This is my experience stepping up to Expert/Group A from Intermediate/Group B.
Initial reaction - I was scared. Not scared as in fearful, but scared I would push too hard, make a mistake, and possibly having something go wrong. I think this was me being conservative as to not make a serious probably damaging mistake. However, after evaluating my short time riding in the advance group, I see this is exactly where I need to be. Let me explain.
First thing, I was doing a track day at a track I've never been to before - Buttonwillow to be exact. It's a GREAT track in my opinion. First I asked for a control rider to show me the race line. This was my first session, fresh tires, and the control rider was on slicks that just came off of the warmers. He pulled away from me after turn 4. I was okay with that. This track is so user friendly that I was able to pick up lines, breaking points, and apexes within the first two laps. And, knowing that I am at the slower pace of advanced, people were passing me - I was fine with that. I even got split in a corner being passed, one on the inside and one on the outside. That made me laugh, and I told myself, these are the guys I need to follow. That started me onto pushing my limits as that's what I needed.
My bike ended up having a mechanical failure on my second session, and that was no fun. It essentially ended my track day on my bike. This happened right around the time where I realized where everything was, and I was about to pick up my pace.
The day wasn't terrible as I got to ride a RSV4 for two sessions. I felt really comfortable on the bike, and I easily followed the race line, hit all of the apexes, entry and exit points, with some what great precision.
Going back by looking at the video from the two sessions on my bike and the experience from the RSV4, I realize how much more speed I can carry on my bike the next time. I also saw where I was hesitant in my riding on my R6. However, reflecting on the RSV4, I pushed wayyy harder then I did on my R6. I'm not sure why.
At present, me being at the slow end of advanced is exactly where I need to be to get to the next level. Make no mistake, riding at this level is not for the faint of the heart. They ride hard and serious out there; damn near never on the center of their tires.
I do, and I repeat, I DO, have to make some modifications to my bike to perform better. Things that I need to keep up the pace is as follows, full tune and exhaust, front and rear sprockets for better acceleration, get my suspension more in tune than it already is, and some new rear sets. The main thing I was lacking from an almost stock R6 was overall acceleration.
Lastly, you can damn near probably run 70% of Buttonwillow at WOT on an R6 in my opinion. There were so many times I let off the throttle, and there was no need to at all.
Initial reaction - I was scared. Not scared as in fearful, but scared I would push too hard, make a mistake, and possibly having something go wrong. I think this was me being conservative as to not make a serious probably damaging mistake. However, after evaluating my short time riding in the advance group, I see this is exactly where I need to be. Let me explain.
First thing, I was doing a track day at a track I've never been to before - Buttonwillow to be exact. It's a GREAT track in my opinion. First I asked for a control rider to show me the race line. This was my first session, fresh tires, and the control rider was on slicks that just came off of the warmers. He pulled away from me after turn 4. I was okay with that. This track is so user friendly that I was able to pick up lines, breaking points, and apexes within the first two laps. And, knowing that I am at the slower pace of advanced, people were passing me - I was fine with that. I even got split in a corner being passed, one on the inside and one on the outside. That made me laugh, and I told myself, these are the guys I need to follow. That started me onto pushing my limits as that's what I needed.
My bike ended up having a mechanical failure on my second session, and that was no fun. It essentially ended my track day on my bike. This happened right around the time where I realized where everything was, and I was about to pick up my pace.
The day wasn't terrible as I got to ride a RSV4 for two sessions. I felt really comfortable on the bike, and I easily followed the race line, hit all of the apexes, entry and exit points, with some what great precision.
Going back by looking at the video from the two sessions on my bike and the experience from the RSV4, I realize how much more speed I can carry on my bike the next time. I also saw where I was hesitant in my riding on my R6. However, reflecting on the RSV4, I pushed wayyy harder then I did on my R6. I'm not sure why.
At present, me being at the slow end of advanced is exactly where I need to be to get to the next level. Make no mistake, riding at this level is not for the faint of the heart. They ride hard and serious out there; damn near never on the center of their tires.
I do, and I repeat, I DO, have to make some modifications to my bike to perform better. Things that I need to keep up the pace is as follows, full tune and exhaust, front and rear sprockets for better acceleration, get my suspension more in tune than it already is, and some new rear sets. The main thing I was lacking from an almost stock R6 was overall acceleration.
Lastly, you can damn near probably run 70% of Buttonwillow at WOT on an R6 in my opinion. There were so many times I let off the throttle, and there was no need to at all.