Want to try track.

[mechwira]

(i mean if there is science behind adjusting car suspension and shocks and stuff, i believe there's something similar for bike racing).

 

yes, there is 'proper science' to adjusting bike suspension.

 

but if the suspension on your bike is not adjustable to begin with, then what 'set-up' are we talking about? Ever asked your friends this question? or exactly what to adjust for this 'setting-up'? or you send to mechanic, he makes a show of tightening some screw here and there and then tell you $100?

 

a class 2 sportsbike comes with adjustable compression and rebound damping for both front and rear. aftermarket suspension, and some models like the R6, comes with dual-setting damping. it is all these that requires 'setting-up'.

 

but all other bike types, even class 2 roadsters, and your SP, don't come with these adjustable dampers. like i said earlier, you can adjust your rear pre-shock but that is purely about how much it should sag when you sit, nothing more. front fork/yoke height alters the bike's geometry, not suspension, and therefore you drop down the yoke then at best its just cosmetic and at worst it screws the steering.

 

engine and carb tuning is different. yes it may be possible to tune for slightly better power, and yes it would be fun (assuming you do get more power), but i'm sure you'll agree its not technically 'necessary' for track.

[phelan77]

Can i join? Riding fino here....

 

For two stroke bike like SP. Do put in a bit of 2t in yur tank by premixing with t fuel. So that yur

piston wont jam. Due to high rev.

'll b using my st200 to show u around if u r free.

 

8-)

[mahuberani]

Can i join? Riding fino here....

 

yur avatar doesnt look like fino..

hmmmm...

[Heathx]

Hehehe... Probably they play class 2 bikes too long and overlooked that i am riding only a humble SP... Maybe they're sharing about things to come i guess. But yes, if it can't be adjustable then no point doing much about it. But i must say, even my SP, i also dunno what i can do and what i can't. Maybe it's time to finally stop procrastinating and read the manual =p

 

My SP is running on premix. I mix 20ml per litre of petrol. Currently using Maxima castor 927. Heard of a few cases 2T pump spoil, jammed, result in piston jam. So decided to trade for safety at expense of convenience.

[rhema83]

Hehehe... Probably they play class 2 bikes too long and overlooked that i am riding only a humble SP... Maybe they're sharing about things to come i guess. But yes, if it can't be adjustable then no point doing much about it. But i must say, even my SP, i also dunno what i can do and what i can't. Maybe it's time to finally stop procrastinating and read the manual =p

 

My SP is running on premix. I mix 20ml per litre of petrol. Currently using Maxima castor 927. Heard of a few cases 2T pump spoil, jammed, result in piston jam. So decided to trade for safety at expense of convenience.

Don't think of it as "big bike riders overlooking that your bike is only a humble SP". Think of it as "big bike riders sharing whatever they know with you so that you make fewer mistakes". This way, you will be more open-minded and will look out for things as you ride.

 

Motorcycle suspension dynamics are the same for most bikes. The only difference is the quality of the components and the adjustability. Of course, quality and adjustability come at a (often big) cost. That is why bikes with high-end suspension units (e.g. Ducati "S" and "R" superbikes) are much more expensive than bikes without. That said, most modern sport bikes come with decent suspension and can handle themselves well. So the key is to make the best out of what you already have. I used to ride SP on track and if I remember correctly, only the shock's preload is adjustable. Go to http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_technicalities_suspension_springs/ and learn how to set your preload. BT39SS tyres are good enough as long as you are using the stock sizes. I know some people who would put "big bike" front tyres in the rear. I tried it once and the handling was horrible, so don't fall for the trap.

 

As for protective gear, if you don't have the money for a full set of track gear, you can either make do with what you have and ride with a larger safety margin at the track or save up for better gear. If you have never ridden on track, I suggest you go for a couple of short sessions (without taking big risks since you are not as well-protected) and see whether it is really what you like. The worst thing is to buy all the gear and realise that you are not that interested in track. Time and money wasted.

 

By the way, more 2T does not mean no piston jam. The carburetor settings (i.e. jet sizes) matter too. But if your bike has not been modified, you should be fine.

[Heathx]

Don't think of it as "big bike riders overlooking that your bike is only a humble SP". Think of it as "big bike riders sharing whatever they know with you so that you make fewer mistakes". This way, you will be more open-minded and will look out for things as you ride.

 

Motorcycle suspension dynamics are the same for most bikes. The only difference is the quality of the components and the adjustability. Of course, quality and adjustability come at a (often big) cost. That is why bikes with high-end suspension units (e.g. Ducati "S" and "R" superbikes) are much more expensive than bikes without. That said, most modern sport bikes come with decent suspension and can handle themselves well. So the key is to make the best out of what you already have. I used to ride SP on track and if I remember correctly, only the shock's preload is adjustable. Go to http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_technicalities_suspension_springs/ and learn how to set your preload. BT39SS tyres are good enough as long as you are using the stock sizes. I know some people who would put "big bike" front tyres in the rear. I tried it once and the handling was horrible, so don't fall for the trap.

