Track day update:
Took the Katoom for a little track day action. This was a KTM organized event and over a 100 participants showed up for the same, including fellow BHP-ians Mehul and GeeGee
I was on the IRC road winners and truth be told, I was a bit skeptical on how these would perform on the limit
The bike:
Even after 2+ years, this little hoon continues to impress. You are really able to appreciate the package that is Duke on the track. Braking hard from 160 down to 70 - 80 is no sweat. The front end gives so much feedback and poise; I can only imagine how awesome it would be on the RC. You can trail brake right up to the apex and there is no nervousness involved
On the back straight, I saw a max speed of 172 KMPH, but the transponder says my max speed was 179.3 KMPH. Another bone stock Duke with a 70ish kilo rider (+ gear) clocked 190. Race prepped RCs crossed 200 KPH. This is with a Zard exhaust + remap + a very talented, featherweight national level racer. Not bad for a bike that costs 2 lac, no?
Now for the not so great things. The Duke runs out of cornering clearance real quick on the track. You drag pegs ..... hard. I had a bit of a scare when my rear hopped while leaned over and I almost lost the front. It was almost like the bike wanted to pivot around the dragging footpeg. You can therefore not carry as much speed as you may like. RCs fare much better though and their rear set pegs give ample clearance. You can also see the speed advantage of the RCs on the straights. Post 165 they are overtaking you almost like you are standing still. The Duke does fight back with its flickability though, so you can brake a little late and "throw" the bike in a corner using the upright bars
The other thing you miss on the track is power and revs. I mean its fast, but you end up wishing for more top end when on the loooooooong straight of the BIC, and better gearing while coming out of a corner. Example - The final left turn before the start straight is sort of like a chicane. Its a hard left that comes after a rather hard and bumpy right. You would typically take this corner in second gear, 55 - 60 KPMH (at least this is what I do). You are powering out of the corner, still leaned over and the bike hits that harsh rev limiter. So with you hanging on like a monkey, have to upshift in the middle of the corner, losing drive. One could take the corner in 3rd but then you would not get a good drive coz you are in too high a gear. Makes sense why those supersports rev till the sky, doesn't it
But anyhow, it was a day well spent and had an absolute blast despite the 40 degree heat. On a side note - while the bike performed brilliantly, I did not. My body was cramped and my thighs felt like they were on fire. It actually took me a couple of days to fully recuperate. I currently am a very unhealthy 86 kilos and flexibility level is not great. I have understood this well, if I want to enjoy riding motorcycles for a long time; I have to give a LOT of attention to my health
The tyre:
Many of my riding buddies felt that a track day on the IRCs would be "interesting". Quite honestly, the tyre has performed brilliantly on the streets and not given me a reason to complain. But track days are a different animal. Be it on the straights, cornering or braking - you are at the absolute limit. How would this 2800 rupee tyre hold; I wondered
Glad to report, the tyre performed brilliantly. Even when leaned over at peg grinding levels, the tyre never misbehaved or felt like its about to let loose. I did feel some swaying while on the back straight, but other folks including Mehul complained of the same (He was on Metz). My guess is it could be the cross winds, or maybe because the tyre was at its very limit. The tyre's speed rating is "S", which translates to 180 KPH (112 MPH). For touring, commuting and even an occasional track day, I whole heartedly recommend this tyre
Ride safe!