Educate me on tracking a bike

[flintster55]

OK here's my deal. I recently got the urge to start doing track days with the motorcycle. This probably won't be until spring or next fall at least since I graduate in May and I feel it would be way easier to make this happen with income from a real job.

I definitely want to learn the fundamentals like body position, etc. As some of you might know I have an 05 CBR 600RR which is stock with the exception of a slip on and cosmetic stuff. I just want to hear general suggestions on things I would need to do to make the bike track ready (basically what isn't good enough in stock form for the track). And if the bike is not a great track candidate, suggest other alternatives that would make a good track bike.

Also, suggestions of best events, groups, or tracks to get started with would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys :thumbup:

[.RJ]

I would start with a structured school, like the Keith Code (California superbike) school, or the TPM ART Basic school, and I believe NESBA does an intro school as well. This will get your feet wet and get you used to being out on track.

Past that, pick a group and go run with them. Both nesba and tpm are good, and once you get a feel for track days pick and choose the ones you want outside that.

Do you have any experience with car track days? The motorcycle events are very... "relaxed" in comparison.

I wouldnt do anything to your bike other than new tires and fluids at first. Dont get wrapped up in making a bunch of changes to the bike at first because its going to be a lot faster than you are for quite some time. If you do a couple of weekends and you start picking up speed and decide its something you want to stick with, get the suspension set up for your weight - there's often trackside service to help with this - if you're over 160 lbs this will probably have to change the springs up front. Suspension is really the only place you should spend $$ for a while, that will have the biggest impact on getting you comfortable on track.

[BLINGMW]

you can borrow my GS for a track weekend, it's ready to rock :wink:

PERSONALLY I can't imagine starting out on a 600, but I'm in the vast minority. I've learned a lot more about cornering because of it.... though I probably haven't learned much about being gentle with the throttle.

I wasn't impressed by the way TPM runs their newb school from what I saw on track, but I didn't sit in the class. That being said, I'm not much more impressed with NESBA, but I think I'd pick them. So maybe Keith Code or Cornerspeed are really worth the $$$ for a first weekend. I would also recommend Summit's Jefferson Circuit with a 2nd choice as VIR's Patriot Course to start out on.

I would also read "Sport Riding Techniques" and one or two of the "Twist of the Wrist" series to give you some things to think about and try on the street. I get the impression most skip this step, but I think it saves you track time and keeps your stress level down.

Like RJ said, other than maintenance and tires, the bike's way more ready to go than you are!

[.RJ]

Jefferson is a slow, but really bumpy, slippery, off camber and little runoff in spots. VIR South, North or Patriot would be a better choice to get your feet wet.

The keith code school is spendy but there's a lot of good 1 on 1 instruction and some usefull drills they do, and a ton of track time.

[BLINGMW]

Bah Jeffy isn't that bad The reason I recommend it over Patriot is that it's REALLY simple and has good steady state corners for working on body position.

[flintster55]

Thanks for all the good info guys. I had already looked into Keith Code schools and it's been recommended by a few other people as well so I'll probably give that a try.

I appreciate the offer Channing and I might take you up on that sometime actually. I really want to try and make it to the next event your or John do just to spectate even so I can get a good feel for what goes on.

Ok and as far as the bike goes, nothing special required except for tires? I run Pilot Powers now but what would suffice for the track duty? And is it best to have a set of track dedicated tires if I still end up riding it on the street? The only other thing I was wondering about was brakes after reading Jays lowside story when I was doing some reading on here looking for information on track days. But, I think he was definitely pushing a lot harder than I will be most likely for a while, correct?

[.RJ]

Pilot powers, or any street tire are just fine for track duty. You wont need a 2nd set of wheels yet either. Just go have fun

Change the fluid and the stock brake pads are fine.

[JohnC]

Thanks for all the good info guys. I had already looked into Keith Code schools and it's been recommended by a few other people as well so I'll probably give that a try.

