Shakespear

Thanks Eirik, It impressed me that a hot rod turned into a major step forward in motorcycle road racing. Very cool of you to respond to my need. I think we'll be crossing paths a lot in the forums judging by your post count. I really want to be a better rider and this looks like a great place to hang out. Nic

Its true. The best way to describe my design is a hot rod or custom bike. Its going to be awesome and I'm not 100 percent sure on the turbo but I'm told it can be done. I wonder why anyone wont acknowledge the power to weight of a GP bike. Of course I'm not at that level but If I can learn to get to my level I can improve and I'm telling you I''m going to be able to handle whatever I build or I'll take it apart. I have no death wish. I know there's kids in there early years who can run circles around me. What do I care. I just want to be as good and fast as I can. Power is a good thing on a track bike and if they weren't so strictly governed whoever had the fastest bike would probably win since the top riders are so close in ability Gotta run guys...best to you all. Nic.

So glad you are all looking out for me. No lie and I hear you. Nic

Thomas, Thank you for the straight forward help. It will definitely give me more confidence. All the Best, Nic aka Shakabusa

Erik, I know you must be a good rider but don't under estimate me please. I've been studying Keith's work like a guy in a PhD program. No offense intended...OK?

I've hear of turbos on the track. How much power to weight do you think the GP1 bikes have?

1967 Schwin/Briggs and Stratton motorbike (beat my best buddies Clinton powered bike hands down) 1968 Mini bike built from a steel chair rear and bicycle front end. Locally famous drag racer almost killed himself on it and my brother literally fainted while watch him flip upside down in the air. 1993 or so 750 Ninja and went canyon carving in the mountains above Boulder, CO Good training. Got caught in freak summer snow storm on trip to watch MRA race in Aspen 2012 2011 Hayabusa

After considering all the well meaning advice I'm still going to keep my eye out for a nice late model Gsxr for a while and continue to tweak away on my Busa. If I get enough money into it I'll keep it next to forever. I know there are guys who can make a Busa practically talk. It is probably my best all round bike because I do like to drag, do the twisties, tour, and customize, and eventually get on the track. I will never have two bikes. I'm feel very fortunate to have one good one. I know the bike fairly well because I keep up with Hayabusa.org and ask lots of questions with anyone who will listen, advise, criticize and help. Theres a Busa expert in my area who is really into Turbos. I put thirteen thousand miles on it in a matter of six months or so. A lot of that was in the winter hear in the Northeast US. No mean feat. My ideal plan would be to lighten up the wheels, go to 215hp on the motor and maybe go Turbo next year. Oh yeah, make it pretty as possible. Its a process. I'm learning and I guarantee I'll have a better bike in six months and in six years. One certainly nice thing about building a bike is that you don't have to adhere to anyone else's rules. Sorry I haven't answered some of your response questions just yet because I am pretty bummed about not being able to go to School and I want to deal with my disappointment in a different way right now. I'll get over it and I'm sure I can handle all your observations at a later date. Thanks again.

Wow, does that comment not make sense. I think the main point was me feeling sorry for myself. Apologies

For medical reasons its all a moot point. I'm pulled from School. Now that I can't run down some ot the litre bikes (including the RR) with my 235hp Busa I don't know if I still want a litre bike anymore. I hope I get at least to volunteer on the track on the 26th but thats up to the powers that be. Again, thanks so much for bearing with me through my thought process. Nic

It'll be one fine day when I hear the sound of my knee on the track. Hope I can get the Busa back up. Just kidding (sort of). I'm pretty afraid of getting the knee down but I know as long as I follow the process it should be natural as breathing.

For medical reasons I have to cancel but I'm going to be a spectator while my friend does school. Any suggestions how to make the most of it? I've studied Twist, Twist2, the video, and Soft Science. I keep cycling through them as I'm convince Keith's way is incredible. I started going through his forum articles and it just occurred to me to ask if I can volunteer. I can't tell you how disappointed I am to miss out on being a student but I believe everything happens as it should, even the negative stuff. I was signed up for 26-7, I know I'm going to make a friend or two and a rider from one of my riding groups is going to be there too. The three of us are riding down from NYC metro...me and Chris from Central Long Island and the third from the City itself. We're riding down the day before so we're fresh on the day. If anyone else wants to join us...the more the merrier. One thing I'm not sure about is which track Thunderbolt, Lightening, or some combination of the two are used for the School. I want to familiarize myself with the track as much as possible as well. Any and all input is welcome. Thanks. Nic aka Shakabusa

