| Author | Message | ||
     Nsbuell |
I'm taking my 9R to a 2 day riding school this weekend (assuming a fellow badwebber comes through with a triple clamp for me). Any tips other than the obvious to make sure it's a real good experience? | ||
| Chadhargis |
Yep... 1) Don't focus on going fast (especially in the first couple of sessions), speed will come naturally if you focus on smoothness and proper lines. 2) It's not a race. Don't try to keep up with a faster rider, or ride fast to avoid getting passed. You'll defeat the purpose of the track school. All you'll do is reinforce bad habits. 3) Most track days don't offer refunds if you have mechanical issues. You might want to bring an extra belt, plugs, and other basic stuff along with the tools to change them just in case. Like a rain suit, you won't need it if you have it. 4) If there is no gas at the track, bring some. 5) Make sure you have new tires. Good tread doesn't indicate that a tire is in good shape. Heat cycles harden the rubber. New tires stick better and typically handle better. | ||
| Spike |
The big key is to stay relaxed and take it easy. A lot of guys get caught up trying to "win" the trackday. They don't hand out trophies at the end of the day, the goal is to learn and to have fun. Make sure you listen to the instructors, they provide a wealth of knowledge. Also, get any maintenance to the bike out of the way before you get to the track. Bleed the brakes, check brake pads, check fluids, check tire pressure, adjust suspension, etc. You'll probably want to do some fine tuning with the suspension/tire pressure while at the track, but you don't want to be playing mechanic all day. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Don't let ego get in the way when the instructors/control riders make suggestions. Like they said, it's not a race. Don't get caught up in a testosterone fest, that will lead to trouble. trailer the bike to and from the track. You can prep the bike before you get there, at the end of the day you will be very tired. Also if you do fall over you'll have a way to get home. Not to mention a way to carry tools, spares, and gas to the track. | ||
| Slaughter |
ASK questions! Follow the instructors in the pits during breaks like a hungry puppydog - I'm not kidding. The instructors LOSE money when instructing - in other words, they are there for the love of it. If you ask them specific questions, they're more than eager to work with you - spotting lines, body position, turning and braking points, shifting, throttle - but you gotta ask. Ask them to help you with suspension settings if they can tell by following you if it's iffy turning, braking and accelerating. USE them to your advantage! I am assuming since you're talking 2 days, you are going to a higher end school, not one of those $75 discount bloodbaths. Any of the better track day operators have a decent instructor/student ratio. | ||
| Ortegakid |
And do not wear yourself out too soon, you'll just ride poorly. All brought to light this past track day on the big track at texas world. After some of the morning sessions and finally feeling comfortable withe which way the track went, started going good, came in, allmost gave up, thinking too old for this, etc, etc, etc. Reason presided, and after sitting out one session was ready to go, had the absolute best time,(ask the film guy following me on the big bike), just flat found the groove!!, stopped after then, perfect day!! So, take it easy and rest if you need to, my 2c! | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
Breathe, stay loose, shut up & listen up, have fun! | ||
| Diablobrian |
I almost forgot, bring camp chairs and a sun shade if possible. There aren't many places to sit in most pits and shade is usually at a premium. | ||
| Gearhead |
#1 Leave your ego at home. #2 Start out slow to go faster later. #3 Take a session off if you're tired. #4 Drink plenty of water a day or two before the track day to get hydrated, drink more while there. Take good food or snacks with you. #5 Have fun, relax and enjoy the day!! | ||
| Nsbuell |
Thanks guys. Can't wait to get out there. It's calling for unsettled weather but the school is held rain or shine...I may get a lesson in wet weather riding. | ||
| Donutclub |
Make sure and drop the air pressure in your tires. I ran 29 in the front and 30 in the back last weekend at Mid-Ohio with the Conti-Road Attacks. | ||
| Sloppy |
Everyone posted great tips, but here is what I think is the MOST IMPORTANT!!! Take a nap after your lunch break! I've seen more accidents after lunch then at any other time. The cause: lack of attention. If you feel you're loosing focus, then you need to take a break and sit out your session. Never mind about setting suspension, playing with tires or going full throttle. Focus on being SMOOOOTH. After you are smooth, the speed comes on all by itself. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've never done a track day in the rain, but those who have all say that they learned the most riding in the rain. Really forces you to keep the speed down and work on smooth inputs. | ||
| Spatten1 |
To reiterate the above, If you feel really beat mentally, don't do the last session or two. It is really tempting to go out after paying the money, making the drive, getting permission from the old hag, etc., but it is too easy to crash when you are feeling shot. If you skip a session in the middle to rest, you can generally get a less crowded session at the end of the day when many people have had enough and packed up. | ||
| Benm2 |
