Track Days - What should I do?

ronhix · 09-28-2004, 12:58 PM

Hey Guys,

I am interested in doing some track days after this winter break. I live in Chicago. I am not interested in racing competively, but am very interested in riding aggresively and continuing to become a more proficient rider through training and experience. Basically I want to have fun and go fast in a controlled environment rather than pushing my luck on the street.

I am 35 and have been riding since I was 14, even before if you want to count dirt bikes. But, I know I still have a lot to learn. I have some questions that maybe some of you can help me with? I want to spend this winter getting the things I will need and getting ready.

The Bike -

I currently ride a '95 Honda CB1000. This bike is just my commuter and something for me and the old lady to ride. The bike is a naked bike and has about 100hp with a more upright "standard" riding position and the suspension is more geared toward sports touring than aggressive "knee-draggin". It does very well on the back roads, but I'm sure it is not made for the track.

Should I get a dedicated track bike or a sportbike I can enjoy at the track and on the street?

I know there are a couple of boards where you can find dedicated track bikes for sale around $3K - 4K that people have invested alot of "track dollars" into already (i.e. Ohlins suspension, extra parts, etc...). If you recommend a dedicated track bike(s), which bike(s) is perfect for track days?

On a side note: I rode a 2003 Yamaha R1 a couple of days ago and absolutely love the bike. The bike fit like a glove and had the razor sharp handling and power that I want in a streebike. I have to assume that this bike would do well on the track. And since I don't have a trailer, maybe I could ride the bike to the track? Just a thought?

The Gear -

Obviously, I need some good protective leather. I got a nice helmet. But am currently in the market for some gear that I can use on the street and track. Suggestions? Jacket, pants, boots, gloves? What do you guys use?

Bike Preparation -

What has to be done to the bike to get it track ready?

Costs -

I know you could probably spend as much money as you wanted and it could easily become a big black money pit. Obviously, I need to try and plan intelligently for the costs involved. Apart for the upfront cost of buying the bike, what can I expect the ongoing expense to be if my goal is to do a track day once a month?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

ghillie14 · 09-28-2004, 11:10 PM

Your definitely going to want to trailer, van or truck whichever bike you are going to ride at the track. In case of a wreck or other mishap, also.. most tracks require you to cover your headlights, remove your mirrors, turn signals etc which makes riding to the track a little difficult. Im not sure what tracks your close to but try to find their websites and research what their requirements are. Go to www.teampromotion.com it will give you an idea what trackdays are like.

firefighter81 · 09-28-2004, 11:14 PM

Just get a dedicated track bike and a 1pc leather suit. I suggest either getting a 600cc bike or even a 400cc bike as a good track bike, since you aren't going to compete you don't have to worry about the overpopulated 600cc classes. Get into a track school as well, it will teach you more in 1 day than you could learn in one year!

firefighter81 · 09-28-2004, 11:16 PM

Check the thread I posted about "Monthly Track Budget" in this forum, it will give you a general idea of what you will spending. Alot of money goes into tires and track fees, but there are alot of incidental costs to go along with them as well!

EA6BMECH · 09-29-2004, 07:06 AM

Well you could take the 1K out for a track day with NESBA for 2 sessions to see how you like it for free. Although not the bike of choice, I ride a ZRX with a few mods and fair well out there for the most part. NESBA use to let you do the 2 free sessions with a double pair of jeans and a decent riding jacket with good leather boots. Don't know if they still do it that way. Your bike would need a good set of tires just for a better safer ride. IF funds are low, you could do some mods to the 1K and use it for the first year. Again, you can scoot around the track pretty good on a larger bike. Just have fun and do what is best for you.

linuxbikr · 09-29-2004, 08:33 AM

I hold the view that you shouldn't take a bike to the track you aren't prepared to lose. Even though track days are more controlled than all-out racing, the speeds are higher, you're pushing limits and incidents happen. Damage can be minor all the up to a twisted frame. You can't claim track damage on insurance (every policy I've ever heard of disclaims liability for closed-course use and attempting to claim the damage as street damage is fraud).

If you are prepared to take the risk of wrecking your street bike at the track, make sure you have the funds available to repair it. Frankly, if you can't afford to repair the damage, you can't afford to ride at the track.

Buy, rent or borrow a trailer as mentioned. Do not ride your street bike to the track. You need to do too much prep and you don't want to be harried and stressed out carrying everything with you in a few saddlebags when you can relax in a car or truck with a ready-to-go bike tied down behind you. Do the prep before you go to the track. Bring tools and any items needed to correct any problems they may find. You may be asked to remove a sidestand or a set of turn signals (which should be removed anyway).

