Well I got the bike finished, a week of 14 hour days, work then VFR. I was knackered but got it finished at 1pm on Friday, quick test ride on the road just to make sure it was ok then loaded up and headed off to Donington for the Endurance legends weekend.
I wasn't booked in to the track day sessions but was going anyway with a friend so thought I'd see if I could get in when I got there. As luck would have it I got in once the first session had passed (someone had a problem and pulled out), first session was wet anyway and didn't fancy SuperCorsa's in the wet
I had a contingency plan though as I'd loaded the Storm in the van..
2nd session (my first) the track was still damp, wet in places but a dry line which was quite narrow at times.. I dropped the tyre pressures in the storm a bit and jumped on it, It has Metzeler M7rr tyres and I thought it could be a good try for these in the damp as When I race the VFR the series doesn't allow wets.. Unfortunately the Storm didn't feel great, it was ok but I wasn't confident on it, It was cold and the tyres didn't seem to warm, but maybe it was just me. I also had new boots and gloves on, the boots were digging in my ankles and had limited movement, the knuckle protection on the gloves was really painful everytime I braked. I was going fairly quick but just wasn't feeling it on the Storm. (after this I put my old gloves and boots on)
I was talking to a friend who was racing in the endurance event on a GSXR750 and they tried the Metzelers in their morning practice when it was completely wet track, he was happy with them and praised them, also he said the guy who's won all the races this year in CRMC has them on his FZ750, as said it seems it was me and the tyres appear to be good.
On to the VFR... Wow, it felt awesome straight away, the track had dried but was still cold (about 12 degree's), gave it two and a half laps before going for it a bit, sorry to say this but it made the Storm feel like a bus, this VFR is nimble and quick, seems as fast as the Storm if not faster, certainly faster in the corners and much better on the brakes. there was lots of traffic but I got a few clear laps and was just trying to improve myself as the bike didn't even need a tweak.
Sunday was much better weather, first session was sunny but still cold (9.30am), the 2nd session (last of the weekend) was about 18 degree's, the tyres warmed quick and I got some clear laps to start with and was really starting to get in to it, going faster every lap until I caught traffic. think I lapped almost everyone out there
This thing feels like a proper race bike, It feels more like my old CBR race bike back in the 90's than the proddy stuff I raced in 2012/13/14
All in all the bike is better than I expected, I'm well pleased with it and it's been worth all the hard work, I even had a smile on my face !.
now to race it, unfortunately I might have to wait until August and the Donington classic festival, It seems earlier meetings are full although I will make a call to see if I can get in to Mallory in 2 weeks time (not hopeful though)..
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the linkpipe looks good I agree,