CB1100 Meets JenningsGP

[johnf514_imp]

Saw the Laguna Seca thread and thought I would make my own post.

Took the CB1100 to JenningsGP in Jennings, FL for a trackday with Orlando Yamaha Kawasaki on Oct 2nd. This is my fourth time at Jennings, first time with the CB. The other three track days were on a 2006 ZX-6R.

Lots of thumbs up from the supersport guys, and managed to keep up with my buddy on his S1000R (except for the +112mph back straight). Passed lots of novices and had the hard parts down earlier than I thought possible.

Bike ran great and pushed hard without any issues over six sessions. I love the tires I have on it now (Z8s) and will post pics of their wear below.

The CB1100 quickly finds its limits on the track, but has far more capability than meets the eye.
BTW keen eyed observers will notice the left sides of the tire exhibiting more wear than the right. JenningsGP has something like a 3:1 ratio of left:right turns.

[emptysea]

Great pictures. Post any action pics you have, too.

There are two reasons I have not done a track day with my CB1100. First reason is tires -- I can barely afford to put new tires on my bike every 12,000 miles of street use. Second reason is track requirements -- No problem removing mirrors and taping a few things, but some places require more difficult/expensive modifications, plus I do not have leathers or even an Aerostitch suit. If I could rectify those issues, and if they had a Novice-of-all-Novices group, I'd probably do it. For now, I'll live vicariously through other people and their photos.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I love to see posts like this, more and more all the time.

The track teaches you things you can never learn on the street. And it's FUN!
You would be amazed at how much better the bike will work with just decent shocks and some front end tweaking, like thicker oil.

[johnf514_imp]

Hi EmptySea, you're right, trackdays do put some wear and tear on the bike, especially taking miles off of tires. The tires I used at the track were new (less than 500 miles), but they'll have plenty of rubber left in them to go. If you're running harder touring tires (12K miles on a set is a LOT), you might want to consider slapping on stickier rubber for a trackday.

Also, many tracks will rent leathers. JenningsGP does it for $60, and I have gauntlet gloves & race boots. No expensive race mods required to run, tape it up, remove the unnecessary bits, and go out with the novice group.

Combined with renting a trailer and spending a night in a hotel with a friend, the whole day costs ~$300. A third of that is the track admittance, and since I live four hours away, fuel factors in too.

I highly recommend going if you can swing it. Like Ulvetanna said, the track teaches you things you can never learn on the street, all the while having fun.

[clearviewx]

man those tires are tore up

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Jennings GP, fun track. Ridden and camped there many times
Dealer and club track days are a great way to hone ones skills in relative safety. Track days will make one a lot better rider.
My club used to rent out the track for our own private days.
Highly recommended <3

[Rolls_imp]

Super cool, John514! The track looks very good, too. http://www.jenningsgp.com/ Love your tire shot. I thought I snapped mine at the end of the day, but haven't found the pic, so I guess not. Maybe on my brother's phone. What's touching down first on your bike? I think I'm dragging the center or side stand on the rare occasions when I do scrape. I pulled the foot peg extenders, but it's probably wiser to have a shorter extender than nothing at all. My boots work as feelers, too, though, at least on tight turns. Anywhoo, love your pics. Thanks for sharing.

MTC, on suits, I was in the same sitch as you, but found my A* leathers used in great shape from a friend for $200. I find the track is such a great place to focus on skills like braking and looking all the way through the corners.

The CB1100 certainly has limits, but it is remarkably capable and composed on a track that doesn't demand too much top end and that is smooth. I also prefer excellent runoff area, though I hope to never use it. I've had my CB to Thunderhill West 3 times and Laguna once. I did, a year ago, have a chance to ride one of Keith Code's Cali Superbike School BMW S1000RR bikes at Laguna and it was a revelation.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Don't plan on taking the CB there, but here's a pic of my Moto Guzzi back in the day

[johnf514_imp]

Thanks Rolls, I had one of the stands down as well, will work on getting further off the bike to push it upright next time. Jennings is a technical layout best suited for lightweight bikes carrying their momentum, so the CB does find itself pushing hard. While was finding the edge of the rear tire, I could have gone faster as I didn't feel any grease coming out of the Z8s.

Would love to see how the CB moves through the curves at Laguna, that's a dream right there. If you do come across your pictures, let's see them, and thanks for the kind words. The S1000RR experience must have been amazing.

Motogeezer, looking good as always, slicing and dicing.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I just love riding mine on the street where it is really at home. The pace it sets is just about right for roadwork but very sporty once it is set up that way.

The low bars, better shocks, stainless steel brake lines, HH pads, and Conti Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires (these are true production road race tires but they do last) just transform this bike. It handles way better than many sport bikes of the early to mid-1980s. Doesn't really need any more cornering clearance than it has if it's set up right.

It may not show up often at the track but I say it's the guys and gals who take their ordinary streetbikes to the track who are really getting an education. Even ONE track day can make a huge impression.