Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128382
Aaron Gobert's and Jamie Hacking's Superstock Graves Yamaha Ylf-R 1s 1. The OhNn. rear shock has a hydraulk pNIoacI adjv.ter and provisions for ride height and high/low-speed compreuion damping, in addition to a more logically located rebound Krew. 2. Thif if a view 01 the cockpit. Note the remote brake adjuster and the AIM SportJ lap timer. 3. Graves Motorsparts titonium canisten mate to a full Ti exhaust system. wrestled the bike into a straight line. I really didn't learn anything because it did the same thing a lap later. Only then did I figure out how to position my body way over the front end on the exit, let the tire spin a little and then stay in the throttle at all costs. Much better. As my personal one-man Willow Springs Superstock event progressed, I was able to experience why the Graves RIs are so good and how they won the championship. With the headshake-from-hell solved, I started to concentrate on what made the bike otherwise so easy to ride. The biggest difference to me wasn't necessarily the power, but rather the bike's excellent suspension compliance through the track's ultrafast corners one, two, eight and nine. Despite the fact that the bike is much faster than my R6, the combination of the Dunlop slicks, excellent Ohlins suspension and a stable chassis made turning quick laps a snap. As for the motor itself, it's really strong - but on top of that, the power delivery is very smooth and linear. It isn't nearly as intimidating as a superbike but extremely impressive nonetheless. The throttle response is crisp, which allows the tire to slide predictably when picking up the throttle exiting the tighter corners. Top-end performance is awesome, and with the sky-high 13,7S0-rpm redline, it seems like it'll go on forever. The ignition-kill shifter was set up perfectly and really helped to keep the bike on the boil - no wasted forward momentum there. As my session progressed and Igot comfortable, I realized that I would easily be able to get into the I:27s, as I had done a string of 29s and then a few 28s. Iwas monitoring all of this on the AIM Sports lap timer, which also told me that I was on my 13th lap when I turned my quickest time - oops! Time really does fly when you're having fun. I just couldn't believe how easy it was to do those lap times despite the wind picking up. Gobert had gone out earlier in the day and put down a I:23.695, and I'm sure he could have gone quicker, but I was more than happy with the fact that I was within 3.7 seconds of the champ, even if he wasn't trying. Later in the day, I went out on Gobert's bike, which felt completely different from Hacking's. Gobert runs a lot more rear ride height, and he also runs a stiffer setup in terms of 48 JUNE 15,2005 • CYCLE NEWS 4. Stock rotors and calipers are used a. per the rules, but aftermarket brake lines and Ferodo brake pads are used. Note the dato-Iogging sensor for wheel speed. As per the rules, these are only legal for testing and cannot be run during an AMA Superstock event. 5. Not much can be done to the motor, spring rates. Iactu- but then again it doesn't need much. ally liked the feel of Note the ignitian-kill shifter attached to Gobert's bike bet- the shift-shaft linkage. ter, as the spring rates were closer to ideal for my 190-pound mass. I did the six laps on Gobert's bike and was just getting comfortable when I had to come back into the pits; otherwise, I think I could have gone qUicker than on Hacking's bike. The wind had picked up a lot by the end of the day, but I only managed to get within a second of my time on Hacking's bike. What amazed me was how stable both bikes were in the wind. Under those conditions, 600s tend to get blown all over the place, but these two bikes were glued to the track. The brakes on both bikes felt excellent at Willow, but then again, the track doesn't really have too many hard braking zones other than turns one and three, so fade is hardly ever an issue. For tracks that tax the brakes more, both bikes are equipped with remote adjusters so that the rider can adjust the span on the fly with his left hand. It was interesting to compare the two obviously different bike setups of the riders; their setups are quite different and yet both attain the same goal. The only difference is that each bike is tailored to fit its rider and his preferences perfectly. It was a thrill to experience what a full-on factory Superstock bike feels like - and trust me, it's a great feeling, as c1ose·to a superbike as it gets without blowing huge wads of cash. At the same time, it was considerably more manageable than I expected it would be, primarily due to how refined the Graves crew made the bike. The Graves crew runs a top-notch team, which explains the success. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if one of its riders, including Gobert, Hacking, Jason DiSalvo or Damon Buckmaster, won the title at the end of the season. Judging how good these RIs are and how close the times have been to the Superbike times this season, it's a real shame that Yamaha isn't competing in that class. Keep your fingers crossed, and maybe we'll be able to cheer for one of these guys on a factory Yamaha superbike next season. The bike is already three-quarters of the way there, and there should be eN a new RI on the way for 2006. Aaron Gobert's and Jamie Hacking's Graves Yamaha Superstock R Is FRAME SUBFRAME SWINGARM CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS ENGINE MODS EXHAUST HEADER EXHAUST SILENCER AIR FILTER IGNITION SPARK PLUGS CYLINDER HEAD CAMS FUEL-INJECTION SYSTEM OEM OEM OEM Not AMA legal None Graves TItanium Graves Titanium OEM OEM NGK OEM OEM OEM w/Dynojet Power Commander BORE/STROKE Stock OEM PISTONS RODS OEM CRANKSHAFT OEM CLUTCH OEM plates w/YEC kit springs HANDLEBAR Graves RenthaII GRIPS GUARDS Graves Folding w/remote adjuster, CONTROL LEVERS folding clutch lever OEM w/Ohlins "factory" spring kit FORK TRIPLE CLAMPS OEM SHOCK Ohlins OEM LINKAGE STEERING DAMPER Ohlins OEM WHEELS FRONT BRAKE OEM w/Ferodo Pads REAR BRAKE OEM w/Ferodo Pads OEM MASTER CYLINDERS TIRES Dunlop Slicks BODYWORK Sharkskinz MC Pro DeSigns GRAPHICS SEAT Sharkskinz FOOTPEGS Graves FOOT CONTROLS Graves OEM RADIATORS SPROCKETS AFAM #S20 CHAIN .D.I.D. #520 FUEL TANK OEM FUEL .YP Racing fuels LUBRICANTS Yamalube HARDWARE Yamaha WINDSCREEN Zero Gravity FAIRING BRACKET Graves TIRE WARMERS CTC SPEED SHIFTER Dynojet