Loudon, NH Track Day at NHIS!

[carsick]

So. Finally did it. Awfully worried the FJ would pale in comparison to the sport bikes. Or I would really suck ass at riding.

Turns out my fears were unfounded. The old girl absolutely shined. Once I got over the adrenaline poisoning I started to reel in the other bikes. Coupla guys told me it was a bit jarring to be blasted by the Supertrapp on a 20 year old lump that weighed 200 pounds more than them as I went sailing by. The old girl can do things I never imagined. It was the most exhilarating day I can recall for some time, it's a brain warping experience! 

[carsick]

Without the suspension mods I contracted from lurking on this forum, I would have died on my second lap.

What seemed harsh on the street was a dream when really crankin. I was having trouble with dartiness, redlining into the limiter and locking the rear wheel on downshifts at first. I asked one of the instructors for help. He asked what I was riding. I sez FJ1200. He chuckled and said stop shifting. So I stuck it in 3rd and never changed the rest of the day. It fucking wailed everywhere, from 25 out of the slowest corner to 120 at the brake marker on the front straight. As I got to trust the front brake more I found I was passing some seriously expensive bikes going into corners. What a ridiculous ego boost. I still can't believe that the brakes took that kind of abuse, I swear there was air under that rear wheel every time I came into turn one. I know there was air under the front many times cresting the hill coming down into turn 6 at about 95. Here I am passing dude(ette)s braking for the corner while I'm getting that little bar twitch at full throttle. I thought for sure someone would black flag me and I'd be escorted from the premises. I was looking for blue lights all through the first session. Then I realized we're all here to ride like nutjobs, as long as I don't wreck other riders my behavior will actually be encouraged. It was a total Kookaloo orgy. 

[markmartin]

Lookin' good Doug!  Nice form and your bike's looking very clean, right down to the polished headers.

So what suspension mods did you end up doing?

[weymouth399]

Very cool Doug. (would have been nice to tell your friends though) :shock: That track is pretty fun.
Did you get any laptimes? The instructors there are very good, and even better racers.
How did you like the transitions of asphalt new and old. Any more pics?
I am going to the NHMS LRRS banquet tonight, as we are part of that show
I wish for a open bar.

Bob W

[A11an0n]

Awesome Doug, I know how that dude(ette) felt!  already looking forward to seeing you guys again next summer.

[racerman_27410]

Nice form.....looks to me like its time for some knee sliders!


that was some good advice to stop shifting so much.... the FJ will gladly give you all you want with just a couple of gears.


I've done a few track days at VIR and there is no more satisfying feeling than letting the old girl show her tail light to the new bike riding wannabes .   

KOokaloo!

[Travis398]

You Fucking suck Doug. 

[carsick]

Immolation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[carsick]

So what suspension mods did you end up doing?

Forks lowered 20mm in triples
.95 springs and 15W oil, sag 30mm with preload on 3rd position in.
Hagon rear shock, sag 40mm
15mm shortened dogbones
FZR front wheel 3.5"
GSX-R rear 5.5"
Michelin Pilot Road 3's 120 and 180
R1 brake master and blue dot calipers, braided lines, sintered front pads
GSX-R rear caliper, Galfer standard pads

Did you get any laptimes? How did you like the transitions of asphalt new and old? Any more pics?
Bob W

The group I went with (Tony's Track Days) tries to shift focus away from laptimes for us noobs. It was good for me, because I was close enough to peril without chasing a number. Talking and comparing to similar paced riders I think I was around 1:28. How fast do you run on 4 wheels? The changing pavement and and switch from the oval to the road course was freaky at first. It was like turning into a driveway at 70. Later in the day I ignored it and let the bike soak up the bumps while searching ahead for my next, uh, motivational backmarker. More pics certainly, but they are missing the feeling of how wildly fast it all seemed!

(would have been nice to tell your friends though) Bob W

I mentioned it at the rally, and called Travis. Are you thinking about about occupying NHIS with FJ's Bob?

[weymouth399]

Doug my best on the bike track is a mid 1:25s average in 15 laps is mid 1:26s.
The car track mid 1:21s pole time average was high 1:22s
And yes occupy NHMS not NHIS, a bunch of FJs would make a photo opp don't you think. If we invite Glenn he has to put his bias tires back on just to be fair. 

Bob W

[carsick]

yes occupy NHMS not NHIS
Bob W

You are correct sir. Was it previously NHIS, or is it just me? I thought a few times how other's bikes with suspension swaps would have been fun. My tires stayed on the ground, so I think it worked pretty well. The only handicap was the weight, I thought the front tire would come off the rim every time I hauled it down from speed. No drama, I just forgot to breathe in the braking areas. My fellow riders were dubious that the big old boat could transition quickly through corners, nothing but amazement when they couldn't catch me. But then you've seen firsthand how she switches left-right, eh?
Here's a bike about the same lap time with the speedo visible-
SV650 at Loudon 2

[The General]

Big old Boat!!!!!! I was totally mesmerised by it`s/your performance. Great Video.  Doug

[Flyover Country Joe]

Doug,
  Great report! The big old girls still have some moves, don't they? Maybe the next track day video you post up will have an air cooled KOokaloo soundtrack? 

[paulfj03]

  Right on Doug! Awesome!