DamienC

39 000 euros it seems...the question is if there is much to add to it to make it a race bike...Anyway, out of my price range ! (not even talking about the costs of parts and maintenance). But it surely is a beautiful bike !

I am dying to have some feedback on the behavior of the new s1000rr (announced tomorrow !!!) on the track...Entirely new bike, 207 hp... And I am even more curious about the behavior of the new Ducati V4R... with the Akra line, they announce 234 hp for only 165 kg, in a 998 cc (so OK for normal competition) ! If the frame and electronics (provided the suspensions should be top notch as they are full Akra and the brakes also high end) are good, that is it corners well, it could kill all competition...that also means that it should not be a special series as they must produce a minimum number of OEM bikes so that it's allowed in competitions. Price will also be way above average...but still should stay below 40000 euros (otherwise, again, the bike will not be allowed in most competitions), so still 1/2 the price of the HP4 Race...but anyway, all this is still just on paper...let see what test riders say when they take it out on track...big engine is one thing, but it is not sufficient to make it a killer bike on the track ! But it's all exciting ! But Kawa, Suz and Yam will need to bring their bikes to the next levels if the Ducati and BMW are not only big engines but also great cornering machines ! EXCITING !!!

I currently have A-star GP Tech gloves, their best track gloves. They are great gloves but to be honest, they are not as good as my previous Rev'it Jerez Pro. The only reason I got them is because when my Rev'it got a little too old, I needed to buy gloves very fast, and the Rev'it distribution here is not so great... The A-star are great, but I had to send them back twice because, without any crash, some of the sewing thread were falling apart. First time after only 3 track days, second time 6 months later. So not very happy with that. Did not happen with my Rev'it. But the real difference between the two is that the leather on the palm of the Rev-it is kangaroo leather (compared to more standard stuff on the A-star) and while very solid, it is thinner. And actually, I do feel the difference: I have better contact on my handlebars with the rev-it than with the A-star. That said, except for that, the A-star are also state-of-the-art protection etc...so very good gloves indeed. But next round, I will go back to Rev'it Jerez Pro.

Hmmm..while I am not riding BMW anymore, my local dealer remembered my addiction and just invited me for a special evening to have a look at an HP4 Race they have in the shop (temporarily)...will never ever afford such a bike (and I would be way to scared to go down...don't even want to think about insurance costs !), but it may be as close as I will ever get to such a super equipped superbike ! Too bad we will not have the chance to ride it ! But that front fork...OMG (and I do have a really good one on my current bike...but that FGR...)...(-:

I am quite tall...and I was not flexible. That really annoyed me because I felt limited when riding my bike on the track. And also, it is of common knowledge that if you fall, being flexible is one good way to prevent injury...So one year ago, I started Yoga... simple, at home, 3 times a weeks. For sure, it helped me tremendously with my balance, flexibility and core strength. And to be honest, I really saw the difference in my riding. It helped my position, I got a better body lock on the bike, my back had to compensate less for the lack of core strength, so less back pain at the end of the session...and well, the measurable result: I am faster on faster on the track, and I do believe this is part of the reason. So I can only recommend yoga for riding. It did help me.

Interesting ! Thanks !

This is interesting. From the UK Department for Transport... https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/ Makes me rethink a bit my next purchase !

Hi Cobie, I am using an SR1 that I bought through CSS a few years ago. I like it a lot, but to me, it has one major drawback. Without a few extra pieces of foam at the top of the helmet (inside), I find the "vision" area to be too low. When I am riding at full lean angle and trying to look at my next reference point, the top for the vision area gets in the way. It is too low. Not sure what I say is clear... This is something that, I believe, has always been a problem with the SR1 for track riding, as the coaches at CSS already suggested us during a 2-day camp to use a piece of foam inside. Did they correct that in the SR2 ? I am on the market for a replacement of my SR1, and for me, that would be a reason not to get the SR2, despite all the advantages that the SR1, and SR2 I guess, have. I tried an AGV Pista and regarding the field of view, it is really superior to the SR1. I would have gotten one if it was not ridiculously expensive. So what is your experience and that of your students regarding the vision area with the SR2 ? Do you still suggest students to use a piece of foam ? Thank you !

