Track day questions (TTD at NHMS)

[stanga5o]

I'm doing my first TTD next Monday at NHMS and I'm making sure I have everything in order.

Does anybody know if a 2006 SV650 with an M4 slip-on exhaust will be an issue for sound level? I just read on the TTD Bike Preparation page about a sound limit of 99 dB?! I have no idea how loud my exhaust is, but I don't think it's too loud. I have new FMF packing that I could put in (pipe is probably 4 years old with maybe 12-15K miles), but I'm not sure if that will even decrease the sound level. I also have the stock (i.e. silent) pipe, but would have to rig up a coupler to the mid-pipe since it was cut off to install the M4 and I really do not want to do this unless absolutely required. Please advise.

Should I plan to bring extra gas? I found a post from 2002 that said there's only race gas (105 octane) at the track, but that there are gas stations within 1/2 mile of the track and that you are allowed to leave during the day.

And approximately what time does the track day end?

Thanks for any answers.

[jasnmar]

I'm doing my first TTD next Monday at NHMS and I'm making sure I have everything in order.

Does anybody know if a 2006 SV650 with an M4 slip-on exhaust will be an issue for sound level? I just read on the TTD Bike Preparation page about a sound limit of 99 dB?! I have no idea how loud my exhaust is, but I don't think it's too loud. I have new FMF packing that I could put in (pipe is probably 4 years old with maybe 12-15K miles), but I'm not sure if that will even decrease the sound level. I also have the stock (i.e. silent) pipe, but would have to rig up a coupler to the mid-pipe since it was cut off to install the M4 and I really do not want to do this unless absolutely required. Please advise.

You'll be fine with the M4.

Should I plan to bring extra gas? I found a post from 2002 that said there's only race gas (105 octane) at the track, but that there are gas stations within 1/2 mile of the track and that you are allowed to leave during the day.

And approximately what time does the track day end?

Thanks for any answers.

If you show up with a full tank, I expect you'll be fine.

If not I suspect someone around will have a fuel can with regular pump gas. Give them a few bucks.

Yes, you can leave whenever you want and there's fuel nearby if all else fails.

Llast session for Red group, which you'll be in, ends at 5:00 (I think).

[OreoGaborio]

No sound level issues at NHMS. Trust me, my SV is louder

There is regular pump gas available at the track so if you have a credit card you're all set. I'd be willing to bet if you fill your tank up you'll be good for the entire day.

The track goes cold at 5pm. Usually everyone's outta there by 6ish.



Welcome to the party

You all set for a ride up?

[nhbubba]

I think I have 8 track days under my belt, 6 on the SV and I have yet to finish a tank of fuel in one day yet. But I'm workin' on it!

[Rada]

See you Monday!!!

[TheIglu]

Bring a jug of gas with you. I've used gas every time I've run on the track. Better to bring it and not need it than run out of gas later in the day.

[The Snowman]

For clarification on gas types, they have 2 types available at the track's pumps: 93 octane super-unleaded and 98 octane Sunoco 260 GTX. Both require a credit card for purchase and transactions are handled right at the pumps.

See you on Monday.

[jasnmar]

I "think" OP is considering riding in (from another thread).

Bringing gas is safer, generally not necessary.

I actually road in, 2 days in a row for an ARC and a track day on 1 tank, but I'm a loser .

[nhbubba]

I actually road in, 2 days in a row for an ARC and a track day on 1 tank, but I'm a loser .

...And you ride a super-tanker.

I've used gas every time I've run on the track.

First time track users probably aren't going to use fuel like you do. As I say.. 6 days on the SV and I haven't left with a dry tank yet.

[Petorius]

I have never used a whole tank in one track day on my gen 2 SV, even running 30 minute sessions one time.

[TheIglu]

You guys ever use the throttle twist function?

Even my EX500's were thirsty pigs on track. Guess I'm just a bit more hamfisted than most.

[TheIglu]

If you are riding up, just top off right before you get to the track at the gas station 1/4 mile away. Then if you get low, you can always top off with the on-premises $$$$ gas.

If you are trailering up, just bring a few gallons in a gas can. Easy, cheaper.

[jasnmar]

You guys ever use the throttle twist function?

I'm so slow I can get by using just the idle adjuster...

[stanga5o]

Every question answered on the first reply... you are the man!

You'll be fine with the M4.



If you show up with a full tank, I expect you'll be fine.

If not I suspect someone around will have a fuel can with regular pump gas. Give them a few bucks.

Yes, you can leave whenever you want and there's fuel nearby if all else fails.

Llast session for Red group, which you'll be in, ends at 5:00 (I think).

[Petorius]

Maybe my season goal should just be to kill a tank in a day.

[stanga5o]

And a nice confirmation in the second post... this place is great!

Well, I have an offer for a ride Sunday afternoon. This option would require me to stay overnight OR trust being without my bike for the night (it's a forum member, but that doesn't really mean anything, I suppose ha!) and drive myself up on Monday.

