KTM "Race Orange" Track Day at Mid-Ohio

[garry]

KTM has a program called "Race Orange" where they load up a semi with their street bikes and do demo days around the country. Some of those days are at race tracks.  You get to ride the KTM superbike, the RC8R, all day on the track. Basically its a regular track day on their bikes. How cool is that? The only catch is that it costs $275 and you are responsible for any/all damage to the bike if you crash.

Doug and I signed up for the KTM track day at Mid-Ohio for last October, but it got rained out, so we had credits to use this year. We picked July 25th figuring that it would be warm, and being a Monday, maybe we could turn it into a weekend ride that happened to end at the track. Doug moved to NC last month and couldn't make it, so I went alone. I ended up driving out Sunday afternoon, watching the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca from a local bar, and did the track day on Monday.

I rode Mid-Ohio once in 2005 when I did a track day with Reg Pridmore and CLASS. It's a really interesting, fun track and I was looking forward to riding it again. I arrived at the track at 7am, registered, and wandered down to the grid to see 17 identically set-up RC8Rs (some white, some black) plus 3 990 SMRs (supermotos) waiting for us. There were only 20 people per class, so traffic shouldn't be an issue. I was in the Intermediate class, and we would be the first on the track at 9am, followed by Advanced, and then Novice. The Novice group was an instructional track day with a structured program and classroom sessions between time on the track.

I chose the 990 SMR for the first session. I've been riding a 2007 KTM 950 SMR for four seasons now and wanted to see how the 990 compares. Plus, the track was green and a bit slick first thing in the morning (it rained overnight), so the lower HP of the 990 wouldn't get me in trouble. I spent the first session re-learning the track and getting my head into the day. I usually do one or two track days a year, but hadn't been on the track since late 2009. I took it pretty easy getting warmed up for the day but still had a small drift/slide coming over the hill on turn 7 (just after the back straight).

The track was in good shape for the second session at 10am with the sunshine heating things up nicely. I intended to do the second session on the 990 SMR as well, but they were all taken. When one session ends, the bikes are lined up on the grid in the order they came off the track (random). Once all bikes are in, they wave the next group over and you throw a leg over an empty seat and they wave you out onto the track. This was my first time on a proper sport bike since selling my ZX6R in 2008, so it took a session just to get used to the ergos and feel of the RC8R. Comfy enough for a tall guy like me even with the pegs and clip-ons in the "race" position. The pegs have two positions (high and low) as do the clip-ons. I suspect the RC8R would be reasonably comfy on the street (for a sport bike) in the more relaxed settings.

We managed to get six 20-minute sessions in. I rode the RC8R for five of the six sessions. A couple people ran off track (blown corners), but no bikes were wounded and the van with the blinky lights stayed put all day. The track day pretty much ran like clockwork. I was hoping for a seventh session during the 4 o'clock hour, but the track day only promises four sessions and they called it quits at 4pm. I was tired and hot and satisfied at the end of the day.

The last session was my best one by far. I was in the first group to head out and got lots of clear track with no traffic. The fast guys and control riders blew by me early on, but then it was clear sailing for most of the session. I had figured out my braking markers, shift points, and lines by then and turned a bunch of smooth, consistent laps. I'm not very fast, but I had a really good time. I was wishing that I could do it again the next day now that I had finally figured some things out. I'm not sure I could have ridden the next day as my quads were totally shot from hanging off (way out of shape), but the mind was willing and eager.

RE: 990 SMR vs 950 SMR
The 990 is fuel-injected versus the carbs on my 950 and is in a higher state of tune. I think it's basically the Super Duke engine. The 990 feels stronger in the low/midrange than my 950. What struck me was how much more agile the 990 is. It definately turns in faster than the 950, so they did some work on the chassis too. I didn't have any issues with throttle response due to the FI (a common complaint with KTMs). I think the trick with those big twins is to keep the throttle every so slightly open all the time and to be smooooooth with it. Tons of engine braking too, but I'm very used to that with my 950. It's like throwing an anchor out when you roll off the gas. Makes it very easy to ride in a "no brakes" fashion aside from braking at the end of long straights.

