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HANDS ON TRACKDAY PREP MIRRORS You don’t have to remove them, but it’s good practice to either fold them in or tape them over to prevent them from being a distraction on track. SUSPENSION If your forks and shocks offer preload adjustment, setting the static sag correctly will help them work at their best. CRASH PROTECTION It’s not fun to think about falling off, but even worse when a big repair bill could have been avoided by a little bit of planning and preparation. How to... CHAIN You’ll be using a lot more acceleration than you would on the road, so make sure your chain is correctly adjusted to begin with. PREPARE FOR A TRACKDAY Ensure you’re ready to explore your bike’s potential
You don’t need a track bike for a trackday LIGHTS Some still think you need to tape up all your lights for a trackday, but this isn’t true. There’s no need to cover or disconnect them at all. TYRE CHOICE Slicks look cool, but only very fast riders get them to work properly. Most road tyres have plenty of grip – but always check their condition. TYRE PRESSURE Reducing your tyre pressures slightly from their regular road settings will help them work better on track – but don’t go too low. TRACKDAYS ARE BRILLIANT fun. Where else can you see how fast your bike goes, how well you can corner, or how hard you can brake, all in relative safety? On a track there is nothing coming the other way, and no potholes or manhole covers. It’s a fantastic way to improve your skills and your confidence in your riding. To get the most from the day, you’ll want to check and prepare your bike ahead of time. There are two good reasons: first, so that it won’t let you down, and second (and more importantly) so that it’s safe to ride. Few people know more about preparing a bike for track than Dean Skipper, instructor at track school Motovudu (www.motovudu.com). Started by grand prix star Simon Crafar, the school teaches anyone from novice to national racer how to improve their riding technique. You can even be taught by former GP rider and three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds. Over the page, Dean shows us how to maintain and prepare a bike as meticulously as one of Motovudu’s. What happens at a trackday What you need to take Your driving licence ACU Gold-approved crash helmet Leathers that zip all the way round the waist, not just at the back Good-quality protective gloves, boots, and preferably a back protector Plenty of petrol, and money for more – you’ll use a lot more than you might expect Tyre pressure gauge If you want a place in the pit garages, aim to get to the circuit around 7-7.30am – space is tight and it can be quite a squeeze. When you arrive, sign on and complete an indemnity form. The organisers will need to see your driving licence – don’t forget it. Take your bike for noise testing, otherwise you won’t be allowed on track. Make sure you wear your crash helmet to the test area. At around 8.30am there will be a safety briefing which you must attend. This tells you what to do and, crucially, what not to do. OCTOBER 2015 | 89
Page 1 and 2: SUZUKI GSX-R1000 ABS STILL GOT IT W
Page 3 and 4: SUZUKI GSX-R1000 ABS THERE IS NOWHE
Page 5 and 6: SUZUKI GSX-R1000 ABS Showa big-pist
Page 7 and 8: DUCATI M900 MONSTER Damn-near perfe
Page 9 and 10: Mission accomplished FOR A machine
Page 11 and 12: What to look out for Finish Crucial
Page 13 and 14: “The Monster is upright, natural
Page 15: Still a great ride after 22 years o
Page 19: 7 Sort the suspension Make sure you

Motorbikes.pdf

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