Why did I buy an aging Ducati 1000 Supersport a year or so ago? Well I guess it was simply to replace the Suzuki Race Bike, that I never actually got around to racing, but did enjoy many track days on it both at home and abroad. So the Ducati was partly to continue to fulfil that desire, but also, to enjoy as a Sunday/Funday road legal ride too! More about why I brought it here "Something Italian and V-Twin"
Having enjoyed a few sunny miles on it last year, the time came to explore what this old 85bhp air cooled machine was like on track. Some fresh engine oil, filters and new cam belts addressed the winter lay-up. Thanks to TwoTyres for their advice, I went with a pair of Metzeler M9-RR's, not a pure track tyre, more fast sports road tyre in keeping with the vision for the bike, fundays and occasional trackday.
Final prep completed, included a last minute rush repair with the lower fairing, and with a basic tool kit put together the time came to load up! I could have easily ridden to Brands, but that would have meant no table, chairs, drinks, food, snacks and limited tools, so it was easier to load it all into the van, also useful should the day not end well !!
The day - briefing, noise testing and prep complete we got out for the first session, which is always the same, a couple of slow 'follow me' laps around with the instructors to familiarise oneself where the bends and marshall's are, then it's the first opportunity to really open her up. What a surprise, pace through the gears was quicker than expected, brakes were good, only needing one finger to haul it up and they stayed strong and consistent all day long. Tyres really came in during the second session and gave lots of feel and grip, only once did I step over the limit and briefly tucked the front, but that quickly recovered and the rest of the day was just more of the same, good pace and big smiles! The Duke felt really stable all day long, occasional flightiness across a couple of the bumps at speed but nothing to worry about, and nothing yet to suggest any changes with the bikes setup.
I also surprised myself, still felt good at the end of day, and I rode all of the sessions, felt like I kept up a good level of rider input all day, perhaps the more sedate nature of the Duke over the Suzuki helped stem the tide of the extra 10 years on me!
A huge thanks to Andy who meticulously stripped the bike and refreshed it a couple of years back - good job!
Loaded ready to go!
Garage 27 was our office for the day!
Waiting to get going!
The garage was nice social space, thank you all for your support and help.
Smiles alround!
Really pleased with how this Road Sports bike went on track!
Old bloke on an old bike at an old circuit!
The Metzeler M9-RR's gave good feel and grip.
Wear rate is excellent too! Yes, I like the M9-RR's.
Just as the day started, bike is in the van and all in one piece, nice!
Some comparisons - Ducati 1000SS v Suzuki GSXR-750 (both bikes are 2003 machine's)
Engine's, a lazy air cooled 85bhp 90º V-Twin v a screaming 139bhp liquid cooled twin cam inline four (The Suzuki was dyno'd a couple of times - it had a really strong motor !!);
Weight - almost as it left the factory 199kg's v Race prepared and minimal 178kg's;
Chassis - almost as it left the factory, just re-sprung to suit fast road riding v uncompromising race spec Ohlins kit front and rear;
Pace at Brands - <61 second laps v <53 seconds laps - (there are several factors affecting this, not just the -45bhp +21kgs, I'm older, the Suzuki ran Michelin Slicks and was setup for track use);
The Ducati felt less manic than the Suzuki, a little bit softer, a lot more comfortable, but that's all good for me, as I'm not 50 any more!
So where to Next??? Perhaps a run to the coast for an Ice Cream, sorry, Gelato!
Just for interest, a couple of images of the Suzuki GSXR750 Race Bike, here at Cadwell Park 12 years ago,
