Track Day: 13 Jan Zwartkops Honda Midrand Open Track Day 
Sunday, January 20, 2008, 10:56 AM - Track Days
A week ago I went for my first track day in 2008. This would be my second track day on my K7, and was planning to push it a bit harder this time. I started in B-class (will probably stay in this class till I get my racing suit) and stayed in it for a total of 4 session. Weather was bit cloudy but still warm, and at about the second session did the sun come out. Track was pretty good condition in my opinion, so I opened up full out.



Nearing the end of the second session I started to notice my brakes becoming a bit 'spongy' when braking hard before the corners. After a chat with one of the resident experts I realized my rookie observation. The hard braking and temperature build up caused my brake lines to swell upon braking. At the beginning of the next session the brakes bite down as it should do, but later I felt it again going a bit 'spongy'. Another mistake I made is to pop the bike by accident into neutral, making me end up in the kitty litter. Luckily I was able to keep the bike upright.



Well next on my shopping list is a proper set of braided stainless steel brake lines!

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My first YouTube movie. 
Monday, January 14, 2008, 10:47 PM - Track Days
I took this movie from my Oregon Scientific ATC2K Action Cam mounted to my bike going around Zwartkops Raceway. The mounting bracket it still a prototype, will build a better one that should allow for a better view angle of the road.





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Track Day: BikeSA 16 Dec Zwartkops Friends Day 
Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 12:33 AM - Track Days
This last Sunday I attended a track day held at Zwartkops Raceway. Its been a while since I been there, but am at least very familiar with the track and its ins and outs. The difference this time would be that its the first time that I am riding with my GSX-R 1000 K7. I have performed very well with my old FZ6, but things would be different now. Started out with the C-class riders, decided to go slow to get tires warm as well as to have enough time on the track to get used to the bike on the track environment. But got used to the track must faster than I anticipated, by the end of the session I lapped everyone in the group. Upon entering the pits after the first session the one marshal walked straight to me and told me get my behind up to B-class immediately. After getting of the bike, I looked down at my left boot...YIKES!



One characteristic with Zwartkops is that its a very short track, lots of packed corners and no real stretches to pick up speed. I was constantly flipping between 2 and 3 gears upon entering/exiting the corners. While getting into my gear shifting grove, I got a tad lazy not to take my left foot out underneath the gear selector. Hence this caused the 'polish job' on my left boot. Not to worry, got that habit removed with the second session in B-Class.

About 5 laps into the B-Class the rain came pouring down. This was deja vu all over for me. Completed the lap and pulled into the pits immediately. Thanks to the rain, one of my mates came down with his ZZR1100 on the last lap, sorry Stephan! There were another incident where some idiot rode like a total arse, and took out another 3 bikers with him. I doubt that his name would appear on the riders list soon!

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3 June Zwartkops 
Saturday, June 9, 2007, 12:56 PM - Track Days
So went racing around Zwartkops Raceway again, and it just keeps getting more fun. This time around i though screw it, lets join the B-Class riders. Well my and my trustee FZ6 did not seize to impress. Keeping the corners nice and tight, i was able to gain enough time to keep up with most 1000cc riders.



This time around i was constantly scrapping pegs around most of the corners. It is so much fun leaning with the FZ6, it makes you think wish that the corner was tighter so that you can go lower. This is all possibly with my set of Michilen Pilot Sport tyres, naturally. But my tread on the rear is basically worn, so I am taking it easy till payday before buying a new rear Pilot Power 2CT tyre. Read More...

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6 May Zwartkop 
Monday, May 7, 2007, 06:29 AM - Track Days
Yesterday I went on my first official track day at Zwartkop raceway in Centurion. Oddly enough I can’t remember why I have not been to a track day before, but still I really enjoyed myself. My FZ6 got a set of Michelin Pilot Sport fitted, with reduced pressure: 1.5 bar in front and 2.1 bar at the rear. With the first session I joined the D group to warm up my tires and get a feel for the track, after which I continued riding with the C group.



Read More...

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