Tracking Items for Track Days, track bike, trailer etc etc

[Karate.Snoopy]

With my parents here to lend a helping hand in 2015 with the boys I may have decent amount of time to do multiple track days. Thinking about getting the TTD membership, but before jumping in with both feet I would like to get a feel for what is involved:

Track Bike -- What's available for a beginner track day enthusiast.
Trailer -- What's available, ideally I would like a closed trailer with a chock that could be used to haul household stuff as well.

I have the following:
Leather suit
Back protector
Gauntlet Gloves
Shoes
DOT Helmet

What else?

[FirstDuc-1098]

...What else?

$$$$$$ and more $$$$

[number9]

With my parents here to lend a helping hand in 2015 with the boys I may have decent amount of time to do multiple track days. Thinking about getting the TTD membership, but before jumping in with both feet I would like to get a feel for what is involved:

Track Bike -- What's available for a beginner track day enthusiast.
Trailer -- What's available, ideally I would like a closed trailer with a chock that could be used to haul household stuff as well.

I have the following:
Leather suit
Back protector
Gauntlet Gloves
Shoes
DOT Helmet

What else?

Tools! Tools! Tools!

Although people are incredibly generous and will let you borrow their tools, there is nothing worse than crashing early in the day and being unable to fix your bike because you didn't bring the right tools to make a simple repair. Got a service manual? Bring it with you too! I broke my gear shift lever and had to grind the old one, then drill and screw a new lever barrel onto it. This required simple tools that I own, but I didn't bring them! So I had to borrow them off (very generous) other people there.

[jasnmar]

Different organization have slightly different rules, so it depends a bit. I've only been to Tony's and Penguin, so that is all I can speak to.

For Tony's really not much is required. I rode in to my first 2 track days (I live close). I had my oil filter wired with a hose clamp before hand. I disabled my brake and headlamps by pulling a couple fuses and removed my mirrors morning of. That's really it for bike prep.

At the time I had textile gear, which was approved (not mesh). I ended up buying some sidi boots, a back protector and gauntlet gloves. Pretty much any reasonably new full face helmet is OK (the week beforish I was planning on showing up with my flip face, but managed to drop it and break the hinge, so purchased full face).

On the flip side, Penguin will let you run with any "ankle covering boot" including work boots, but also requires that you get all of the antifreeze out of the bike. I don't think penguin allows textile suits (I could be misremembering).

To be safe, by gear your list...
Suit: onesie, or full circumference zip together.
Back protector.
Gauntlet gloves.
Motorcycle specific boots.
Snell helmet (it's just easier, some non Snell helmets will be approved, but Snell is safe).

Bike:
Brake lights disabled.
Mirrors obfuscated (you can't see behind you... This can be removed, folded in, taped over, up to you, but you can't use mirrors).
Oil filter lock wired.
Oil drain lock wired.
Antifreeze removed.
Any glass taped or removed.
Sharp edges taped or removed (license plate for example).

Other stuff to bring....
Some sort of chair.
Fluids. Drink, even if you aren't thirsty.
Food.
Money for pictahs.
Tire Guage.

I'm sure I'm missing stuff. I always bring too much, so I'm trying not to tell you to bring all the shit I bring .

[nhbubba]

Karate here has done a Penguin TE on a rented EX500. He knows at least part of the drill.

Track bike. I dig my SV. There's a thread around here somewhere where I was dead set on either a Ninja 250 or an older 600 super-sport. Wound up getting talked into the SV instead. Best thing NESR ever did for me.

Tons of great choices though. Walk around the garages one track day and see what you see a lot of. Personally, I'd stick to something that is actively raced. But between LRRS and USCRA, that seems to be a pretty broad spectrum. If you positively know there is no chance in hell you are ever going racing, maybe this doesn't matter.

My advice is to hunt for something already setup with goodies like suspension bits, dampers, etc. Buying that stuff afterwards adds up fast. For track only you obviously don't care about cosmetic condition or title. So trade that value of aspect for goodies.

Track plastics are optional, IMO. Going "naked" is fine.


You have a DOT, non SNELL helmet? I'd upgrade. In my view, I'd get a quality fiberglass/kevlar bucket with a SNELL sticker. You don't have to spend huge money for this these days. There are plenty of reasonably priced quality lids that are SNELL rated. ... I would avoid polycarbonate helmets entirely. I don't care if they are permitted by your choice of TD orgs or not.

I've finally added a chest protector to my kit. I think that was money well spent.

You say you have gloves and boots. But if they aren't quality bits, consider an upgrade. Fubaring the little bones in the extremities sounds like no damned fun to me.


Trailer.
Why on earth do you need an enclosed trailer for track days??? More weight. More cost. Harder to store when not in use.
I'd start with a reasonably priced open 4x8-ish utility trailer and a ramp. Harbor freight sells these great wheel chocks that work really well. Hell, the HF $400 trailer ain't bad. Easy to tow behind a commuter car. Rig up some stake sides for it and you are ready to haul appliances, yard waste, furniture, whatever. They even have a lighter duty fold up one if storage is an issue. Although I would stay away from the ones with the little 8" tires.. but that's me.

Even Jim on here travels all over the East coast to races using a simple open trailer.


Tools are a good call. Spares too. I bring a 12-pack box full of spares; extra clip-ons, handlebar controls, foot pegs, and foot control ends. I also have some chemicals and oil and a bunch of rags. For tools I cary the essentials. Although what I deem "essential" seems to grow each time. Would you believe I'm now carrying a torque wrench and a dead-blow hammer?! Some is likely overkill. My spares kit needs to catch up with the tool kit.

A bicycle pump works fine for airing up tires.
A quality tire gauge is nice.

Chair and water are huge.

