Interesting day out today.. it was flippin Scorchio for a start!! Topped out at about 37 degrees, mid-afternoon.
Leezx10r, Slow bro and I signed up for the 'Masterclass' level.
It was a bit of a slow start, no idea why we were asked to show up at 06:30. On the paperwork we were to be in the classroom for 40mins before getting out on track.
For some reason, this didn't end up happening so we literally just sat around in the pits chatting to each-other until our first session AT 10AM!!
There was a short brief beforehand telling us to 'connect the dots' with the cones they'd laid out, marking out turn in and apex points.
Ok, no problem.. will do:
That genuinely seemed to be the sum total of the formal, structured part of the training. We weren't too happy so Noel asked them repeatedly to give us an idea of back brake, when it should be used, why? etc etc.. no clear answer came about.. just "you can really use it anywhere".
Lee and I decided to ask them them a bit more about suspension & geometry set-up and how that translates to feel.. again, very foggy answers that didn't amount to much at all.
We also were all told to slow down as one of the coaches was finding it difficult to catch up and stay with us... None of us were on the ragged edge tho and I can't see the value of pussying around as all of your markers, lines and reference points are no longer valid. VERY annoying! Add this to a VERY substantial and dangerous speed difference between us and some of the other bikes out in 'Masterclass' and it was just not fun to be out there.
The one or two things they did feed back were largely due to South Circuit being an unfamiliar layout and something that a couple of sessions would easily have resolved on it's own. I'm always happy to take feedback about my lines and technique etc but there was simply nothing to go on. No IDEA how this is supposed to constitute a 'Masterclass'.
After three sessions or so, I'd have been ready to pack up but it was a great vibe in the pits with the boys. That and the promise of an R1 test was coming up!
WHAT A BIKE!! Felt very familiar as soon as I jumped on. It's sooo small and ridiculously fast. Far from putting the bike in rain mode, the Yamaha rep showed me how to change modes so I could find out for myself how the electronics work and how the power is put down. The first few laps I opted for a 'progressive power delivery' and the TC, wheelie and slide control dialed in a fair bit. Whilst the size meant I felt instantly comfortable on the bike, I could feel the electronics taking over pretty early in the corner and choking the power delivery a little.. time for full slick mode, FULL POWER and all electronics at the minimum setting before off - HOLY FOOKIN FOOK!! Massive grin, power for days and electronics only kicking in in If I tried something I shouldn't have. Power went down very cleanly and it was very agile. Felt like a crazy powerful R6 that was as chuckable, yet more stable. I LOVE THIS BIKE!
I'll probably give 600s at least another season so I can develop my race craft further and hopefully creep down into the 39's. This is for sure the next bike for me tho, can't wait!!
Thanks heaps to Lee and Noel for the pit vibes, ended up having a top day thanks to you guys!! (and maybe a little thanks to the R1)
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