Vienna – Well, I needed a little time to process all the diverse impressions at the Slovakia Ring. Now, five days later, I´m ready to tell you my impressions in detail…
The first day, a Saturday, went by in a trance-like manner. I looked at myself in the mirror and knew that today I was really fired up for enjoyment on the highest level. Despite my lack of sleep due to my extensive blog writing the evening before, I was very focused and ready. Externally I seemed calm and focused but internally a volcano bubbled up. I was so excited and full of anticipation. Then, after a preliminary discussion and a warm-up lap, we got started.
We were told to not drive at full speed from the beginning and not to be over-motivated or else one ends up in the gravel as it´s often the case. I followed the advice and started slowly. After two laps my feeling of security grew and I accelerated the pace and sloping position. In the following three to four laps I felt really sorry for my Ducati Monster 821 Stripe because she perpetually hit the speed limiter. It was not possible for me to shift early enough as everything went so fast.
What´s more, especially after the long start-finish line it was very difficult for me to estimate the speed and distance correctly in order to find the right braking point. To find the right turn-in point, our instructors Zwedi and Leo had arrayed pylons on every curve. A further pylon in each vertex of a curve. That way we had an orientation concerning the turn-in point and the section at which one should come closest to the inner edge of the road.
In the afternoon, it was time for the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. I started with the ‘normal’ version. Besides the obviously different sitting position compared to my Monster I particularly noticed the precise controllability of the front brake. I called it ‘to push the brake lining on the brake disc with the finger’ There is somehow nothing in between that distorts the brake power. Also the acceleration and the maximum speed on the start-finish line were, probably because this was somewhat new to me, impressive, even though I was by far not the fastest. But I enjoyed it when faster ones who had kept enough distance, passed me by. Everything was as in a flux and I could learn a lot from the more experienced.
At the end, when I wasn´t expecting it any more, I got my knee down for the first time in my life. I briefly startled and then pushed again, otherwise it wouldn´t have been possible to tackle the curve – grin. After that I immediately felt my neck and a cramp in my hip. I was glad the turn was over. Now it´s important to practice, practice, practice, so that I can enjoy it more. In the evening I sat with the lads and gents from Upper Austria until late at night. We had a blast and Max offered us the best red wine. He then got on my Monster and he wasn´t the only one – grin. We took pictures and watched videos and recalled the events of the day.
On Sunday I was able to ride the Fireblade again. This time I was very intimidated by the accidents that had happened and also because of some conversations I had prior to my turns. I noticed this immediately when I was in a way driving in an angular mode and my line was non-existent. I was already going to go back to the pit after a few laps and thought: ‘Nothing will come of it today’. But I was lucky that Harald, also a rookie here, overtook me and almost had the same pace as me.
So I could drive some more delightful laps. The distance between us varied, once I came closer, then I was further afield, but we stayed together until the end. And in keeping with the motto ‘you gotta descend with a smile in your face’ I ended the day on the Superbike. It was lovely, I enjoyed it. To be continued on a Ducati Panigale- grin.
ARMIN ON BIKE conclusion after testing the Honda Fireblade: On the race track, it´s a great machine with breathtaking driving performances. But with a responsible way of driving it´s also suitable on the road owing to the many little electronic helpers. It´s not complicated to drive. As a beginner, I got the hang of it with setting 2. For longer rides one has to be tough for sure, since the incredibly sporty sitting posture exacts one´s toll after a while. What I missed most is the emotion towards the motorcycle, which I only feel for a Ducati. But this is just my personal opinion. My little Monster 821 Stripe is not well suited for the race track due to her motorization. But one does not have to renounce a ‘monster on track’, a monster 1200S or 1200R makes perfect sense.
Text, photos and videos: Armin Hoyer | ARMIN ON BIKE – arminonbike.com
