| Author | Message | ||
     Hangontight |
I'm set to do my 1st ever track day on Aug. 12th at Blackhawk Farms Raceway. I have a few questions for anyone that's done one before: 1.) Should I plan on bringing my bike in my truck or can I ride it there? It would be easier for me to ride it there but maybe it would be more convenient to be able to bring tools and such along. 2.) Anybody have any Uly specific advise as far as suspension adjustments? 3.) I don't want to spend extra $ on tires so I'll be using my stock Dunlop 616's will they hold up ok?...As this is my first track day I don't anticipate being really brutal on them. Any other 1st track day advice would be greatly appreciated. I'll search around on the board too. Thanks for any imput...I'm stoked to be able to really use my bike to it's full potential  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Bring your truck if you can. This allows you to bring tools, extra gas, and most importantly, in case you crash, you have a way to get back home. You can ride to a track day - I've done it. Just be mindful that you're on the track with the vehicle that needs to brng you home. Bring some extra gas, you'll need it. Bring a tire guage. I'd start with setting the PSI around 29-30 psi when the tires are HOT. I can't speak to how your tires will hold up - I have no experience with them. I'd alsu bring some basic tools along just in case anything goes wrong, or there's a little fender bender. Bring lots of water and stuff to eat. If you're feeling overexhausted or just "not with it" in the head, don't go out. For suspension adjustments - man, that's a loose cannon. I'd start with the factory settings. Unless something feels unsettling, I'd just leave it be. I'm not a suspension junkie, so I don't even really know what to look for or what to change if I want to bike to behave differently. I'll have to let someone else take that one (and maybe do some reading as well). | ||
| Eboos |
If you are able to bring it in your truck, I would do so. You will at the very least be tired after the day, and if you run into any trouble with the bike, having your truck and tools with you will come in handy. I can't help you with your suspension. Your stock tires should be fine. Just keep your head, follow the control riders and learn the line. The most important thing is have fun. Don't worry about going fast, or anything like that. Just learn the track and have fun. You will be addicted in no time. | ||
| Dfbutler |
Read the requirements of the track day, you'll need to tape lights (use the blue 3M painter's tape!). Transport the bike. You will be really tired by the end of the day and the ride home may seem endless. The other reason to transport the bike is that you could damage it during the day and it may not be ridable. Get a good night sleep the night before. Bring basic hand tools in case you need to do some adjustments. Ride the tires you've got, they're the ones you'll be riding with the lessons learned that day. Relax and enjoy yourself. You'll learn a lot that you can apply to your every day riding. | ||
| Hangontight |
>>>>You will be addicted in no time. lol..thats what I'm afraid of...I can hear the money falling outta my pocket already! seriously though, thanks for the advice guys. I think i will bring my truck. I didn't think about bringing extra gas...that would have sucked to forget (no pun intended). | ||
| Slaughter |
Stock tires... you might be ready to have FINISHED/WORN them OUT at the end of the day. See if you will be having a Dunlop expert at the track that day to work with you on both pressures AND suspension settings. Good idea to truck/trailer with spares and goodies. Also, "JUST IN CASE", you'll have a way home. You MUST have your preload properly set. Damping per manual but measure your "sag" directly if you can get a couple buddies to help... if not, set it according to the manual. Take a notebook to record all your settings - pressures, suspension, temperatures (if you can get them). Just for reference later if you continue tuning. It does get fun! Double YES to water. You will sweat a TON more than you think you are because it evaporates. If you're not peeing once an hour, you might be needing to drink more... seriously. Drink up the afternoon and night before so your body has absorbed water into your tissues, not your gut. Being at all short on hydration will HAMMER you in the afternoon. If you start drinking at lunch, you're already a day late. Not knowing who the track day operator is, but assuming they offer on-track supervision - PLAN on working with them. Usually in the AM the track day operator will have a loosely-organized "school" and then in the afternoon, you'll be turned loose. In between each session, ASK QUESTIONS! The instructors are there for the love of it - and are barely making enough to pay for their tires... so they really like it when a new rider is asking for them to help spot lines, braking, turn-in, body position - all that. People that just sit in the saddle and don't ask specific questions cannot get nearly the benefits that somebody who is willing to work with and learn from the instructors. ASK questions, DO NOT TRY to go fast - you cannot CANNOT learn as much when you are attempting to go fast. It's a cliche' but "to be able to go faster, SLOW DOWN." (and have FUN!!!) (Message edited by slaughter on June 26, 2009) | ||
