Lost my virginity twice in one day! Now with pics!!!

[fuzz]

Yep, it's official, I'm no longer a virgin

Finally got myself on track, and got my knee down too!

I spent yesterday afternoon whizzing (not really) round Donington Park on a CBR600RR at Haslams Race School. My only discredit to them, and I'll get it out of the way first, was the misleading term school. It was basically just get on the bike and follow the instructor, except for a final few laps in the third session where we could follow our own way round. We were taught in the classrooms about moving around on the bike and choosing the right line, but for the money it costs, it should be 1-to-1 all day. Still, that's my only gripe about the whole thing.

I signed on at 1.05, booked my photos (should be here Monday, ) got my one-piece suit on and made my way to the initial briefing room. We were taken through the proceedings, what the flags mean, what hand signals meant, what the cones were for etc before heading to the pit lane to be assgined a bike.

I got paired up with a guy called Matt, who knew the track well as he drives for BMW in some kind of championship. He also rides a '04 GSXR-600, so I felt a bit intimidated and wondered if I would be able to keep up. A genuinely nice guy though, as was our assigned instructor, Rob.

We were given our bike numbers. Mine should have been 17, but an off in the previous group meant that I was now on 23. Guess which bike was last to come in? Iw as walking around going, "who do I need to talk to?" as everyone is milling around at the exit of the pit lane. Finally it showed up, and I hopped on and met up with Rob and Matt.

The first session was really hard for me. The bike just had so much power I couldn't believe it. I don't know whether it was because it was newer, had fuel injection (I'd only ridden carbed bikes up until now) or what, but I had never ridden anything with such enthusiasm to go fast. It was also harder because I'm used to a V-twin. I constantly found myself changing gear at about 6k revs when there was another 9000 to go. Braking was also another new point; a slight touch on the lever and the bike just seemed to stop! I was also falling forward into the tank, so I found myself braking early so I didn't have to apply the brakes so hard. It didn't take too long to get used to the track though (thanks Namco ) and I could concentrate on handling the bike. It seemed we had only been out for a couple of laps (it was actually about 6) before we headed back to the pits via the petrol pumps for the next classroom breifing. I was left feeling a bit unnerved as I was dropping back behind Matt and didn't want to push it incase I lost it.

After a lesson on body positioning, we went back out for session 2. As soon as I was back on the track, all the doubts I had from the previous session were gone, and I found myself relaxing more. I had no problem moving around on the bike, and I have overcome my problems with hanging off the right hand side of the bike. I really loved the Esses - moving from one side of the bike to the other while still leaning was a great feeling. I found Starkeys really exhilarating aswell - powering out of Coppice and up through the gears before braking hard up to the Esses. I was no longer shunting forward on the brakes either; I had learned to hold my body position so that I was set up to move across the bike without having to sit further back first. Despite feeling more relaxed and in control, I was still being left behind. I dropped so far back in fact, that the pick up instructor came out and I followed him around for the rest of the day. The 2nd session seemed to last longer, but still too short, before we headed back in for a final classroom session.

The third session was definately the best, having tried to put everything we had learned into the final laps. I was still having trouble selecting the right gear for the corners (as if I knew what gear I was even in, to be fair!) The instructor told me to do the whole course in third, as that's all you really need from these bikes. I did so, and found it much easier to choose turning in points, braking distances etc. I went up to 4th and 5th down Starkeys, and left it in 3rd everywhere else. I was still having trouble through Craner Curves; my lack of confidence was saying off the throttle but I knew I could have kept it open. Still, I'd rather be slow and look good rather than push it and look like a tit in the gravel.

I scored 63/100 overall. My weakness was my confidence, strengths were corner exiting and consistency. Not a bad score for a first time track experience, on an alien bike.

It was well worth it being my first time on track, and I don't regret paying the money for it. It was a fantastic experience, and one I'll never forget. All the instructors are very helpful and chatty and made you feel really welcome.

I'll put the pics up when they come through.
____________________
https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[Sparky]

sounds good mate, hope my experience is as good this year and most of all i dont get hurt!
____________________
Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[Dark]

Nice one, thats a good score for your first time!

Interestingly enough, i too have problems hanging off the right hand side of the bike, are there any secrets to overcoming this? or did it just happen?
____________________
My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[colin1]

Im glad you enjoyed it. Sounds great fun.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[fuzz]

[Dark]

[fuzz]

I received the photos this morning. I'm a bit disappointed there wasn't one with my knee on the deck, but they're great quality and a good reminder of the day.

https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9106/haslam1copy8ea.jpg

https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3374/haslam2copy8tx.jpg

https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8400/haslam3copy9kh.jpg

https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9329/haslam4copy4dq.jpg

https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6212/haslam5copy7ro.jpg
____________________
https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[Sparky]

cool

i wanna go, i think i could learn alot there!
i rate myself fairly good but its when you go to these places you realise how wrong you are.

similar to a few years ago , ya know i thought i was a handy lad etc, hold my own throw a good punch etc until i went to thai boxing and leaned properly, it really opened my eyes there were lads there half my size that coulda knocked me on my arse before my pint fell on the floor!


great pics too!
____________________
Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[distortion]

Nice one

How much was it ?
How long riding time ?
How much for the piccys ?
Would you do it again ?

[fuzz]

[jay12329]

Was that 3x45min sessions or 45mins in 3 sessions ie 15minsx3?
And ill refain from coment about the quality of the photographs.
J

[fuzz]

3x15 minutes sessions, and you can't tell the quality of the photos because the ones I posted are low res scans.
____________________
https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[Cillit-BANG]

For that sort of cash I think I would prefer to book a normal trackday with an instructor. Trackday around £100, instructor for the day, usually £150-£200

1-1 tuition for all 6 or 7 x 20 minutes sessions sounds much better value for money.

£249 for 3x 15 min sessions

[jay12329]

[fuzz]

[WishayKillie]

So would you do it again or will you just book a normal track day and use your own gear?
____________________
Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

[carvell]

Not entirely sure why I clicked a thread entitled, "Lost my virginity twice in one day! Now with pics!!!".
____________________
Yamaha TDM 850

[fuzz]

I would do it again, but not until I have a sports bike for everyday use, CBR600F or similar, so that half my time isn't taken up getting used to the bike. Until then, I'll most likely just do normal trackdays.
____________________
https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[carlnicholson...]

No way, I had bike 23 when I was there aswell!

I'm not posting the pics, I had to wear the water proof gimp suit, and my belly smothers the tank! I looked a right tit, but had a top day, glad you did too mate.
____________________
"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."