Keith and Cobie, I started studying again after about six weeks off. I'm glad I did because going through Keith's articles and Cobie's responses I've learned a ton in just a few minutes. I have my books and video standing by for more. I'll be more of a presence in the forums as well. Obviously this is serious business for us all. For the time being I'm going to stick with the Qs even though I had been planning on going to Pilots for cost reasons. I'm really glad I have a better idea how tires work now and especially that it really does, after all, come down to the rider. Hopefully I'll meet you both before long. August 26 and 7 to be exact. Peace Brothers, Nic

Yo Keef! I hope my good natured greeting doesn't get me kicked out School. I know I remember reading, in your own hand if I'm not mistaken, that good natured kidding is a valued part of the forums and not to take them to heart. My respect for you is unsurpassed, maybe equalled but not exceeded. I had a few questions to bring to School in NY in August (26-7) one of the most important, I now understand after reading the article, was how to do this very thing properly. I've been avoiding it because I'm ticked off at myself for continually pogoing the bike and because I thought it didn't really matter off the track or at least when coming to a stop. I hope I haven't done damage to my gearbox in the process of downshifting at rest. The more important heart of the matter is how much attention it robs me of and how exhausting this kind of riding is. NYC metro is busy enough without adding to the chaos. Now I have the tools to maybe correct this before I get to School. Thanks Again, Nic

Keith, Holy petunias! I had a question nagging at me until I decided to settle into the article and learn. Wow, I never would have thought of all that except after years of track riding, hence, my obsession with your methodology. Being a scientist myself I gravitate heavily to your trial and error approach peppered with an emotional flavor in this article but I digress. Which course will we be using at NJ Thunderbolt, Lightening, both or some combination? Hopefully someone will see this and answer for me before I speak to the office tomorrow about another matter. Thanks Boss (sincerely) Nic

Keith, You can be sure I will practice quick flicking every time I'm out from now on. Thanks, Nic

Keith, Thanks for all your wisdom. My friends are marveled by the way I've improved and this is just another piece of the puzzle. Peace out

Thanks for all the different takes on this question guys. Now that I know what I'm doing its time to focus in on making the best use of my prep time between now and Aug 26-7...two single days. Ive watched twotw2 so many times its innumerable and have read the book a lot as well. Also went through Soft Science once plus referencing. I think I'll start going over them again and spend even more time on Keith's more current articles. I'm also trying to familiarize myself with the track in NJ as that is extremely important too.

Also starting to get excited for my camp at NJ Motorsports part. I'm going to get focused as this is a huge big deal to me. Best of luck to you on your Pangiale.

Well...that certainly was informative. I disagree with most of it but that's ok because I respect your opinion. I thought maybe I could get some cheap used Gsxr wheels, and my bling is very inexpensive. I'm good with my wrist twisting so not fearful of extra gearing not to mention that the power to weight ratio of an RR is way bigger on an RR vs Busa. Again, respect to you and thanks for taking the time to respond...oh one lst comment..hp is probably something I can't afford. Hope to see you on the track--in my rear view mirror...just a joke. Peace.

So far I'm keeping Busa unless I can find the right gixxer. In the meantime I'm modding her with a better race seat, bigger rear sprocket so it digs a little better, maybe more hp, and possibly lighter wheels, maybe lowering it, and with some aesthetic stuff thrown in as well. I love the bike and I'm told there are some who can practically make one talk and as much as I doubt I'm one of them, it certainly won't be for lack of want or trying. I really hope I get to be under Keith's watchful eye in my two days this year...my first time in the school. I've studied his methods pretty hard and my friends think I've improved a lot as a result. If I'm gonna be a big bad Busaman he's the one to help me more than anyone don't you think? Nonetheless, I'm also looking forward to the crew chief getting at least a glance at my Busa. I considered renting an RR for the first day but if I still have my bike in August during camp I'll be keeping her for the foreseeable future so its what I want to learn on. Even though Keith thinks the RR is the way to go I just can't swing it financially; if I get the Gsxr its going to be a straight up trade. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a hot topic.

I found a straight up trade for a 2008 gixer1000 with 3000 mi for my 2011 Busa with 16000mi and nice mods that has put up 181hp 109 Tq and went over 200mph on the Dyno. I can ride it respectably in the corners.My main concern is that the Gsxr may be very uncomfortable compared to the Busa.

I'm signed up for 8/26-7 in NJ!

My dyno showed its a two hundred mile an hour bike with 181 hp and 109ft/lbs. Hope I can get it bumped up to 215 by school but doubt it.

All, Signed up for two single class days. Money and the slower learning curve were the deciding factors. One of my best friends is joining me. He will be renting a BMW. If only I could save enough to buy one of those before August 26-7!!! Thanks to everyone who helped me decide about the class. Is anyone signed up for it? Does Keith attend all track days? Thanks again.