subject: Robert Panebianco (Cary, NC) lecture #2 motorcycle tip, "Prepping sport bikes for track day" [print this page] Robert Panebianco (Cary, NC) lecture #2 motorcycle tip, "Prepping sport bikes for track day"
Robert Panebianco lecture #2 motorcycle tip, "Prepping sport bikes for track day".
Introduction:
I started reading a lot of articles about people asking questions on transitioning from cruiser-style to sport bikes so I thought I'd share a few tips for prepping bike for track day. I started off riding a Honda Shadow and shifted over to a Yamaha FZ6, which is considered a starter bike for being able to test the waters on a race track. Luckily, I'm very close to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) but venturing out to the track requires prep work on the bike, to make it "track ready". I'll be writing another article soon on sport riding techniques, but here are track day prep tips for those experienced riders who already know how to "open it up":
Drain stock coolant, recommend to replace it with "Water Wetter". Tracks typically do not permit glycol based coolants, should replace with Water Wetter or an equivalent. These coolant products are safer and help your bike run cooler.
After a good hard ride, let bike sit overnight and check pavement under engine for oil leaks, engine cannot have leaks for track day.
Tape or remove blinkers, head and tail lamps.
Oil filter and oil plug should be safety wired. Pull oil plug and put a hole in it to be wired.
Safety wire all external bolts, prior to track day. Most motorcycle shops can do track day prep for about $500, mostly labor charges. Should be done week prior to track day.
Full leathers are required along with professional grade helmet, gloves & riding boots. If you haven't invested in full leathers yet, you can rent riding gear at track.
Tires and break pads must be in excellent, near new condition.
And lastly, bring a rain suit just in case.
California Superbike School has less stringent rules then other tracks, but they do require safety wiring. You can also just show up without a bike and rent everything but that would be close to $1,000, for a 600cc super sport bike fully prepped for the track.
Upcoming VIR Track Day hosted by CSS:
I recently learned California Superbike School (CSS) also visits other race tracks offering sport bike riding classes. CSS is scheduled to be at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) from May 16 19, here's CSS's entire schedule for 2011: http://www.superbikeschool.com/schedule/.
If anyone is planning to attend VIR track day in May, shoot me an email at rpanebianco@bellsouth.net. I need to check out the full cost of VIR's track day in May to make sure it fits into my budget. Make sure to squeeze-in some practices runs before you hit the track!
