First Track Day in Hanoi...

[simplest2remember_imp]

Got the chance to compare my CB on the track against a Bonneville 800 and a Kawa Z800 (pity it wasn't the W800, a much better matched machine to the others).





The Triumph was interesting; it was faster around the track due to what felt like an easier / quicker turn in - a bit more nimble then. This may have something to do will the expensive Ohlins he's had fitted to the machine. The single front disk couldn't match the CB however, so braking needed to be started earlier. Also, it didn't feel as fast on the straights, despite some other modifications the owner has done (mostly to improve the now excellent low end torque). I'm not a big fan of the Bonneville look, so have no designs on swapping my CB this way.

The Z800 is more of a sit up and beg (which suits me) naked street racer. The owner, a slip of a Vietnamese lad, told me he wasn't impressed with the big mileage comfort - though for the few laps I did on it it was certainly comfy. It felt marginally faster than the CB, though not the 45% or that it has on the CB11. The Z800 has 112BHP I think he said. It didn't feel that must faster, but then I have a pretty loud exhaust on mine which probably makes me _think_ it's going faster. The handling was superior to the CB, at least for zipping around cones and that, with a lovely silky, zippy, sportyness to it. But then that's because it's not a tourer like the other two - the pillion seat is for very small buttocked women (or men), it seems to me.

If you've read this far, then consider answering this question: would Olins (or YPV or one of the other suspension kits) be a waste of money. The Bonny certainly handled better but that may be because it's a Bonny, rather than because of the Olins.

[the Ferret]

If I were going to do that seriously, upgraded suspension would definitly be one of the areas I would improve. For normal street riding the stock suspension suits me fine, others not so much.

Good suspension, lower handlebars, losing weight ( bike and self) and best rubber you can find for these wheels are all areas to improve on if you wanted to road race one of these.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Looks like it was fun

[4 Paws_imp]

Thanks for posting, I enjoyed.
Love to see some ride reports.

I agree with Ferret completely. Good tires, lower weight (all around),& a good suspension are keys to making motorcycle quicker. Horsepower rules on the dragstrip not the streets or tracks.

Don't know if spending $1,500 US on a suspension upgrade would make me and my bike faster or just look faster. Knowing me .......

[Django]

Thanks for some insight, how this is in Vietnam.

I did track free training once a year for the last couple of years on a real race track: Anneau du Rhin.

I think, as the track is usually flat, high grip and no bumps, suspension will not make a big difference. Lean angle, brakes and acceleration is the criteria.

Last year I was to the track with my CB1000, the years before with my '93 BMW K1100RS. With the K, I was a little bit faster than my friends, with the CB 1100 I had no chance, to catch up.

The CB was better on the brakes, compared to my ol' K1100. However, the K pulled harder out of the corners and had higher speed in the curves due to a better leaning angle. The CB leaning is restricted by foot pegs, exhaust, center stand quite early. Next would be the side covers of the engine. You don't want to lean that far.

For the suspension, I just put front and rear to the hardest mode for the track to have as much hight for leaning as possible. The fork worked good enough, also during very hard breaking. But then, my friend on his K1100 had higher speed thru the corner behind me and than pulled harder at the exit and overtook me.

But then, that's fine. I was not to the track to compete, but to find out about the limits of my CB. For public traffic roads that's good enough by far.

jm2c

[jedd_imp]

Django, good info! Sounds like the name of the game is small lean angles.
S2R, where is that track in Hanoi? I've spent a few weeks living in west lake area, specifically the intercontinent hotel.

And is that track normally used for testing riders for their scooter license?

[simplest2remember_imp]

Here's me chasing the Bonnie, and another one illustrating my tight lean angles (and less tight girth).

Although it's nice to figure out the limits, there's no danger I'll be challenging for the superbikes championship, and Hanoi streets are not the place to be illustrating your amazing suspension - driving on the limit here would be a very short life.

I'd like to add that the cost of this 4 hours was 80,000VND. Less than $4 each. There were quite a few exotic bikes there that you're free to ride swap with. Think I'll try the CBR1000R Fireblade next time.

I will find address for anyone who wants to join. It's held every Sunday, come rain or shine, in Long Bien (over the river), about 20 minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre.

Django, good info! Sounds like the name of the game is small lean angles.
S2R, where is that track in Hanoi? I've spent a few weeks living in west lake area, specifically the intercontinent hotel.

And is that track normally used for testing riders for their scooter license?

It looks like a driving test centre to me - certainly there were quite a few cars driving through under what appeared to be instruction / supervision

[the Ferret]

I don't think that's a Bonnie. Hard to make up time or space on tight hairpin curves.

[simplest2remember_imp]

I don't think that's a Bonnie. Hard to make up time or space on tight hairpin curves.

No you're right - that was one of the other guys - couldn't say what he was riding...

[jedd_imp]

$4 for 4 hrs of track day??!!
My mind's having trouble recalibrating this...