RC390 budget commuter/kart track

[boogieman065]

[video=youtube;HGgs-lbprTs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGgs-lbprTs&feature=youtu.be[/video] 4-15-18 Session 4 with 300 class buddies. Riding Thunderhill West Reverse Bypass. The straight was short enough that allowed small bikes to catch larger displacements. The clip ons worked wonderfully. I will think about how to trim the fairings to sustain the factory look/have clearance later.

I took both the RSV4 and the RC390 out. The RSV4 was wayyy too much of a handful on my first session, so I took out the RC390 out about 80% of the time.

 

[CDN Duke]

How heavy is the Aprilia? Have you tried swapping the loading configuration with the RC390 on the hitch mount instead?

 

[boogieman065]

How heavy is the Aprilia? Have you tried swapping the loading configuration with the RC390 on the hitch mount instead?

It won't work because the Aprilia is significant longer, so the tailgate will not close with it. It's 440lbs.

 

[boogieman065]

Here's how she sits today. Potentially doing Sonoma on May 10th.

 

[boogieman065]

Went to Kinsman Kart Track for open practice today. Everything went well until after lunch. A guy lowsided his supermoto right in front of me and I rode into the rider. Luckily, bikes and people were fine. Sorry you'll be sore tomorrow, buddy.

the RC390 has the additional battle scars:
More brake lever rash (will be sanded and painted over)
Right T-Rex slider grounded down slightly
Windscreen rash
Right turn signal ripped off
One scratch on the upper right side fairing
One gouge on the tank cover
Bent right peg
Scratch front MC cover.

Rear set and clip ons from China did great.

The worst part is this... I hit my Shoei RF1200 I just replaced from my last crash in fall 2017. I'm sending it to Shoei to have them inspect it for its serviability.

I'm going back tomorrow to race. Here is the clip of me practicing about 15 minutes after the crash.
[video=youtube_share;4nYh-TOhsIU]https://youtu.be/4nYh-TOhsIU[/video]

 

[boogieman065]

Great first ever races at Kinsman in Dixon, CA!

I raced in the 450cc and below open and formula GP(sub400cc sportbikes). Ended up taking 2nd in both races. The 450cc was insane, it was hard fighting against supermotos. My best lap time was a 38.3, I met a AFM racer there who took 1st with 36.2. There was certainly room to improve with my corner entry speed.

 

[boogieman065]

Props to MotoCrew USA!

 

[boogieman065]

Got back from a month long work trip and threw on the R6 shock/formula 390 spring. What a difference! Much more stable through turns, although I felt like I had decent grip on the OEM. I also dig the blue spring!

 

[LukaSzynka]

I see we are on the same path, but with an approach from different directions
I did tyre switch, R6 mod, front springs...
Recently Akra PCV in Chad configuration...
Now time to play with the body, clip on's, rear sets
Under pan from duke looks great! I think I will copy your idea!

Is clipons and ebay rear set helpful while riding, worth to spent this money?

Great thread! Thanks

 

[boogieman065]

The rearset and clip ons are definitely worth it, considering I spent $130 total on them and they survived a get off.

For the Duke chin, the parts you'll need are 5, 24, 25, and 26. Of course if you're rocking OEM exhaust like I am, the exhaust cover too.

https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2015-ktm-390-duke-bl-abs-b-d/o/m156771#sch896362

 

[LukaSzynka]

Thanks, I will fig what is needed. OEM exhaust is already on a shelf.
Its lot of fun to upgrade the bike and do it smart way, not throwing a bag of gold on it.

Cheers

 

[boogieman065]

Yes, considering the Duke belly mod cost only $40!

 

[boogieman065]

Wrapping up the '18 season. Not much to update as far as new modifications.

I did switch the front from Alpha 13 to Q3+ and I was much more than impressed. The Alpha 13s were used for the RC cup races, but the Q3+ were able to provide excellent grip and feel despite being a street tire.

I used the bike often as a control rider/instructor and personal track days. Between kart tracks and big tracks, this bike wears the front at a much faster rate due to lower power and heavy trail braking into corners. I also run lower pressure (~25psi)

Mods I recommend for track/street performance after this full season:
New shock- R6 shock and Formula 390 springs helped a lot. It lifted the rear and stabilize the bounciness.
Belly fairing- Get rid of itm. The '15 dragged on my so I switched to the Duke lower end.
Brake pads- EBC HH provided much better feel
Tires

Next season, I may look into doing the fork inserts, ABS delete.

Ride safe! Join me and Cali Track Days on November 5th at Thunderhill. That's our season closer.

 

[boogieman065]

Back to the kart track, first time since August. Feeling sloppy but the confidence in the bike was there. Lines were inconsistent and so were braking points.

https://youtu.be/LNha1NxryBU

 

[John390]

great job, keep it up!

question for you

what purpose did the rear fender swap accomplish?

 

[boogieman065]

The rear fender swap makes it easier to reach the shock and chain, mostly just weight reduction/looks.

I went down hard this weekend!

 

[othebe]

Ouch man, glad to hear you’re ok. Came up onto the straight and saw you in the middle of track. I’m not a big fan of running reverse, that big wall coming out of the corner being one of them.

 

[Tom]

if you need the fairings, they are relatively cheap from KTM world:

2015:
https://www.ktmworld.com/oemparts/a/ktm/5762d286eb0bed20685f8c79/side-covers

2017:
https://www.ktmworld.com/oemparts/a/ktm/5ae8d8ed7e33f6207c0629fd/side-trim

 

[boogieman065]

Ouch man, glad to hear you’re ok. Came up onto the straight and saw you in the middle of track. I’m not a big fan of running reverse, that big wall coming out of the corner being one of them.

Thanks! Yeah it was the absolute worst corner to crash. Sliding feet first towards a tire/concrete wall, I thought I would break both my legs then suddenly my shoulder and head took a hit.

if you need the fairings, they are relatively cheap from KTM world:

2015:
https://www.ktmworld.com/oemparts/a/ktm/5762d286eb0bed20685f8c79/side-covers

2017:
https://www.ktmworld.com/oemparts/a/ktm/5ae8d8ed7e33f6207c0629fd/side-trim

Thanks! I got fork inserts, Ohlins shock, and 320mm rotor priced out as well. Right now I'm just waiting to confirm I'll be ok leaned over on a sportbike again, if not I'll be on a Duke 390

 

[John390]

OK, I have to ask.

How in the hell do you lean it over far enough to scrape the kickstand?? I leaned mine over in the driveway until the left peg touched and I almost couldn't pick it back up it was over so far!!