Questions on track day and Preps

[MSG]

I have a few questions about getting ready for a track day. I did a search and found a lot of good information, but still have some questions. I have a '04 749s. I don't plan to make this a track only bike.

I do know that I have to remove the mirrors and zip tie the fairing down. Remove the plates and rear turn signals. And finally have fresh tires. I have a rear stand and will have a front before going to the track. I also have a wheel chock on the way.

1. I plan to buy some aftermarket body work for use on the track. Do you typically keep the headlight on the bike and just place the body work over it? If this is true, I guess one needs to perform the special magic to make the lights turn off. Again, I plan to keep the bike mainly for street, so I want to avoid getting the fairing bracket unless everyone says that is the only way to go.

2. I guess most track days don't require removal of the side stand, but if I do remove it, is there any special deal about getting the lockout switch to prevent me from starting the bike? or does it default to starting the bike when there is no side stand?

3. It seems most track days in the SF bay area have someone that is selling tires at the track. Is this a good deal or is it better to come with a set before hand?

4. Anyone have a link to what I can expect at a typical track day. I plan to go to Laguna Seca in December. I've been riding for more than 15 years, but this will be my first track day.

Thanks.

[bpad1]

Originally Posted by MSG

I have a few questions about getting ready for a track day. I did a search and found a lot of good information, but still have some questions. I have a '04 749s. I don't plan to make this a track only bike.

I do know that I have to remove the mirrors and zip tie the fairing down. Remove the plates and rear turn signals. And finally have fresh tires. I have a rear stand and will have a front before going to the track. I also have a wheel chock on the way.

1. I plan to buy some aftermarket body work for use on the track. Do you typically keep the headlight on the bike and just place the body work over it? If this is true, I guess one needs to perform the special magic to make the lights turn off. Again, I plan to keep the bike mainly for street, so I want to avoid getting the fairing bracket unless everyone says that is the only way to go.

2. I guess most track days don't require removal of the side stand, but if I do remove it, is there any special deal about getting the lockout switch to prevent me from starting the bike? or does it default to starting the bike when there is no side stand?

3. It seems most track days in the SF bay area have someone that is selling tires at the track. Is this a good deal or is it better to come with a set before hand?

4. Anyone have a link to what I can expect at a typical track day. I plan to go to Laguna Seca in December. I've been riding for more than 15 years, but this will be my first track day.

Thanks.

1. After market body work fits over the Headlight. Special Magic to turn off the light is to pull the fuse out. Check your manual for which one to pull.

2. If you remove you side stand, just make sure it's in the "kick stand up" position and bike will work just fine. I Zip tied the Switch to the frame after kick stand came off.

3. Call before you go and ask. Often times, tyres can be had at a discount at certain tracks so just do some research. Then call around to your local tyre shops and see how they compare.

4. Pacifictracktime.com. Also, try google.

Hope this helps

[duc_748]

1. Remove the headlight. track bodywork has no headlight cutouts, and if you crash you would not want to break your lights. plus less weight.
2.I just left my sidestand on my trackbike. With Sharkskinz bodywork you cannot put the sidestand down since there is no cutout for it on the race bodywork. However when the bodywork is off sometimes the sidestand comes in handy.
3.Tires sold at the track are some of the best deals you will find for tires. Also mounting is usually free, pretty nice. I actually try to show up to the track with new tires mounted so I do not have to cut into my track time with removing wheels, etc.
4.Typcial trackday is pretty much, showup early, check in, you get a ticket that you then take to tech with your bike(not gear) and the techs confirm your bike is track ready. Then riders meeting where you learn the specifics of how that certain track organizer runs their day.
Most track days have 3 sessions, slow, med, fast, which run every 20minutes. Basically just make sure you dont ride over your head and have fun. I will be at Laguna in Dec, hope to see you there!

Originally Posted by MSG

I have a few questions about getting ready for a track day. I did a search and found a lot of good information, but still have some questions. I have a '04 749s. I don't plan to make this a track only bike.

I do know that I have to remove the mirrors and zip tie the fairing down. Remove the plates and rear turn signals. And finally have fresh tires. I have a rear stand and will have a front before going to the track. I also have a wheel chock on the way.

1. I plan to buy some aftermarket body work for use on the track. Do you typically keep the headlight on the bike and just place the body work over it? If this is true, I guess one needs to perform the special magic to make the lights turn off. Again, I plan to keep the bike mainly for street, so I want to avoid getting the fairing bracket unless everyone says that is the only way to go.

2. I guess most track days don't require removal of the side stand, but if I do remove it, is there any special deal about getting the lockout switch to prevent me from starting the bike? or does it default to starting the bike when there is no side stand?

3. It seems most track days in the SF bay area have someone that is selling tires at the track. Is this a good deal or is it better to come with a set before hand?

4. Anyone have a link to what I can expect at a typical track day. I plan to go to Laguna Seca in December. I've been riding for more than 15 years, but this will be my first track day.

Thanks.

[koolio]

4. In a nutshell, you'll spend around 20 - 30 minutes on the track, then 20 - 30 minutes in the classroom. Which roughly equates to one track session every hour.

[Herbivator]

You can buy a sidestand bypass on ebay, that plugs into the harness when you remove the sidestand.

I reccomend keeping the headlight on even though I don't. Unless you can find a DP stay with the harness you're looking at lot of hassle. Just pull the fuse from the headlight bucket.

[Chuckracer]

Bring food (cold cuts, bread, condiments), fruit, lotsa water, and high quality munchies - Granola bars and such. And more water.

Don't push too hard...if you're tired and you know it, stop for a while.

Make sure you have a comfortable pit...shade, chairs, hand soap, paper towels, etc.

Have fun...remember: There is no pass/fail at a track day. Ride as much and as fast as you want.


I'm an ex-expert level roadracer, and the last track day I did, I was about ten seconds off my old pace at that track...and couldn't care less. I was havin fun!

[1fast750ss]

+1 on the ligistics. Every newbie forgets that part and it's the most important. Won't do you any good if you are on the side too hungry to think about riding on the track, or dehydrated.

Bring bananas, they are light, good for you and if you crash and barf, they still taste the same. , J/K

Bring a generator if you have one, with a box of tools to work on the bike if needed. One loose bolt on the bike that falls out will ruin your day. I know, it happened to me. If I had a spare rocker cover screw, I could've finished my final race, last year. Instead, I got to sit in the stands and watch everyone have fun.

[MSG]

Thanks for all the responses.

There's one other thing I'm struggling with. I'm going to get a track suit. I know that the suit is supposed to be tight and walking like an ape is the sign of a properly fitted suit, but I'm wondering if I plan to use the suit for riding off the track, should I go one size larger.

With the cost of a suit, I want to avoid making a mistake.

[1fast750ss]

Don't compromise there, however just get a 2 piece suit instead. You will be allowed to use it until you get to the advance/fast guys stage. Check with your trackday coordinators to get more info though.

[MSG]

Originally Posted by 1fast750ss

Don't compromise there, however just get a 2 piece suit instead. You will be allowed to use it until you get to the advance/fast guys stage. Check with your trackday coordinators to get more info though.

I've been thinking about a 2 piece suit. I think I'll go that way. I expect to use the suit much more often for street than track. Having a pocket or two would come in handy.