From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Fri Jun 20 12:29:39 1997 From: Harris_Gary/ny_technologyNoSpam@NoSpamexplorer.siny.com X-Openmail-Hops: 1 Date: Fri, 20 Jun 97 12:06:16 -0400 Subject: BMW: Back From CLASS....and SMOKIN' To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Harris_Gary/ny_technologyNoSpam@NoSpamexplorer.siny.com The New Hampshire International Speedway (http://www.bath.ac.uk/~py3dlg/newhamp.htm) is a 1.6 mile, 12 turn, very technical road course that provided big thrills this past week. Reg, Jason and the crew were on hand for another edition of CLASS (www.classrides.com), an event I eagerly look forward to each year. This year was no different, except that is, for the track. This was my first experience at Loudon, and it opened my eyes to just how big and heavy a K1100RS can be. The first half of the first day was filled with frustration as I felt totally out of place. For some reason, the K felt awkward under my control. Maybe it was the excitement, maybe it was the fact that I hadn't been on a track in a year, maybe it was my unfamiliarity with Loudon, maybe it was lack of sleep. Something was wrong. While sitting in the last classroom session before lunch, I noticed my arms and shoulders felt as if I had been lifting weights. Then it occurred to me: I wasn't riding the K, I was *muscling* the K. I couldn't wait to get back onto the track! For the rest of the day, body steering, smoothness, throttle control and relaxation were the key to big fun! Revving the K past 7 grand provided beautiful music by which to dispatch the "A" group's slower riders. Ok, so I got passed too... the music was still beautiful!! ;`) The second day began as the first had ended. I was loose and having a good time, except for the occasional frustrating sportbike rider that would hold me up through the turns, and then dust me in the short straits, only to find them in my way again in the turns (although turns 8 through 10 did provide opportunities for nice blow-by's ;-)). One time I was determined to pass a 900RR followed by a VFR. I figured I would just hold the throttle longer and late brake into turn 3. It worked! Well, almost... After making the pass I began braking while downshifting. I felt braking...braking...braking...and then NO BRAKING! I kept it upright (there was no way I could make this turn now) and, using the rear brake, managed to stop the K about a foot before the tire barrier. Then I smelled something burning, looked down at the front wheel and there was SMOKE rising from the callipers! :-O Now I was REALLY wishing I had my ZX-9! ;`) As the day went on, turn 6 began a collection of Ducatis on its grass runoff. Four Ducatis in all went down. No riders were seriously injured, but Oh, the Ducatis... (:-( As usual, there were a few humbling moments as I was passed by fast riders on Ducatis, GSXR's and the like. And, of course, there was the obligatory blow-by from Reg with a passenger on board one of the VFR's. Talk about fast...Jason and Mark (Team Suzuki teammate) put on a show for ESPN...Now *they* were FAST!!! If you haven't done it yet, go to CLASS! It is an effin' BLAST!! In case anyone is wondering, I was riding a K1100RS wearing Metzler MeZ1's front and rear. On the back was an Ohlins Type 4, and up front were the stock springs (didn't get a chance to put in the WP springs yet). After scraping footpegs left and right, I cranked up the pre-load on the Ohlins to near max. That combined with body positioning and throttle control kept the hard parts off the ground. The Ohlins performed beautifully keeping the K's huge bulk in check. The MeZ1's were sweet. Even wear, lots of stick, excellent braking feel and feedback. I was not happy at all with the performance of the stock brakes. They just took too long to scrub off speed. Stock brake pads will be replaced with Dunlopad SP's and steel braided lines will be installed. Dassit! Gary - NYC