Hello everyone. I'm completely new to the track day experience. I've been reading everything I can on the site to prepare for my first track day in the novice group. I'm seriously considering Barber on 4/16. My bike is an 05 SV650. I've recently gone through the bike completing the long term maintenance and changing the brake pads out for better compounds. I'll go through it again making sure it's up to spec according to the tech rules. I just had a few questions I wanted to ask to make sure me and the bike are ready. I'm going to get my new Pilot Road 3's mounted up soon. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to get them scrubbed in before the event though. Is this a concern? I expect to hopefully lean over further during the track day than on the street. What should I do or keep in mind as I ride since that portion of the tire may not be scrubbed in at all before I get on the track? A long time ago I low sided because I had forgotten I had new tires(less than 5 miles) on the bike. Stupid mistake but low side all the same. I don't want to make the same mistake again. The bike had the front springs and oil changed out by the previous owner. Luckily, he was the same weight range as me. However, the rear suspension is stock. The bike feels fine to me on the street. Should I work on getting the rear suspension upgraded before the event? I don't have a lot of time on this SV yet. This isn't my first SV or motorcycle in general though. That's why I say it feels fine so far with the riding I have done. I know I'm just doing a novice event but I don't want to get out there with a bike that's some how not going to "act right" do to a parts mismatch. How is Barber for a novice? Just how much equipment should I bring with me. I swear I read a thread on here about suggested equipment to bring to a track day but I can't seem to find it again. I figure I'm just a novice trying this out for the first time. I shouldn't need much. Anything else I should know or wisdom you care to share with a noob? Thanks everyone ~Trey
Welcome to STT Trey.... Barber for a Novice is a good track with the exception of every other one after not being as good.... The track itself is just over 40 feet wide so there is plenty of room for all if the rules are followed.. Dont over think the day... Just show up early with good rubber and pads and soak all the info up from your Lead as well as coach all weekend... Be all ears and ask questions.. We have a proven process for Novices that we have used for over a decade and it works.. You and your machine will mold a competitive combination by the end of the day that you will be more than satisfied with... Not to mention a SV is a fantastic bike for Barber...hope to see you there... Marc
ill be at barber that weekend wit a couple friends ridin advance ... if you need someone to pit with PM me on here and ill help ya out throughout the day and give ya some tips and advice if needed .. and welcome to the addiction !!! samm
A SV is a great bike on the street and on the track, but it will benefit greatly from a good shock and some Traxxion fork innards. Don't concern yourself with this now, just know it for when you start to get your speed up. You will be fine on the PR3's, but you will be finer with a set of Q3's. Quite a bit cheaper too. As a noob in Novice, you don't have to worry about scrubbing in your tires. Your 1st session will start off slooooow, and the tires get scrubbed in by the end of the first lap anyway. The coaches will gradually speed you up until after lunch when they turn you loose. The best advice anyone can offer is to ask questions.
What the others have said. And if you are interested, I have an almost new JRI shock for an SV 650. 2003 - 2007 model year. PM me if you are interested.... but don't feel like you "need" it before you can get on the track.
Step one, relax! This is the first thing they will tell you in novice group. Relax. Now, just make sure the bike is in good shape. Good tires, brakes, oil, brake fluid, etc. Bring painters tape, tire pressure gauge, a pop up canopy (for shade, if you have), a chair, and a basic tool kit. I know I don't mind helping someone out of they need a tool, and being your first day, help should be easy to find. Bring some snacks, and plenty of water. Now for the important stuff! MAKE SURE you have ALL your gear, and the KEY to the bike! Show up early son you can take your time getting everything ready. Listen to the staff, and you will get on just fine. Beginner groups start SLOW, so no worry about scrubbing tires. Relax, and you will have a blast.
One more opinion can't hurt, right? My addition to what others have already said would be to study some on-board video of the track. Nothing can prepare you for the elevation changes but if you have an idea of which direction the next turn is going to be then you'll have a much easier time. This allows you to plan ahead instead of reacting to each change of direction. The turns will start coming quicker and quicker as the day goes on. As for the questions on your suspension. Check out some basic suspension tuning videos. The stock SV forks don't have a lot of adjustment, but keep track of what changes you do make. Aim for a baseline setting. Check your air pressure at least in the morning and during lunch. The ambient temperature will affect the PSI more than you might guess which will make the bike feel different throughout the day if you're not keeping up with the change. And lastly, hydrate. A lot. Before, during, and after.
You will be fine. You will have plenty of time for your tires to 'scrub' in as we do the 'crawl, walk, run" method in Novice. What everyone says above is excellent advice. Read the tech and gear requirements. The staff is there to help you. Lastly, sign up for both days, as you'll want to immediately put what you learn the first day into the second!
Thanks for the warm welcome and great replies everyone. I guess my biggest concern was getting a procedure or some other technicality wrong. Or, just being ignorant of the process. Glad to know there will be plenty of assistance available to make sure I don't screw up. My thoughts were to come in on Friday night and grab a hotel room. I can leave work early and get to B'ham early evening. I believe it was mentioned that Barber has good security so I can leave the bike there. Is that correct? If not, I'll leave it in the bed of the truck. No big deal to me really. I do need to sign up for leather rental and buy boots. Is there anything special in terms of boot fitment or just get a pair that fits well like a regular shoe? ~Trey
Your bike will be safer in the paddock area at Barber than it would be in a hotel/motel parking lot...... unless you maybe bring an armed guard with you to watch it all night.
If you ask just about anyone in the paddock they will gladly let you park your bike in their pit area. I've babysat a bike or gear at 75% of my weekends.
I always come in on Friday PM, set up, get my bike ready to ride...and take the key and leave out for the hotel (the Hampton in Leeds is the closest hotel and almost everyone stays there)..as far as boots...if you have regular riding boots (over the ankle) you are good. And gauntlet gloves. A lot of bikes have been stolen in local motel parking lots - none have been taken out of the pits that I am aware of. We all hate thieves, and would gladly beat the living daylights out of a thief if we were lucky enough to catch one...
barber is alcatraz for your stuff at night - ive actually come back in the morning to more straps holding my stuff down that i had laying around and gas cans/tires moved to reposition weight to hold everything right ... love the sportbike community
Well, I've purchased my 4/16 track day at Barber. I can't afford two days in a row unfortunately. I'll plan to make a second day later in the year and maybe at a different course. I'm close to a few since I'm in Atlanta. Can anyone point me to the leather rental information? I can't seem to find it. Thanks
Leather rental https://www.sportbiketracktime.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=7