| Author | Message | ||
     Nillaice |
i'm loking at taking my 1125R on the track.o it's pretty much stock, as i only have farkled it a little bit. i got full leathers, boots and gauntlet-gloves, some spare pods, and the CF/kevlar pucks. i made a GP shifter set-up (once you go GP it's hard to go back) and am still running the stock diablos. i was gonna upgrade the brakes to the finned rotor and 2015 pads, but realized that i had just spent a grand on rims and plastics, and i'm prolly not skilled/good enough for it to make a noticeable difference for the price. i'm not even gonna get into the high dollar suspension parts and pieces or trimming wieight with a nano-tek battery. i know lockwirirng is required for most tracks. .... but what else do/should i need to do/get/upgrade? | ||
| Nillaice |
oh, yeah. drain and re-fill the coolant sys with non-glycol coolant  | ||
| D_adams |
What class are you running? Novice, intermediate or advanced? I think most tracks will tell you what's required, the novice class at Blackhawk didn't require much. New tires, taped lights, safety wired/zip tied kickstand and no more than 30% wear on the brake pads. I ran the EBC HH pads, a new set of BT-016's and nothing else extra. Didn't need to change coolant, nothing else safety wired. Beyond that, it's mainly up to the track you'll be on and what skill level you're at. | ||
| Nillaice |
sometimes i might think i can run with the big boys, but i know i'm definetly not advanced. i like the EBC's i'm using on my XB, but i only have street experince with them. anything wrong/not good with stock pads? | ||
| Drawkward |
First off...is this your first track day? If it is, stop thinking you can "run with the big boys"...a big ego will get you into trouble. I still think I completely suck compared to the advanced level guys and I've been told I should race CMRA by multiple people. Check the ego at the door, it'll only get you into trouble. I've seen plenty of people sign up for their first track day into intermediate and get whooped up and down the track so bad they downgraded into Novice. Track riding is completely different than your backroad twisties. Not as scenic though  Secondly, each track org is different. Almost all of the ones serving the Houston/Dallas area don't require any safety wiring, no kickstand wiring, no change of coolant and there isn't a need for a belly pan. The only thing that's required is taped lights, taped or removed glass in mirrors, lic plate bolts taped or removed entirely, good tires with noticeable tread and at least 30% left on the brakes. I've never seen an issue with those rules since I've been riding track. If you have any doubts just call the trackday organizer. From my experience they are typically the nicest people you can meet in the motorcycle world. IF this is your first trackday...put some money aside in advance. You WILL be going back...it's scientifically proven to be more addicting that nicotine. I can't wake up without thinking about racing now!! Let us know how it goes too. What track are you going to be running? Also, if it's not a secret or something...can you post pics of your DIY GP shift you made...I'm definitely interested in that man...I never even thought of making one...big props! | ||
| Jng1226 |
Some really good information here already. I've had the 1125R on the track once, as my MV Agusta F4 1000R is the my normal track bike. Here my observations with a stock 1125R on the track. The 1125R was bone stock. I'm 245 in full gear and the stock suspension was at it's upper limit for my fat ass. I think the stock Showa Suspension is quite good for the average track day rider, especially just starting out. Make sure you do proper suspension setup for your weight with gear on the track. Here is a good video to help you set up your static sag, which is the first thing you should do: http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/73/40/ The best investment you can make in prepping your bike for the track other than required safety gear is fit proper rubber. Race tires are designed to be run at the elevated temperatures of track speeds and give tremendous grip much longer and more consistently compared to "street-biased" rubber. Even if you're not in the top 10% of lap times it is great to have that extra safety margin of the extra grip. I can recommend Michelin Pilot Race Tires as they are true race compound and are relatively inexpensive ($270 per front/rear set shipped): http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bo k?category=TIRES,+WHEELS+%26+WARMERS:Michelin+tire s:Power+race VERY IMPORTANT - check with the track day organizers, racers familiar with your brand, or better yet, any tire vendors that are there that day and run the recommended pressures for the conditions (usually around 30psi front/28psi rear, but CHECK TO BE SURE AT THE TRACK FOR YOUR BRAND/SIZE) Some people are raving about the latest generation of "street/track"-oriented rubber, such as Dunlop Q2' but for the same money, I would go for the true race compound tires for the aforementioned reasons. Lastly, for me the stock braking setup was a little lacking. After the 8th lap or so in a 25-minute session, I experienced noticeable, although not dangerous, fade. Again, that could be because of all the weight my brakes had to stop! I would like to upgrade the brake fluid to Motul Synthetic RBF-600 Race Brake Fluid and the pads to true race compound pads, and probably go with the 1mm-thicker rotor. However, at Jennings GP I was running very comfortable low 1:27's on the stock setup with Michelin Power Race tires (below 1:30's is generally the advanced group pace). For comparison, I run 1:22's on the MV Agusta with Michelin Slicks and full race bodywork. Next season I may turn the 1125R into a full race bike and I bet with the Erik Buell Racing Showa race suspension and the upgraded braking components, I'll be right there with the MV, if not a bit faster because I won't be worried about throwing my 2-wheeled Ferrari down the road! Good luck and have fun, you definitely WILL be addicted! Jeff | ||
| Kicka666 |
As Jeff said upgrade your brake fluid to the RBF600 it has a much higher boiling point & some decent rubber, the Power 1's are a great tyre. I prefer the Pirelli Super Corsas SP1 front & SP2 rear. Set your suspension up for your weight..static & rider sag & go have some fun. | ||
| Rsh |
