Track day #2 - first time on Gixxer race bike - where are my training wheels?

[c0ldgirl]

A friend of mine has an extra 02 GSXR 600 race bike not in use so it's mine to use on track days for a while. Some facts that factor into my question:

1)I've been to only 2 track days
2)I go fairly slow on track
3)I ride a 98 YZF 600R on the street.

I rode the Gixxer the first time yesterday and it felt like the first time riding a bike without training wheels. I was all over the place. It was very twitchy and with every slight movement I felt the input on the bike whether going straight or turning. I am kind of happy about that actually because I need lots of practice and when an instructor told me to relax my arms, I immediately felt the difference in the turns. This bike loves to turn, and it loves to turn so much more than what I'm used to that I was always having to correct myself. I don't think I had more than 4 clean, uncorrected corners the whole day. Even at slower speeds, like in the pit area, I felt a bit unstable, and kind of top heavy. My first track day several months ago i used my street bike and felt pretty comfortable by the end of the day, but I never got used to the Gixxer...at all.

Is this the way all Gixxers feel or is this the way all race bikes with race tires feel? I was told that the wobbly feeling is because of the shape of the tires.

I didn't get to work with my instructor very much yesterday. Are there things I should concentrate working on first or the most on track days on the Gixxer to set the best foundation to build my skills on? Like should I concentrate working on the line and relaxing my arms, then once I remember to consistently relax my arms to add in something else? What's the next important step?

I also loosened up the steering dampner because it felt hard to corner. Then after the first session, I tightened it slightly. Didn't make too much of a difference. I am pretty sure that was because my arms were stiff and I need to remember to relax consistently, so should I leave the dampner where it's at or is there a benefit to a novice to have it tighter. I'm not accelerating out of corners hard at all, so I'm guessing this is a moot point, I just thought I'd ask, just in case.

My basic concerns are how unstable I felt on the Gixxer and how difficult it was for me to control the bike through the corners. I know I'll get better with seat time so if there are things I can do to build the best foundation of skills, I want to know. Also, if there are characteristics that are inherent with a Gixxer or or with riding on races tire that make a bike feel like I described, I'd like to hear that too so I know for peace of mind that it's not all me. I've been told that I'm a good rider and that I'm really smooth and consistent but I felt completely opposite that yesterday. All you input is appreciated.

Oh, I just bought Keith Codes A Twist of the Wrist 2. I hope this also helps improve my riding.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

If the tires your use to are somewhat worn, especially in the center, it can take more effort to get the bike to turn because more surface area is on the ground and the transition from verticle to leaning is not a continuous radius. Lower pressure in the tires your use to can also have a harder to turn effect. But my money would be on the 'geometry' and suspension 'set-up' of the bike, this would include angle of the forks (rake and trail) / swingarm angle, length, and front pivot point location / front to rear weight bias / the spring strength as compared to your body weight / and suspension damping settings. The GSXR line since '96 has been purpose built with the racetrack in mind 1st and adapted for street use 2nd, the handling is designed so it will go where you want it to on the track (light steering and possible 'twitchy') as opposed to being 'freindly' to steer on the street (slightly harder to turn but possibly smoother because of it).

As you get faster you may find the steering seems to set into it's zone a bit as more corner load is applied, but I think what your experiencing is more the fact that your bike is more old school and that GSXR is more of a new school approach. The '96 GSXR 750 was revolutionary when it was released and led to the awesome performing sportbikes of today, after that bike was released the other manufacturers followed suit and there where massive changes to most sportbikes over the next 5 years or so. Your bike just so happened to be one of the last of the older generation of sportbikes, it was replaced by the R6 which followed the new train of thought on what was needed in a sportbike.

I would probably ask an instructor to take the bike out for a few laps and give you their opinion if it's handling ok, but I think it may be that your just going to have to get use to the razor-edge handling of the newer sportbikes.

[c0ldgirl]

That sounds about right. I thought the difference was going to be a huge learning curve for me. Describing the handling as razor-edge is exactly how it felt...perfect description. I was pretty nervous every time I went out on Sunday, but today I'm looking forward to getting back out there and getting more practice.

