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HANDS ON TRACKDAY PREP 2 Check the clutch Every part of your bike will feel extra strain on track, including your clutch. If it’s a cable clutch, check there is the correct free play at the lever, and check for frayed cable. If you have a hydraulic clutch, check your fluid level – if unsure, bleed it. 1 Reduce tyre pressures Tyre pressures need to be lowered from their standard road settings to allow for the extra heat build-up and to give a greater contact patch at the rear. The front only needs to be lowered to around 34psi so that it keeps the correct profile, but the rear can come down as low as 30-32psi – both should be set with the tyres cold. It will feel strange for the first few corners until the heat builds up. 3 Protect the engine Engine cases are often the first to hit the deck if you do have a spill. Engine protectors take minutes to fit and should help prevent expensive engine damage. They are a worthy investment. 4 Fit swingarm bobbins If you want to lube or adjust your chain more easily, swingarm bobbins let you use the type of paddock stand that’s fitted with forks – the most secure type. These bobbins, made of tough nylon, also double up as crash protectors. 5 Remove hero blobs Many bikes have hero blobs screwed into their footpegs, as an indication you are using up your ground clearance. You don’t need them scraping on track, so unscrew them. Hinged pegs help prevent them digging in to the track in corners. 6 Adjust the chain The stresses on your chain will be much greater than usual. Too loose and it could slip on the sprocket; too tight and it could snap. Adjust the tension as you would for the road, but also take the time to clean the chain and lube it very sparingly. The first time you ride on track will be following an instructor for a few laps, so you can get an idea where the circuit goes. Most trackdays have three groups: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. When booking, be honest about your track speed. Your bike will use a lot more petrol than usual. Some tracks have fuel on site, but not all. You may be best to bring a spare can. Don’t worry if you’re the only rider without tyre warmers – just take it easy for the first few laps and build your speed up gradually. 90 | OCTOBER 2015
7 Sort the suspension Make sure your suspension is set to deal with the greater braking and acceleration forces. Preload is key – you want around 28-35mm sag at the front and 12-15mm at the rear. This will put your suspension in the middle of its range of travel. 8 Check the brakes Track riding wears brake pads quickly, so make sure you have plenty of friction material left. Check your discs for cracks or wear. Check brake fluid for condition and level – it should be replaced every two years anyway, so if in doubt, change it. 9 Tighten your nuts Start at the front of the bike, checking every nut, bolt and fixing is tight, including all the bodywork and any accessories. Use a torque wrench where it’s required, and mark the ones you’ve checked with a dab of Tipp-Ex. 10 Ignore the mirrors Fold your mirrors in, or at least tape them up so you can’t use them. On a trackday they can be a distraction – just concentrate on what’s in front, anyone behind can sort themselves out. 11 Get a clear view Some fit a tinted or taller screen for comfort or looks, but on track these can mean you can’t get tucked in tight behind the fairing. Swap it, if you can, for the standard clear screen. 12 Don’t bother covering up Many people tape their lights up, but this isn’t necessary. Track bikes won’t have any lights at all, but if you want to ride your road bike there’s no need to disconnect or cover over anything. 13 Need a stand? Lots of riders use tyre warmers to keep their tyres hot between sessions, though they’re not essential for road tyres. Tyre warmers require paddock stands, which mean you can’t ride to the trackday and will need to take a van or trailer. 14 Choose some tyres The best tyre choice depend on your pace and your bike. For a fast sportsbike rider, Pirelli Supercorsas (left) or slicks (middle) are grippy but need warmers. For most, sporty road tyres such as the Bridgestone S20 (right) will be perfect. 15 Keep it down All bikes are checked for noise before and during a trackday. If your aftermarket can is on the seriously noisy side, you might have to fit a baffle to quieten it down. If you don’t have one you can buy one, but you may need to drill a hole to fit it. Video cameras can be used, but they’re generally not allowed on your helmet or fitted on the tank. Under the screen is fine. Most trackdays have facilities to supply and change tyres, help with suspension settings and even repair crash damage. Sessions run every 15 or 20 minutes, so you should have one session every hour. Listen out for the loudspeaker announcements. Enjoy! Work up to speed at your pace, be smooth on the controls with eyes well ahead. And be prepared to be hooked. OCTOBER 2015 | 91
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