While I am not Tom Sykes (-;, I must say that the fork of the Kawa is definitively better than that of the R1. However, I did upgrade both rear and front suspensions (and still barely above the s1000rr price)... Thing is that at least here, support for the R1, spare parts, actual costs of OEM parts if needed (I mean, have you ever bought from BMW just a screw for the s1000rr ? It's just outrageous !) etc...are very reasonable, so you can really get an amazing bike for a really reasonable overall price (well...the costs of a superbike, even full factory, is not reasonable anyway). I have upgraded lots of things, and now my bike is killing it. I really think the R1 is the bike for DIY upgrading, which is not the case of the s1000rr. I only got professional help to get it tuned (no ECU flash from third party company, I went with the YEC system) and to replace the fork kit. I did everything else on my own. So I think also the R1 is a really fantastic platform if you are a bit into mechanics, electronics, without being a pro either. Because all of these superbikes can run better than any of the bikes most of us have, when in the hands of expert mechanics... They can all be incredible. But then, there is what I can do and how far I can bring a bike without selling my house and hiring a mechanic !

For the track, the R1...no hesitation for me...Note that my comments are ONLY for the track, not for the road. I have tried a lot of them. I had an HP4, which I turned into a track bike, I rode the 2015 and 2016 s1000rr both here and at CSS, did give the RSV4 a ride on a track, as well as the new GSXR and the Kawa. Only ones I have not tried in the main models are the Ducati and the Honda. So...Ducati: too expensive, and, at least here, lots of issues with getting spare parts etc... The Honda: I have no clue. The Kawa, I was very disappointed, and lots of people around here too. Great engine, great fork...but I just could not get it to work. And no, the one from Rea has nothing to do with the production one (-: The s1000rr: amazing engine, probably one of the best. But at the end of the day, I don't really feel the vibe of a race bike (but that's really a personal thing)...and all the things that make me love the R1 are the things that I miss on the s1000rr (see below). The rsv4: great bike, sick looking, sick sound. It has really only 2 issues: forget it if you are tall (yes, it's much more problematic than on the R1) and again, the after sale support here is just horrible. People have had their bikes stuck for months just because they could not get the right part. And now the R1, which is my baby. On the road (yeah, I had to do 600 miles on the road to get the engine dialed in), it is the worst bike ever. Really. Why ? Because the guys at Yamaha (and that's an info I got directly from the guys at Yamaha) did not bother tuning it below 7000-8000 rpm. So when you are on the road, at low rpm, the throttle control is painful, the bike is not smooth, just horrible. The BMW is soooo much better. But when you get to the track, it's another story. First the R1 is made to be prepared. So much more than the R1 for the lambda person (of course, the HP Race department at BMW can do miracle with the s1000rr, but we don't all have the HP Race support right ? one good example: here, most BMW dealer have no clue about Power kit, RCK etc...when Yamaha guys know what to do with their bike to improve it for the track). It has a lot of factory limits, so some work is required to get it going...remove the cat, get a proper exhaust, get the YEC system (the equivalent of the RCK...just much cheaper) and most importantly, get it properly tuned by a pro. That makes a huuuuge difference. In particular because out of the box, the R1 has way too much engine brake. Everybody says that the R1 does not push like the s1000rr...true...above 15000 rpm (different engines). Below, my R1 is a rocket. The torque is actually higher than the 2016 s1000rr from my friend (which has also been tuned), the power curve is perfect, and I get 215 hp at the crank, 197 at the rear wheel on a very conservative dyno. So power ? Not an issue. In par with the s1000rr, better than the other guys I have tried. Then the electronics: they are just more advanced than on the s1000rr. it takes a bit of time to tune them as you have lots of possibilities, but once you are dialed in, they just work amazingly. And the best part of the R1...it is a 200 hp liter bike...and it rides like a 600. It is so much more agile than the s1000rr, even at my level, I just see the difference. My first day on the R1, I improved my lap time that I set with the s1000rr..by a few seconds ! It goes in the curves on to the apex like crazy. It is so easy to move around and with the torque, the corner exit is creazy. I think, for me, this aspect of the bike is probably the biggest difference with the BMW: it is so much more agile. So while the BMW will be a total blast in a straight line, because very high in the rpm you will have to juice, which the R1 does not have (need to switch gear), in the corners, the R1 is by far (to me !) the better bike. Last but not least, with all the mods I did on my R1, the total price is barely above that of a s1000rr with the minimum required to get it track ready... I love the s1000rr, but I think the R1 is currently the better bike for most riders who don't have an army of technicians and a lot of money. Of course, the HP4 race is probably amazing...but we are not talking about a superbike anymore then...we are talking about something that costs 4 times the price... My 2 cents...