RE: RC8R
As mentioned above, the ergos seem good for tall guys and are adjustable. It's not as fast as I expected. I was expecting a beast compared to the 90-ish HP of my bike. The 1190cc engine puts out strong, linear power, but it doesn't have the rush of something like a BMW S1000RR or ZX-10R (brief demo rides). Which was a good thing because it made riding the bike very easy and forgiving. As far as handling goes, I don't think it's as flickable as I remember my (much lighter) ZX6R to be, but it turned in nicely and held a line well. The bumps on the exit of the carousel (turn 14) didn't upset the chassis any (comes with a steering damper). I never did nail the transition from the carousel onto the front straight though. I did hit a false neutral downshifting into the keyhole (that was exciting), but the transmission was smooth and precise otherwise. Brakes are the same Brembo monoblocks I have on my 950 (I think), so they were powerful with good feel. I don't have any real experience on other modern literbikes on the track, plus I'm kind of old and slow, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Overall, I really liked the bike, but can't say I was smitten. I don't particularly care for the angular styling, but at least it is distinctive. The regular RC8 (now discontinued) is selling for about $12K locally with the RC8R listing for $16K, so they are not a cheap date, but at least the regular RC8 is somewhat affordable. I would need to sort out some kind of soft luggage  for long weekend trips if I was to move back to a proper sport bike. My 950 SMR suits my needs so well that it's hard to seriously consider getting something different. But I have 40K on the clock now and hope to hit 50K by the end of the season, so my eye is starting to wander a little, just to try something new.

Here are a couple photos of yours truly. I don't think the photographer picked particularly good spots to shoot from, but they are what they are (free proofs). I will probably buy the hi-res images next week (just because).

[mugwump58]

Thanks for the write up. I'm hoping to do this in 2013, uber novice class.

[Hotbrakes]

Thanks for posting this.  Scratch that, damn you for even mentioning that you rode an RC8R.  See, I'm on the fence about selling everything I own and possibly extra body parts to purchase a RC8R, ideally two, one for the street and the track only version to race.  Before I make any rash decisions I'd like to ride one.  Hopefully I'll hate it and return to my nest, happy with the Hondas and Super Duke.

Last year I did a KTM demo but they only had one RC8 so I got stuck with a SMT.  Great bike, felt just like the Super Duke with taller bars and some wind protection.  The demo ride was hardly long enough to get a good feel for the bike and the pace was more akin to crawling.

Could the post the link to find these KTM demo days please?  A $275 trackday on someone else's bike, tires, and gas bill is a steal if you ask me.

[garry]

Here is the web page for more Mid-Ohio dates this summer:

http://www.midohio.com/School/Courses/Motorcycles/KTM-Race_Orange-Fly-and-Ride-Program

Three more dates are on the schedule:

Wednesday, August 10
Wednesday, August 31
Tuesday, September 27

[DogBoy]

Thanks for the thorough write-up. Looks a really good time.  

[Hotbrakes]

All signed up for August 10th!  Just so happens to fall on my 5 day break from work.  Did you have to mail those forms in or just hand them in at the track?

How were the groups run?  Does normal personal vehicle insurance provide any coverage?  Do they provide food/snacks/water?  Is camping allowed?

It would be nice to ride there but if I need to provide my own "pit" then hauling a canopy would not work.  

[garry]

I fax'd the Mid-Ohio waiver to them, but filled out some KTM form at registration. Either way works for them.

Three 20-minute sessions per hour rotating Intermediate, Advanced then Novice.

The Novice group is divided into sub-groups and each sub-group has a control rider. They have classroom time between track sessions. I know you're not interested in that, but just being complete.

The Intermediate and Advanced groups are basically just let out on the track to do their thing, just like a regular track day. There are a handful of control riders out there to keep an eye on things, but it's pretty loose. I don't think they let any group pass on the inside once the guy in front tipped into the corner. Intermediate was supposed to leave at least 6 ft of room, Advanced at least 4 ft when passing.

Advanced is the least likely to sell out, so there might only be 15 or 16 people on the track at a time.

They will NOT run in the rain or on a damp track. But you have to show up regardless and wait, in order to get a credit if they cancel the day.

Lots of water available, but that's it. Buy your own lunch at the concession stand.

Not sure about camping. I think I read no. I stayed at the Days Inn in Bellville. It's 10 minutes from the track, $60 a night w/ AAA, and there is a decent steak/ribs place within walking distance that has a couple good beers on tap.

Registration is done in garage 7. You can rent a garage for $50, but I wouldn't bother. They open several of them up. You can just bring a folding chair if you want, or sit on the work bench in the garage to chill out between sessions. You park right outside the garages, so it's no big deal to go back and forth to your car.

No idea on whether your vehicle insurance would cover damages if you crash, but that might be a good question to ask your agent.

