Dying of cancer, but I have a dream (18 tracks, 13 countries) - RIP, Jonathan Ko

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
Hi Jon,

I was on the #414 bike at Brok's on Saturday. Really enjoyed meeting you and riding with you. You did great. Hard to believe it was your first time on dirt the way you were squaring off the turns on the throttle doing those nice, controlled slides during the braking drill.

Sorry I can't help with a track bike for Laguna.
 

RickM

Well-known member
If you can't find a better bike for laguna you can ride my ninja 250. ( That is if you are willing to lol). No rent needed. If it gets damaged, just buy me parts to fix. Usually doesn't get damaged beyond levers, bars and rearsets all which costs ~$100. Plastics crack, but I can glue it back without any extra cost.

It used to be ridden in AFM by the previous owners many centuries ago. It works well as a learner trackbike for me.
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Spec-ECU

required protocol
Hi,

I am wondering if anyone can help. I am looking for a trackbike for Laguna Seca on May 25th. I am signed up, and was hoping to rent a bike. Unfortunately, the schedules did not line up. I am looking for something a safe and reliable (both you and the bike). A smaller bike is actually preferred, but I have no problems with 600 supersports either. I am willing to pay a fair price for the day, and will sign waivers and accept responsibility for any damage.

Please let me know if you can help.

Thanks!

Jon, remember this:

Let me start you off with this:

I know Laguna Seca hosted its last MotoGP race this year, and who knows when/if MotoGP will return to this circuit. But if you want to still include Laguna Seca in your list, then just make it back down here, and your trackday is on me, and you can ride my track work horse - a 2007 Yamaha R1 - carte blanche.

I'll even ride with you the whole day, C Group or not, if you think that will make your time and experience out in the track that much better. Or I can just be your pit bitch, for that whole professional rider experience; your own pit area, me waiting to roll the bike for you on the stands at the end of your sessions, your own pimp chair, a work table to put the bike on during lunch so it looks like we're working on it, and I'll even have a clipboard with fake data to look like we're working on set up. You can make exaggerated motions with your arms as to what the bike's doing, to complete the look.

Dead serious. Print this if you need to, cash in whenever you're ready.

:thumbup

It still stands. However, I no longer have my track work horse (2007 R1), so you'll have to choose between one of the following:

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Still no cost for either one, and all the other amenities I mentioned still included. Neither one has a stock exhaust system though, but I do have a baffle available for the R1's muffler, and the NT650 can probably still get away with the decibel limit (I think).
 

Spec-ECU

required protocol
OR

If you'd rather not ride a literbike, and want something more updated than an 80's Honda, I can put you on a 2006 track R6 (but they're notorious for blowing the sound meter, even if stock). Just let me know. :thumbup
 

BluesCruiser

Well-known member
OR

If you'd rather not ride a literbike, and want something more updated than an 80's Honda, I can put you on a 2006 track R6 (but they're notorious for blowing the sound meter, even if stock). Just let me know. :thumbup

Maybe you can coast past the meter, or maybe take the offer of the Ninja 250. Tonedeaf took one of those to his first Laguna TD and it worked fine in the C group except on that uphill straight. They are very uptight about the decibels there.
 

jonko

Well-known member
Thank you all for your offers. :thumbup It warms my heart to know that there are people out there are willing show so much generosity even to a stranger. Right now, I feeling a bit like a kid in a candy store.

RickM's, I think your 250 is an excellent choice. But it might be nice to roll in something that was designed less than 25 years ago. I know I probably can't outride it though. SpecECU, your r6 is also very tempting. I do worry about blowing the sound. I have done it even on a 250. purposeinlife, your gsxr is very sexy. I think I would worry about breaking it.

I guess I have to make a decision. I will follow up with each of you. Thank you again.
 

NTron3000

When in doubt...
So amazed and stoked you are following through. I posted in this thread a while back and offered to man the grill if you sorted Laguna but unfortunately a family friend passed and I'm out of town at his memorial. Looks like you are being well taken care of for Laguna though. Go team BARF!
 

jonko

Well-known member
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All ready for tomorrow! Thanks Dennis!

Stop by and say hi if you're in Laguna Seca tomorrow.
 

horsepower

WaterRider/Landsurfer
This thread simply gives me hope for humanity; Frankly it should be melted into Norcalathletes Humanity thread for all the warm fuzzies it brings.:)

So now my turn......
I won 4 VIP paddock passes plus parking etc to Indianapolis MotoGp at a recent moto event.
I would like for you and Kevin714 to have 1-2 or all 4 of them if you haven't bought tickets yet. Contact me if interested.:thumbup. Hope you had fun at Laguna; Dennis et al, you are wonderful.:cool
 

jonko

Well-known member
Day at the track (Laguna Seca)

So Laguna Seca was the first track on my list. I rode a Keigwin's trackday on Sunday as a B- rider. A huge thanks to everyone who made the day possible. I want to thank specifically Dennis (Spec-ECU) for his generosity with his bike, my friends who spent a huge effort to spend the day with me, and my family for their physical and emotional support. I'd also like to thank everyone at BARF for their continued support.

These last several years have been rough, but I think I have come out of it with a renewed focus on what really matters in my life. Family, friends, and this dream of riding the MotoGP tracks are at the top of my list. I don't entirely know what meaning this dream holds for me, but even as I drove down to the track on Saturday night, it felt right, it felt significant. And at the end of the day, maybe that is all I can hope for.

So riding-wise, I definitely did not set any track records. The sound limits there really worried me. There is a one strike rule for a bike with modified exhaust with no silencers. It turned out I didn't have to worry as much as I did, but it did cramp my style. The R6 took a bit of getting used to. It is as revvy as they say it is so power was available only after 10k. That combined with the stiff throttle action really made the power feel like an on-off switch. It accelerates like a beast though. The blind corners were uncomfortable, especially the crest at the end off the front straight. One lesson learned is to always check tire pressures, especially after getting new tires. Still poor fitness though. I'll need to work on that.

It was a great day with great weather. I started the day off by myself. It was great just to just zone out, zone in, and concentrate on the day ahead.
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Obligatory Selfie.

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My friends and family showed up around noon with the grill. I was great to hang out and catch up.

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My niece a future racer!

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The guys.

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Looking badass walking down the hall.

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Cuteness overload.

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And finally some action shots.
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jonko

Well-known member
This thread simply gives me hope for humanity; Frankly it should be melted into Norcalathletes Humanity thread for all the warm fuzzies it brings.:)

So now my turn......
I won 4 VIP paddock passes plus parking etc to Indianapolis MotoGp at a recent moto event.
I would like for you and Kevin714 to have 1-2 or all 4 of them if you haven't bought tickets yet. Contact me if interested.:thumbup. Hope you had fun at Laguna; Dennis et al, you are wonderful.:cool

Horespower, this is an amazing offer. My original plan was to *ride* the MotoGP tracks, but if there is nothing else I have learned from my situation, it would be flexibility and adaptability. I would like to accept your offer if it still stands. I don't know how yet, but I promise to pay it forward!

Sorry, I did not get back to you sooner. It was a busy weekend!
 
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Lunch Box

Useful idiot
Dani is one of the most generous people I've ever met. If accumulated karma could be redeemed for cash, this woman would never have to work again. :hail Dani
 

Spec-ECU

required protocol
:thumbup

I just put two and two (or three) together, but it wasn't my bike. It was nice to have met you and trade some stories as well, glad you enjoyed your return to Laguna Seca and good luck at CotA! :thumbup
 
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