BMW S1000RR Track Day at Hallett - Session 5

Summer is upon us, and the days heat up quickly. With only three run groups, we managed to get in four sessions before lunch. Last session of the day for me, only session post lunch. It was warming up pretty hot, and honestly the post meal nap time was coming into focus. Lap times were slower than the morning, but still respectable.
Bike is a 2022 BMW S1000RR with a custom Rapid Blue paint job, a full Akrapovic system, tuned by 2 Wheel Dynoworks, and wearing Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tires.

[@shibeguyl8084]

well done ! From France :)

[@DRZWhisperer]

I'm going to focus on the positive. I passed you in turn one at about the 11 minute mark on the yellow bike. At least you were predictable. You were always wide on your corner entry as if you were going a faster pace than you were. Notice how I was going much faster and holding a tight line closer to corner entry. If you were to do this your lap times would improve immediately without having to go any faster because you would be going less distance. I realize you have a lot of bike there. Focus on what you are doing and take care of the person in front of you if you are to come up on them but don't spend so much time on looking around as that could lead to target fixation or put you in a bad position. I hope you had a fantastic outing and enjoyed the wheelies I was giving everybody on the straightaways anywhere possible lol

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback, particularly on the line choice compared to entry speed. You were definitely faster into and out of the turn, I've spent time reviewing the footage but the feedback about line selection based on speeds is super helpful. I have "a line" in my vision and if I fixate on anything it's trying to keep that line smooth. Looking back at the video now, I'm wide on 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 compared to the riders in front of me that are faster around the track. This was my first time in intermediate, so I appreciate the comments and input. Planning to do RideSmart in August if it isn't 105F and work on line selection and entry/exit speeds since I feel like I'm coasting into corners and getting on the throttle late exiting from the apex. Appreciate your input!

[@DRZWhisperer]

@@OldDudesNewBikes Yes I think that you can build on this experience. I like to hug tight to the inside of the corner entry and as I brake later and later I can widen my line a little bit because my corner entry speed increases and I carry more speed. Also a person is more predictable and easier to get around following the rules. Remember we're not supposed to pass on the inside but if that's the only place you can pass somebody that's just how it's going to go. One more thing that I noticed that you did that could be potentially a problem was on track entry. In turn one I saw you bow out to your wide line on turn one. That's not a good habit to get started with because if there was a rider going at pace that you didn't know about you would be crossing over into their line And we've had many people make that mistake and end up with busted bikes and serious injuries. Even though you know no one's coming act like there could be someone coming when you're going on to the track and hug the inside line until you get up to pace in the following turns. You will get it. It looks like you are patient and won't try to get it all at once That's where people start to have problems.

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

@@DRZWhisperer Great point on track entry, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I even head check when I know I'm the only one on the track (first session that day), but staying inside until up to pace is smart. I'm happy with incremental improvement, I know I won't get fast overnight and trying to fix everything in a day is a lot to ask of the brain, eyes, arms, legs, etc. I know the bike is way more capable than me. Thanks again!

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

I think I recall chatting with you at lunch, btw.

[@DRZWhisperer]

@@OldDudesNewBikes yeah there was one guy at the end of lunch time his GoPro or action camera flew off of his bike and I sent him on my Grom once the track was clear to turn one.

[@ShadowLancer128]

man, you were riding this bike like you either just started learning the track, you were scared of the bike, or some mix of both. dude, if it was me in that saddle starin' straight up that hill at the start of the video, the first thought in my head would've been 'alright, let's get this bitch moving.'

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

This is my 5th track day at Hallett, and my first time riding with intermediate ride group. I'm quite familiar with the track, and the bike, but I'm fairly conservative when it comes to gripping and ripping. The first lap I take it easy to warm up the tires, after that I feed it more throttle. Yes, there is a lot of time out there (advanced riders are in the low 1:20's, and my best is 1:37), but I'm still working on it. Incremental improvement each session is enough to keep me coming back!

[@everss02]

you're scared to go full throttle, get a smaller bike or short shift until you get used to it.

[@atakan1087]

bro no hate but you need to switch to 600 or even 400

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

Why is that?

[@everss02]

@@OldDudesNewBikes you're riding around 1/4 throttle, you'd have more fun full throttle on a smaller bike 6:45 dude a 400 fly's by you

[@OldDudesNewBikes]

@@everss02 Fair point, my first time in intermediate and I worried too much about holding up faster riders so when I heard them behind me I eased out of the corners to let them pass on the inside. I'll get there, just trying not to do everything at one. Appreciate the feedback!