| Author | Message | ||
     Kcfirebolt |
Okay. This will be my first track day ever. I am going with the goal of not going fast, dragging knees or being a hero. I want to be smooth, steady and walk (not limp) away. I've borrowed leathers that fit (look like a pregnant seal). I've got boots. I've got gloves. I am almost ready, but I need advice on two bike related questions. First, should I change my tires? I have about 50% tread left on the rear and lots of tread left on the front, but it is cupped. I have two new tires on order. Do I wear out the old tires on the track and put on the new ones for the winter? Do I put on the new ones before the track day to maximize preformance? Again, I do not have the skills yet to rag out either set of tires. Second, I glazed the front brake pads when I first got them. I took them out last night and roughed them up with sand paper and a wire brush. Took the bike out and I seemed to have recovered quite a bit of performance. Am I kidding myself on this? Should I put in new pads to be extra safe? Other thoughts. As a newbie, Should I stay to the outside of the track? My understanding is that they will seperate the novices from the advanced riders and run us in half hour sessions. If I am riding with other newbies, should I just dive right in and let others figure out how to get around me? I just don't want to do anything stupid (or squidly) out there. Thanks for your comments. | ||
| Mikej |
Ride a clean line and don't block traffic, if you start trying to ride the outside you're bound to cut someone off who's fast overtaking you as you cross over to the outside. Ride clean and steady and let the followers get around you. Be predictable, don't be unpredictable, and don't panic if someone crowds you a bit and you get a little nudge or two - just ride it out clean and steady. Smooth transitions, leave the flip flop hijinks to the more advanced riders. Track days are hard on tires, high speeds, many corners, probably 5,000 miles of street use condensed into a few hours on the track as far as wear and tear. If you put the new tires on the bike before the track day be sure to take them on a few rides to run them in a bit and wear off the process residues so you don't start slipping on the track as your lean increases. Just some thoughts. | ||
| Aumali |
Curious...what track will you be at? | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Heartland Park Topeka, KS | ||
| Court |
New tires. Ride YOUR ride and ride safely...experienced riders will pass a predictable rider w/o pause or concern. Don't ride with "staying out of the way" in mind. To know where THEY are, you'll have to look back, don't. Know that there will be folks going past you. Be perpared for it and learn to concentrate on YOUR ride. Strive for smooth; you'll find fast is a by-product. Oh, and one more thing, if you are at Heartland Park I'd not mention that you knew or took any advise from me  . . the award Reg Pridmore presented me for screwing up a perfectly good track day, hangs proudly on my wall. It took him threatening to kill me to get me to start listening and learning. Most of all, HAVE FUN. Court | ||
| Skully |
Ride within your limits; don't let anything or anyone pressure you into doing something you are not comfortable doing. All of us started just like you are. Keith CMRA 211 Team Fossil Racing | ||
| Daves |
Have fun, put on the new tires,,new brake pads and break them in before you go into turn 1. Listen to the advise given to you by the instructors. Ride to the edge! Track day junkie Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Usapitbullz |
Charles, when is the track day? | ||
| Blublak |
 NEW TIRES! As previously stated, just let them get a little cleaned off (light riding) then to the track (if it's a long haul, don't ride, tow it, you'll be much happier)  NEW BRAKES! Make sure they are working and that you can fully apply them with two fingers on the lever and two on the grip. Make sure that your rear lever is positioned so you can slid your toe off it and not 'accidentaly' tap it as you lean the bike in a turn (saw it happen once, not pretty) Is this a 'Track Day' or CLASS?  If it's CLASS they will instruct you to stay to the inside of the track. Don't look for other riders (unless they are in front of you) except to reference what YOU need to do. Ride your ride, don't try to out ride yourself, that is a sure way to get into trouble. At Reg's CLASS there is no passing on the inside, so as to avoid the risk of 'sliding out' and taking someone with you. So you should be safe, just remember, those that are faster will be passing you, it's not a race, let them go by. You may even find yourself passing some other riders. Be courteous on the track. Don't get frustrated, even if you make a mistake.. just take it in stride and above all.. LEARN from it.  You'll find that as you go along, everything you ABSORB from the instructors/coaches and what you learn about yourself and your bike as you negotiate the track will give you insight into how and what you need to do to get even smoother and of course faster.. Lastly, remember that the track is one thing, a specific enclosed, controlled environment where you are riding. Remember to 'edit' what you did on the track for safe road riding. I'm sure you'll hear more about that and you'll have a really good time. If you want a little more insight.. check out my story from CLASS... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/6817/29970.html?1057732247 If I didn't do that right.. it's under the TALE SECTION - RUNS, FUNS and SUMS.. Check it out! Now, go out there and have fun!  Later. | ||
