Prepping for my first Track Day

[smallj]

I'm getting ready for my first Track Day. I'm taking the 1200S and wanted some advise for running it on the track for the first time.

First question is about Tire Pressure. My track day is not until the end of September at Mid Ohio so the temps should be cool. I've got Pilot Road 2CTs on the bike. I'm happy with the grip they give on the road but on the track I think I will have them running pretty hot and slippery. Any suggestions for tire pressures? I usually run 38/40 but for the track I was thinking more 34/36. Thoughts?

Aside from removing the mirrors and taping the headlights, is there any other prep I should do?

Does anyone know if fuel is available at Mid Ohio or do I need to bring a can with me all filled up.

I feel an addiction coming on. Maybe I should buy one of those fancy 848s for a track bike...

[signit98]

..depends on your skills but I'd start (aside from the fact that 2CT's are not exactly prime track tires) with 30/32 and see how the bike responds...

Too many factors to just make a blanket statement about tire pressure... spend some time/money on a decent suspension setup.. usually available at the track. Worth much more than most every other gimmick, especially for your first TD>

Disconnect the headlight as well... you can also take off the taillight assembly all together... saves a bit of weight... if you are really ambitious, you can do the same to the front.

Always take fuel... even if available at the track, it's usually costly... they seem to be very proud of it... if there are lead riders or instructors, take advantage of them... you'll learn lots usually.

Relax and have fun... lots of fun!

[Guest24]

1. This is not a race so don't press. You'll have the rush of the adrenalin and won't realize that your more tired at the end of the day than you think. That's when the mistakes come.

2. You won't run street tyre pressure. I run 29/29 on my HPS.

3. Don't run fresh tyres that haven't been scrubbed in.

4. If you have warmers use them. If not take it easy until the tyres heat up.

5. Get a 5 gal gas tank and take your fuel with you.

6. Check tyre pressure before every session.

7. Make sure you personal gear complies with the track day requirements.

8. Go at your own pace. Don't get sucked into exceeding your limits.

9. Work on form the speed will come. Practice pit entry and exit procedures.

10. Enjoy your day to the max.


PS If you have a bike stand take it with you.

[signit98]

Don't forget that you run SS tires, Bubba... he's trying to go there with PR2 CT's...

1. is an excellent point... I usually skip the last session.

[smallj]

I'm not really sure what my skills are since it's my first time at a track, but on the roads I am comfortable with the bike sliding a little in the corners. Not the smartest thing, but it happens sometimes. So I think I will be moving along pretty good on the track. In the WV mountains, I used to drag the heads on my 1100S. Again, not the smartest thing, but it happens occasionally.

As far as suspension, I was going to set it to full soft plus one or two clicks. I only weigh 130lbs so I am really light for the stock suspenders anyway. My 1100S used to feel better with about 20 lbs of stuff in the bags. The 12S has no bags...

If the tires really are not doing what I need them to do, I'm guessing for the right amount of $$ I will be able to get some Pilot Sports put on at the track.

[XLR8R]

smallj, i sent you a pm. im here in greenwood and i would love to help you. after riding the R12S on a few track days, there will be no way an 848 will satisfy you. dont. there are track days this weekend at putnampark.com through nesba.com. i suggest you ride with them before any other group. ill totally help you get your bike ready.

[smallj]

The street tires will heat up pretty quickly I think. My problem will probably be too much heat.

[chewie]

2 things I did that made for a good day on my R12S

#1 Paid the Suspension Pro to set it for a good mix (track and street combo so I don't have to mess with it) and he also gave me the recommended tyre pressure for Phillip Island on a dry and mild day - 30fr/31rear. fwiw - the Superbike School Dudes will sneak around on a school day and make everyones (unless some strange bike) tyre pressures 30/30. My 30/31 was on Pilot Powers but 30/30 would have been unnoticeable to me.

