Most of us use the forums to gain knowledge that we can later apply, while at the track. I am looking for tips, tricks, and products that can make a weekend at the track more enjoyable? I know a hand full of guys/gals who have given up the sport because it, "Felt to much like work!" Etc..... 1) It could be a product like this: https://jet.com/product/detail/a1d6...d=403-795580&gclid=CIj2t_PJx8oCFdgMgQodaT0JCA Or, http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...gclid=CMyT_MjKx8oCFRYjgQodFtAE6A&gclsrc=aw.ds 2) Or a simple "tip" like, "Always put a hand on both warmers to make sure they were working, before you go out on track." 3) Last, and my favorite, are the little tricks that people who have been at this game for most of their lives have shared with me. "The Bump Start, Spring Clips Not Safety Wire, Reusable Oil Filters, Zip Tie Method for Brake Bleeding..... LOL I am always looking for new ones that can make a weekend easier. p.s. I will leave you with a few that I learned last year: Never Drink Vodka With the Russians, Try You Best Not To Pit Near M.P. and the A.R. crowds (LOL - just kidding), check your pressures as soon as the bead is set and take the sticker off.....LOL Also, I leave everything in the trailer (so it will be ready for the next TD) and pay Todd to work on the bike and this relieves some of the stress.... I guess it is all about finding ways to make the weekends fun and not feel like work or a burden. If you take the time to make you pit comfortable, even the 105* days in the S.E. can be fun.
Those Velcro cable ties are great for cords. I'm kinda OCD in the fact that I want everything to be in a container of some sort. Tire warmers and anything associated with them in a place, extra fluids and cleaners in another bin, all my camping gear in a bag (bought a giant north face bag that my kids fits into just so everything camping related fits in it). My thoughts are, I fill all the bags on the ground then I'm left with 3 or 4 bags to load vs loading a bunch of crap in the truck.
joshua raises a great point... I have a Power bag.... Extensions, lights, connectors ect.... A spares bag... Cllip ons, rear sets, ect... Even a fluid bag Wd40' brake fluid, oil, ect... When I get my enclosed trailer I have been promising myself the last ten years I will be able to get rid of these bags.... Knowing where your shit is makes life so much easier...
And this why you try not to pit next to M.P. I only know this because I have ran into a few of his victims over the years. All second hand stories....LOL
It makes my experience for a weekend much better if I can take off early on Friday (Or take the whole day off). When I feel like I am not rushed and will be able to find a spot with power, etc... it is far less stressful. Getting tires on Friday night, etc.... anything that can be accomplished before Sat. morning riders meeting. Find people, make friends.... having help loading and unloading is always the best. We are suppose to be some kind of weird club (with memberships and perks). It is not a competition but a club with friends and cookouts. Being on the track with friends all day is much more pleasurable than being on track with a bunch of cocks and wanabeeeee racers!
Have your bike ready BEFORE you come to the track. There's nothing as disturbing as showing up knowing you have something you still need to do, and not having the parts/tools/help to complete it. And no hammering the gas between the Porsche's on a cold morning, right Whitney?
This is great advise ^^^^^ It would not have happened if I was on a GSXR Smoother Power Delivery! One more tip...."Get a lockable truck bed cover"....money well spent!
That explains why I woke up with my pants around my ankles at barber last trip. I thought it was my bunk mate but she was just as surprised as me!
You guys took a very informative thread and sent it down hill super fast! Like, starting at the third post....
Ok... Make sure you don't have mashed potatoes in your boots before putting them on... Cough.. Cam Cough....
One of the things that Peggy and I have done over the years, and it's a work in progress, is that everything in the trailer has a specific place where it goes or is stored. Everything from racks for tie down straps, cords, stands, gas cans, EZ up, spare tires/wheels ready to go, etc. This not only helps keep things organized (duh), but makes loading up at the end of the weekend, a bit faster too.....because you know exactly where you need to put something as you are loading up.
peet style boot dryers (we use maxx dry xl, with helmet hog), and underwater kinetics suit dryers, help keep boots, gloves, helmets, and suits... dryer than not, during the day. after each session the helmets and gloves go right on the dryer. at lunch, everything is on the dryer. after the riding is done, everything is on the dryer, and dried within a few hours. they even have a heat option for colder climates, and days where you can heat your lid and gloves, to be a bit warmer, prior to getting on the bike. we have three dryers for the two of us. allows us to put helmets and gloves on one (each), and both pairs of boots on one. they do make drying and storage for our gear ALOT easier. Ski
it may seem small, but I try to always park so the long side of the trailer faces west. during the summer it is amazing how cooler it stays with the trailer acting as a shade tree.
Great tips here yet not one for a good generator especially in the north where you may need heat over night.(pay a little more and buy a good one) Canopy again try and buy a good one 10x10 straight leg with a center popper. if not buy a ez up name brand the store brands barely hold up to the wind from the bikes going down the front straight. If you can get a enclosed trailer and a cot or air bed(sams or where ever you can get a extended warranty) do it camp at the track most have free camping. with the money you saved on hotel get off work early go to the track on Friday night and set up. Pack a cooler and grill not only save money but make track days mini vacations and stay in the paddock till time to go home Sunday night
When I did my first track day and knew I was hooked, the first thing I told myself was to not get into racing. I don't have a transponder because I don't want to know what my lap times are. I primarily ride with STT because it is a track day organization rather than a club racers organization. My main focus is to enjoy my weekend riding as fast as I feel comfortable with. I used to race motocross, as I got older and slower, it wasn't much fun anymore. When I first started out doing it, I couldn't understand how anyone could get tired of riding motocross bikes on a race track but realized it as it happened to me. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with wanting to be fast and improve, I've enjoyed that, but keeping times and putting expectations on myself would only end up making me feel less excited about this sport if I felt that every time I ride that I need to improve. Just my .02 about that. My other favorite part of track day weekends is pitting close to M.P. and pretending to be passed out after drinking Whit's shine and laying face down in loose fitting sweat pants! HaHaHa!!!
Put a extra blanket on top of the air mattress for you to lay on, a sheet doesn't insulate enough. This will keep you much warmer!