 

As for protective gear, if you don't have the money for a full set of track gear, you can either make do with what you have and ride with a larger safety margin at the track or save up for better gear. If you have never ridden on track, I suggest you go for a couple of short sessions (without taking big risks since you are not as well-protected) and see whether it is really what you like. The worst thing is to buy all the gear and realise that you are not that interested in track. Time and money wasted.

 

By the way, more 2T does not mean no piston jam. The carburetor settings (i.e. jet sizes) matter too. But if your bike has not been modified, you should be fine.

 

Thanks Rhema for the tips. I will continue to read up more first on all the details regarding suspension loading, how to corner properly, techniques and stuff. So far, i've been playing around in this disused open carpark near my place and starting to corner tighter and faster, and going lower. Slowly getting the hang of it.

 

Perhaps soon i may go to PG with my friend once his bike is set up, but i'll prolly go slow and play safe. maybe around 60-160kmph range depending on the type of bends and straights. Just to get a feel. Will definitely need to replace my rear shock and check the front suspension again. Front wobbles a bit when i do 90 degree corner at 70 kmph.

[mahuberani]

Thanks Rhema for the tips. I will continue to read up more first on all the details regarding suspension loading, how to corner properly, techniques and stuff. So far, i've been playing around in this disused open carpark near my place and starting to corner tighter and faster, and going lower. Slowly getting the hang of it.

 

Perhaps soon i may go to PG with my friend once his bike is set up, but i'll prolly go slow and play safe. maybe around 60-160kmph range depending on the type of bends and straights. Just to get a feel. Will definitely need to replace my rear shock and check the front suspension again. Front wobbles a bit when i do 90 degree corner at 70 kmph.

 

when will we go??

my scoot st200 is totally stock.

[Heathx]

when will we go??

my scoot st200 is totally stock.

 

Hahaha! bro! i got ur number! when i confirm with my friend then i let you know arh! but likely not too soon. His custom suspension has yet to arrive from UK. And i think i want to at least take a look at my front and rear shocks see if i need to change anything or not. My rear suspension feels very soft.

[rhema83]

Thanks Rhema for the tips. I will continue to read up more first on all the details regarding suspension loading, how to corner properly, techniques and stuff. So far, i've been playing around in this disused open carpark near my place and starting to corner tighter and faster, and going lower. Slowly getting the hang of it.

 

Perhaps soon i may go to PG with my friend once his bike is set up, but i'll prolly go slow and play safe. maybe around 60-160kmph range depending on the type of bends and straights. Just to get a feel. Will definitely need to replace my rear shock and check the front suspension again. Front wobbles a bit when i do 90 degree corner at 70 kmph.

I don't suggest practicing in a non-controlled environment. It is simply not safe. Plus you may get into trouble with the law.

 

If you must practice in an open space, make sure that so that you don't endanger innocent pedestrian passing by. Ensure that the practice area is free from oil slick and debris. Mark out your practice track with cones or half-filled water bottles at the corner apexes, and leave plenty of run-off areas outside the corners in case you run wide or slide out. Wear proper riding attire and have a buddy watch out for you in case anything happens, and to watch for "unwanted guests". Start slow and warm up your tyres first. Focus on practicing the proper techniques rather than speed. Some of the hardest corners are low-speed (e.g. PG's chicane, Sepang's hairpin).

 

When you finally hit the track, don't fixate on the 160kph (or any speed target). Going fast in a straight line takes very little skill; it is the corners that separate real riders from poseurs. Start slow and don't always look at the speedometer. Try to remember the gear and the rpm range instead. Also, as a novice, it is always better to go into a corner slower and lose a second or so, than to go into a corner too fast and end up in the grass / gravel. There is no prize for going fast at this moment, but a big repair bill awaits if you crash. But if you enter a corner too hot, don't panic. Look where you want to go (i.e. the exit of the corner, not the grass or gravel trap), trust the bike and hold the throttle steady. You'll be surprised how low the bike can go without sliding out.

 

I will be going to PG again after a 5-year break, and I will definitely follow my own advice to stay safe. Maybe I'll see you there!

Edited February 15, 2013 by rhema83

[Heathx]

I don't suggest practicing in a non-controlled environment. It is simply not safe. Plus you may get into trouble with the law.

 

If you must practice in an open space, make sure there is nobody else so that you don't endanger innocent lives. Check that the area has no oil or debris; bring a broom to sweep things away if necessary. Mark out your practice track with cones or filled water bottles at the corner apexes, and leave plenty of run-off areas outside the corner in case you run wide or slide out. Wear proper attire and have a buddy watch out for you in case anything happens and to watch for "unwanted guests". Start slow and warm up your tyres first.