| Fahren |
Depending on the track, most rules about stuff to safety wire and stuff to remove/tape will make it easier if you do the work on the bike before and transport it to the track. Hydrate; for eating, better to "graze" as you go, instead of waiting until a big lunch that will ride with you heavily. Between now and the track day, get used to practicing some basic stuff: looking thru the turns; balls of your feet on the pegs; practice sliding over to ride thru turns w/ one cheek hanging; feel the force of countersteering to get you thru the turns (Keith Code - it's not the lean, it's the counter-steering). Don't know how aggressively you ride already, so these sorts of basic type of moves can get you prepped for when you will really want/need to use them. | ||
| Hangontight |
another question i just thought about: they require you to safety wire your kickstand up...i don't have a wheel chock thing....i guess maybe i can just lean my bike against something?...maybe i can make one outta wood. | ||
| Fahren |
T-rex stands are inexpensive and might come in handy if you ever work on your bike. ebay. Also, you might want to invest in some axle sliders to minimize any damage if you go down. Axle sliders=cheap; scraped forks/swingsrms=expensive. | ||
| Hangontight |
Fahren, I do ride pretty aggressive on the street..i commonly find my boots dragging in turns. I really feel like i will be able to handle my bike fine on the track it's more the logistical stuff that I'm not too sure of. That being said, I appreciate the advice. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
If you're able to make it to Blackhawk the weekend of July 24 - 26, there is a CCS race there. "Buell Alley" is just inside the entrance over the track. I, and other Buell racers will be there all weekend. It might help you out to experience a weekend of racing. I know it will help you out as far as seeing what it's like to prep and what to expect. There is plenty of time to talk. I'm always up to meeting/helping out fellow Buellers. Just an idea. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Can't stress enough about not trying to push the envelope too much. My first track day, I only used the brakes, that I can recall, on one turn (after the long straight). Everything else was just engine braking to coast down to the appropriate speed and be sure the bike is set up real nice for the turn. You'll be hooked. | ||
| Hangontight |
Rocco, thats a good idea. I have tickets for a Cubs game that Sunday but maybe Saturday i could head up there check it out. Unless someone on the board here is a Cubs fan and they wanna buy my tickets (Message edited by hangontight on June 26, 2009) | ||
| Slaughter |
You can get moto-X type side stands that you just stick into the hollow axle and lean the bike sideways. I'll see if I can find a source. Otherwise you'll have to wire the stand up and then unwire it every time you go out. Do-able but a pain in the butt. | ||
| Slaughter |
There's a sale on them at Cycle Gear - probalby one near you  http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=& item=FAI_BH20-0069 | ||
| New12r |
Uly is no good on the track.... Stock suspension and oil, just upped the compression and rebound slightly. Pilot Power tires, stock ecm and a race pipe. Taped over the speedo, no need to be looking down. Have fun!  (Message edited by new12r on June 27, 2009) | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
This is going to be over kill for your first day. Most important advice then the "list": 1. Do not ride to the track. Best case, you will be tired and the ride home will be dangerous. Worst case, you crash out and are stranded. 2. Ride with in your ability. Being fast on the street is radically different from being able to hold a good race line and being quick on a closed course. Its a track day; the only way to win is to take your bike home in one piece. 3. Have fun! Track Day Preparation Guide Including but not limited to: Keys to your bike Bike Wallet Extra $$ Trailer or Ramp Tie Downs or other way to secure your bike during transport Locks- To secure your bike from theft if left outside at night Tarp Free standing canopy- 10x10 minimum Front and rear stands Chairs Folding Table/s Paper towels Cloth Towels - Large & Small Windex Distilled Water RedlineWater Wetter Chain lube Chain Cleaner Axel Grease Brake Cleaner Oil Brake Fluid Gas - 5 to 10 Gallons Funnel Keys To Bike Food/snacks - You will get hungry Drinks- Water/Gatorade etc... No Alcohol Cooler Ice Helmet Shaded/Clear Helmet Visors Gauntlet Riding Gloves Riding Boots Leathers - One or Two Piece (2 Piece must zip together) Back Protector - If required...Good Idea even if not required Chest Protector - If required...Good Idea even if not required Under garments - Something like UnderArmor for under your leathers Change of clothes Wet Ones towelettes Hand sanitizer Chap Stick Aspirin/Advil/Excedrin Toiletries Garbage bags Paper Plates Plastic Utensils Tent - If camping Sleeping bag - If camping Blow up mattress & Pump - If camping Pillows Camera Wife/Girlfriend to take Pictures Riding Forms if not provided at Track Service manual Keys to Bike Spares - Wheels, Levers, Rearsets, Tires...etc... Tire Warmers - If Used/Required According to Tires Lap timer - If you have one Tools-Including but not limited to: Misc Screwdrivers Sockets & Rachets - 1/2 in, 3/4 in & 1/4 in Torque wrench Allen (Hex Head) wrenches/sockets Torx Sockets (Star Headed Sockets) Safety Wire Wire Cutters Safety Wire Pliers Wrenches Zip Ties Duct Tape Cordless Drill Drill Bits Lock Tite Valve Stem Tool Air gauge Electrical tape Wire brush Small diameter rope/String Double Face Tape Air Tank Flashlight/s Hanging or Free Standing Light Rubber Mallet Hammer Extension cord/s - If track has power outlets Generator - If track does NOT have power Power Strip Battery Tender Bungees 2. }} | ||