I will have a look at some pics and post them to get feedback. Thanks !

Hi, I am looking for some advice for a problem that I already encountered at my last CSS class. This has to do with my lack of symetry (-;. Bottom line is that my lock on left corners is really good, I can get my body nicely positioned, I am really relaxed on the handlebars, can move my upper body very freely. On the right corners, this is not as good. My lock is not so great. During the first laps, it's OK, but rapidly, as soon as I get a bit tired, my left leg does not hold me very well in position, so I don't have a good movement, I compensate with my back (and so I get pain in my back) and I am less relaxed on the handlebars and use my harms too much. So except for going to the gym to get all those muscles from left leg, body core etc..reinforced to have a better, stronger lock, any advice on exercises or anything that would help me solve this symmetry issue ? Thanks !

France

Well....until January 1st 2016, we could not have (except on the track of course) more than 106 hp...So my religion was repressed big time until then

Thing is that, at least on my bike (Yamaha R1, cannot talk for sure about others), the impact of turning your throttle on the opening of the system is not equivalent depending from where to where it goes. More specifically, the first degrees don't have the same effect that the last ones. It is not linear. So a fast throttle does not have to make the bike more difficult to manage. For instance, my bike (1000 cc) at the moment has huge power (215 cv at the crank) and huge torque (>13). And the fast throttle is very very precise to manage...because it is not much different than the normal throttle at the beginning (so it's not like you don't manage the power well initially, it's almost normal), but then when you get WOT, so in the last part of the rotation, that's where I need to turn it much less than the normal throttle. But then, that's where the power differential is less important, so this is super easy to manage. And I really appreciate not having to reposition my hand..actually I find that having to reposition my hand rather makes me do some "parasite" moves on the throttle, which destabilise the bike more. My 2 cents.

What is really noticeable on many pics is that when leaning, his outer knee is right up in the air...not locking is body...So I guess he has enough strength on his inner leg to still lock his position although his knee is not touching the tank. Wondering what the CSS coaches think about his body position when leaned.

I think about my hand positions a lot. On my track bike, the position of the brake lever vs clutch lever are very different. I don' t know what's good what's bad, but I played a lot with that to find what works for me. Then when leaning to the right, I actually do think a lot about moving my hand so that it is in continuity with the throttle for better control. Also I changed the throttle so have less angle when WOT. Like this, I don't need to turn my hand so much and I feel I have more control.

I was available, I think the school was available...but my bloody work was not available )-: Unfortunately, it is tricky for me...usually not too many options, as I have to cross the atlantic to come ! Anyway...lots of track days planned here so that I improve and reach my limits again...and then it will be time to get back to CSS to break these limits... I am so sorry I won't be able to make fun of Gerry (-;

Sad day today...the day I have news from work that on the ONE date I was available to go for a 2-day camp at CSS....I have to be at work, and no way around it... Sad day indeed...looking forward 2018 then...

Live chats about bike setups, techniques, rider's gear would be awesome...especially as everybody is preparing for the 2017 season...

My first pick is Rossi...because he is just a little younger than I am...go old man ! Go ! My second pick is Vinales...because everybody expects one of the top three guy to do it again. He is fast on a few laps...just needs to stay fast over the entire race. My third pick is Cal Crutchlow...of course he won't win, but I hope he will manage to win a race this year. He is on a satellite team, and the guy is actually very funny. And also because then, someone who is neither from Spain or from Italy wins ! My last pick is Loris Baz...now way on earth he would win, but because he is a tall rider, just a little taller than I am...I want the end of the domination of the gnomes !!! And I cannot stand Lorenzo. He is an amazing rider, but the guy is so arrogant. Funny the comment of the Yamaha mechanics on the Motogp site the other day. It was something like Vinales can be as fast as Lorenzo, but with a better character. Wondering whether Yamaha is that sad to see Lorenzo leave...

Interesting topic ! Bikespeedman, your upcoming 2nd bike, apparently an R1...will it be a 2015-2017 model ? If so, go and try it first. My R1 is a track only bike but I did the official 1000 km on the road first, nicely, as recommended...the new R1 is NOT a comfortable bike on the road. The engine is not smooth enough at low RPM to be comfortable on the road as a commuter. At least, I hated it when doing these 1000 loooong kms... My former s1000rr was way more comfortable on the road than the R1, by far. Now my R1 is a track-only bike (so was my s1000rr eventually), and there I like it much better than the s1000rr. But for the road...ouch !

yeah he can ride this Rea !!!