Last option is riding up, but that would require taking all tools, fluids, extra gear, etc. in a backpack and removing my license plate bracket at the track. These are minor things, I know, but still things to do.

What's the consensus on riding to a track day (1.5 hour/~90 mile ride from Waltham)?

I don't think that I'd be too tired from that ride, but would obviously have more energy if I drove up instead. Based on what I hear, I expect to be pretty tired at the end of the day too. I used to do single day snowboard trips (with a 4 hour drive each way) and drive home completely beat, but of course cars are different than bikes..

No sound level issues at NHMS. Trust me, my SV is louder

There is regular pump gas available at the track so if you have a credit card you're all set. I'd be willing to bet if you fill your tank up you'll be good for the entire day.

The track goes cold at 5pm. Usually everyone's outta there by 6ish.



Welcome to the party

You all set for a ride up?

[stanga5o]

I typically fill up around 120-140 miles and still have ~0.5-1 gallon left. That's a mix of aggressive street riding, and some highway commuting. Not sure how that compares to the track, but I intend to find out!

[Petorius]

If you want to do the math, the track is ~1.6 miles, it will be 20 minute sessions (assuming we run 3 groups), and you will probably run 6-8 full sessions assuming you don't pack it in early. I would guess your pace will be 1:45-2:00, probably on the higher end of that.

Edit: DONT pack it in early

[jasnmar]

And a nice confirmation in the second post... this place is great!

Well, I have an offer for a ride Sunday afternoon. This option would require me to stay overnight OR trust being without my bike for the night (it's a forum member, but that doesn't really mean anything, I suppose ha!) and drive myself up on Monday.

Last option is riding up, but that would require taking all tools, fluids, extra gear, etc. in a backpack and removing my license plate bracket at the track. These are minor things, I know, but still things to do.

What's the consensus on riding to a track day (1.5 hour/~90 mile ride from Waltham)?

LOL.

The offer from Oreo is a good one. Just FYI, he happens to also be an instructor at Tony's and pretty good people regardless.

I'm very close, so my ride in experience doesn't count, but I do know that nhbubba has ridden in at least once, maybe twice from the Seacost area. Not quite 90 minutes, but a about an hour.

You'll be tired at the end of the day, but a 90 minute ride isn't unthinkable.

If it were me, and Oreo was willing, I'd let him haul my bike up and back, and drive in and out, but again, I've met him where you haven't and for all you know he and I might be running a scam to steal your bike .

[Tas]

I call dibs on the M4.

[TTD]

I call dibs on the M4.

Pete works for me and he's going to my day... we'll have that thing parted out before 9am!

[nhbubba]

I'm very close, so my ride in experience doesn't count, but I do know that nhbubba has ridden in at least once, maybe twice from the Seacost area. Not quite 90 minutes, but a about an hour.

I did it once on my V-Strom (a 'touring' bike). I probably never will again now that I don't have to. (I acquired a trailer.)
I am 37 miles/52 minutes from the track. All easy back roads; no super-slab.

Packing the stuff isn't really the big deal. Don't bring too many tools. Just enough to remove your mirrors and plate. You shouldn't need much more than that. And an air gauge, definitely an air gauge. Maybe a roll of painters tape and some duct tape. Just a section of it; you don't need the whole roll. Pack food and as much water as you can. And a change of clothes.

My first time I packed waaaay too much shit I did not need. Especially tools; I had enough to tear the bike down twice.

Your SV will probably be trivial to prep. 20-30 min tops. Bring a hose clamp big enough to fit over the oil filter and stand around looking pitiful. Someone will help you.. someone (garandman) helped me.

The real drag is putting the bike back together at the end of the day. Maybe you are 19 and run marathons for kicks. I am not and don't. I am wiped at the end of a good track day. Having to put the bike back together and then ride home was tough. I was the very last guy out of the garages that night. It doesn't help that red (noob) group is the last off the track. So many were already packed up to leave before I even made it off the track. I kind of dragged my ass putting everything back together that night. Then I had to ride home.. with speed limits.. and was suddenly aware of how absurdly low those limits are.

Moral here is that riding in/out to a track day is definitely doable. And I would gladly if I had to. But trailering in is just more convenient.

If you do ride in/out, let me know. I'll pack an extra lawn chair for you. Not required.. but it sure is nice to have.

[nhbubba]

And you have a Gen 2 SV. Mine is a Gen 1. ... So 98% of your bike is safe from me!

[Ken C]

See you on Monday!

[stanga5o]

Wasn't Oreo that offered me a ride.. but I appreciate the vote of confidence for him! He's given me some good advice here and on SVrider I think..

I did the math from a post above. Between 96-146 miles per track day.

The M4 will be for sale starting at the end of day on Monday.. to go towards a full system.

Thanks for the advice bubba. Pretty much what I was thinking: doable, but not ideal.