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I've been getting through PMS by dreaming about track days and riding in general. As part of this I've spent a fair bit of time dreaming about the best of the crop for a new track bike as I would very much like a track bike with selectable ABS and traction control on the electronics side and a slipper clutch. I would use these electronic features as learning tools and found them really interesting on my Multistrada S's single day at NHMS in 2012. I tried hard and was barely able to activate the traction control even in sport setting (chicken is what I am) and never activated the ABS but have to admit I didn't try for that and am also a chicken shit on the brakes and only slide/wiggle the rear some with downshifts.
So, in order to save myself cash I spent some time thinking about my current track bike. Just had suspension refreshed and aligned by Peter Kates last summer and I love the bike like never before. It's also been fanatically maintained by me and I know everything is good to go with no worries. So why do I want a new track bike? Besides new shiny toy "want want want" I think it's my frustration with the brakes. I loathe having to bleed the brakes to get through a day and I also really hate how soft the lever gets and how hard it is to use. Having tried other bikes on track (R1, 675R, GSXR600, Multistrada S) I know how nice good or ever great brakes are and I want them. I don't need insane stoppers like those on my 2011 Multi S but I do want some that I can use 1 or 2 fingers on that I just don't need to touch during a 2 day event.
My setup now is stock rotors, Motul RBF600 or ATE Super Blue fluid, stainless lines, and have run Carbone Lorraine race pads and EBC Sintered Double-H for pads. I've flushed them several times as well as bled them and used the zip tie trick. I start with a nice firm level and good bite but by the end of the first session it's only so so. If I don't ride around the paddock for a bit after a session before I park the bike the lever will be really spongy and need one pump for the first half a lap and i never as good as first session after a bleed. If I keep going or do instruction and come right in and park the bike I usually have to bleed the brakes 1 or 2 times during a day. I'm a medium pace rider in the advanced group with Tony's days most times.
Looking for options that don't require suspension work preferably as it's all so nice right now and I spent considerable cash on refresh an setup last year. Did some reading online and see a lot of BS and since I don't know much I'm worried about the quality of info.
Dave