 

Going fast in a straight line takes very little skill, so don't fixate on the 160kph (or any speed target). It is the corners that separate real riders from poseurs. Start slow and don't always look at the speedometer. Try to remember the gear and the rpm range instead. Also, as a novice, it is always better to go into a corner slower and lose a second or so, than to go into a corner too fast and end up in the grass / gravel. There is no prize for going fast at this moment, but a big repair bill awaits if you crash.

 

I will be going to PG again after a 4-year hiatus, and I will also follow my own novice advice until I am more familiar and confident.

 

Heh, that open carpark has no one parking there, and seldom have people walk through it unless evening or early mornings. It's really just a maybe 30m by 70m open space with faded carpark markings. Apparently it's for use only during those 7th month getais.

 

But i seldom go there. So far only twice. It's too small to set up a 'track' there persay, what i usually do is my pylon slalom at faster speeds to get used to switching directions like in a chicane. Then i'll do S turns and U-turns. These help me gain confidence. But i sometimes feel sheepish when i do that, cos got a school and near hdb. Dun think i will be doing there again, scared kena complain... hahaha... but singapore really like not much place to do... maybe old thomson road perhaps...

[heysugar]

I am apparently interested to try track, not going to beat lap timings but to have a feel to be riding in a real circuit, have heard of the 'Bmw bend' or the series of sharp hair pins over at PG.

 

Now, what are the things do I need to prepare myself for? Let's say I'm ridding a stock 400cc naked? How about gears? Is jeans with knee protectors sufficient for 1st timers on the track? Would love to join any track session up at PG!

 

 

Sent from Blackberry Smartphones®

[mahuberani]

I am apparently interested to try track, not going to beat lap timings but to have a feel to be riding in a real circuit, have heard of the 'Bmw bend' or the series of sharp hair pins over at PG.

 

Now, what are the things do I need to prepare myself for? Let's say I'm ridding a stock 400cc naked? How about gears? Is jeans with knee protectors sufficient for 1st timers on the track? Would love to join any track session up at PG!

 

 

Sent from Blackberry Smartphones®

 

http://www.johorcircuit.com.my/

 

under "booking" , it states t minimum requirement for track.

[rhema83]

I am apparently interested to try track, not going to beat lap timings but to have a feel to be riding in a real circuit, have heard of the 'Bmw bend' or the series of sharp hair pins over at PG.

 

Now, what are the things do I need to prepare myself for? Let's say I'm ridding a stock 400cc naked? How about gears? Is jeans with knee protectors sufficient for 1st timers on the track? Would love to join any track session up at PG!

 

 

Sent from Blackberry Smartphones®

Just don't go on the official "Track Days". The track is usually crowded on these days and IMHO is not very conducive for novices.

[Raptor]

Self deleted.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Raptor

[Raptor]

Self deleted.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Raptor

[heysugar]

http://www.johorcircuit.com.my/

 

under "booking" , it states t minimum requirement for track.

 

Hey thanks for the tip!

 

 

Sent from Blackberry Smartphones®

[heysugar]

Just don't go on the official "Track Days". The track is usually crowded on these days and IMHO is not very conducive for novices.

 

Yup obviously, I assume there's a calendar of track days on the pg website right?

 

 

Sent from Blackberry Smartphones®

[rhema83]

Is anyone keen to go on this Sunday, 17 Mar 2013?

[stfu]

Is anyone keen to go on this Sunday, 17 Mar 2013?

I dont mind tagging along

[rhema83]

I dont mind tagging along

 

Do you know the exact way there? The last time I went was in early 2008, before the new Malaysian immigration complex and the new highway interchanges were built. I think I will lose my way if I go on my own.

Edited March 15, 2013 by rhema83

[dragonforce]

Do you know the exact way there? The last time I went was in early 2008, before the new Malaysian immigration complex and the new highway interchanges were built. I think I will lose my way if I go on my own.

 

crap.. just realised about this. was planning to go tmr. arghhhhhh.. i havent been there for a year already. anybody wants to go tmr morning?

[MIGHTY MAX]

31st im goin

[stfu]

How about someone organize for the month of april?

[MIGHTY MAX]

14 apr trackday...i try to apply leave subjected approve...if u wanna go...pm me

[rhema83]

crap.. just realised about this. was planning to go tmr. arghhhhhh.. i havent been there for a year already. anybody wants to go tmr morning?

 

I found out that the plastic parts on my riding boots have softened over the years and tore when I tried to buckle down the boots. Tomorrow is a no-go and I need to get some new boots. Dammit.