Track Day on R1150R !?

[Momo]

Hi Guys, did any of you ever take his R1150R to the track?
If you did, what kind of modification did you do or recommend doing?
Did you have fun? Or maybe that was your last track day on a BMW...
Thanks for your responses!

[9291150]

I asked this a while back, and got no response, so I'll guess few tried.

I came close back in September, but instead took my Fireblade because its so damn good at making me "look" fast with that straightaway speed..and its paid for! But methinks the biggest limitation on a short track would be the R's softish suspension, even fully dialed up, and trail braking an ABS system would be weird, though possible I think. Otherwise, I think that pull off of corners would go a long way, cornering clearance is better than most think, brake power is A1, and you'd feel reall rested after hour 3!

...Rui

[BobFV1]

Momo -

I never took my R to the track, but I am a track rat and I did take my RT to the track once. It was a great experience to do once. With the weight of the RT, I couldn't get going too fast because I had to use real early braking points. I had no problem with the ABS - no lockups and very positive and responsive braking. Plenty of clearance in turns - my center stand drug a couple of times but my heads came nowhere near the ground.

I see GS's and RS's at the track from time to time. A buddy on an RS scraped his right cylinder head recently, but by his own admission he was in a bit of a panic situation and was leaned too far over.

I think that a track day with a street bike is a great idea to do one time - just to test the limits of that bike a bit and see what it can really do.

Ride safe.

[tor1150r]

I took my R to the track this past summer. It was an advanced touring course, however, but we were still drilled on apexing, cornering and braking.

The bike did quite well. The mix was mostly cruisers, 2 other beemers and a couple of GSXR's. Needless to say I ran circles around the cruisers, and ran a close second against the gixxers.

All I did to my bike was stiffen the preload and rebound adjustments. I think I ran the tires a little high at 36f/39r, knowing we were not going to be doing competitive laps for any real length of time.

Again, this was a training course, but even when we were allowed to 'let go', the bike felt great.

[Pat]

I attended a Track Day on my Triumph Sprint RS, and there was a guy there on his Black R1150R.........

I think he took his Roadster out for one twenty minute session, then traded it for an available Japanese four cylinder, claiming that the Roadster "...wasn't any fun."

He later communicated with me via the Triumph message board, and I got the distinct impression that he just wasn't thrilled with his Roadster on OR off the track.

Frankly, I would LOVE to take one out on the track, and a 600RR, and an old Airhead, and my old Sportster 1200'S', and........ hey, regardless of what I was on.... I'd be having FUN!

[Daydream]

Last month I took my R1150R to a track day our club puts on once a year. The BMW Owners of Northeast Florida (BMWNEF) rents JenningsGP, a track in North Florida, that caters to motorcycles. We had 44 riders and 12 instructors (all club members). They were broken up into three groups. Less experienced, more experienced and experts. Each group had four instructors. We had a 1/2 hour of class then a 1/2 hour of track time. We were able to do that rotation 4 times, 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours of track time total.

Preparation included taping lights, disconnecting brake lights and headlights, reducing tire pressure to about 32 lbs and removing rearview mirrors. The track allowed us some leeway in that they did not require us to remove centerstands, wire oil fittings, wear only leather (we could wear full cordura suits), etc. The things they normally require on track day.

The track itself was in beautiful condition with all the apexes marked for instructional purposes. They had EMTs, ambulance and expertly trained corner workers. They did a great job.

Now the good part. This was my first road type track day but I chose the intermediate group because I had been a motocrosser years ago. The first half hour was awkward but I steadily progressed. Each time around in succeeding track periods I found myself smoother and faster. The last 1/2 hour session I was hooked on track days. It was wonderful and I knew that each lap I was going faster. I was passing other riders and keeping up with the faster riders in the group - man it was incredible. You will love it!

Granted that most of the bikes were varying types of BMW's and that most of us are no longer kids, the speeds were respectable. We had a MV Augusta F4 and a Honda 1000 CBR RR in the expert group and some new GS's that held their own against them.

Track day is not a race. It is you and the bike against the track. No you probably won't smoke the crouch rockets but you will be able to post some respectable laps. The R1150R can handle it easily. Mine didn't miss a beat and I felt very at ease and safe on it.

I came away from my track day with a whole new respect for the "R". It really is a bike for all things and I will keep it for quite awhile longer.

T.E.

[bikermeow]

Took my R to the track, about 300 km afer I took over it. It was, incidentallythe second time I went on the track. The handling of the R was, well, stable. I took it lower and lower and it did not miss any beat. The track was great for me to acquaint myself with the bike and i learnt about the harsh engine braking of the R when down-gearing. Plus the ABS gave loads of confidence when slowing for the turns.

I dare say that some might even find the R to stable to be too boring for the track.

Cheers

Meow

[CycleRob]

I have not been on a track day with my bike but I have wheeled it thru the Tail-of-the-Dragon (rt-29) in TN and NC. The Metzeler Z-6 tires basically turned it into a stable, confidence inspiring SportBike. I started out reasonably quick, then went faster (thru the corners). I like to maintain a steady speed and just NOT slow down for the corners, like riding a back road. The 8th run thru the 11 mile road was at night, alone and seemed like the fastest. I only met 2 cars and NO ANIMALS the whole way.

The max cornering to the rear tire edge got just a little "greasier" as the tires got hotter. I was perceptably drifting both wheels a tiny amount but still feeling that it was hooked-up and easy to control . . . . like a dirtbike in the dirt. That whole experience greatly enhanced my appreciation for my bike. I've never owned or ridden a standard bike that handles so well. It's a keeper !

[04Rockster]

On the last day of my 39th year of life (about a month ago), I took my Rockster to a ride smart track day at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Tx. Some of you DFW guys probably know it. It was a blast and I am hooked - I can't wait to go back in February. I was the only BMW and besides one (loud) Buell, a Daytona, and a Ducati 996 the only non-Japanese sportbike. I had no problem in the turns but couldn't keep up with the litre bikes in the straights. Some pictures: http://www.hart-photography.com/2005/rs ... lbums.html

I would highly recommend it!