Buy or borrow a set of 2pc or 1pc leathers. Bring a spare helmet if you have one. Get good gloves and boots (preferably geared for racing). For me, this is easy because my street gear can double as a 2pc track set. Do not skimp. Although good gear is not a panacea, it goes a long way in making you more relaxed in the saddle knowing you have decent protective gear on. Go down on the track in good gear and you'll be glad for it (just like on the street). Wear two pairs of jeans, a shitty jacket and a pair of work boots on a NESBA track day and drop it and odds are good you'll get hurt. Just no substitute for a good set of leathers. Even a closeout 1pc or 2pc suit from New Enough will pay for itself with one fall in prevented road rash.

My personal setup is this:

Fieldsheer Carbon Race jacket, Fieldsheer Sport Air pants (with knee sliders), Sidi Vertebra 2 boots, Joe Rocket GPX gloves and my helmet (Arai). This is my daily riding gear. I swap a Fieldsheer Mach 2 mesh/leather jacket for the Carbon Race in hot weather. Both jackets zip into my pants and the leather has a full circumference zipper which makes it track-day legal with almost every org.

I highly recommend a dedicated track day bike. If you are just looking to do track days and not race, any beater 250 to early-600cc machine will do. It would be dangerous to take a modern 600cc or 1000cc machine to a track day if it is not your daily rider. If you are going to push serious limits on an unfamiliar machine it is preferable to do it on one that won't bite you in the ass. A great, cheap track bike is the Ninja 500 (EX500) with a few minor mods. If you have solid riding skills, an SV650 is another great machine but not as forgiving. GS500, EX250, CBR600F2, FZR400 and FZR600 are good choices too. All depends on your skill level. Of these, the FZR400 would be the best if you can find a cheap example. Incredibly good all-around track machine and it can act as an entry-level machine into racing.

ronhix · 09-30-2004, 08:17 PM

I've been looking at just getting a "track HO" as you guys have suggested and I found a couple of good links to some used race bikes.

Here's the links in case anyone is interested...

http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-b...board=ccsclass

AND

http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=48

Are there other sites as well?

Murf99 · 10-01-2004, 03:42 PM

Just a counterpoint on the "what bike" question...

Though you will certianly learn more quickly on an FZR-400, SV-650 or something like that, the meatheads on 1000cc bikes will get on your nerves.

I'd reccomend a 600. You probably won't learn as much as fast, but you will have more fun doing it. I started on an F3 and was fine... it's fast enough that you won't loose all your hard work on the straights, but reasonable enough that you won't highside yourself into the next zip code...

CBR F2/F3s are also notoriously crashable due to thier steel frames... not sure if that's your style, but something to keep in mind. Parts are also cheap on ebay. You won't NEED any of the upgraded suspension... etc until you are significantly fast... that being said, if you can get them for essentially free - go for it - you may not need them, but you can appreciate them (I am no where fast enough to NEED the Ohlins on the Mille R - but I can begin to make use of thier capability).

I really wouldn't go much larger than a 600 (GSX-R K series bikes and R6s are also excellent choices and require very little suspension work to go stupid fast) with perhaps the exception of a Kawasaki ZX7 or ZX7R. It's a different kind of bike... not very fast, but heavy and stable as hell. I like that (the new 600s make me nervous - to flighty), and I gather you may as well, coming from a CB1K - maybe not.

I reccomend a 2-peice. I have a 1 peice Joe Rocket Speedmaster, and it gets combersome walking around the paddock... excellent protection, though.

Do 1 peices actually protect significantly better than 2 peices?

Looks like we might meet up at a few NESBA events, given your location...

Chers,

Todd

EA6BMECH · 10-01-2004, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf99

Just a counterpoint on the "what bike" question...

Though you will certianly learn more quickly on an FZR-400, SV-650 or something like that, the meatheads on 1000cc bikes will get on your nerves.
Todd

Boy, it's a good thing I have a 1200cc, so I don't get on anyones nerves....

ronhix · 10-02-2004, 05:05 PM

Thanks for all the good info guys.

Murf, I look forward to seeing you over at Blackhawk or Gingerman maybe next season?

I am definitely leaning toward a GSXR 600 or R6 right now. Just have to find the right deal on the right bike. The GSXR 750 also looks pretty tempting, only a few pounds heavier than the 600.

Like I said before, I love the R1 but if I got it I know I would surely be one of those meatheads!

EA6BMECH · 10-02-2004, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronhix

Like I said before, I love the R1 but if I got it I know I would surely be one of those meatheads!

ronhix, you can toss the 1K bikes around as good as the 600's. They have the mojo for the straights to get arournd the 600's that slow you up...

In the corners everybody's about equal. Even

Duhamel is good, but look at the way he leads in the straights. Makes a nice lead. The Privateers don't have the bucks to dump the money in the bikes to get them the Ponies they need. Ain't knocking is riding, his is the good no doubt, but being a factory rider helps allot!!