Track Day Questions

Originally Posted by phuk72

Oooh, a willy waving reply. I've done blah blah.

Not willy-waving, setting context. Everyone else here knows about my track-based exploits, but you're a newbie in relative terms, so I thought you ought to know who you were arguing with and what background I have to base my knowledge on.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Not willy-waving, setting context. Everyone else here knows about my track-based exploits, but you're a newbie in relative terms, so I thought you ought to know who you were arguing with and what background I have to base my knowledge on.

Fair enough. I would say that just because I'm a newbie here (by virtue of having just bought the Mrs an SV) doesn't make me new to tracks or racing or mean that my opinion is not valid.

If you are a regular on the tracks then you should be able to grasp the point I am trying to make. I'm not suggesting that lowering tyre pressues is not the right thing to do but it does concern me that just giving someone advice to lower pressures without knowing anything about what tyres he has, what tyre pressures he uses and how he rides on the road is not right.

And quite why nobody is recommending that he sort his suspension out (which is the real key to fast and smooth riding) is beyond me.

Originally Posted by phuk72

And quite why nobody is recommending that he sort his suspension out (which is the real key to fast and smooth riding) is beyond me.

Because he needs to learn the SV handles first, you can't alter the suspension without first knowing what needs altering, and it is his first track day.

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH hang on guys lets not argue over this

Just to point out that i am a new to biking and have very little knowledge about suspension and set ups. (I think you have guessed that already).

All i want to do is try a track day and i think it will be on my own bike as i have just got used to this one, never mind trying to get to grips with some hire bike .

I want to thank you all for your advice and your knowledge that you are willing to pass onto someone like me. If i do a track day i will have no worries about asking someone there for thier help and advice as we all have to start somewhere.

The track day i have seen is in Feb, but it sounds like this could be the wrong time of year for a novice like me to do my first track day. Which month would you recommend and which track. I live in Blackburn so i would be looking for the nearest one to me, anyone know which one is closest.

Is anyone else doing a track day soon that i may tag along on just to see what it is like before i go on mine. I dont mind making the brews for you, i think it is a fair swap my brews for you knowledge and experience

Thanks again for your input now lets and make up

[Balky001]

I wouldn't worry about going along to watch, just get stuck. The more you get bogged down with the techy stuff the less you'll enjoy your first trackday. Just go as you are. My first TD was in March 04, 8 months after passing my test, at Brands Indy. Scary, but when I realised all the ss600+ & Ducati 749S weren't as quick, I soon started loving it. I had new suspension and new tyres with manufacturers settings which were 31F 29R but Naill McKenzie told me (as Donington later that year) not to worry about suspension settings or tyre pressures until I start passing him. As he was caning fast group, not using brakes or changing up or down from 4th, it helped get some prospective.

Originally Posted by newts924

The track day i have seen is in Feb, but it sounds like this could be the wrong time of year for a novice like me to do my first track day. Which month would you recommend and which track. I live in Blackburn so i would be looking for the nearest one to me, anyone know which one is closest.

The sun can shine bright in February, and it can p1ss down with rain in July. It really is pot-luck. I've been to Rockingham in mid-March and been cornering through Graceland with snowflakes falling on my visor. Two weeks previously I had to take a layer off from under my leathers because I was sweating like a pig at Oulton. At another trackday at Cadwell in July it was honking down with rain.

Oulton is closest to you, I'd have thought.

[mister c]

Originally Posted by newts924

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH hang on guys lets not argue over this

Just to point out that i am a new to biking and have very little knowledge about suspension and set ups. (I think you have guessed that already).

All i want to do is try a track day and i think it will be on my own bike as i have just got used to this one, never mind trying to get to grips with some hire bike .

I want to thank you all for your advice and your knowledge that you are willing to pass onto someone like me. If i do a track day i will have no worries about asking someone there for thier help and advice as we all have to start somewhere.

The track day i have seen is in Feb, but it sounds like this could be the wrong time of year for a novice like me to do my first track day. Which month would you recommend and which track. I live in Blackburn so i would be looking for the nearest one to me, anyone know which one is closest.

Is anyone else doing a track day soon that i may tag along on just to see what it is like before i go on mine. I dont mind making the brews for you, i think it is a fair swap my brews for you knowledge and experience

Thanks again for your input now lets and make up

Again I'm with Lozzo on this one (Jeez people will start talking). Doesn't matter when you go as long as you enjoy it
Tell you what, if you want to do this one at Oulton, I'll come with you. I will have to wait till next week when I get paid, but I will book it. Who is it with? Can't say fairer than that.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

Because he needs to learn the SV handles first, you can't alter the suspension without first knowing what needs altering, and it is his first track day.

And that was my argument for not changing tyre pressures

But it is accepted wisdom to sort your suspension - even if only adjusting back to factory settings?

[edit] the suspension statement applies equally to road riding as it does to track work. Spending a couple of hours in the garage setting your sag as a starting point is something I do with all my bikes. Then change one thing at a time and take notes.

A lot of people 'ride around' bad suspension settings. Sorting your suspension is vital [edit]

Originally Posted by newts924

Is anyone else doing a track day soon that i may tag along on just to see what it is like before i go on mine. I dont mind making the brews for you, i think it is a fair swap my brews for you knowledge and experience

I'd recommend you speak to someone on circuit who does suspension set-up, if you feel it needs it. If you're serious about having a good time and learning how to ride quickly then suspension set-up is vital, as Phuk72 says. Also, have a quick word with whoever is fitting tyres and ask his advice on what pressures to run (I'll bet he says drop them by a few psi ). Everyone out there will have an opinion, but the opinion of an expert is always worth more.

As for your riding, if it's a No Limits day grab an instructor as soon as the briefing is over and ask him to go out with you to assess your riding and give you some pointers. I'd suggest you go out with him in the third or fouth session because the first ones you'll only be bimbling around to learn which way the track goes and getting to grips with your bike in unfamiliar surroundings.

Originally Posted by newts924

Is anyone else doing a track day soon that i may tag along on just to see what it is like before i go on mine. I dont mind making the brews for you, i think it is a fair swap my brews for you knowledge and experience

Thanks again for your input now lets and make up

Watching other people do track days is excruciating & not to be recommended if funds are available to join em.

(Although I've hibernated)

Edit: unless you're a keen photo taking person
Edit: Or it's Pssing down.