Good morning everyone,
Thanks again for all the advice, all very useful.
You'll be pleased to know that both the bike and me are in one piece and we stayed together and upright at all times.
I'm rather aching today, chest and quads got the biggest workout - not sure if that's to be expected.
It was a long day, riding there and back (total 4 hours) is certainly not ideal but testament to the versatility of the Gen 4 as it ate the motorway miles and was comfortable and with a higher screen installed no issues, albeit I resembled the Michelin man with numerous layers on due to being 4 degrees when I left at 0545.
The event itself was run very well, really impressed by the set up, the staff and all of the people who attended. Everyone was welcoming and took pity on the new guy with a rucksack (drinks and snacks) as they unloaded their vans/trailers etc and set up home for the day. I was quickly adopted by two set ups running Kawasaki's and Suzuki's and provided with chairs, advice and looked after. What an absolute pleasure to attend an event where everyone looks out for each other and goes out of their way to do so - really impressive!
I was unable to locate the tyre man, not sure he attended. However, due to early adoption my tyre needs were looked after and jointly, which really means the Kawasaki & Suzuki teams with me just nodding decided on 34/34 to start. For me it seemed ideal and we did not alter during the day as it was predominately overcast and didn't get above 10 degrees. I also got to feel warm and hot post sessions so now understand what that really feels like so noted for future events - giving the game away as to how much I enjoyed it by that statement.
I ended up doing five sessions as was getting knackered and was very aware of a 2 hour ride home. During the fifth the rain began so that made my decision easy but I think adrenaline was subsiding and tiredness was beginning to show so I wouldn't have pushed for the later sessions. I'm old enough to know when to call it quits.
On the very first session I elected to position behind the instructor to see the lines, I think there were about 30 in my group. After the sighting laps I kept well within my limits and was only overtaken by two (one on a ducati and one on a track bike - not sure how that person is a novice but hey ho). That gave me an idea of my pace within the group. The next session I managed to grab an instructor for the whole of it. Initially I followed for 2 laps as he upped the pace and then he followed me for the rest. During this session we were not overtaken and actually caught up and overtook many. The instructor, significantly younger than me and called Dan only had a few pointers following the session, focus on tip in points and tuck down more on straights as he was catching me at the higher speeds. I noticed 157 on a brief look after tucking down but I did confess to Dan that I wasn't pinning the throttle at the higher speeds as first time experiencing that speed and a couple of focusing undulations on the straight made it interesting. Dan thought that I should book inters at the next event - open to debate on that one as might build confidence a little more at the next one before going up a level.
The bike, just phenomenal. I had a few issues though with the quickshifter when pinning it. About three times at 100mph+ going up the box it didn't change up and felt for a second that it went into neutral. When this happened, I looked in and it hadn't changed up so I lost some confidence with the quickshifter so any thoughts/advice welcome please as maybe I'm doing something wrong? I also kept it in Road for the entire time which I feel was the right thing for a first time but I think it might have been a little soft suspension wise so will definitely try Dynamic next time. During some of the corners and exits as I applied power I could feel it squatting down, almost spongy if that makes sense.
Regarding the sessions and the two corners everyone warned me about with cold tyres. I believe every session had a red flag, across all groups. And all of the incidents happened at the two corners that people had advised me of so a huge thank you from me as it firmly installed in my mind to treat with appropriate respect and ensure tyres warm. I felt that two laps gave the confidence that the tyres were up to temps.
So overall, loved it! Great fun, lots to learn which makes it more appealing and so nice to be at an event with so many people that are genuinely caring. For the next time, until I invest in 4 wheels specifically for carriage of bike/equipment I'll look to overnight near the track when hotels etc open up. I'm attending California Superbike School in June at Brands which is just over an hour from me so will go direct from home for that. I'll also see if I can get a Brands day in May.
Best go and chat to the bank manager and get an overdraft.
Finally, thank you again for all the advice. I read every post several times and it really helped and I hope to say hi to some of you at an event soon. If you see a guy on a Gen 4 M Sport, with rucksack over the next few months it's probably me! Thanks again