[nater]

Overall, I really liked the bike, but can't say I was smitten. I don't particularly care for the angular styling, but at least it is distinctive. The regular RC8 (now discontinued) is selling for about $12K locally with the RC8R listing for $16K, so they are not a cheap date, but at least the regular RC8 is somewhat affordable. I would need to sort out some kind of soft luggage  for long weekend trips if I was to move back to a proper sport bike. My 950 SMR suits my needs so well that it's hard to seriously consider getting something different. But I have 40K on the clock now and hope to hit 50K by the end of the season, so my eye is starting to wander a little, just to try something new.

So, what bikes are on your "maybe" list?

[Hotbrakes]

Cool, well maybe I will try to ride the bike up if the garage area is open to hang out in.  I just put exhaust on the SD and the saddlebag brackets don't fit anymore but it would be sweet to roll up on a KTM.  I'm so excited about this!  Thanks for posting up your experience and providing some guidance.

[mugwump58]

During my visit there I found Paul Revers, I think that was the name of the place to have good food. It's right in Lexington coming from Bellville, b'fast available at 0600.  I camped up near Miflin, but I was watching a race, it's hotel time for you.

[R Doug]

Great write up Garry, thanks for sharing.  I really hate missing another opportunity to ride an RC8 again, but the timing wasn't in the cards for me due to the new job (and being much further away from Mid-Ohio.  

I found the RC8 to be to be very predictable (good for a track bike) with excellent braking.  With the new lower price, I would consider it comparred to the liter bikes put out by the Big 4.  

[garry]

So, what bikes are on your "maybe" list?

My problem is that I can't have more than two bikes at a time (garage space) and I want to do everything: gnarly single track, trail riding, adventure touring (dirt roads, back roads), long twisty street rides, multi-day trips, and track days (both road course and kart/sumo). Truth be told, I spend most of my time on the street, but I really enjoy trail riding and adventure riding.

The Ninja 1000 is at the top since it is probably the sportiest street bike you can get with factory hard luggage. Add in a KTM 690 Enduro with a spare set of 17" wheels and I think that would make a great combo. The 690 would be a bit heavy for gnarly single track, but would be great fun on less demanding trails as well as on uber twisty back roads and at the local kart/SM track ($22 track days) with the SM wheels. The 690 should even be comfy enough to use as a lightweight, dirt-focused adventure touring bike. The Ninja 1000 would fill in all the other street-based riding, trips, and road course track days.

If I was going to buy a proper sport bike again, I would probably get a nice clean used GSXR 750 for $6K (or less) and be happy. Strong, sane power with more torque than a 600 for street riding.

[Rincewind]

Great report, Garry!  

[scottzilla]

Nice!

[Hotbrakes]

So I did it and it was awesome!  The bike is VERY easy to ride.  A little soft on power but that could be the soft exhaust note that doesn't pulse through my head like the SD.  Definitely a very solid bike that was easy to ride fast once I learned the track.

The track conditions were kinda crappy.  F1 cars had raced last weekend and left a thick layer of soft rubber everywhere.  As the track warmed up and we clicked off laps the line wore in pretty well and the speeds definitely increased.  Two guys crashed, the rubber was a factor but not the only...  There were only 5 people in Advanced so we had open track.  Getting on the bikes after the Intermediates had them I would always check the tires looking for one with a GPA rear versus a Q2.  The tires were always caked with a thick coating of rubber that took a couple laps to scrape off.  I could feel the rubber chunks hitting my legs!

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had 2 good days of riding across WV.  Did just shy of 500 miles going there and 600 coming home (detour!).  

Unfortunately the HD camera I bought last week fell off the SD on Sunday during a trackday so I didn't get to use it.  Where did you get your pics Garry?

[garry]

So I did it and it was awesome!  The bike is VERY easy to ride.  A little soft on power but that could be the soft exhaust note that doesn't pulse through my head like the SD.  Definitely a very solid bike that was easy to ride fast once I learned the track.

The track conditions were kinda crappy.  F1 cars had raced last weekend and left a thick layer of soft rubber everywhere.  As the track warmed up and we clicked off laps the line wore in pretty well and the speeds definitely increased.  Two guys crashed, the rubber was a factor but not the only...  There were only 5 people in Advanced so we had open track.  Getting on the bikes after the Intermediates had them I would always check the tires looking for one with a GPA rear versus a Q2.  The tires were always caked with a thick coating of rubber that took a couple laps to scrape off.  I could feel the rubber chunks hitting my legs!

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had 2 good days of riding across WV.  Did just shy of 500 miles going there and 600 coming home (detour!).  

Unfortunately the HD camera I bought last week fell off the SD on Sunday during a trackday so I didn't get to use it.  Where did you get your pics Garry?

Glad to hear you had a good time. Mid-Ohio is a fun track.

RE: Photos - go to www.m5racing.com and click the SmugMug link on the home page.