My $.02: 1. Bring enough gas! You can buy it at the track, but your XB's oxygen sensor won't cooperate with leaded racing gas. 2. Bring engine oil, compatible with what's already in the cases. Top up before you leave. 3. Safety wire your primary drain plug & oil filter. 4. Make sure your brake pads are good. 5. Double check the torque on the exhaust header studs. If you don't have a torque wrench, leave them alone. They "feel" looser than your mind & hands might tell you they should be. 6. Consistency is key. You'll be learning lines and working out the track. Try to be aware of sudden line changes. Don't weave on the straights. 7. Don't look at crashes. If someone's going down in front of you and you've got a clean line, pay attention to your line. If you follow them with your eyes, you just might follow them with your bike. 8. How old is your brake fluid? If the front brake fluid is more than one year old, consider bleeding it out with racing fluid. Probably won't be a concern on a first trackday, but I've boiled the (old) fluid in my Buell's front caliper & had a nice pants-filling off track experience. Fortunately for me I had enough run off, but I wouldn't count on it being a regular occurence. You will be in a group that will include at least (3) people on bikes that are MUCH MUCH faster than yours in a straight line, but will park in front of you in the corners. Be wary of them. If you find one (ie catch him at the first turn or two), then let him go on the next straight, let him build up a big lead so it doesn't happen again. Focus on your own riding. The tire pressure thing is a big deal. Be sure to check tire pressures COLD before you go out for the first session. Reset them again AFTER the lunch break, before you go out again. I usually bring a box of Clif Bars & about 2 gallons of gatorade. Comfy chair at a minimum, the canopy's a bonus if its going to be hot. PAY ATTENTION TO THE CORNER WORKERS FLAGS. Waving yellow means look around NOW. One last thing, that I've seen: NEVER, NEVER, EVER turn your motorcycle around on a racetrack to go check on a buddy. Got it? Never! | ||
| Slaughter |
Sloppy brought up a good point. People tend to start crashing in the afternoons after they start getting a false sense of confidence. It's not a race and if you don't go "fast" you will be amazed at how much you can learn. Trying to go fast only limits the amount of information that your brain can process. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I too will be going to a riding school soon and wanted to thank everyone for the great tips and advice. One question: Can anyone reccommend a cold tire pressure for Diablo Corsas? Thanks, Tank | ||
| Dago |
27 psi you may have to relieve some pressure after your first session. | ||
| Slaughter |
NS Buell - tire pressures depend on what type of tire you have - but yes, generally they're going to be quite a bit lower than on the street. The racing pressures vary wildly depending on WHICH tires you're running. When you get to the track ASK! The lower pressures used on track are for handling and traction - NOT tire life. | ||
| Sloppy |
Use the exact same tire pressure you would use on the street! You are going to a track to understand your limits. You need to change the parameters in your BRAIN, not your bike. Why learn the limits on a bike that's not setup for 99.999% of where it's ridden??? Playing with suspension and tires is for a race day, not a track day... | ||
| Ortegakid |
Plz be careful with tyre pressure!,do not run street pressure,too much pressure; very scary, ask the experts there, i'll bet you will hear 30/30 till it sinks in.(Allthough i have allways run 30/30 even on the street) | ||
| Eboos |
I am doing my first 2 track days in the beginning of June. Thanks for the tips. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
Track speeds will exceed street speeds, and as such I would like my traction to exceed street traction as well if possible. I would not be wanting to learn how to control a 110 mph slide in the name of street riding research, I would simply like to enjoy a 110 mph corner - Get all the traction you can - | ||
| Ortegakid |
Yep,30/30 after you come in, tyres still warm,they will prob go down to about 27, 10% is the gen rule.Try it, you'll like it, ask Mikey! | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Thanks. Can't ride that hard on the street around here, so factory pressure works good. The lower pressures used on track are for handling and traction - NOT tire life. I'm going to the track to experience handling and traction, tire life is not an issue. Thanks again, Tank | ||
| Nsbuell |
Hey guys, just finished the riding school...was that ever a blast! The first day I got one session in the dry and then two in the rain...I was surprisingly comfortable at speed in the wet...I rode faster than I ever had in the dry on the street and there was all the traction in the world...Pilot Powers kick ass. Today was a beatiful day...sunny and 20 Celcius. Got faster and faster all day, didn't make any major mistakes and learned the lines. Our track is a tight technical one so I was able to stick to the back of a 954 and Gixxer 1000 all day long...they got away a little on the straights but I reeled em right back in on the corners. I was in the top third of the intermediate group all day...I'm happy with that. Can't wait to do it again! Thanks again for all the advice and a HUGE thanks to fellow Badwebber Roadrage for getting me a triple clamp in record time and allowing me to go to the school! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Congratulations. Watch out, track days can be addictive. | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
Addictive? Like crack! | ||
| Slaughter |
Track... crack... they rhyme! Coincidence??? I think not! | ||
| Roadrage |
Glad to hear my assistance worked out for you. Have warm fuzzy feeling now (although that might be from the beer money you sent back). | ||
| Buellgirlie |
congrats! and watch your wallet - money will now start falling out of it to fund your new addiction  D | ||
| Ortegakid |
So very glad you had fun and did good!,(no falling down!), what did you end up running for tyre pressures? And believe me, you will be going back soon, very addicting!! | ||
| Nsbuell |
Your damn right it's addictive, I finished Sunday and sent my application in for the August school on Monday. Ortegakid: I had 36 front 38 rear when I got there but during the bike inspection they dropped the pressure a few pounds per tire for me...told me it would stick better so I kept it that way...don't know the exact psi...they stuck like glue though. I'm amazed at what I could do on that bike with those tires...I was faster than I thought I'd be. |
