Great review and summary of the day at Laguna! I've never been, but it's on the bucket list. (I'm an East Coaster.)
I think your comment about taking a bike straight from the showroom, slap some SC2's on, and going within a few seconds of your previous PB is pretty telling. One of these days I hope to do something similar, but with a M1000R. :-)
Laguna is interesting--on the surface it's not really very technical and you can get to a respectable lap time but to go proper quick on it, there is a lot of nuance, including initiating turn while on throttle, even on a big bike; sorting out the flat corners is something too, and Turn 1 is probably the spookiest 'corner' I've ever ridden. As far as a setting, there are few in the US that come close and it's one where you can likely get a 'pass' to go with your significant other because of the proximity to scenic and fun activities.
As you noted, the bike is exceedingly capable almost totally stock. Following Ken Hill's guidance, I did pick up an M1000 RR link and shock. I still have my Ohlins from the old bike, but either way, I'm going to ride it as-is and hopefully I can discern suspension adjustments--that's a serious opportunity for my own development.
Great review and summary of the day at Laguna! I've never been, but it's on the bucket list. (I'm an East Coaster.)
I think your comment about taking a bike straight from the showroom, slap some SC2's on, and going within a few seconds of your previous PB is pretty telling. One of these days I hope to do something similar, but with a M1000R. :-)
Laguna is interesting--on the surface it's not really very technical and you can get to a respectable lap time but to go proper quick on it, there is a lot of nuance, including initiating turn while on throttle, even on a big bike; sorting out the flat corners is something too, and Turn 1 is probably the spookiest 'corner' I've ever ridden. As far as a setting, there are few in the US that come close and it's one where you can likely get a 'pass' to go with your significant other because of the proximity to scenic and fun activities.
As you noted, the bike is exceedingly capable almost totally stock. Following Ken Hill's guidance, I did pick up an M1000 RR link and shock. I still have my Ohlins from the old bike, but either way, I'm going to ride it as-is and hopefully I can discern suspension adjustments--that's a serious opportunity for my own development.