Pack all your track shit away in plastic tubs that are labeled. Try not to mix track day and street gear. This way you can just load up the totes with the track gear and go without worrying you forgot anything.

[loudbeard]

Skip the wheel chock and get a pit bull trailer restraint. Stupid easy to load and a flat floor when not in use

[nhbubba]

The Pitbull TRS is the shit. I'd like that upgrade as well.

But at $290 vs $40 for the HF chock, I'm willing to crawl under the trailer with a ratchet and socket when I change the trailer over.

YMMV.

[Ductard]

Skip the wheel chock and get a pit bull trailer restraint. Stupid easy to load and a flat floor when not in use

Second Pinned on that...although I'm floored that he didn't list a Grom as an absolute requirement. He must not be feeling himself today....

[Karate.Snoopy]

Tools is big and I would acquire some as the deals come along this holiday season.
From all the perusing online on track bike topics I have almost made up my mind to pick up a SV650 gen 2 (I am no good with carb maintenance or any other maintenance for that matter)
Although I may be persuaded to pick up a certain ZX6RR lurking about on NESR.
Pitbull restraints look awesome, will look for it on CL.

[loudbeard]

Also, Grom.

[Chippertheripper]

Tools is big and I would acquire some as the deals come along this holiday season.
From all the perusing online on track bike topics I have almost made up my mind to pick up a SV650 gen 2 (I am no good with carb maintenance or any other maintenance for that matter)
Although I may be persuaded to pick up a certain ZX6RR lurking about on NESR.
Pitbull restraints look awesome, will look for it on CL.

Are you sure you don't mean an ex650r?

[maxim_X]

I hear there is an awesome, setup Ninja 650 for sale one here. But, personally I would hate to see the seller not have a track bike so I'm not gonna help that any more. Anyway Bubs and Jansmar cover the basics. Motards are cool track bike I hear. Ducatis popular too. If you want some specifics on bikes your thinking of speak up. Most people love to share their opinions of different makes and models.

[Dave603]

helmet fan

[nhbubba]

helmet fan

He doesn't need all that power yet.

[GixerJockey]

Ahem...


http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ce-bike-extras

[Karate.Snoopy]

Ahem...


http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ce-bike-extras

Should have mentioned my bike budget-- 2500$

[Chippertheripper]

Should have mentioned my bike budget-- 2500$

OOOOH, OOOOOH, PICK ME!

[Jim]

one thing i'll add here....go to a hockey supply store and get a hockey bag. you dont need to get a goalie gear bag, just a normal size bag. it'll fit your gloves, boots, helmet, suit, back protector, surge protector, helmet fan, tire warmers, under armor, towels & shower stuff, etc.

it makes packing traveling so much easier.

[nhbubba]

I like that idea. Probably easier to manage than the hard plastic totes I've been using.

[The Snowman]

Paging Adam (Rada) with his checklist...

[Jim]

Here's my checklist

GEAR BAG:
Suit
Back protector
Boots
Gloves
Helmet
Dark visor
Anti-fog
Ear plugs
Under armor
Socks for boots
Helmet fan
Power strip
Extension cable
Tire warmers
Air hose
Air line connectors
Tire pressure gauge
Towel
Soap
Shampoo
Deodorant
Spare contacts
VIN:
CCS Transponder
AMA license
LRRS Transponder
Transponder charger
Lap timer
Off spray
Sun block

TOOL BOX:
Shop towels
Zip ties
Safety wire and pliers
Wire cutters

LOOSE ITEMS:
folding chair
Big fan
Gas can
Mechanic's seat
Front & rear stand
Spare wheels
iPod dock and iPod (track days)
Cooler (race events)
Laptop

HOME DEPOT BUCKET:
Brake parts cleaner
Chain wax
Chain clean
Honda polish
Plexus
WD-40
Map gas
Latex gloves

BACK PACK:
socks, boxers, undershirt for next day
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Eye contact case and solution
Spare contacts
Glasses
Flip flops
Shorts

TRAVELING
sleeping bag
Pillow
50' extension cord
Folding table
Air mattress with pump
Tent
Rope lighting

[GingahNinjah]

Here's my checklist

GEAR BAG:
Suit
Back protector
Boots
Gloves
Helmet
Dark visor
Anti-fog
Ear plugs
Under armor
Socks for boots
Helmet fan
Power strip
Extension cable
Tire warmers
Air hose
Air line connectors
Tire pressure gauge
Towel
Soap
Shampoo
Deodorant
Spare contacts
VIN:
CCS Transponder
AMA license
LRRS Transponder
Transponder charger
Lap timer
Off spray
Sun block

TOOL BOX:
Shop towels
Zip ties
Safety wire and pliers
Wire cutters

LOOSE ITEMS:
folding chair
Big fan
Gas can
Mechanic's seat
Front & rear stand
Spare wheels
iPod dock and iPod (track days)
Cooler (race events)
Laptop

HOME DEPOT BUCKET:
Brake parts cleaner
Chain wax
Chain clean
Honda polish
Plexus
WD-40
Map gas
Latex gloves

BACK PACK:
socks, boxers, undershirt for next day
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Eye contact case and solution
Spare contacts
Glasses
Flip flops
Shorts

TRAVELING
sleeping bag
Pillow
50' extension cord
Folding table
Air mattress with pump
Tent
Rope lighting
Blowup Doll

Fixed

[GixerJockey]

Jim, I noticed you took Anal-Eze off of your list. Just using spit now? Or is no lube necessary?

[Chippertheripper]

Jim, I noticed you took Anal-Eze off of your list. Just using spit now? Or is no lube necessary?

Hot dog/hallway.

[GixerJockey]

Hot dog/hallway.

I remember back when I could barely get a pinkie in there.


They grow up so fast...