My first bike event was a Keith Code school at VIR, it was well run and well worth the extra $$$.

The recommendations here are great so far - my only addition to that might be to find a set of track plastics so you don't rash up the nice stuff if you do have an off.

[flintster55]

Yea I will definitely be investing a set of track plastics. Do most places provide gear with the schools (full leathers) or should I add that to the list as well?

[JohnC]

Yea I will definitely be investing a set of track plastics. Do most places provide gear with the schools (full leathers) or should I add that to the list as well?

You can usually rent gear.

[Sijray21]

i'd also like to emphasize Cornerspeed. I took their class after i did the 'trial' NESBA track-day a while ago (the NESBA trial is also free). It's 2 20-minute sessions in the beginning of the day, so it's usually a lot slower. I had an incredible time at cornerspeed. i learned a LOT and the techniques they teach you were very helpful both on and off track.

Here's a link to my write-up on 600rr.net: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=58995&highlight=cherry">http://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=58995&highlight=cherry</a><!-- m -->
Since the text is white (not sure why) here's another for the Cornerspeed write-up: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://thisisjayray.com/2009/05/14/cornerspeed-racing-school-june-22-2007/">http://thisisjayray.com/2009/05/14/cornerspeed-racing-school-june-22-2007/</a><!-- m -->

Other write-ups from this summer:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://thisisjayray.com/2009/06/02/jay-goes-down-at-the-track/">http://thisisjayray.com/2009/06/02/jay-goes-down-at-the-track/</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://thisisjayray.com/2009/07/06/trackday-at-njmp-with-tpm/">http://thisisjayray.com/2009/07/06/trackday-at-njmp-with-tpm/</a><!-- m -->

i started my first track day with my '03RR and you'll be fine with what you've got, just remember to obviously respect the bike and really give some room for error since you will likely make some mistakes and mistakes on the bike are a lot more painful (both physically and financially) then mistakes in the car on the track. As said before the only things to really consider when first tracking the bike are prepping the fluids, safetywiring, and getting a fresh set of tires. My preference for tires are the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's for their rounder (flatter) profile when compared to the Michelin PPs. No need for race compounds yet (ie: Pirelli Supercorsa, Michelin Race, etc.). Go with the expectation that you could down the bike and be 'ok' with that - and good call with the track plastics, they saved my '08 plastics this past summer at VIR. As for the gear you can rent from most places, but i prefer to have my own gear - keep scoping CL and eBay for good deals on gear over the winter. Oh yeah - another thing: get fit if you're not already in decent physical condition. The track days do wear you out physically and going on 8-9 20-minute sessions in a day is very physically exhausting and the last place you want to make an error because you're physically unable to help it is at the apex of turn on your bike going 60mph.

ninja edit: frame sliders and swingarm sliders - get and install

if you can, get the woodcraft 'race' version. they're stubbier as to not catch on the grass to flip the bike as some frame sliders will if they're long.

[stevegula]

I am personally against frame sliders, especially if you're getting track fiber. It's possible for a frame slider to ruin your frame (and/or engine mounts) if you crash right. Instead, get a set of aftermarket rearsets (adjustable or not) and crankcase covers. I've crashed my GSX-R a dozen times without sliders and that puppy never hurt anything more than fiberglass, the crank cover, and the pegs (except that one time where it went flipping through the air and the time I tried to jump a ditch and bent the forks, neither of which frame sliders would have helped during).

Before going to the track - make sure your brakes work and your tires are reasonably fresh.

And go to Cornerspeed, it's the best school out there.

[flintster55]

Thanks for the good reads Jay, I just killed a solid hour here at work. :lol:

I already have Woodcraft sliders I'm just not sure which version they are. They don't really stick out that far so they could be the race version. I just picked up a set of OEM mid fairings in richmond to replace the slightly damaged left mid I have on now from the previous owner so I'll have some back up plastic in case something happens on the street/track.

I can't wait til next season to get out there and tear it up