Bira Race Track 1st Run

[Bard]

Unfortunately due to unforeseen events only three riders meet up for the track day from Thai Visa Forum, that was Trent, Simon and myself others was ill or other reasons could not come.

Anyway we managed to get there all by 9.30 me and Trent was last mainly due to heavy drinking the previous day until 3 in the morning

We started out heating up the tires and ran the track in an easy fashion until we got the track in mind and the tires hot, then we started to speed up. First curve is a bitch to get a proper line in and it took a while to figure it out, the second well it's very hard to get right as well. the rest is pretty easy to get right...

After trying to push hard I managed to slide the front wheel, crappy IRC tires and was concentrating on getting the line right after that which I managed after a while. It was a load of fun throwing the Ninja around especially in the curve at the end of the hill and the two s curves what joy that was. The Ninja was really good and you can push it way harder than I did on the track. The Area-P was a great help on the track and I left it in one gear all along which went from slow to around realistically 150 on the straight section. Both me and Simon experienced a lot of rear tire sliding from the stock tires and the stock tires was powdered up after we were done for the day. Best upgrade on a Ninja 250 is new tires, Period...

Trent experienced that his 1300 was to heavy for the track, 250 kg of bike is not exactly nimble. The 250's were great in comparison in the curves, light and nimble as they are. Simon rode very well and found the tires to be on the must upgrade list as well so luckily it was not only me...

Nobody took any picture because we had to much fun riding, the fuel consumption was way up which again proves the EFI works great on the Area-P indeed. Other riders (real pro dudes) was there as well and they had incredibly cool bikes. There was a 250 moto bike with a pro rider who just flew past, R1, Ninja 6RR and so on. Great guys who shared knowledge and was very helpful. There is an open day the 18th of January with Highsidetours which should be very good, and yes I'll definitely be there to pick up more stuff.

After we chilled in Sin City (Pattaya) and had a lot of fun there as you can imagine, I lost my mobile and somebody else his clothes in the bars so it was all fun fun fun in the sun after a perfect day at the track. We will get more coming and hopefully more people joining in the future. One thing I got at the track was the itch to do it again, and get some proper tires on the bike and go way harder, just rip it

Cheers Bard

[BigBikeBKK]

Awesome report Bard!

I'm quite bummed that I could not join you guys. I'm still enjoying the wonderful (NOT!) weather here in Holland and Belgium and I'm quite home sick for sunny Thailand and my Ninjette.

Another track day on the 18th? Man... just my luck- that's the day I'm flying back to Bangkok, so again won't be able to make it...

Did you get the Bridgestone BattleAx 090's yet? They should be perfect for the track, though I heard from a guy who uses them on his VFR 400s that they're very soft and wear out quickly under regular use. I may go for the BattleAx 050's as I think they'll last a bit longer but still provide way better grip than the IRCs...

Man- reading about all the fun you're having makes me want to cut this "European Holiday" short and get my ass back to the Land of Smiles asap!!!

Happy Trails!

[Travelmate]

Riding track is addictive!

Also perfect for honing your skills and finding the limitations of your bike.Which you will not know till you cross the line and crash the bike!

I would like to talk to the guy who says his front end is sliding!!! Should have been on the deck! Perhaps you are running wide and possibly your rear suspension is too soft for track.

[Bard]

Tony, sounds like you have fun over there. We can track when you get back as well. Would be cool. I will get the BT-090 for the bike, think any proper tire is better than the stock. Just read a report from Europe they are very unhappy with the stock IRC tires there as well, they recommend to replace them.

Travelmate, you find the limitations when you have a near miss already don't need a crash... When your tires slide and you just manages to avoid the crash with a hart rate of 5000 rpm after you found a limit, go beyond that limit and crash... Very easy and logical to understand mate...

What happened on the front slide was correct as you state I ran wide, my mistake and luckily when it did start slipping I straightened up the bike and roll into the shoulder, no biggie but very good to know. The track is the best place to do this, as how many times do we follow a wrong line on the road? A sudden pothole, patch of sand or dog forces you to cut/run wide or what have we. Knowing that pushing can slide the front is very good to know to avoid doing it on the road. I would hate to learn this on the road rolling it off into and oncoming truck.

Cheers Bard

[Bard]

Just to cap it off travelmate I found myself to be the major limit of the track, the slide was shear luck to get out off and I wish I remember how I did it... After that I got fear and had to work with that for the rest of the day. I loved it and man it is addictive, all I want to do now is to go back and push myself again and try to hit the line better and improve my riding skills. I have had 6 years with no riding due to a major accident, and I can see how much I really need to work on my skills to be better. Hopefully when I get good enough I can race in same CC class there, I also expect to do some crashes on the track, hopefully sliding and not high siding. It is bound to happen...

I'll PM you my number and we can have a chat.

Cheers Bard

[Travelmate]

All I can say is, practice, practice and more practice. And have a healthy bank account for tyres!

Take your time, find your pace and work on it from there. Took me a year and a half of religiously going to track just to be on the tail end of the fast group of riders!!

[Bard]

Very good said travelmate, and when it is that much fun learning more I would still be in school if that could be the same.

Sorry because this is very late for anyone interested, but Bira 2nd run will be tomorrow so me and Simon can test out his brand new Area-P standard (freaking load) system. Anyone else interested meet up at Bira around 9:30 for a fun addictive practice run.

Cheers Bard

[BigBikeBKK]

Very good said travelmate, and when it is that much fun learning more I would still be in school if that could be the same.

Sorry because this is very late for anyone interested, but Bira 2nd run will be tomorrow so me and Simon can test out his brand new Area-P standard (freaking load) system. Anyone else interested meet up at Bira around 9:30 for a fun addictive practice run.

Cheers Bard

Have fun Bard! Try to get some pics and video this time

Happy Trails!

Tony