Rate this article:
IndyCar Vintage White Logo Tee
100% washed cotton. Features Indy wings and wheel logo printed with special distressed look. Cool vintage tees!
Our Price: $22.00 ($19.80 Member)
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
Ferrari racing shield embroidered on front and Ferrari branding on back adjuster strap with shield embossed metal closure.
Our Price: $29.00 ($26.10 Member)
Formula 1 2009 Calendar
Every month is accompanied by a superb action shot from the 2008 season, with essential information about the sport.
Our Price: $16.95 ($15.26 Member)
Written by:
Neale Bayly
06/17/2008 - 07:00 PM
Charlotte, NC
The ZX6R will run side by side with the heavier 999R. (Photo: Neale Bayly, Patrick Bayly and Cindy Castano) ยป More Photos
Squeezing down behind the fairing as hard as possible, I hit two perfect up shifts as we fly toward turn seven. Nailing my brake marker, dropping two gears, and pitching into the turn, we are running on rails. Hitting my mark, it's time to twist the throttle, and as I bury the tach needle once more I can hear the deep, bass growl growing louder. Holding full throttle as late as possible into the kink, rolling off, grabbling a down shift and whacking the throttle back open, turn eleven is coming up fast. Pushing wide as I brake and hammering down to first, the sound of the Ducati behind me is so loud it almost drowns out the noise from my ZX 6R. I know the Kawasaki will turn into the tight, technical turn faster than the longer, heavier 999R, so hitting the apex I twist the throttle as hard as I dare to try and gap him before the front straight.
Exiting turn 14 I can hear him, but it doesn't feel like he is on the passenger seat this time, so giving the ZX everything it's got I scream toward turn one waiting for the pass. It doesn't come, and I hold the throttle as long as the yellow streak that matches my leathers will allow me before working the brakes. With the perfect suspension set up, this doesn't even ruffle the bikes feathers, and I start the new lap with the Ducati still behind me. Riding with my buddy, Scott Vanhatten, the majority of our day is spent this way, with either him in front, or me trying to hold him off. Scott is an experienced racer, so I have no concern about riding in such close proximity, as I know he isn't going to make any hairball moves. With the ZX 6R I am riding set up perfectly, which allows me to push hard with total confidence, for once in my life I know I couldn't have made a better decision.
It had all started
The first order of operation was to assess the bike, and it didn't take too long to realize the Kawasaki had been "ridden hard and put away wet," according to Nick. Wearing a www.Sportbiketracktime.com track day sticker, a set of shagged tires, with 1900 miles on the odometer and half a tire's worth of burned rubber on the underside of the rear fender, I wasn't about to argue. Further examination showed blued rotors, a dry chain, and duct tape mess on the lights and turn signals. At this point Nick decided we should sterilize our patient before surgery, so we rolled it out and pre-soaked it in Spectro Cycle Wash. Then we made sure every speck of dirt and rubber was removed with the pressure washer before drying it, polishing it, and putting it up on Nick's lift. Setting the tone for a clean, meticulous workday, we got to work.
See the ZX6 Photos
Page 1 of 5
View All Comments
