Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Riding a Superbike on a Racetrack

Last week I was able to do something that I’ve only dreamed about doing. For over two years, I’ve wanted to ride a motorcycle on a proper race track. I wanted the experience of riding on a track. The nearest one is Brainerd International Raceway (BIR). Due to time, money, and logistics I have been unable to ride there until now.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

I’ve ridden at DCTC on their driving course many times, but it is a small one mile course with 17 corners (depending on configuration). It’s a fun place, but it’s a not a competition road course aka race track. Its primary purpose is for driving training. By comparison, the 2.5 mile course at BIR has 13 corners and is much wider with a better maintained surface.

BIR 2.5 Mile Course Layout

We did not ride the 3.1 mile course which includes the one mile straight. A prudent move by KTM. A mile is long enough for nearly every bike and especially this one to achieve top speed. I think that with 175hp, 95 ft-lb torque, and 400lb weight that the RC8R would get very close to 200mph in that distance (if not more). Imagine a couple dozen novices trying to brake at that speed for turn 1.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

 

KTM, an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, scheduled a track day at Brainerd last week with the local support of the Minnesota KTM dealers. Because of my contacts with in the RiderCoach community (thanks Trish!), I was offered a chance to ride as a guest of Starr Cycle. I didn’t hesitate to take the day off to go. A chance to ride someone else’s superbike on a track is a rare opportunity that should not be missed.

Track Day at BIR with KTM 

The inside of the truck below.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

As I was gushing to a friend about the chance, he said it sounded like fun and wanted to come with. He doesn’t ride, but has a lot of free time. It was great to spend the day with him drooling on bikes. The weather, as you can see in the photos, cooperated nicely. It was sunny and warm. A bit too warm after lunch when it reached up to 102F!

Track Day at BIR with KTM

KTM brought the RC8R Superbike for us to ride.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

What an amazing bike! There were fourteen RC8Rs and two SMT 990s (not pictured).

Track Day at BIR with KTM 

I did not get the chance to ride the SMT. KTM had us divide ourselves into three different groups: novice, intermediate, and expert. Seeing as I have never been to a real track, I chose novice. I think it was a prudent move. The RC8R broke a lot of unofficial records for me: most expensive bike ridden ($16,500), biggest engine by a hair (1190cc v-twin), best brakes, best suspension, best tires (track tires are nice!), and of course fastest bike.

Track Day at BIR with KTM Track Day at BIR with KTM

The plan was to ride for twenty minute sessions, so each hour you’d be riding for twenty minutes and then resting for forty. I’ve had similar schedules at DCTC. I think twenty minutes on a bike working that hard physically and mentally is good enough. I was always surprised when they waved the last lap flag. The time flew by as all my attention was in the moment focused on riding. We teach in the BRC that riding is a 90% mental activity. At track speeds, your mind is focused!

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Above: I’m putting on my gloves next to the #2 bike.

Track Day at BIR with KTM Track Day at BIR with KTM

Above: Pulling away for my first session. The first four laps one of the lead riders took us around at a slow to moderate pace, so we could get used to the track and the bike.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

This is a shot of my second session starting

Riding the RC8R Onboard Ready to Ride

Most people seemed to carpool. A few even rode their bikes.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Some of the expert riders even brought their race bikes to play with.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Above: The bike with the #195 is an SV650 race bike owned by my friend Dave.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Above: two other personal bikes. The guy in the background used to work at St. Croix Ural. I was surprised he remembered me as I haven’t been there in over a year. Then I thought that a guy showing up in the middle of January on a sidecar might leave an impression. He likes sport bikes in additions to Harley’s.

Track Day at BIR with KTM 

Some of the expert riders going out. They were FAST! (and brave). Hanging off of the bike in a turn at over 100mph takes some confidence. By the fourth session out, I felt comfortable doing it too. Fun!

KTM also bought us lunch and provided water and Gatorade. Many of the riders hid in the shade between sessions. Did I mention it was hot?

Track Day at BIR with KTM

I didn’t notice the heat when I was riding, but worked pretty fast to remove my helmet and my track leathers between sessions.

Track Day at BIR with KTM riding a RC8R

Above coming out of turn 13. The RC8R would very quickly get up to 105mph in second gear. Amazing machine. I did not find the end of third, but I shifted into fourth and fifth once just to see they were there. :)

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Above: My friend Dave in the same corner on his SV650. The SV650 and the RC8R weigh pretty much the same and both have v-twin engines except the RC8R has about 2.5 times the power. A fact that demands some respect. The brakes were very impressive too – hardly more than one finger was required. I still continued using more, so I could get more feedback from the lever.

Riding the RC8R Onboard

With the schedule as planned we should have each had six session on track. I only did four. Just after lunch, one of the novice riders crashed with a high side in turn 12. Apparently, he was still at max lean and opened the throttle too much. Witnesses say both him and the bike were four to five feet in the air at nearly 50mph. Ouch!

