Well what a fantastic day was had at the island last Monday. I was able to take the new bike out and give it a really good run. I had been to Broadford twice over the past month, but was still trying to get used to the bike, and really these bikes need a big fast track like Phillip Island to really open them up... plus I really love the island !!
Ok, so my initial thoughts... I love this bike, I was feeling pretty fast on it straight away, with my times going straight into the high 40's, and with only 1.6 secs to make up to beat my PB I was very happy BUT there are some things straight away that need to be worked on.I have read about this before, but it is always best to experience it for yourself before making a judgement. The bike wants to run wide on every fast turn. Turns 3, Hayshed, Turn 12.. I was fighting it to get around the whole time, but I was relaxed enough on the bike to realise exactly what it was doing. This was making me either check the throttle or even roll off slightly so I didn't run right off the track !! which was costing me good time, and also a higher top speed at the end of the straight. So in answer to this problem, the rear has to come up. The Ohlins TTX has ride height adjustment so the recommendation is to lengthen the shock 8 - 10mm. I know this sounds like a lot, but this is what the racers have had to do to get the turn in and line holding correct. Leaving the forks set at stock height also is the other recommendation I will stick to. The front felt good, if not a bit firm, so the pre-load has been backed off a few turns to use up more travel, but overall the front is good. The spring weight is perfect for me, so it is just a matter of tweaking here.
My other problem was I had not installed a throttle insert, so when heading for full throttle or even revving it right out, I had a lot of wrist movement, worst of all on the straight where I found myself walking my fingers up for another pull.. which in turn unsettled the bars.. of course I hadn't gotten around to getting the steering damper revalved as yet
, so the headshakes where not being controlled at all.. so these problems also had to be fixed.. (well they where on the 'to do' list anyway) So the insert has already been made and fitted, and the steering damper is getting revalved as we speak, so these problems fixed already. I will be doing the ride height adjustment on the weekend and back at the island again in a couple of weeks for 2 more days of testing... Then it's up to Eastern Creek with new tyres in September for our annual trip up North. I will be sure to update this thread after the next couple of track days..!! 
Macca