| Gearhead |
Kcfirebolt I have to agree with the guys above on everything. #1 Unless you live just a few miles from the track, trailer your bike. After a long day at maximum concentration, you'll be very surprised how tired you'll be and a long ride home would be tough!! #2 Start drinking water, lots of it, several days before your track day to lessen the chances of dehydration. This is CRITICAL as this condition will put you into the fence as quickly as a missed corner. #3 Most track days have three different groups, Novice, Intermediate and Expert. Leave your ego at home and jump into the Novice or Beginner group. At the track days I've attended there was no passing in the turns in this group at least during the early sessions so you'll be able to concentrate on running clean lines. By the way you'll notice the number of guys in the Intermediate group that probably should be in your group!! Ego can get you in trouble as well!! Have a blast, I'm jealous!! | ||
| Pattonme |
KC is owned by the same guys who run Blackhawk Farms. Stand up bunch. I don't know what outfit you're going with but any proper organization will MANDATE that you be in the beginner group. They will furthermore MANDATE no passing whatsoever in corners, no matter how late in the day. Only intermediates and advanced riders are allowed to pass and almost ALWAYS the rule will be pass on the outside. being a licensed racer I don't get too upset over inside passes or close ones either. It just sucks when they suck the paint off of you coming onto the straights or down the straights. Some days 43HP simply isn't enough when stacked against 70. | ||
| Henrik |
KC; 1) New tires 2) clean your front rotor with alcohol and very fine sand paper. Either resand your current pads or go with new pads. Break them in according to manufacturers recommendations. 3) trailer to the track and bring basic replacement parts. Sucks to loose a track day because of a broken clutch or brake lever. 4)Have fun, don't crash, have fun. 5) DO NOT look back. DO NOT think about what is going on behind you. It's over and done with. It's always the responsibility of the guy behind you to make a clean pass. 6) Smooth rules. Smooth on and off the gas. Smooth on and off the brakes. 7) breathe. Concentrate on consistent, regular breathing. It's amazing how that will loosen you up and make your riding work better. 8) Look up, look ahead, look through the turn as far as you can. It will "slow" things down for you and make for smoother riding. 9) Loosen the Death Grip on the bars. Light on the bars and hold you upper body with your legs, abs and back. And for each of these many points you can add just as many; Slow down to go fast - Slow down to go fast - Slow down to go fast - You'll have a blast ... and likely start a new, expensive habit Henrik | ||
| Court |
>>>>and likely start a new, expensive habit Spoken from one who KNOWS! | ||
| Shazam |
Charles when are you doing this? give me a call | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Just got off the phone with Shazam. We talked through the tires, and based on the description of the tires, he has convinced me to put the new tires on. We talked through the brakes, and it looks like I should be fine with what I have now. He is going to stop by the track day that morning to keep me out of trouble. Shazam. Thanks for the help and support. I appreciate your guidance. I'll give everyone a report after the track day. | ||
| Daves |
I just wish I could go too! Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Uspitbullz October 12th | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bike is up and running with new rubber and new suspension settings. I used the Aggessive settings that were on the board a while back. What a difference! The bike feels like a scapel! I am so freaking excited. I just can't stand it! | ||
| Shazam |
if there's anything you need charles, call parts, tools, anything..... I'll be there around nine at the LATEST | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Cool. Look forward to seeing you there. | ||
| Tropicana69 |
Good Luck and Safe riding! Don't look back it is a beginning that will alsays make you look forward to what is ahead. Have fun, enjoy. This is the best day and only day, always present and always looking forward to the road ahead. | ||
| Usapitbullz |
Sam, I still may get out there. As long as I don't end up staying out late the night before. You know how that one goes!  Wanna go Heckle some Kareoke people??  See Ya, JM |