The bike was badly damaged, but the rider was able to walk away. He was wearing street gear which mostly protected him from damage. His coat was torn on the shoulders, back, and elbows. The pants were torn on the knees, and the helmet was rashed nicely on the back. The rider was wearing regular heavy duty work boots rather than motorcycle boots and suffered two sprained ankles. He has mostly recovered now and is pretty confident his motorcycle insurance will cover the damage to the bike.

Track Day at BIR with KTM

Track Day at BIR with KTM

The BIR track staff spent some time cleaning the surface of the track from oil and other fluids, so we all missed a session. I’m not complaining as the heat was starting to get to me. I welcomed the extra break to take all of the riding gear off, sit in the shade, and relax. After lunch, I rode two more sessions and then skipped the final session. I started to recognize that I was getting too hot and tired.

I love the shadow and reflection in the shot below.

Riding the RC8R Onboard 1

This is my favorite picture of the day.

Riding the KTM RC8R Zoomed

I had fantastic time riding the KTM RC8R at BIR. A huge thank you to Trish, Starr Cycle, and KTM for the opportunity.

 

I am still working on the video, so watch for that later.

12 comments:

  1. Chris...outstanding experience...however, I can honestly say I've no interest in acquiring same....

    Looking forward to the video

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

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  2. Chris:

    Speed scares me. Glad you had a good time

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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  3. That sounds like an incredible experience! I enjoyed reading the write-up of it!

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  4. Dom: It was a great time. Still working on the video. I have quite the back log of material at the moment.

    Bob: It's not for everyone. Some of the other novices never got above 70mph, but they had a fun time riding a new bike without the danger of four wheeled texters.

    Saw the news about the riots. I hope you were safe.

    Kev: Thanks! It was a really fun time. I have a new appreciation for the racers in MotoGP/WSBK/etc now.

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  5. Chris:

    I was downtown in 1994 when the riots started on Robson Street. Ever since then we don't go down there as often as we used to. most of these troublemakers brought hammers in their backpacks, and one brought an ax. They also brought fuel (most likely gasoline) to start the car fires. I mean who brings hammers, axes and gasoline to a hockey game. Many of these people are known to the police and they have started trouble before during the G8, and also during the recent Olympics. They are NOT hockey fans but thugs out to destroy property and cause damage. In the past the penalties were minor, now the Mayor has vowed to prosecute and perhaps get restitution. The police are asking for photos so these people can be identified. By motorcycle I am only 10 minutes away from ground zero as I live in the heart of the city but I was at home. I had no desire to go down there to take photos.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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  6. Bob: Glad you're safe. I'm with you, who brings that stuff to a sporting event? crazy! I saw the bit on youtube about the police asking for photos of the troublemakers. Looks like they were sent thousands. I like it. Crowdsourcing crime-fighting with cellphone pics and social media!

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  7. Wow. That looks like an amazing day and no doubt will be one that you remember for a long time. As you said, being able to ride someone else's superbike at a track day is rare indeed and I am a tad jealous. I have never done such a day, but your post describes it very well. I imagine you were glad of the 40 minute rest sessions and I am sure you found some new muscles that ached the next day. I will be amazed if the novice that crash (his own bike?) will manage to get his insurance company to pay up. As soon as they realise it was on a track, that pretty much invalidates insurance, at least it does over here in the UK. Next time you get an invite to do the same again, tell them you have a British friend that will fly over..... Great, great Post.

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  8. Gary: Indeed. Just thinking about it now as I read your comment brings a smile to my face. I'm sure you could arrange to ride around silverstone for a few quid :)

    Yes, the 40 min breaks were great both physically and mentally. My legs and hips were very sore the next day as I expected.

    He crashed one of the KTM bikes. It still seems like his insurance will cover it since it wasn't a racing/competition event. For his sake, I hope he is right. Totaling a $16,500 bike would be painful otherwise.

    Deal! If I get another invite, I'll see if I can squeeze you in too! :)

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  9. There is nothing like a track where you can mostly just concentrate on riding, is there? We do high speed training for cops at Portland International Raceway. Triple digits, chased by cops and knowing there's no ticket in store. It's our own bikes at stake, though.

    Great write-up. Makes me want to go strap the helmet on right now!

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  10. irondad: Riding on a closed course is fantastic either race track or parking lot -- none of the usual distractions to prevent you from focusing on skills development 100%.

    I'm glad you liked it. Time for a ride!

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  11. Wow, I would love to do this too. What a beautiful bike too ;-)
    Thanks for the great pics.

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  12. George F: I would really recommend it. Check with your local track. There are a couple rental outfits here, so I would guess there are some near you too.

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