in "action", and while I'm perfectly willing to share my humiliation with the forum, I haven't received them yet



Comments and constructive criticism are welcome -as are good-natured digs.

cheers,
-Mike

great to see you out there mike!

we'll share your hard times and when you improve you have our consent to crow about it!

regards the rear spring, well you need to understand that i've gone up 4 springs to get the right race sag and the difference now with a 85/111 compared to the 71/90 i started with is this;
71 = 15mm preload
85 = 9mm preload

not a lot of difference is there!

i weigh 205 pounds and i do enduro. my fronts are 50s and the rear - as said is 85.

i would think a straight 96-98 rear is required. when you're a newcomer share your thoughts with others and it'll give you a guide. newcomers talk to newcomers - that's how it'll work i guess.

spend your moiney on practice, suspension and tyres. race on new, practice on used. practice, practice, race, practice, practice, race.

hope this helps.

regarding tyre pressures i would look for peeling and not go by feel. the tyre will also discolour when you're doing it right.

regards

Taffy

come down to Seattle... i'll put ya up....85 MM rear sag to start maybe 90 but thats it...take 5 -8 clicks off compression at the front AFTER YOUSET UP YOUR REAR rum 18/20 psi to start.(tire DUH).. after a good while add 2 pounds MAX !! ....ride it for awhile.. take 2 clicks off rebound after a hour of riding (at front)...your tires are cold...low PSI will help... squirrmy , maybe but will heat up better...they won't hang very well at the ytrack... buy Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa's SC1s (medium soft) finally...If you are are street guy and tryun to throw the Berg into a tight corner...won't happen...?? why ?? cuz ya'll sittin on the back of the seat... put the family jewels on the tank then see what happens... on race tracks (not so much western) you have to put all the weight bias on the front tire into a tight corner.... weigths the front for tractions and loosens up the rear to carry it around the back to help your exit...
Finally your tires get greasy fast in the mid 20's.....the lower PSI just helps tire contact....If you go beyond that for ride abilty... get the Diablos as above mentioned or the michy slicks.... thats all I know....

Valuable feedback guys -many thanks.

Brian -Seattle would be a blast -just have to save up enough time and $$ to get myself down there. Do you have a list of dates? I'd love to bring my supermono down as well once it's finished but that won't be till a bit later in the season.

Right now fingers are crossed the rain holds off for this evening's practise session at Western.

Cheers,
-Mike

For race shedules see www.supermotousa.net
while on that site click on forums, this is a link to a site like this one....which will give you all the upcoming practice days when posted by various people......
It would be great to swap bikes on a practice day....would really help in setting up your suspension...
hope that helps....