I had a great time on Friday!
Jim, thanks for coming all the way out to hang. It was nice having someone to talk to while Ray was off in B group doing his fast-guy thing! And thanks as always for the technical support.
(My new track bike's brake lever was binding a bit, and the shift linkage rod was bent - Jim figured out how to make them both work).
Regarding the new 636 - holy smokes that thing is fast! It enabled me to ride fast enough to pick off a couple of liter bikes throughout the day, and a Hypermotard at least once.
The contrast between riding the ZX-6R and the FZ6 is like night and day; it's almost not even comparable. They both have two wheels and a handlebar I suppose.
The riding position, throttle response, brakes, ability to turn in, not to mention the power. Good lord, the power. I lofted the front end clear off the ground once, and got head shake coming out of the skidpad a couple of times! Thankfully the bike has a stabalizer and it was all good.
I felt like I could actually choose a line in corners, instead of having the FZ6 choose them for me.
It was also cool to bring a bike whose "track prep" consisted of loading it into the back of the van
Tige (sp?) set up my suspension, though he said "the back was shit" - I think he meant the shock is done with. Per Jim's advice, I will start looking for a replacement shock on eBay or something. Even so, the suspension was such a major upgrade for me vs. the FZ that it again is difficult to even compare.
I'd say, since this was only my second time riding a sport bike, I am pleased with the results. I felt like I improved throughout the day, all the way up to the last few laps in the last session when some asshat in my group stuffed me and actually made tire to tire contact, forcing me to run off in Turn 2 (paved runoff). We both stayed up, and I felt partially responsible as I had taken a weird line and corrected. Still ... his bad ultimately.
Looking forward to the next track day! I'll post pics later.
