Bike Track Day preparation - SV650.org

28-03-06, 08:47 AM

Taken the plunge and booked my first track day at Zolder, booked into the beginner group with instruction etc. They even say on their web site it is pretty slow and steady, teaching you the lines etc with an instructor, so figure I shouldn't be out of my depth.

Is there any specific preparation that I should do to the bike apart from checking tyres, brakes, oil, chain etc are all in good nick?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Cheers,

Tim

northwind · 28-03-06, 09:32 AM

Crash it first, it'll save time on the track.

Or what you might really want to do is take off expensive cosmetics- I take the mirrors off before I go on track, put the standard chain guard back on... I also refit the pillion pegs since they're quite effective crash protection. If you don't already have crash bungs, fit them!

28-03-06, 09:37 AM

Already have track bungs, only other mod from standard is a black double bubble. So have pillion pegs, chain guards etc all in place. If I lose the mirrors could this cause problems about getting in others way if I'm slow (likely at this stage!)

It has had a very gentle slide out from underneath me already, only scuffed the bungs and snapped gear selector. But don't plan on crashing it any more if I can help it!

northwind · 28-03-06, 11:02 AM

A lot of trackdays or instructors will recommend you to fold the mirrors in or tape them up, it seems... It's not like the road, it's not your job to worry about who's behind you, it's up to the person behind to overtake safely. Though I have to admit it's tempting when you know there are actual madmen on thetrack with you... And it can be a lot of trust to put in the person behind, I tend to find myself takign wide lines when I know there's someone breathin down my neck, to stop from closing the door on someone.

johnnyrod · 28-03-06, 11:29 AM

Junk the original crap tyres and fit something useful. Give the thing a good clean and polish and look for anything amiss. You'll have to tape up the lights when you get there, and you won't want to bother with the mirrors. On my '99 bike they unfold themselves at high speed so either take them off or use tape to keep them folded back. If you haven't already put in stiffer fork springs then think about this - the stock ones are too soft for anything, and you will be braking and turning a lot harder than on the road, over and over again. Finally, make sure you have plenty to eat and a good sleep the day before, you'll need it, and don't go out too fast. And enjoy it!

28-03-06, 03:45 PM

I fold the mirrors in/ or take them off, tape the lights, indicators and take off the number plate up.

I also tape over the speedo to take the tempetion away to check how fast i am going down the strainght and miss the breaking zone. Not sure if anyone else does this, it was a tip given to me by a trackday instructor.

IMO if your not pushing that hard the standard tyres are fine.

One of the big diffrences i found with road riding is that you spend a lot more time worring about what going on in front of you, rather than checking your mirrors and doing shoulders checks when you change road postion.

Then again this all might be rubbish

northwind · 28-03-06, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjones2

I also tape over the speedo to take the tempetion away to check how fast i am going down the strainght and miss the breaking zone. Not sure if anyone else does this, it was a tip given to me by a trackday instructor.

That seems a very good idea...

28-03-06, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwind

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjones2

I also tape over the speedo to take the tempetion away to check how fast i am going down the strainght and miss the breaking zone. Not sure if anyone else does this, it was a tip given to me by a trackday instructor.

That seems a very good idea...

This very thing cause me a rather high speed crash on my YZF. Had done the corner many many times and decided to see just how fast I was taking it. Looked down, looked up, oh bugger. At least I knew how fast I crashed.

So yes, a very good idea.

29-03-06, 06:48 AM

Looks like I'll be getting myself some tape and will take a screwdriver too!

Will have some Z6s fitted by the time instead of the oe Metzs, which should be fine for my first gentle track pootle.

Cheers for the tips.

29-03-06, 08:11 PM

Any decent trackday operator will tell you what needs to be done, basically tape anything glass or when you fall off, the glass is on the track and you spoil other peoples day.

Tyre pressures.

Listen to the instructor

And lastly and most important.

ENJOY IT

28-03-06, 08:47 AM	#1
Tim in Belgium Guest Posts: n/a	Bike Track Day preparation Taken the plunge and booked my first track day at Zolder, booked into the beginner group with instruction etc. They even say on their web site it is pretty slow and steady, teaching you the lines etc with an instructor, so figure I shouldn't be out of my depth. Is there any specific preparation that I should do to the bike apart from checking tyres, brakes, oil, chain etc are all in good nick? Any suggestions much appreciated. Cheers, Tim

28-03-06, 09:32 AM	#2
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Crash it first, it'll save time on the track. Or what you might really want to do is take off expensive cosmetics- I take the mirrors off before I go on track, put the standard chain guard back on... I also refit the pillion pegs since they're quite effective crash protection. If you don't already have crash bungs, fit them! __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

28-03-06, 11:02 AM	#4
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	A lot of trackdays or instructors will recommend you to fold the mirrors in or tape them up, it seems... It's not like the road, it's not your job to worry about who's behind you, it's up to the person behind to overtake safely. Though I have to admit it's tempting when you know there are actual madmen on thetrack with you... And it can be a lot of trust to put in the person behind, I tend to find myself takign wide lines when I know there's someone breathin down my neck, to stop from closing the door on someone. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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28-03-06, 09:37 AM	#3
Tim in Belgium Guest Posts: n/a	Already have track bungs, only other mod from standard is a black double bubble. So have pillion pegs, chain guards etc all in place. If I lose the mirrors could this cause problems about getting in others way if I'm slow (likely at this stage!) It has had a very gentle slide out from underneath me already, only scuffed the bungs and snapped gear selector. But don't plan on crashing it any more if I can help it!

28-03-06, 11:29 AM	#5
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,128	Junk the original crap tyres and fit something useful. Give the thing a good clean and polish and look for anything amiss. You'll have to tape up the lights when you get there, and you won't want to bother with the mirrors. On my '99 bike they unfold themselves at high speed so either take them off or use tape to keep them folded back. If you haven't already put in stiffer fork springs then think about this - the stock ones are too soft for anything, and you will be braking and turning a lot harder than on the road, over and over again. Finally, make sure you have plenty to eat and a good sleep the day before, you'll need it, and don't go out too fast. And enjoy it!

28-03-06, 03:45 PM	#6
tomjones2 Guest Posts: n/a	I fold the mirrors in/ or take them off, tape the lights, indicators and take off the number plate up. I also tape over the speedo to take the tempetion away to check how fast i am going down the strainght and miss the breaking zone. Not sure if anyone else does this, it was a tip given to me by a trackday instructor. IMO if your not pushing that hard the standard tyres are fine. One of the big diffrences i found with road riding is that you spend a lot more time worring about what going on in front of you, rather than checking your mirrors and doing shoulders checks when you change road postion. Then again this all might be rubbish

29-03-06, 06:48 AM	#9
Tim in Belgium Guest Posts: n/a	Looks like I'll be getting myself some tape and will take a screwdriver too! Will have some Z6s fitted by the time instead of the oe Metzs, which should be fine for my first gentle track pootle. Cheers for the tips.

29-03-06, 08:11 PM	#10
wheelnut Guest Posts: n/a	Any decent trackday operator will tell you what needs to be done, basically tape anything glass or when you fall off, the glass is on the track and you spoil other peoples day. Tyre pressures. Listen to the instructor And lastly and most important. ENJOY IT