#2 I took it very easy and slowly got into a nice rhythm as the day went on. I know I got quicker and quicker as I passed more people each session and I didn't do the last session. I think that looking for the rhythm of the track, trying to get a feel for it is the go.

just my $0.02

PS
I was worried about being taken out by someone else and it seems alot of track noobs are but I learnt to just forget about everyone behind me and take the line that I wanted to take. COnsistently taking the same lines will make it easier for others to get by you and it's better for you so take the lines that you want and forget about people behind you.

Have fun - it's so great, damn! I GOTTA GO AGAIN

[Droptarotter]

Here's some ideas;
It's best to trailer/truck the bike to the track if you can.
Bring an EZ up
Lots of water and good food...........nothing like adrenalin and a greasy burger to ruin your day
Like Bubba says.......ride your own pace.......don't get sucked in by someone making it look easy.
Ride smooth...........nothing worse for a fast guy coming up on a beginner that is all over the track.
Start off slow and easy...........pick out turn in points........and brake markers
Make notes on tire pressure, suspension settings
Above all......have fun............no one will be scouting for the next Hailwood.......so enjoy yourself.

I remember my first track day..............I didn't have a clue.............thought I was pretty quick on the street.............after a couple of laps..........noticed coming out of a corner that my tach was burried.........upshifted my RD twice until the needle dropped to 9 grand.......from that point on.............I slowed right down...............to start going faster.

Hope this helps.
Cheers

[Rick Lee]

I took my 911SC to Mid Ohio. It's a great track. I'm sure they've made some changes since I was last there four yrs. ago. There is a lot of run-off space for the first half of the circuit. The second half doesn't leave a lot of room for error. There is an insane off-camber hill, drop and curve just before the midway point. Can't remember what it's called. I'd love to watch bikes on that track, but I don't think the exciting sections are viewable to spectators. I spun my SC there once or twice that weekend.

[PFFOG]

Lots of good advice above.

Andl just remember, you are going to have FUN!!

Aside from that,
Good tires, lower the tire pressure to the 30 psi range, front and rear

HYDRATE!! You don't realize you need water until it has effected your mental capacity, DRINK a lot.

RELAX, before you head out, close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths and drop your shoulders to remove the tension. This is good to do in the straights too (except for the closing eyes part)

Concentrate on loosening your grip on the bars

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!! Your eyes should be looking through the corner and into the next corner

And the most important thing DO NOT try to ride fast!!! Try to be SMOOTH, if you are smooth, you will be riding very fast by the end of the day and not even realize it. Smooth means comfortable, comfortable means smoother braking and earlier throttle application, which will make you fast, while doing one of the most fun things you can do on a motorcycle.

Specifically Mid-Ohio does have fuel on site, but I am not sure the pumps are always turned on. If you show up full, you may not even need to fill up, if anything a couple of gallons will be plenty.

Mid-O is one of my favorites, you will get handed your hat down th back straight, but the entire back section through thunder valley is GREAT. And don't be disappointed that turn one kicks your butt, and you can never seem to get it right, it takes a lot of time to figure it out.

[Joe the Viking]

The others have it pretty much covered but I think you should do your own basic suspension setup. There's a good guide to follow on http://www.ohlins.com/.
If you have the Öhilns shocks you might want to get softer springs to get the sag right, it's not a very expensive mod and will probably benefit you both on track and street as you are so lightweight.

I like the PP2CTs and use them myself in cold or wet conditions. However I think they need at least 32/35psi as they have a very soft carcass and are made to work well in low temperatures. (They tend to overheat rather than cold tear)

Relax, have fun, try to be smooth rather than fast and ride well within your limits.

Remember: No one cares if you're slow, they're all busy with their own riding. THE WORLD ISN'T WATCHING!

edit: As you've got plenty of time you might want to prep yourself by studying a little bit, after all the rider is at least 80% of the package. I'd reccomend "Twist of the wrist 2" as a starting point.

[roger albert]

Follow the advice about letting a pro set up your suspension. The setup guides are good on paper for sag, but only in the ballpark (they're written very conservatively, or liability reduction, rather than performance) plus you'll get tips and checkouts of damping, which a guide can't help you with much and help throughout the day on your susp and tires.