| Hammer71 |
Hammer I dont take up much space. Great list. | ||
| Hangontight |
LOL....if i had to bring all that crap I'd never go! There are some good ideas in there though. I like the idea of taping over the speedo so I'm not tempted to look at it. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
what they said.. tools - socket set - hex set - multi-functional screw driver - zipties - flashlight - wrenches - razor blade gear - suit - 2helmets - boots - gloves - spare socks to swap out mid-day snake locks water trailer canopy chair table tape(3M) camp ochoa  | ||
| Skntpig |
One tip is don't underestimate your hydration level. Don't drink alcohol the night before. Drink plenty of water the day before and during the day. Clear pee is good. When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Your mind needs water to prevent brain fade. Eat a light breakfast even if you don't normally eat early. Bring lots of "good for you" snacks. Ductape. +1 on tape the speedo, no speed limits or minimums. Check your tire pressure before each time you get back on. Ask others where they have them set to. The rest of the list is pretty complete. Oh yeah. You should never let it sit in neutral even when preparing to brake for a corner. Leave it in gear and the engine will slow you down. You prolly already know that one. If you think you're going too fast for a corner just tip it in a little more. The bike will likely do it even scraping hard parts. Some novices will panic and sit the bike up and brake. This will take you off track for sure. Take it slowww at first. You will be surprised how fast you come up to speed. Don't rush it. Slow in, fast out. Smooth is fast. Don't chop the throttle or brakes, ease them on. Most of all have fun and enjoy your new racing career. You're hooked before you started. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
My first track day was July 4th last year at Blackhawk.. what a great time! Everyone else has pretty well got it covered.. if there are instructors there, then ask them questions early in the day and keep asking all day. Get one of them to follow you around and later give you pointers on what you're doing right/wrong. My one regret from the last track day was that I waited to talk to an instructor until there were only two sessions left. | ||
| Jaimec |
I have NEVER trailered a perfectly good motorcycle. It gives me incentive to NOT do anything stupid on the track so I can get home afterwards... YMMV. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I have NEVER trailered a perfectly good motorcycle. It gives me incentive to NOT do anything stupid on the track so I can get home afterwards... YMMV. Hmmm. Unless you are the only one on the course, there is always the threat of other riders ruining your day. Like EVERYONE, I always think its gonna be the other guy who f's up. Maybe I am soft, but I like have some creature comforts at the track=*--shade, water, food, gas, tools, chairs & the list goes on. I am for riding, not trailering, but the track seems like the definite exception. (Message edited by fresnobuell on July 01, 2009) | ||
| Slaughter |
I've had an idiot riding OVER his head freak out when he got passed at speed, grab a handful of brake, stand his bike up and the first clue I had was when he ran into the side of me and knocked my dick in the dirt. YOU may be the best, most smooth, most predictable rider on the track but it's the OTHER guy... | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
}I have NEVER trailered a perfectly good motorcycle. It gives me incentive to NOT do anything stupid on the track so I can get home afterwards... YMMV. The worst track accident I've had was as a result of some genius not tightening or safety wiring his drain plug. There was nothing I could have done to prevent that crash. YOU may be the best, most smooth, most predictable rider on the track but it's the OTHER guy... This is a true statement. Track days are one of the best things you can do on a bike. I've gotten to the point that almost all my riding is on the track. That being said, there is still risk. Ride with in your limits and have fun. Warning: It will become a serious addiction. Good luck and lets us know how it goes! | ||
| Pkman |
Hangontight - who's hosting the track day? I've been wanting to get on a track again too. | ||
| Hangontight |
Pkman, go to motovid.com to sign up. It's $165 if you do it online before the event. There is one or two in July but I can't make those. I'm doing the Aug 12th one. |
