Motorbikes.pdf

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