Pressures definitely down in the 30/30 range (or even lower). Heat is rarely a problem for 2CTs, and certainly not for a newer trackrider, and a light one at that. A lot of amateurs, and even some pros, fail to take rider and bike weight into account when setting tires. That's nearly as bad as one-size-fits-all springs. (and worse, given it's fast and free to adjust)
I'd seriously consider starting out 30/29 psi cold at your weight. It will also help counter the very-likely over-stiff suspension springs. Total spring rate is a function of springs, sidewalls, and tire pressure. Though not as soft as the latest pirellis, the mich are fairly soft, and so respond well to a bit lower air-pressure.

I have two race days and two track-days at two different tracks over the next 4 days, so I better get moving.

HAVE FUN!

[Joe the Viking]

Originally Posted by roger albert

Follow the advice about letting a pro set up your suspension. The setup guides are good on paper for sag, but only in the ballpark (they're written very conservatively, or liability reduction, rather than performance) plus you'll get tips and checkouts of damping, which a guide can't help you with much and help throughout the day on your susp and tires.

Pressures definitely down in the 30/30 range (or even lower). Heat is rarely a problem for 2CTs, and certainly not for a newer trackrider, and a light one at that. A lot of amateurs, and even some pros, fail to take rider and bike weight into account when setting tires. That's nearly as bad as one-size-fits-all springs. (and worse, given it's fast and free to adjust)
I'd seriously consider starting out 30/29 psi cold at your weight. It will also help counter the very-likely over-stiff suspension springs. Total spring rate is a function of springs, sidewalls, and tire pressure. Though not as soft as the latest pirellis, the mich are fairly soft, and so respond well to a bit lower air-pressure.

I have two race days and two track-days at two different tracks over the next 4 days, so I better get moving.

HAVE FUN!

My point was to do basic setup before going to establish if you're in the ballpark or should change springs. Getting help from a pro trackside is always a good idea. Sorry I wasn't being clear on that in my previous post.

I find heat is the most common problem with the 2CTs, maybe we get rougher asphalt in these parts.

A light rider/bike combo will build less heat in the tires if the suspension is somewhere close to ok, a too stiff suspension will make the tires flex more and may build more heat.

This is getting way to academical for prepping for a first trackday, smallj needs to focus on his riding and not worry about tires or suspension. They're surely up to the job!

[roger albert]

Fair points all (though I wonder how the Vikings see trouble with 2CT heat before the Texans, which have had a near record number of days above 40C this year, and not much heat issues.
Fair point on the asphalt though. We have a few tracks that are MUCH harder on the tires than others. And one of them is especially ungrippy when cool, so it's not just texture, but aggregate. Complicated stuff which I don't well understand, even after talking to some guys fairly sharp on it.

[rouxfuss]

i will be at mid Ohio on the 19 of September on yellow 12s third tI'me at mid on the 12s pretty much what everyone says is true just have fun thats what it all about . are you there on the 19 ? if so it will be great to have another 12s out there, i also run pp 2ct no problems 30/30 psi but I'm a good bit heavier .

[smallj]

I'm there on the 28th. Thanks for all the great advise. I finally bought a set of leathers today, then I put the stock handlebars back on the bike. It's as ready as it gets until I do final prep at the track.

Now that I have all the gear I need, next year's gonna need more track days.

[Yellow12]

Roger & Joe,
Don't forget smallj is talking Pilot ROAD 2 (sometimes called PilotRoad2CT) and I think all your comments are for Pilot POWER 2CT.
As such your heating issue comments and pressure values 'MAY' not be valid for the PR2.

Just trying to avoid confusion.

Ant

[Kieran R1100S]

3 things to remember.
1 don't fall off!!
2 don't fall off!!
3 don't fall off!!
oh and 4 have a good time!

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by smallj

I'm there on the 28th. Thanks for all the great advise. I finally bought a set of leathers today, then I put the stock handlebars back on the bike. It's as ready as it gets until I do final prep at the track.

Now that I have all the gear I need, next year's gonna need more track days.

Put on those leathers and stretch them out. go for some rides. You don't want to feel all bound up in them. Buy some underarmour to wear and some wicking socks.