Just leave your bike as is, do not make any big changes to the setup you are all ready used to. Adding new race brake pads or wildly different suspension changes that you are not familiar with will get you into trouble if a tense situation presents itself. Here is a basic list of things you should have: Motorcycle Key for your motorcycle (don't laugh many have made this mistake!) Tools/Toolbox Spare Parts (levers, pegs, sliders) Tire pressure gauge Air compressor (electric) Torque wrench Zip-ties (in several sizes) Loctite Duct tape Blue painters tape to cover all the light lenses Mechanix gloves, great if having to make adjustments on a hot bike Rear Stand Front Stand Tires usually need to have 80% of tread to be allowed for a track day. Chemicals/Fluids/Spares Motorcycle oil DOT brake fluid Plexus plastic cleaner Brake/Contact Cleaner Spray Polish Distilled Water Water Wetter Shop Towels 5-gallon gas cans with gas First Aid/protection Sunscreen Chapstick with sunblock Ibuprofin or Tylenol Any prescription meds you need Card with emergency contact info & drug allergies Riding Gear Leathers Boots Gloves Helmet Sunglasses Ear plugs Back protector (highly recommended) Towing Canyon Dancer bar harness 2 or 4 tie-downs Ramp Bungee cords Locks Pit Furnishings Awning (EZ-up) Ballast bags to stabilize EZ-Up when/if the wind kicks up. Collapsible chairs Astro-turf/Carpet Ice chest Food & Drink Energy Bars Favorite snacks Gatorade Water-Lot's of it! Ice Fruit Lunch Miscellaneous Stuff Cell phone Phone charger Book Camera Tripod/monopod Flashlight Travel alarm Insect repellent Cash/Credit Card Obviously it would be nice to have a buddy or significant other to help with the days happenings. Above all, relax and have fun...it is not a race, ride at your own pace. | ||
| Kicka666 |
Sorry Rsh I beg to differ suspension , brakes & rubber are the most important things to have sorted on your bike before taking to the track. Having all those other listed items are pointless if you bin your bike for having a poorly set up machine in your first session out. This is my opinion only we all have our own... But having a correctly set up bike will make a day at the track more fun & safe. | ||
| Jdugger |
If this is your first track day, just make sure your bike is in good operational condition and you meet the trackday's safety criteria. All that other stuff is just a hassle. RSH's list is amazingly complete, but also akin to swatting flies with a nuclear missile for a first-timer. At least around here, first timers don't even burn a whole tank of gas generally! I've probably done 30 track days already this year, and did 60+ last year. I'm respectably fast -- mid-pack novice in my local club racing or so. On most days, I'm of the faster in the fast group of the track. .... and I get passed like I'm standing still and have my kick stand down when the white plates come out. Seriously, you KNOW when your fast. If you think you are going to be with the big boys and you don't already have years of racing under your belt, you gotta 'nuther thing coming. If you have never been on a track, the OEM stuff on the Buell is just fine. Put good tires on, get some help at the track setting up your damping from someone with single or low double digits on the front of their bike, and go learn. For the US guys here, remember the European tracks are butter smooth and fast sweepers compared to the rough, bumpy, point-n-shoot stuff we generally see around here. Have a great time! | ||
| White79bu |
Try the ebc extreme pro pads first. the 2015 pads are awesome but the ebc's work really well for half the price. The finned rotor is a great upgrade as well. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Dont get all wrapped up in prep and upgrades for things you arent even sure need upgraded yet. Take this experience as learing the track and learning the bike in a track scenario. | ||
| D_adams |
One thing I forgot to add, I paid the local suspension guys $60 at the track to set up mine. They knew what they were doing, had it all done in about 10-15 minutes. Tire pressure was set at 32/32 and I didn't really have any problems with it all day. It's a little bit stiff for street use now, but I like it, it's very well sorted out for rebound/damping. | ||
| Drawkward |
RSH: Jesus man...anything else?  That list is comprehensive to a fault. This guy is most likely going out to his first track day and you just scared the shit out of him. Advice is good only when it applies...then it's just a hindrance. That said, I'm copying and pasting your list into a txt file for my next trackday  | ||
| Rsh |
The majority of that stuff will fit in couple of milk crates and an ice chest. It's just a basic guide that will help to make the day more comfortable and enjoyable. Anyone can pick and choose what is most likely to apply for the situation. For example, you don't have to run out and buy stands, but if you have them, bring them, they make working on the bike easier if required. Nothing is worse than being uncomfortable and unprepared especially when you are out of your typical environment. | ||
| 01lightning |
i've ridden my cr to my track days- I bring a ratchet, a few torx to remove the mirrors,masking tape and plenty of drinks. I wouldnt reccomend this though, if something goes wrong it could make for a long day and problems getting home. As far as the bike prep goes- the bike is absolutely capable of performing on the track at this level with no upgrades. I thought I wanted an exhaust and this and that but a few days on the track has shown me that I'm nowhere near reaching the potential of the bike as it sits-if you're not a seasoned track rider you're prolly in the same boat. I decided to invest in protection instead-frame pucks,carbon fiber engine guards,and axle sliders. | ||
| Xodot |
I did a track school day on a rented 600 a month ago. I have my first track day this week with my stock 25R. I will ride my own pace 'cause nothing else would be enjoyable. It's not supposed to be work it is?! The most important "thing to bring" on my list is my riding buddy who magnifies the fun in it! Yea it's an expensive hobby but even getting ready for it is a hoot. Relax and enjoy Nillaice - you sound a little stressed man, but that is easily undone. Thanks for the great list of ideas/facts gents. | ||
| Stirz007 |
If this is your first track day on the 1125R - I'll offer something simple: Remove seven bolts, two each mirror, three for rear light/plate holder assembly. Tape up your lights, check fluids and tires - Git after it, learn the track and have a good time. Once the affliction takes over, you can buy all the other cool stuff.. |
