what's in the bike prep for a track day?

[sodapop]

So what excactly does one have to do to a Sprint ST to prepare for a track day? Remove mirrors would be my first guess. Replace coolant? Tape over the front lamps? What kind of tape? Disconnect the rear brake light? These i think are common ones. New tires, yes? Anything else? I'm trying to see if prepping the bike is something I can do without much difficulty.

[MickSprint06]

I've been told to lower tyre pressures to 30psi if using road rubber.

[jefftarlton]

Does the organization giving the track day have a website? Check it for requirements on both the bike and riding gear.
I went to a track last year. I had to tape over my rearviews and pull the brakelight fuse. They looked at my tires, brake pads, chain and sprockets, and made sure nothing was leaking out of the bike.

[TheNomad]

Check out this thread. It has 34 replies already pre-typed for your convenience.

http://www.triumphrat.net/showthread...ighlight=track

MD

[DaveM]

There is not a universal rule about requirements as far as I am aware you need to check with the Track you intend using.

As for tyre pressure comments. To say you should use 30psi.

This depends on:
1) the bike
2) the tyres
3) your weight
4) your riding style

It is true to say your pressures should be lower than you would use on the road. I beleive most bike tyres on the road are over inflated anyway, people keep reading manuals and using the Max pressure and saying I'm using what the maula syas without reading it carefully.

A 165 kilo track bike with a 65 kilo rider on race tyres probably wants to be running pressures around 30- 32 psi front and 30 - 33 rear or there abouts.
Remember only check tyres when cold, when very hot after running hard on a track they can be 4-6 lbs higher.

It is something you have to ask other experienced people on the track and then experiment with yourself.

I just helped my riding buddy on a track day yesterday and he didn't even have to remove his mirrors just fold them in (ZX6). He wasn't required to wire sump plugs, tape up lights or anything else. Just pass a bike check.
This was Queensland Raceway at Willowbank.

DaveM

[smegin]

Recent track day at Philip Island race track run by the Australian Superbike School

All bikes went through an official scrutinerring where they checked and made the bikes ready for the track

• Tire condition and wear
• Brake condition and wear
• Chain condition and wear
• A general once over to make sure no fluid leaks
• Duct taped the mirrors
• Duct tape over the speedo, they did not allow lap times or speed recording as it was not a race day (insurance)
• Removed any accessories ie racks

Riders had to wear full leathers and a full face helmet.

They also had a tire guy at the event in case anybody needed new tires. He also gave free advise on tire pressures, DaveM is right on the money on that subject. They were also doing suspension setup but generaly recommended that we left the suspension alone unless we were having difficulty when on the track.

They also took pillions on the back of their bikes and rider, what a blast that was. Should have done that at the beginning of the day as it gave you a whole new line and braking.

[MVP44]

DaveM is spot on here - each any every track varies (often greatly) on their requirements.

Get in touch with the track and preferable someone who handles the tech inspection.

Some tracks require almost your first born, others don't even make you tape your lights or wire your plug.

As to the bike prep - yes you will be able to do it yourself

ONE IMPORTANT THING!!!!! If you have to tape your lights(more than likely) make sure you pull the fuse. the heat will make a nice mess if you don't.