Taking the Hyperstrada onto the race track

I'd lower the tyre pressures too 10% F and 20% R,
leave the settings as they are and if they start intervening too much just back them off as you gain confidence.
Be nice to see some pics of the track day and report.
Have fun thats the main thing on a track day.

Hyperstrada said:

That's great thanks for the suggestions!

I didn't think tyre pressures would be lowered on the track...you've done this before??

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Most defiantly need to lower your tyre pressures, ask at the track and they will advise you to. Your tyres will get much hotter on the track then the road and tyre pressures will increase with temp.

Also take plenty of water with you, keep hydrated to keep your concentration levels up, take snacks, bananas etc. Make use of the instructor's to show you the lines and turning in markers, Remove your mirrors, you wont need them.
Take it easy on 1st couple of laps to get heat into the tyres.
Watch youtube clips of the circuit your going to do. (helps a lot knowing the track)
You will be nervous at 1st but that will go by the afternoon.
Most of all remember its not a race and to enjoy it.
They are very addictive

Ducati Hypermotard Cup 2013 - Circuito di Pomposa - 21 luglio 2013 - YouTube
A bit of track recorded, nice class!

I would start at 32 front 32 rear, adjust down 2 psi at a time. I would expect 30 front and 30 rear would be good. Make sure your chain is not tight.

I ran 30 psi front and rear measured right after coming off the track. The tires will get hot when pushed hard on a track so take the reading right after your first outing. For sure drink lots of water, I did and was still thirsty when the day was over. I would leave it in the touring mode if you are new to riding on a track. It might help from low siding when exiting a corner if you get a little too aggressive. I had mine in tour mode and was still able to shred my tires. This bike pulls hard when exiting the corners. If you still want to use sport mode at least start in the tour mode for the first few times out. It might save you if you go into a corner to hot.

Hi Stradasphere, so what was your cold initial tyre pressure, this will give us an idea of how much increase there is once upto working temp. Did you leave the traction/abs on standard touring setting and did they intervene on bends, braking into corners etc??

I set my normal pressure cold at 33 psi front and 36 psi rear. The dealer told me to run 30 psi front and rear when hot just after coming off the track. First time out in the morning you're not running as hard as you will later in the day so I left the pressure at 33/36 and changed it when I came in. The first run is to learn the track and what lines to take. I ran touring mode with standard settings. I only saw the red light flash twice through the day and really felt no effects from interference. 95% of my braking was before entering the corner, a few times I came in a little hot and used the rear brake to scrub a little speed off. I let the engine do a good portion of the braking in the tight sections of the track. I was trying to be more fluid. I pushed the bike hard and it still felt stable. Looking at the tires you can see the rubber peeling away in little chunks.

I was a bit nervous at first too but that only lasted a few laps. The way my dealer worked was that there were 3 newbies to every instructor. Most of the instructors were dealer team members. They went out twice with you to show the lines and to get a feel of how you are doing. Third time out they just follow and circulate around the track keeping an eye on everyone. Each secession the first two laps you run slower to heat the tires up. Then its wide open throttle time. If towards the end of the day you are feeling tired just park the bike, don't risk going onto the track. Mistakes happen when you're tired and its not worth hurting yourself or damaging the bike. I did five of the six secession. No one will think any less of you. That is something my dealer stressed. I have lots of first hand experience with this while snow skiing.

I am hooked and want to do more of this, but the track is a 4 1/2 drive away. This was the most fun I have had in a long time so go out and live on the edge (of your tire)

I forgot to add that my shoe bottom scraped the ground a few times. I had to remember to get it on top of the shift lever when leaning hard over

Hyperstrada said:

Finally took the Hyper out to Sydney Motorsport Park. Went great...although pegs and gear/brake levers scrape which is a bit disconcerting mid corner
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Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I came close with my gear shift lever. Scraped my boot a couple of time since I had it hung just off the side of the lever.

ฺFrom Bira Thailand

Hyperstrada said:

Finally took the Hyper out to Sydney Motorsport Park. Went great...although pegs and gear/brake levers scrape which is a bit disconcerting mid corner
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is that the lower version (asian) or standard hyperstrada?

i ask because (contrary to what most people suggested) i can see you didn't take off the centerstand and from the photo, the foot rests would seem to drag first before the stand... or did the stand drag as well?

Other than the centre stand, the Hyperstrada looks pretty good on the track and ridden with full track gear. I haven't tried it myself, so I can't comment on anything beyond the visual, but it looks great

Now if I can just master the Haden sliding corner entry...

gatdammit said:

Now if I can just master the Haden sliding corner entry...

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I've watched that vid a lot, every time in awe. I also can never tire of when he changes direction mid wheelie.

It's his MX heritage. Think all the Haden brothers started on dirt. I remember when he started tearing up the super bike class in late 90's, some of the veterans began taking dirt lessons to emulate his style.

Motard setup is pretty suited to that style of riding.