My 2 cents All of these comparisons are really meaningless. None of them ever are a direct comparison and even if they were they would still be equally meaningless. You could compare the same rider on the exact same bike and get different results depending on what they had to eat and how much sleep they got. Even the ambient conditions could change a test rending the result equally as meaningless. What does all this mean? Spend less time comparing numbers and spend more time enjoying your bike. That's really the only thing that means anything. If comparison is what tickles your fancy find something that you can actually do a real comparison with results that can actually be replicated. Motorcycles have way too many variables. Are all the numbers completely useless? No. As long as you keep the variability in mind they can be somewhat useful for accomplishing some goals. Just stay grounded somewhat in reality about what they really mean. We cannot agree more ! That's exactly the point I was trying to make (maybe the message did not go through (-. Whatever numbers says, in every aspect of the bike, from power to weight to handling, these things are so complicated that the really best working bike does not have to have all the newest parts...it has to be the one that has the best balance, where everything works well together, and that works with one's way of riding and one's level of riding. That's why I only do mods that are strongly advised to me by either riders of similar or slightly higher levels than mine, or by people I trust (from riding coaches to mechanics I know well), as mods that will help my riding. Or of course, mods that I manage to try first. Unfortunately though, sometimes you have to read or take a leap of faith, because it's not that easy to "pre-test" any potential mod (too bad!). But I never do that on mods that are really expensive. And anyway, I don't spend a sent on something if that means that I have to cancel a track day ! Riding remains priority number one. This is all about having fun (although chatting about bike tech is also part of the fun !). To give an example, when I changed bike recently, I went from an s1000rr which I had used for 2 years to the R1, despite the fact that all the numbers of the s1000rr engine are ahead. I did that because of 2 major things. First, I had a lot of feedback that the R1's handling would be the most adapted to me. And second, and most important, I actually used one on the track for an entire day before making my choice. And that day was a fun day. After the first session or two, I was totally set on getting an s1000rr. But session after session, I got to like the R1 more and more, and it grew on me. Does it mean the R1 is the better bike than the s1000rr ? Certainly not. It only means that at this moment, with my level, my riding, what I am trying to achieve on a motorcycle, the R1 was the better choice for me. What one wants to achieve is also key. The bike of one of my best friend is way more advanced than mine, with all the fancy parts. And he is quite slower than me. Am I judging him because his bike is way more expensive than mine and still he is slow ? Never: If that's part of his pleasure, to have a very nice bike, very beautiful with all the accessories, I respect that. Everybody is trying something different. And you would put any CSS coach on a crappy bike and me on the latest of the latest, she/he would still be much faster than me . But still, I am really working on getting faster and faster. Any mod I will do will go in that direction. And by the way, the best thing I can do for getting faster is modifying....myself ! More classes, more advice on my riding will always bring better result than changing the bike :lol:

Bikespeedman...hmm..I think a real moto2 will get you wayyyyy beyond the HP4 Race in terms of price ! Anyway, the thing is not really to know whether the carbon frame had the potential to be notch, or just a "concept" without that much real advantage for random riders (so like me (-...because the fact that it does have the potential does not make it work, even with top engineering. These are very complex problems...the frame, like the rest, needs to work in harmony with everything else... Without that you can have the best frame ever without any good result. For instance I was reading a very interesting article in a sportbike magazine where they were interviewing the teams of the WSBK (so...these guys are...well...not bad ! In the Jerez test, Rea's lap on his WSBK Kawasaki was faster than...Rossi's pole position lap at the same place this year...). Anyway, what the technicians of the two teams that are using BMW both independently said is that yes, the BMW engine is the best, most powerful etc...but they are not competitive because they don't manage to transfer all that power so efficiently to the ground. So more powerful but less efficient. And even at lower levels. Here in national championships, the R1s are outcompeting the S1000rr...although without dramatic mods, the s1000rr engine has still higher numbers...and gives you a tremendous excitement on the straights...but the bike is just less efficient overall and so does not win the races. So all in all, while an engineer knowing all the tids and bits about carbon performance and how a carbon frame could be THE thing...until he/she has really looked it up (and tested) and investigated how it works together with all the rest, there is no real way to predict whether it will actually be of any real interest... My 2 cents (-: