im gonna have my 1st trackday... well sorta.

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VermilionX · #1 Post by **VermilionX** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:31 am

the peeps at the SoCal forum i also visit are going to have a trackday.

i asked if i could come along. just me, no bike. i'll be there for research for future references when i get to participate in the future.

one of the riders even said that they might even let me sit on the classroom portion of the the trackday. if they let me, then that's gonna be really sweet!

jmillheiser · #2 Post by **jmillheiser** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:41 pm

why dont you take aya mk II out on the track

just bring your bike and leathers along, and pull your mirrors and tape up your lights when you go out on the track

you can still ride at a comfortable pace on a track day. your not racing anyone but yourself.

VermilionX · #3 Post by **VermilionX** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:15 pm

jmillheiser wrote:why dont you take aya mk II out on the track

just bring your bike and leathers along, and pull your mirrors and tape up your lights when you go out on the track

you can still ride at a comfortable pace on a track day. your not racing anyone but yourself.

i think their trailers are already full. plus, i don't think im ready yet in terms of finances. it's still in september so nothing's final yet.

anyway... i think even by observing, i'll learn a lot on how a trackday works and what i can expect when i get my own trackday.

jmillheiser · #4 Post by **jmillheiser** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:44 pm

if its in september start saving up some money. Some time on the track can only help your riding improve.

VermilionX · #5 Post by **VermilionX** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:57 pm

ok.. for that i need.

1. racing tires (im sure this'll be expensive and of course, i'll change back to street tires after im done)
2. race prep (shouldn't be that expensive)
3. $230 trackday fee
4. pocket money (maybe another $200)

that's for finances... now the other main problem is transportation.

they're trying to gather a group for cheaper track rates. if they'll need more people to do a group buy, then i'll see if i can manage to attend w/ them instead of just watch.

i know the track will be best way for me to improve. i've set a goal to have a trackday before this year ends. but i dunno if can do it as early as sept though.

dieziege · #6 Post by **dieziege** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:07 pm

Why do you think you need racing tires? Plenty of people do track days with high performance DOT tires (like those on your bike).

Why can't you transport your bike under you? (A practice known as riding.)

Why $200 spending money for a single day? Even a weekend doesn't take $100 per day.

You are putting up artificial bariers. You could ride to the track day with a roll of duct tape in your backpack, pull the mirrors and tape the lights, pay your $230, and enjoy the day... with a $20 in your pocket for spending money.

jmillheiser · #7 Post by **jmillheiser** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:13 pm

as for tires. Just use the tires that are on it. High performance street tires are just fine for track days. You wont be shredding them too bad for a few years, at the most you might wipe off your chicken strips.

only prep you should need is to remove your mirrors and tape up your lights and maybe remove your side stand (get a rear tire stand for it).

as for transport to the track. Maybe try to get one of your friends to take it on their trailer. Otherwise just ride it there and do the prep after you arrive.

as for the cash for the fees just save up some money.

A friend of mine in denver has done a bunch of track days and simply just used his street tires and did the prep that I mentioned above, he did have access to a trailer but could have easily ridden it to the track if he didn't.

you bought those nice red racing leathers, might as well put em to good use.

VermilionX · #8 Post by **VermilionX** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:14 pm

dieziege wrote:Why do you think you need racing tires? Plenty of people do track days with high performance DOT tires (like those on your bike).

Why can't you transport your bike under you? (A practice known as riding.)

Why $200 spending money for a single day? Even a weekend doesn't take $100 per day.

You are putting up artificial bariers. You could ride to the track day with a roll of duct tape in your backpack, pull the mirrors and tape the lights, pay your $230, and enjoy the day... with a $20 in your pocket for spending money.

riding to the track is not a good idea... you'll be tired even before you ride at the track.

actually, it's not as bad... it's only about 100+ miles away.

but the main thing is if something goes bad... then you'll have no way of going home if your bike doesn't run anymore.

as for track prepping the bike, it's not good either... the advice is to track prep the bike the night before so you'll have enough time and not panic and be sure to pass the tech inspection at the tracks.

also, i need to disconnect the light wires... i think that's what the trackday org requires. i'll check it again later.

as for the tires... it's for my peace of mind. i don't wanna use a tire that has maybe 3000 miles (estimate miles i'll have before that trackday)

plus if it doesn't pass inspections, i'll be very pissed at wasting my time and money going there bec my tires didn't pass inspection.

jmillheiser · #9 Post by **jmillheiser** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:20 pm

I wouldn't worry about wrecking at a trackday too much. Its no different than the street, if you stay within your limits you should be fine.

You will find that you can go faster than you ever could on the street since you are in a controlled environment with much more predictable conditions, best part is no cars to contend with.

VermilionX · #10 Post by **VermilionX** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:28 pm

jmillheiser wrote:I wouldn't worry about wrecking at a trackday too much. Its no different than the street, if you stay within your limits you should be fine.

You will find that you can go faster than you ever could on the street since you are in a controlled environment with much more predictable conditions, best part is no cars to contend with.

yeah, that's it though... im sure i'll take it easy the 1st lap and maybe the 2nd, 3rd etc...

but im sure before the day ends i'll be more comfortable as i remember each turn at that racetrack. then i'll be experimenting and try more daring stuff to improve.