Brands Hatch - Bike track day highlights 29th June

[andy tims]

On 21st June I had a less than brilliant day at Mallory Park - my recently serviced Nitron Race shock had lost gas pressure and after only a couple of sessions lost it's oil so the bike was handling badly, which knocked my confidence.
Last week I swapped the Nitron out & got the EOM Suzuki shock back in. The Nitron is going back, the canister has a minute crack due to a design flaw that they have since rectified, so they'll replace the canister & rebuilt the shock.
Now the OEM shock is 12 years old, has never been serviced & I just guessed at an initial setting. So whilst the handling wasn't spot on yesterday, it was OK & my confidence was restored.

This was the Indy (short) circuit, which is very physical given how short the straights are. I was in the intermediate group, having not ridden on track (apart from Mallory) since July the 8th last year. There were (I think) 4 guys quicker than me in the group - they were all quite a bit quicker & should really have been in the Fast Group - click the link for the highlights if you're interested. Apologies in advance for the wind noise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuZOtiw ... e=youtu.be

You'll notice I do most of my passing on the brakes, not under power. The old K8 GSXR 750 is severely outgunned by most of the bikes on track these days, but when the suspension is working as it should, it really handles nicely. I've had the bike for 11 years & whilst it's a bit of a 10 yard princess (lots of scratches, cracks & gaffer tape on the fairings), I absolutely love it.

[hoppyjr]

Nice. I still prefer the jizz machine.

[Selym]

Nice. I still prefer the jizz machine.

I don't know what that is. Should I Google it?

[Henryj]

Nice. I still prefer the jizz machine.

I don't know what that is. Should I Google it?

I wouldn’t.

[jeckyll]

Looks like a great time!

Lots of turning right, not a lot of lefts, but that's what you get at Brands I guess (never been there, only watched BSB coverage from there).

Someone really must have dragged oil all around the track given the amount of cement dust that was down!

The GSXR 750 has always been a sweet spot, enough torque to be really fun, without the same 'oh-shit' potential of a liter bike

[andy tims]

Nice. I still prefer the jizz machine.

I don't know what that is. Should I Google it?

It was this



Check the decal on the rear hugger, and the even less subtle one here



and this review for the origin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee0DuTz-q3o

Forward to 2:20 if you're pressed for time.