So, how many bikes is too many? In the cycling world the formula for the correct number of bikes is N+1 where N is the current number of bikes you own. The +1 bit is pretty self explanatory. I have this equation sorted and am somewhat stable with my bicycles.
But what about motorcycles? If you run by the above formula you start to run out of shed space very quickly (well, if your shed is only 6x6 metres you do!)
Now, not all of the bikes are mine. Lucy owns two and Will has three so once they eventually leave home I will have more room but for the time being I spied a sliver of empty space between the DX and Will’s CBR500.
Now for context, after the last track day where I rode Will’s Daytona and was blown away by how much fun it was, I decided I had better obtain a dedicated, more modern track bike and retire the R1 from that role. While driving home from that last track day Will spied a likely candidate on the Moore Track Toys FB page. As I was driving at the time I asked Will to message Ian and get him to hold the bike for me. I am glad I did because I beat several other potential purchasers by a mere twenty minutes.
I was away for a work trip but the following week I drove up to check it out and confirm that yes, indeed, I did want to buy it. After a few days thought, I gave Emily at Hawtt Decals a rough idea of the decal scheme I wanted (all included in the purchase price) then waited a week to see what turned up.
This is what turned up!
The purchase price included a suspension setup session with Joe from Ride Dynamics. Joe did my Tuono as well as Will's Daytona and is a Gixxer man, so the right bloke to have look at my suspenders. He set me up for sag but as this bike had been someones wet training bike it is pretty softly sprung. This will necessitate a return visit soon to have that rectified and the shock valving upgraded.
But first, off to the track we go!
As usual, Will and I went up the night before so as to be ready for the early start. Fuel is consistently 20 to 30 cents per litre cheaper in Warwick than in Brisbane......and they have to truck it 120km up here from the port.... #gettingshaftedonfuelpricesbrisbane
Scrutineering passed, setup and ready to go.
We have a pretty basic setup but it works (read just barely fits in the car)
Will gave some tips to young Lachy who rode out from Brisbane on his KTM390 for the day.
Will is loving the track days and is bloody quick for a newby. Far faster than me in the corners and he is just managing to touch 200km/h down the short main straight. Not a bad effort on a 675.
I took it easy for the first few sessions. Not just because I was looking after the bike but because I was trying to re-wire my brain to change gears in the opposite direction to what I have done for the last ~ 35 years! Yep, GP or race shift pattern on this Gixxer and it did take some of my concentration budget not to fcuk it up. That said I did shift up a couple of times when meaning to shift down into a corner. I didn’t shift down (when at redline), meaning to shift up….thankfully. That would be fairly ugly.🫣
Will followed me around for a few laps but soon got sick of my slow speed and blasted past.
I gave the bike to Will for a session and was surprised at how different the GSXR felt from the Daytona. The Gixxer is very "sit in" and felt low and soft whereas the Triumph felt tall and "sit on" with quite stiff suspension.(the Gixxer is soft, which we will rectify)
Will looked good on the bike and was giggling like a school girl when he got off.
Wrestling it back off him I finished the day with a big grin as well.
Lachy's day didn't end so well, suffering a lowside that ground a hole in his engine case.
Luckily he was ok and also luckily we had room on the trailer and so carted his bike back to Brisbane for him. A bent gear selector shaft might make for an expensive fix....
Anyway, it was a great day out. We had heaps of fun, learnt a lot and can't wait for our next track day.
Cheers.
