Looking to get started with track days this summer

[nhbubba]

What kind of rider are you? How experienced?

If you're anything like me, sport touring tires are plenty good 'nuf.

If you're not like me, well then I dunno.

[jasnmar]

As to tires... Emma rode all season on a set of Sport Touring tires.

And IIRC Emma finished the season on yellow group.

Keep an eye on the tires. They will let you know how they are doing.

Images from the first 100 miles on my last set of street tires
https://picasaweb.google.com/1128325...COuY0aX9vYOgQw
That's on a much heavier bike than your viffer.

[number9]

That's on a much heavier bike than your viffer.

A Goldwing?

[jasnmar]

Aye. Not the ideal track bike, but I've learned a lot.

[OreoGaborio]

Just about any semi sporty street tire with about 50% tread remaining will be just find for a first timer on the track.

Your first track days will really just be like REALLY FUN street rides, but without all the risks that come with riding fast on the street, so whatever you ride with on the street should be okay for the track as long as they pass tech.

[Rada]

And IIRC Emma finished the season on yellow group.

Keep an eye on the tires. They will let you know how they are doing.

Images from the first 100 miles on my last set of street tires
https://picasaweb.google.com/1128325...COuY0aX9vYOgQw
That's on a much heavier bike than your viffer.

That's the way GW tires should look.
Not all slabbed out in the center.. Good job Jason..


Pete has it square... Just bring you and your bike with good gear and decent rubber and have a ball.


Ohh. And if you do decide to race some day. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Come up to a race and walk around the garage area and check it out. The people are friendly and eager to help out. Stop by center garage 2 and introduce yourself..

[CBR929RE]

It's tough to find a street tire that you can ride aggressively at the track. The Dunlop Q2 is a good choice, but as speed increases the limit of those aren't as high as an experienced track day rider might like. I've been under the impression that a true track tire buys the rider a little insurance. Meaning you can make a few more mistakes and be able to keep in on the rubber.

I've been going through this debate personally. I would love to keep the SV on the street, but, i pretty much only ride it on the track. Right now it has Q2's on it but judging by their blueing they seem to be getting pushed harder than they like. I've been throwing around the idea of a second set of wheels with some GPA's on it. But, I don't see myself really changing back and forth all the often. If anyone has any insight on this I'd love to hear it.

I don't agree with this at all. the current generation of hypersport street tires are better than you think. with the right rider lap times can still be in the teens.

[number9]

Thanks for all the help guys. I've gone through Tony's, Penguin and Boston Moto to see what their calendars look like & Penguin have the earliest one (April 26th). I notice that most places have a strict "no anti-freeze" policy. I don't want to have to swap between water & anti-freeze all the time, so should I go for something like Redline Water Wetter so that the bike is still suitable for street riding?

Even during the riding season it's not uncommon to get nights below freezing in Maine.

[Rada]

I notice that most places have a strict "no anti-freeze" policy. I don't want to have to swap between water & anti-freeze all the time, so should I go for something like Redline Water Wetter so that the bike is still suitable for street riding?

Even during the riding season it's not uncommon to get nights below freezing in Maine.

Tony's Track Days does not require you to drain your coolant.

[number9]

Tony's Track Days does not require you to drain your coolant.

Yeah, they seem to be the one exception. Also I just realized that Water Wetter does not prevent water from freezing at 32 degrees F, whereas Engine Ice does.

[Kurlon]

Some of those additives count as coolant FYI...

[number9]

Some of those additives count as coolant FYI...

Thanks Kurlon, I should get a list of them. It's too f**king cold out to do work now, so plenty of time!

[csmutty]

Thanks Kurlon, I should get a list of them. It's too f**king cold out to do work now, so plenty of time!

Just run straight engine ice. It keeps the bike cool, is biodegradeable, and is easier to clean up on track than antifreeze.

[TTD]

Thanks for all the help guys. I've gone through Tony's, Penguin and Boston Moto to see what their calendars look like & Penguin have the earliest one (April 26th).

Come on down to New Jersey on April 22,23!

It is a more flowing track than the NH one. And it's mostly right turns so you can use the same tires in Jersey and then up in NH and that will even them out.

[number9]

Just run straight engine ice. It keeps the bike cool, is biodegradeable, and is easier to clean up on track than antifreeze.

Do local bike shops carry it? I checked their websites and all the distributors listed aren't local to me.

Come on down to New Jersey on April 22,23!

It is a more flowing track than the NH one. And it's mostly right turns so you can use the same tires in Jersey and then up in NH and that will even them out.

Is that gonna be $500 instead of $250? Not sure if I can clear that with the Minister for War & Finance right now.. though Valentine's Day is coming up!

That said.. if anyone is trailering their bike down and wants a co-pilot...

In Australia we turn left to go right

[nhbubba]

...I can clear that with the Minister for War & Finance right now...

[csmutty]

Do local bike shops carry it? I checked their websites and all the distributors listed aren't local to me.

Yup! Any local shop with parts unlimited should be able to get it if they don't already have it in stock!

[Trouble]

That said.. if anyone is trailering their bike down and wants a co-pilot...

There are usually people with space looking for other people to split costs. Watch the TTD forum for ride sharing info: http://community.tonystrackdays.com/forums/forum.php I'll be coming down from VT with space for one but I usually don't go through Mass. Gino usually has space if he's heading down.

[TTD]

Is that gonna be $500 instead of $250? Not sure if I can clear that with the Minister for War & Finance right now.. though Valentine's Day is coming up!

That said.. if anyone is trailering their bike down and wants a co-pilot...

Our standard prices are $225 per day, so 2 days would be $450. If you think you're going to do more than 5 or 6 trackdays this year - then look into the Membership or 6-Pack options. The 6-pack brings your per day down to $200 each.

The Membership package will save you $100 off every trackday - so the total cost per day will depend on how many days you do. Here's the link to more info on that:

http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...-pack-info.htm


As for ride sharing, that will definitely be an option. People generally start posting up that stuff around April 1st.

[number9]

This has been an awesome thread, thanks everyone! I'll post something up once I've figured out which event I'm doing to see if anyone wants to head down together. I imagine it'll be the earliest event on the calendar..

[SVRACER01]

Most of do. Except for the lucky few that get to start at 14.. Emma, Jake, Mary, Tom.....

As to tires... Emma rode all season on a set of Sport Touring tires.

only one season? the tires on my bike were made when i was still racing. 07 on the front, 09 on the rear

[OreoGaborio]

only one season? the tires on my bike were made when i was still racing. 07 on the front, 09 on the rear

Lol... she's like 15. She's only been RIDING one season.

[SVRACER01]

Lol... she's like 15. She's only been RIDING one season.

whatevs...
so she was 10 when my front tire was made

[csmutty]

only one season? the tires on my bike were made when i was still racing. 07 on the front, 09 on the rear

You sure you are ready to come back racing? Your tires shouldn't last that long.

[SVRACER01]

You sure you are ready to come back racing? Your tires shouldn't last that long.

they shouldnt? i get like 1000 laps out of them.