Any tips, pointers? What do i need to do to the bike, and take with me? I must admit, i'm pooing it a bit.... cheers!
Dont forget your bike! Where is it Si? I could show you some pics of my first trackday; I covered all the lights & mirrors with 2" masking tape; looks like Return of the Mummy.
never done one on my own bike but i would: new oil/filter. New fluid/pads. Well adjusted chain/lubed. Full tank o juice (expensive at track) loads o tyre life. Take some light suspension adjusting tackle, firm up for track. Plenty water, bananas, energy bars etc. keep hydrated to concentrate, take regular ciggie stops/breaks. Start slow, build up gradually...you have all day. That way you will find your limits before binning it. Above all, DO NOT get sucked into racing someone beyond your 'comfort zone' and bloody ENJOY yourself. But, most important.....above all else.....we need PICS!!!!
You know I have done lots of trackdays in the UK & Spain; I always "poo it" a bit. Its all behind me now (too slow now after lots of crashes & crunching of bones), but I have booked the RH school with my lad & the road bike trackday at Oulton to give him a taster. You will love it; just stay on the island.
Not a big trackday rider but I have helped others at quite a few trackdays. Biggest non-mechanical tips are: Warm your tyres up before you give it the beans. A lap or two getting them up to temp will pay big dividends. Ride at your own pace. Stop when tired. If you mess up and block/baulk someone then find them after the session and apologise. If someone is being a twat don't be afraid to let the organisers know. Chances are you won't be the only one who thinks they are being dangerous. Try and tag along behind an instructor if there are any free lessons going. If not free then a lap behind them at a respectful distance should be OK. If someone is holding you up and you can't get past safely then a pit detour will normally give you enough space to play in once you rejoin. Most important bit is to have fun
For your first trackday, just enjoy it! You don't need anything other than your bike and a roll of duck tape. Tape up your front and rear lights and iddicators, remove your mirrors (or fold them in) as you don't need to know who's behind you. As it's your first day, I'd drop a few PSI out of the tyres, maybe look at 33 or 34 front, 30-32 rear. But don't loose sleep over it, it's not that important at this stage. The main thing you want to do it try and stay relaxed on track, don't panic when someone comes past you, and don't push it too hard. The main thing is to enjoy it!
Just relax and enjoy........................as Barry says dont get suckered in to following faster riders..................but one thing to realise is its very very addictive.....!!!!!
Have i missed summat Si............... where about is it ?????............. ps dont get over excited and pee yourself cause that alacantra seat is faded enough !
As said above mate, ride your own ride, don't worry about what's behind you, don't worry about speed just listen to the engine and use the rev counter, drink plenty of fluid ( save the merlot till after ) plus don't forget your license both parts.
oh shit its not is it ????????............................................! lol mate you ll have a great time........
When? I was thinking of going to Rockingham to get a bit of track time in before my next race, see if I can get my mojo back again as I managed to crash in Friday practice, so need track time! EDIT: Ignore that, just seen its this weekend, and I'm busy all weekend
not being funny but theres a lot there that doesn't need to be. forget about new oil/filter,fluid/pads and especially firming up your suspension.just make sure your bike is good working order,as you would riding it generally. your there for your 1st trackday,your main priority is to enjoy it (which is the easy part ). fold in your mirrors tape up yor speedo (1 very easy way to sucker yourself into a corner) ideally tape up your lights. go see the tyre guy and ask him what he reccomends for tyre pressures,they will re-inflate them at the end of the day for you in your riding there. just relax and have fun.
No going back Si once you popped your cherry its addictive. 1.Dont forget both parts of your drivers license like I keep doing I always have plastic bit but keep forgetting paper bit,its not been a problem yet but you could get mr jobs worth. 2.Tyre Pressure-speak to the tyre lads on track on the day it's free advise and they are the experts and they know the track well. 3.Do watch the fast Inters and fast when your not riding as you can see there braking points, and race lines they take which does help . 4.Some very good advise I got was instead of trying to master every corner pick one that you like and work on that one for your whole session and once you are happy with it move on. 5.Like its been said warm your tyres normally 1 lap if its a warm ish day ,when you finish your session feel how hot the tyres are as you will of never felt them so hot plus it does give you confidence on your next session knowing how hot they get which means loads of GRIP. 6.I bet you 2 mins after leaving the pit lane all your worries about dropping your bike go as that's when Mr Adrenaline kicks in ,after your first session go and find a quiet corner to calm down as you will be buzzing. 7.Suspension set up is the next thing I am going to get done not that I feel there is a problem but just from talking to people in the pits and how they advise to get it done the best £40 you will ever spend on your bike so I am told . Enjoy it and hopefully do a track day soon with you .
First one just enjoy it warm your tyres or borrow some warmers ( I have some in wolverhampton if you want to borrow them ) Remember to build up as day goes along keep drinking and the bug will bite definitely !!!!
Cheers guys Bikes already had a suss set up (for fast, smooth roads though, can be a bit harsh on bumpier stuff) all serviced and new pads end of last year.. all seems well. I'm more nervous about bolloxing it up, and dropping the bike… you guys have put my mind at ease! Thanks!
Try not to think about the departing bit while you out but if you run wide or on just look for a available run off or straight across track and take it easy with the stoppers
