Looking to get started with track days this summer

[number9]

This thread is old, but so am I (just turned 31).

I'd like to do some track days this year. My only track experience was a track day in, like, 2004 in Australia on an Aprilia RS125. I've got full leathers & gear and a '00 VFR 800, but that's about all I have. Where should I start?

I'd like to contemplate racing some day, but I'm not sure I've got the talent for it.

[mzdagrl]

I'd like to do some track days this year. My only track experience was a track day in, like, 2004 in Australia on an Aprilia RS125. I've got full leathers & gear and a '00 VFR 800, but that's about all I have. Where should I start?

Sounds to me like you already have. Visit a trackday org's website. Click "Sign up." Sign up. Show up. Done.

[G21forme]

Sign up and go have fun! Go to bostonmoto.com, seacoast sport cycle, penguin school of racing, tonys track days for a comprehensive list of gear and bike requirements. Oh and be sure to post up if you need any help, track rats are the most helpfull riders I've ever met.

[tsorfas]

whatever track day provider you ll choose there will be plenty of people to help you with set up, gear, transportation, advice, pretty much anything you many need!

[csmutty]

Now you just have to pick which track you want to start with.

[number9]

Thanks guys (and gal!). Any recommendations for a beginner school? If I could sum up my style it would be "Smooth. But slow."

Even if I don't have the talent to race, the idea of having a track slut bike is pretty gosh-darn appealing...

[G21forme]

Every track org has a novice group that's slow and full of control riders. Your speed will not be an issue with any if them.

[csmutty]

Thanks guys (and gal!). Any recommendations for a beginner school? If I could sum up my style it would be "Smooth. But slow."

Even if I don't have the talent to race, the idea of having a track slut bike is pretty gosh-darn appealing...

http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...rs-program.htm

Here is an overview of the first timers program.

[number9]

Thanks guys. I've always had a morbid curiosity about SM but I've never ridden a dirt bike. Well, except for an old Husky 360 on the street, with knobbies..

[CBR929RE]

talent to race plenty of people, me included have done ok at racing without talent

[number9]

talent to race plenty of people, me included have done ok at racing without talent

Ah, well, I just thought I might get better replies if I was honest!

What do you guys spend on a typical track day (as opposed to a race day)?

[csmutty]

Depends how you do it. Typical track day costs $200-$250. Food and drink is usually around $30 for a day. I usually use my take off race tires so I don't pay any extra for that...but depending on pace id approximate $50-$75ish a day for tires. It costs me about $100 in fuel to get there and $30ish fpr gas for the bike. And if you camp its usually free if you get there the night before or do multiple days in a row unless you opt for a hotel room.

[mzdagrl]

What do you guys spend on a typical track day (as opposed to a race day)?

Besides the cost of the day itself, about 10-20 bucks on food and beverages, a tank of gas before we start, a few dollars on safety wire, and getting there and back. So...not much.

[mzdagrl]

As long a your bike is up to tech specs and you aren't burning through tires every other session, it really isn't much

[tsorfas]

They covered it perfect! Very accurate numbers.

[number9]

In terms of tires, do you guys use ex-race slicks, or are slicks hard to use for beginners? I seem to recall them being hard for beginners on lightweight bikes (125s and 250s) as they're hard to get and keep warm without serious cornering speeds.

[csmutty]

What tires do you have on the vfr now and in what kind of shape are they?

[number9]

What tires do you have on the vfr now and in what kind of shape are they?

I want to say they're Michelin Pilot Sports with about 2.5-3 years on them.

[csmutty]

I want to say they're Michelin Pilot Sports with about 2.5-3 years on them.

Sounds like they wouldn't have enough tread to pass tech? But I can't tell for sure without seeing them. You have a couple choices and they are all based on how much you want to spend and how quickly you will progress. Also it depends on how far you want to take this.

In the beginning tires aren't that important except that they are in good condition. I have rode track days on sport touring tires and have been quite impressed on the level of grip that they offered and the tire wear characteristics. The sport touring tire will find it's limits faster than a sport/hypersport tire. The tradeoff is that the sport/hypersport tires will wear faster as they are a softer compound. You could buy any of those choices or you could go with a race compound takeoff or new race compound tires from a tire vendor at the track. There are pros and cons to race compound tires. First of all it takes longer for a race compound tire to heat up. For the first couple laps you will have to tone it back more than you would have to if you were on a street compound tire. Once they have some warmpth in them the race compound tire will offer more traction, but at the expense of accelerated wear compared to the street tire.

Another option is to have a spare set of rims with track tires mounted up. Then you can use race compound tires on the spare rims for track days and then use the street tires for the street. Running race compound tires on the street is rather dangerous because the tires never come up to temp. I have run race tires on a street bike but I do not recommend it. Again it is all just how far you want to take it. For the skill level that you seem to come across with I would recommend going with a street compound tire. Whether you go with a sport touring type tire or a sport type tire depends on your budget and how fast you think you will progress, as well as how many days you think you will do.

[jasnmar]

Generally streets are OK for your first couple track days. If you start melting them, it's time to look into trackday / race tires.

[nhbubba]

I wish to hell I'd done a track day at 31 14...

Good luck. Enjoy.

[maxim_X]

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.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Blueing doesn't necessarily mean overheating. Don't think that you're overcooking a tire because you are getting some blueing.

[number9]

Sounds like they wouldn't have enough tread to pass tech? But I can't tell for sure without seeing them. You have a couple choices and they are all based on how much you want to spend and how quickly you will progress. Also it depends on how far you want to take this.

(snip)

Thanks for the great response! As you and jasnmar suggest, I'll get started on street tires and see how that goes. I'll measure the tread depth, but I'm sure I've got plenty.

I wish to hell I'd done a track day at 31 14...

Good luck. Enjoy.

Me too. I remember back in 2000-2001 or so and a kid was tearing up the eastern states of Australia (I'm from the west) on GP bikes. He was only 3 years younger than me & his name was Casey Stoner. I should have started then! Ahh well... at least I've got my health

[Rada]

I wish to hell I'd done a track day at 31 14...

Good luck. Enjoy.

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.