SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum - View Single Post - Spontaneity

08-03-07, 09:27 PM

Weather was perfect, especially for this time of year

It was good to get out on the bike again, but to be honest I had a bit of a boring day overall … apart for in one session and a few laps in another, there really was no one for me to play with … the group was quite desolate and those that were there were racers on thous … lets face it, its not even the same league

Met SV650Racer and Chunky, SV650Racer was riding, but missed the first 2 sessions whilst she was getting her act together

… and the last couple as her engine - although still going like a train - had started making nasty noises ..

... Chunky turned up later but wasn’t riding, just arriving for his race weekend and the official practice tomorrow (Friday).

I basically had a few goals in mind … not necessarily in this order, but to set up my new shock.

To blow the cobwebs away, to see what laptimes I could get at Brands on the SV so I could compare myself to race times. I knew 51.6? seconds was winning pace at MRO at the end of last season. Realistically I figured anything less than a 55 was cool, knowing SV650Racers personal lap record was a 53 on her tunderbike, 53s was my main goal!

First session out … I had set the shock too soft … still, as I was re-learning the track it didn’t really matter I only got about 4 proper laps as it was red-flagged after the first couple (Duke spat its chain off)

… anyway, for what it was worth, my last lap was a 57.

Next session out I had hardened the suspension, turned out I had gone too far. 55s with a couple of high 54s - respectable

Session 3, Re-did the suspension 55, 54s and one high 53, but my rear tyre was shot and I ran out of fuel (well the solid light came on).

Swapped rear tyre for one on my other bike that was less worn and tried again. Got a tow from a minitwin and got my times down to constant low 54s with a few mid 53s.

For the remaining sessions it was a very solitary affair … still it allowed me to pick and choose my lines and just relax and let the laps flow. I had been a bit inconsistant to this point. However no real incentive to push it too hard, so just consistent and very comfortable low 54s with a high 53, all within 3 tenths … I felt I could do low 54s all day long if I had to at this point …

Anyway, bearing in mind it was my first outing of the year, I haven’t been to Brands for close on 2 years and never on the SV, using well worn rubber (front was second-hand when I got it and I have done 7? trackdays on it? … it was certainly letting me know it was near the end of its life when doing the 53s …)

Anyhoo, like I said, I spent much of my time by myself, which sux!

But it did give me a great opportunity to sort myself out.

I’d like to think that with fresh/new rubber I could have whacked in consistent mid-high 53s, and some low 53s on that day. I’d also like to think that with the engine sorted (later cams and a race pipe, giving me about another 10-12hp) I could be pushing the 52s

It was mentioned that I could compete this weekend as there were spaces … and I deliberated for some time … but decided not to as .. well I didn’t have enough clean pants for 4 days

I have prior arrangements Sunday anyway and I’d like to get the engine sorted before competing.

I will be very interested in seeing what laptimes come up at the sharp end of the Minitwin MRO this weekend … if they are only low 53s high 52s, I’ll be kicking myself

08-03-07, 09:27 PM	#10
Blue_SV650S Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Spontaneity - Brands Indy Weather was perfect, especially for this time of year It was good to get out on the bike again, but to be honest I had a bit of a boring day overall … apart for in one session and a few laps in another, there really was no one for me to play with … the group was quite desolate and those that were there were racers on thous … lets face it, its not even the same league Met SV650Racer and Chunky, SV650Racer was riding, but missed the first 2 sessions whilst she was getting her act together … and the last couple as her engine - although still going like a train - had started making nasty noises .. ... Chunky turned up later but wasn’t riding, just arriving for his race weekend and the official practice tomorrow (Friday). I basically had a few goals in mind … not necessarily in this order, but to set up my new shock. To blow the cobwebs away, to see what laptimes I could get at Brands on the SV so I could compare myself to race times. I knew 51.6? seconds was winning pace at MRO at the end of last season. Realistically I figured anything less than a 55 was cool, knowing SV650Racers personal lap record was a 53 on her tunderbike, 53s was my main goal! First session out … I had set the shock too soft … still, as I was re-learning the track it didn’t really matter I only got about 4 proper laps as it was red-flagged after the first couple (Duke spat its chain off) … anyway, for what it was worth, my last lap was a 57. Next session out I had hardened the suspension, turned out I had gone too far. 55s with a couple of high 54s - respectable Session 3, Re-did the suspension 55, 54s and one high 53, but my rear tyre was shot and I ran out of fuel (well the solid light came on). Swapped rear tyre for one on my other bike that was less worn and tried again. Got a tow from a minitwin and got my times down to constant low 54s with a few mid 53s. For the remaining sessions it was a very solitary affair … still it allowed me to pick and choose my lines and just relax and let the laps flow. I had been a bit inconsistant to this point. However no real incentive to push it too hard, so just consistent and very comfortable low 54s with a high 53, all within 3 tenths … I felt I could do low 54s all day long if I had to at this point … Anyway, bearing in mind it was my first outing of the year, I haven’t been to Brands for close on 2 years and never on the SV, using well worn rubber (front was second-hand when I got it and I have done 7? trackdays on it? … it was certainly letting me know it was near the end of its life when doing the 53s …) Anyhoo, like I said, I spent much of my time by myself, which sux! But it did give me a great opportunity to sort myself out. I’d like to think that with fresh/new rubber I could have whacked in consistent mid-high 53s, and some low 53s on that day. I’d also like to think that with the engine sorted (later cams and a race pipe, giving me about another 10-12hp) I could be pushing the 52s It was mentioned that I could compete this weekend as there were spaces … and I deliberated for some time … but decided not to as .. well I didn’t have enough clean pants for 4 days I have prior arrangements Sunday anyway and I’d like to get the engine sorted before competing. I will be very interested in seeing what laptimes come up at the sharp end of the Minitwin MRO this weekend … if they are only low 53s high 52s, I’ll be kicking myself Last edited by Blue_SV650S; 09-03-07 at 05:05 PM.