So I got myself a TDM (obviously), after many years sans motorbike. I joined a Senior MC club, and they offer some marvellous Driver Development courses. Did the basic one, to reaquire my decades old driving skills, as well as some new ones.
Next step was track day, yesterday. Main themes safe overtaking, braking in before turns, ideal path through turns. 15 minute passes x 4, with 35 bikes on the track, at free speed.
Pass 1: Oh my gocking fod! This is friggin' SCARY! I wanna go home and cry!
Pass 4: Bring it ON! Biggest grin ever!
Needless to say, amongst all the big KTMs, ZZRs, CBRs, MT10s, Ducatis, Aprilias et al, I didn't overtake much.
The straights never saw me above 180 km/h, more likely in the 160s.
In the turns, on the other hand ... I kept pushing the tails of those plastic rockets zooming past me on the straights, and more so as I gained confidence. Sometimes I even had to slow down (no overtaking in curves).
Apart from the straights I mainly stayed in third, working in the 5000-9000 rpm range, whereas my codrivers generally were above 9000, and gearing their toes sore to boot.
First peg contact rattled me some, but I soon developed a feel for when to expect it, learning by each pass to lean inn more to get even closer to the kerbs without sacrificing (too much) speed.
Slightly scary moment being far too late at the end of the short straight, braking hard and gearing down a tad too aggressively at the same time, causing the mother of all fishtails WHILE I had to bend into the curve or hit the gravel pit. Almost had to change my underwear at that one.
I did have some worries about my tires, being quite old (10/2013 Bridgestones), but they stuck like gum.
Suspension (stock) is set up on the hard side, but I haven't fiddled around with it yet. My skills are a far bigger limit than the suspension anyway, but I'll get to it eventually.
Now, I'm on the tall side at 188 (that's 6'2 for the metrically challenged) with gorilla limbs. I definitely need a wider, taller, straighter and more forward bar and lower pegs. I'll look into a 755 with 20 mm higher and forward risers, and 40/50 mm lower pegs. It appears not too much road clearance is sacrificed, either.
Oh, and the trip home - 130 km on mostly winding country roads at dusk, with the comfort of the hand protectors and heated grips (for a total of less than £40), with thin and airy summer gloves ...
Next step was track day, yesterday. Main themes safe overtaking, braking in before turns, ideal path through turns. 15 minute passes x 4, with 35 bikes on the track, at free speed.
Pass 1: Oh my gocking fod! This is friggin' SCARY! I wanna go home and cry!
Pass 4: Bring it ON! Biggest grin ever!
Needless to say, amongst all the big KTMs, ZZRs, CBRs, MT10s, Ducatis, Aprilias et al, I didn't overtake much.
The straights never saw me above 180 km/h, more likely in the 160s. In the turns, on the other hand ... I kept pushing the tails of those plastic rockets zooming past me on the straights, and more so as I gained confidence. Sometimes I even had to slow down (no overtaking in curves).
Apart from the straights I mainly stayed in third, working in the 5000-9000 rpm range, whereas my codrivers generally were above 9000, and gearing their toes sore to boot.
First peg contact rattled me some, but I soon developed a feel for when to expect it, learning by each pass to lean inn more to get even closer to the kerbs without sacrificing (too much) speed.
Slightly scary moment being far too late at the end of the short straight, braking hard and gearing down a tad too aggressively at the same time, causing the mother of all fishtails WHILE I had to bend into the curve or hit the gravel pit. Almost had to change my underwear at that one.
I did have some worries about my tires, being quite old (10/2013 Bridgestones), but they stuck like gum.
Suspension (stock) is set up on the hard side, but I haven't fiddled around with it yet. My skills are a far bigger limit than the suspension anyway, but I'll get to it eventually.
Now, I'm on the tall side at 188 (that's 6'2 for the metrically challenged) with gorilla limbs. I definitely need a wider, taller, straighter and more forward bar and lower pegs. I'll look into a 755 with 20 mm higher and forward risers, and 40/50 mm lower pegs. It appears not too much road clearance is sacrificed, either.
Oh, and the trip home - 130 km on mostly winding country roads at dusk, with the comfort of the hand protectors and heated grips (for a total of less than £40), with thin and airy summer gloves ...
2002 TDM 900 Red/Yellow Cocktail (it's yellow)., biggified some
orry:
 
