So, first track day ever is saturday at ACC. I've never done anything like this before, so i decided to get a jump on it early and start prepping today. I want to make sure i have as much done as i can so i can focus on the task at hand come saturday. Here is the bike now: In addition i also have a new Bell RS1 helmet (pretty snazzy), my Teknic Chicane jacket, Chicane pants, and Chicane boots, and Teknic Lightning gloves. Got some wally world brand "athletic compression" pants, long sleeve shirt, and underwear for under that. 2 pairs of socks (one for sweating, one for dry afterwards) shorts jeans t-shirts sweatshirt sandals hat ------- bike was taken to the dealership and checked 3 weeks ago. Full oil change, and general once over. Chain is lubed and tightened tires are original from factory. Its a 2009 but has just about 2000 miles on it. And all of those miles have been easy going and on these lame straight-as-an-arrow central illinois roads. i have a cooler stuffed full of water and gatorade, sandwhiches, chips, granola bars, and various other eats. a small travel thing of advil and allergy medicine go pro is charged 5 gallon gas can is full bike tank is full tire gauge is in with my small tool kit key is in the bike spare key is with my personal stuff insurance is active and full coverage health insurance is active got a good buddy helping me drive up there and my girlfriend of 8 years coming saturday morning head is full of excitement and if i dont stop whistling "my oh my what a wonderful day" over and over i fear that my girlfriend may break my thumbs What did i miss?
ooops. One more thing. My fairing is missing one screw right here: The fairing doesn't move, and i have no idea where that screw is. It was missing when i purchased the bike from the previous owner. Everything else (fairing wise) is as it was from factory. Will this be an issue?
i would pull the license plate, sharp steel edges scare me. If you have a windshield you can see through that might be helpful also. Have fun
My first time is July but i feel just like you.... Looks good. Go to hardware store and thro a bolt in that spot... I also jumped on ebay and bought one of those " defective zerogravityclear double buble". I see nothing wrong with it. 15 bucks... Lol Good luck
Did you pull the fuses/disconnect your headlights and taillights or just tape over them? If you just have painters tape over the lights and they are still burning, I would suggest disconnecting them. This will help in two aspects: 1. The lights can actually melt the tape glue onto your lenses which can be difficult to remove, and 2. You will still be able to see the lights thorugh the painters tape and won't pass tech, especially with the brake light. :thumb:
You know thats a great idea. I never thought of trying that. Unfortunately i don't think it'll get here by saturday lol. Besides, I've never been able to get "low" enough that i couldn't see over the screen. I'd still like to get a clear one same time, and shoot....$15-20 is totally do-able. As for the fairing screw, is this a major concern? I feel like it shouldnt be....it just attaches the upper to the lower, and there is 5 other screws, and two bolts into the frame doing the same thing. I thought about zip ties, but with the close proximity to the engine, i dont want melting zip ties everywhere. I haven't pulled the fuses yet. I'll do that tomorrow. Good thinking! I knew i was forgetting something.
tires are a big part .. it all starts wit grip .. u can put crappy tires on a GP bike and only go as fast as the tires will let ya ... go with some michelin 2ct's, power 3's, or q2's .... $250 or less for some new tires is more than worth it and on that bike will last you plenty of track and street riding .. especially if ur tires are 4 yrs old
How much did you tighten the chain? It should be on the loose end of the range given in the manual. You will be trying to look through the windshield on the straights. Body position will be one of the things you will learn, and you will need to tuck your body behind the windshield up against the tank on the straights.
My rule of thumb on the chain is your should be able to get 2 links to touch the swingarm How much meat is left on your brake pads? Did you reduce your air pressure to the recommended for track use?
Bridgestone Battlax tires. I presume original. I purchased the bike last year from a kid who bought it new in 09, and had 1100 miles on it when i purchased it. Looking at the tires they were barely scuffed in, and most of the nubbins were still on the tire. It was kept in a climate controlled garage when i purchased it, and i still keep it in a climate controlled garage. The tires are not "dry" or anything, no cracks or obvious signs of abuse. My worry is that all of the roads are so straight around here (hurray farmland!) so finding good turns is hard to do. I've only put about 1000 miles on them myself, but i can't say i've gotten close to pushing the limits of adhesion around here. Would i love new tires? Absolutely. Can i afford them? Well...i don't know how much they'll be at ACC, but i doubt it. Its been a goal of mine to do a track day since i started riding in 2006, and i have poured darn near every ounce of spare cash into just making saturday happen. I don't make a lot of money so if i dont HAVE to buy new tires..... But i would love to be able to. LOL.
They are ok. I wish the front had better bite, but it seems more of a product of factory brakes being so-so than anything else. I'll be arriving friday night to ACC to camp and rub some elbows with all you new people, maybe someone with a more informed touch can let me know.
I left work and tore the engine apart. Walls look ok, and i asked her to wear a ring but she said it was too early in our relationship.
I didn't. Entire bike was gone over at the dealership when i had the oil changed with the express knowledge: "hey, i'll be doing a track day in a month " Chain should be fine.
So the tires are atleast 4 years old. Since it's your first time out, they'll probably be ok if you keep your head in check, but I would highly recommend you put fresh rubber on.
new tires arent a must just a piece of mind thing but since its been climate controlled thenthe tires havent been subject to the elements so will be fine for your first track day .. just listen to them and adjust your riding accordingly if u learn crazy fast