Get up early! I normally arrive at 6.45am when I travel there on the morning loads of space in the garages especially at that time of year. These days I sleep in my van overnight grabbing a space the night before!
Don't forget an extension lead if you do get warmers. I personally think that tyre warmers are a great asset, no matter what group you are in. They give you confidence psychologically and physically that your tyres are at the right temperature to go out and have some fun. Even if you are going for the novice group they will help. Another pointer, with Diamond warmers, the thermostat is located under the company's logo on the warmer itself. Make sure that this is not under the mudguard, as this will mean that the warmers cut off too soon.
What Simon said! No pun intended.... First couple at least I’d stay in novice, specially as Feb will offer very little grip unless unusually warm temps. Shredding tyres isn’t a sign of pushing either fella.... the bike set up and tyre pressure should be so its actually the opposite! I’d guess you shredded tyres cos your pressure is too high and you aren’t using warmers so you are tearing them. Good luck on your next day. Enjoy. Have fun!! Stay safe
Thanks Jimbo........just to clarify as I did earlier in the thread, when I say shredded.....it's purely a term of phrase. It's just something you say to your friends in the pub or whatever. My tyres pressures were correct as well (few psi below normal) so any wear and build up of rubber on the edges of the tyres, I like to think was down to the fact that I was pushing hard and riding faster than I'd ever done before! I don't think it would have happened if I'd have been cruising along would it. I appreciae what's been said and take on board the tyre warmer and suspension set up correctly are both important factors. But even top level moto gp riders with the best suspension technicians and the best tyres in the world still complain in post race interviews that they destroyed their tyres and were struggling for grip. So despite all the sciences behind it, if your riding hard and fast, the tyres will suffer!
I agree mate, but please don’t take it the wrong way... Hard and fast in novice on your first day is only a perception thing. I know I’ve ridden well and I’m smooth when I come in and my tyres haven’t even balled at the edges, just smooth orange peel (is best description I’ve heard) surface edge to edge.... And my lap times will show this too. How you know your tyre pressures were correct.... there’s more to it than ‘just dropping a few psi’ Mate I’m not having a dig, but believe me, I wish I bothered to learn or find out when I started instead of just pinning it and buying new tyres lol
Absolutely Jimbo no problems, I read that this morning with the mother of all hangovers, I've been like a bear with a soar head all day and I may have to took it as a little patronising. Tyre pressure is something I always keep on top of for my road riding. I read that for track day pressure (for road tyres) should be dropped by 4 psi front and rear, not my words, the words of Michael Neeves, senior road tester for MCN. What do you recommend and how do you know yours are right? What works for one might not work for another is something that should be considered maybe? Bare in mind as well, I'm only doing a track day and not trying to start a racing career. I don't want to get to bogged down with technical data just yet. I think some people might have to much emphasis on the word 'shredded' which I used to describe my tyres and that's not what this was about. I do appreciate everybody's advice though so thank you all !
https://lifeatlean.com/motorcycle-tyre-wear-guide/ Here you go fella, this is pretty much the best summary without getting bogged down on tech data. Those that know me will know I don’t really do detail. But learning about tyre wear saves a fortune and will get the most out of your bike suspension and riding, which means you’ll have more fun which is what it’s all about
Nobody rides hard in Novice, they just think they do. Ask any seasoned trackdayer, they've all been there.
Just go and rinse the living shlt out of the bike in whichever group, don't worry about tyre pressures, suspension or brakes as those things are for little girls to worry about and if you can't smash a 1:55 on your first out lap then take up another hobby cus you're to slow to even keep up with the old women. Don't worry about crashing, it just means you're making progress....
