RIDESMART TWS LEVEL 2 5/30/2011 (Tank View) 1 of 3

This is RideSmart Texas World Speedway Level 2 on 5/30/2011 on a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650r. This was a session immediately following our Red Robin in the morning so the pace is about 60% the natural L2 pace. Please visit www.motohouston.com for more information on trackdays or about Houston's Motorcycle Community.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• motohouston
• kawasaki
• ninja
• 650r
• tws
• texas
• world
• speedway
• ridesmart
• ormand
• knee
• drag
• arrow
• trackday
• pilot
• leathers

[ezetace]

nice videos, what exhaust are you using?

[ormand3000]

@ezetace Thanks. It's an Arrow Exhaust, pretty much the standard exhaust used by Ninja 650r owners. If you like this video, check out my others...I have some pretty interesting angles, including others with a tank mount view. This particular video is a bit old and it was a slower/earlier session in the trackday.

[ezetace]

@ormand3000 already checked that, good stuff dude, is it more difficult to do knee dragging with this bike versus 600SS ? I just got a 650R and I'd like to know if this is a good track bike for a newbie and what modifications do you recommend, thanks in advance

[ormand3000]

@ezetace The engine on the 650r is great...it will keep up with 600cc 4cyls til about 80mph and tops out @ 120 vs the 150 or so that 600s can. The issue with the 650r is more about body positioning and suspension. The rearsets are low and the bars are way too high/wide. Sit on a SS and you will see the difference. Also, the suspension has no adjustments on the forks and barely any on the rear unlike the SS counterparts. I recommend sport bars and a slip on first, rearsets maybe later.

[ormand3000]

@ezetace but overall, I suggest keeping your 650r stock or maybe cosmetic changes only (undertail, cowl, rear hugger, HIDs, etc.) - don't spend a lot of money on it. Great beginner bike and for Level 1/2 trackdays, past that you will want a dedicated trackbike or a SS. Save your money for that later. Keep the 650r for scooter/commuter riding when you become a better rider. Not knocking the 650r but I promise you that you will want more performance later down the road.

[ezetace]

@ormand3000 thanks a lot for your time and quick response, I have not seen a lot of 650R riders doing knee dragging, is it possible on this bike?

[ormand3000]

@ezetace it is possible, yes, but not as easy as on SS bikes. I have 'scraped' knee (I wouldn't call it dragging) before on this bike and that was with me really trying. Don't worry too much about "dragging knee"...the real fast guys barely drag knee. Yes, you see pictures of them with their knee down to the ground but that's just for a short time...the knee is just a balancing/measuring tool when cornering, nothing more. The 650r is a great bike to guide you on these principles.

[ezetace]

@ormand3000 Thanks dude, I got suddenly deeper in love with my Kawi =)

[ormand3000]

@Kurisusan89 No vibration with the suction cup mount :-) I did learn that you have to really make sure you have the suction cup properly mounted...you have to push the "push" button hard to really get it stiff.

[Kurisusan89]

awesome vid, howd you remove the vibration? My gopro shakes all over the place!