[RRRR6]

Originally Posted by c0ldgirl

A friend of mine has an extra 02 GSXR 600 race bike not in use so it's mine to use on track days for a while. Some facts that factor into my question:

1)I've been to only 2 track days
2)I go fairly slow on track
3)I ride a 98 YZF 600R on the street.

I rode the Gixxer the first time yesterday and it felt like the first time riding a bike without training wheels. I was all over the place. It was very twitchy and with every slight movement I felt the input on the bike whether going straight or turning. I am kind of happy about that actually because I need lots of practice and when an instructor told me to relax my arms, I immediately felt the difference in the turns. This bike loves to turn, and it loves to turn so much more than what I'm used to that I was always having to correct myself. I don't think I had more than 4 clean, uncorrected corners the whole day. Even at slower speeds, like in the pit area, I felt a bit unstable, and kind of top heavy. My first track day several months ago i used my street bike and felt pretty comfortable by the end of the day, but I never got used to the Gixxer...at all.

Is this the way all Gixxers feel or is this the way all race bikes with race tires feel? I was told that the wobbly feeling is because of the shape of the tires.

I didn't get to work with my instructor very much yesterday. Are there things I should concentrate working on first or the most on track days on the Gixxer to set the best foundation to build my skills on? Like should I concentrate working on the line and relaxing my arms, then once I remember to consistently relax my arms to add in something else? What's the next important step?

I also loosened up the steering dampner because it felt hard to corner. Then after the first session, I tightened it slightly. Didn't make too much of a difference. I am pretty sure that was because my arms were stiff and I need to remember to relax consistently, so should I leave the dampner where it's at or is there a benefit to a novice to have it tighter. I'm not accelerating out of corners hard at all, so I'm guessing this is a moot point, I just thought I'd ask, just in case.

My basic concerns are how unstable I felt on the Gixxer and how difficult it was for me to control the bike through the corners. I know I'll get better with seat time so if there are things I can do to build the best foundation of skills, I want to know. Also, if there are characteristics that are inherent with a Gixxer or or with riding on races tire that make a bike feel like I described, I'd like to hear that too so I know for peace of mind that it's not all me. I've been told that I'm a good rider and that I'm really smooth and consistent but I felt completely opposite that yesterday. All you input is appreciated.

Oh, I just bought Keith Codes A Twist of the Wrist 2. I hope this also helps improve my riding.

First of all, 'race bike' is pretty vague. A lot of race bikes are stock with safety wire but on the other end of the spectrum they can be $50000 works of art. If your on something on the lower end of mods, I would have someone experienced ride it to see if something drastic isn't wrong. With your little experience, and the bike being 6 years old, it could very easily be something with the bike.

Thats all I can really suggest. You'll get better with time but this bike shouldn't be like trying to throw left handed all of a sudden.

and....the steering dampner should probably just be set somewhere in the middle and left alone. You wont' notice anything just cruising around the track.

[c0ldgirl]

Yeah. The race bike description is pretty crappy, and I don't have many details on why it's not a regular bike with the street lights and fairings removed. I didn't have time to get it all described to me on Sunday but I plan to find out this weekend. The bikes owner rides a Triumph 675 at the track and said the bike was twitchy but they were too cramped up to ride it. The ergonomics seem to fit me ok. Next track day I'll get an instructor to take it around for a couple laps and go from there.

[RRRR6]

Originally Posted by c0ldgirl

Yeah. The race bike description is pretty crappy, and I don't have many details on why it's not a regular bike with the street lights and fairings removed. I didn't have time to get it all described to me on Sunday but I plan to find out this weekend. The bikes owner rides a Triumph 675 at the track and said the bike was twitchy but they were too cramped up to ride it. The ergonomics seem to fit me ok. Next track day I'll get an instructor to take it around for a couple laps and go from there.

cool..good luck

675 compared to an 02 gsxr6k is night and day.
675 is looong and lean