trackday bikes scary!

[HRCrider]

NO, i 100% agree! I mean "trackday riders" as in ALL those that ride at a trackday and yes many are RACERS!! Trust me i get some huge POS in my shop (sorry Lenny) and its shocking they ride/race/go that fast on them. I know im overly judgmental and anal on bike setup, details, cleanliness, etc..hell my shop is cleaner than almost any house ive been too let alone other shops...but cleanliness is important.

 

[EDR]

If tech doesn't catch a "problem" then it likely is just you being overly nit picky.

Maybe you should start a "tech school" where you teach professionals how to do their jobs?

maybe i should but then again, 50% of the bikes would FAIL my tech inspection! Ask my own riders, they hate me for many things at times..but really get upset with my constantly telling them to clean this, fix that, adjust this, why is this not done right, etc...especially when after all its their bikes..but i guess your right..im too picky. IMO being too picky is a good thing.

if you ever get a chance to see my own personal bike you'd think it never gets ridden! never even taken a hose/water too it..if you keep it spotless there is no need (no i dont ride in rain of course)..many cant believe its a 2006. Bikes to me are an art form and beautiful when done right. Now a days it seems guys are all about THROWING shit on their bikes without thought! "ohh check out my $1000 bazzaz system" ..that you have installed the shift rod wrong...have the base map that is not good...have a all "5" in the traction control map settings,etc... my point is why spend the $1000 on a system but then cheap out and not have someone that KNOWS what they are doing set it up correctly for a few hundred and get the MOST out of your investment?

Why buy a shock off the shelf/online...when you can for "about the same" buy from someone like KFG, GP, Ohlins, LE, Catalyst, etc.. that KNOWS what they are doing, knows what rate spring and valving you need.

Why pay a "buddy" $500 to build your engine cause he builds banshees for fun?? why have Marchesini $3000 wheels with bald ass street tires on them?? Why have a 150+hp 1000cc bike, add the pipe, map it, custom wheels, trick paint,...but leave brakes stock??

its the little things that bug the shit out of me..the things that cost NOTHING but make differences..do you know how many wrongly installed shift arms i see?? NO one gets that the angles make a HUGE difference...how about chains?? "My bikes awful on/off throttle" ... "well your chain has 4 tight spots, rust and is about 7inches of slack"... many problems can be fixed with a bit of time and cleanliness thats all im saying.

We host the novice "pre tech" at my shop for OMRRA and yes...we show them many of the race bikes in our shop and even point out the things NOT too do and why...i think tech sessions are HUGELY important and everyone can learn something. You cant know everything...i showed Earnest even who has been racing bikes longer than ive been alive a trick on his GSXR1000 front end that he could not believe the difference...it was nothing but a little tip to keep the front end from dragging and he even noticed it in practice afterwards so you can teach old dogs new tricks. I myself love looking at the WSS/WSBK/AMA/GP bikes for a long time and seeing little details here and there...


Just take more pride in your bikes guys...

 

[Lazerus]

So does hair spray . I think the guy had a bit of a meth problem and too much safety wire. He put it around both ends of the grips on both bars. It's cool though, I think every bolt on my bike has a hole through it

It's actually pretty common practice. Easier to cut saftey wire than it is to fight off a glued grip should you need to replace it. Sounds like you've got an ex-race bike.

 

[Mick-e]

It's actually pretty common practice. Easier to cut saftey wire than it is to fight off a glued grip should you need to replace it. Sounds like you've got an ex-race bike.

My race bike, my street bike, even my pit bike have their grips safety wired.
Even MotoGP bikes have their grips safety wired. ]

Oh and I'm with EDR. A clean bike is a safe bike. Not only will it give you the opportunity to see leaks, but while you are taking the time to tooth brush the small nooks and crannies you'll notice a bolt has backed off, or the safety wire has broken. I want you to get up close an personal with your bike. Not so that it is safe for you but so that it is safe for me

 

[#1Spies Fan]

I like to wax my whole bike, wax my whole suit helmet gloves, and wax my chain!! That way im nascar quick!! Soon ill be on windtunnel with dave complain despain! ..Now all that is just for a track day.. A race weekend consists of waxing my chest so i can wear my cutoffs and waxing my ass so the transition from side to side is smooth and i can drop a knee without catching a dingle berry!

Catching a dingle berry could cause serious issues/damage! that alone can cost you a few seconds a lap

 

[Holeshot]

BRUSH YOUR TEETH!

 

[SpikeVFR]

That would limit many riders who are using a track day to expand their street riding skills, not their racer skills.

At a minimum mandate the following:

1: No glycol coolant (Use water water or similar)
2. Safety wired drain plug and oil cap

 

[afm199]

BRUSH YOUR TEETH!

Yeah and CLEAN SHORTS! When the EMTs see the yellow stains, they figure it's easier to cut the leathers off than undergo intimate acquaintance with your body fluids.

 

[Zerox]

Why pay a "buddy" $500 to build your engine cause he builds banshees for fun?

That there is a funny one.

 

[Insomniac]

That would limit many riders who are using a track day to expand their street riding skills, not their racer skills.

That is why you change the requirements based on group. One provider I used to ride with did something like this:

C - Glass taped up, all your usual mechanical requirements

B - Only water or water wetter, mirrors removed

A - Drain plug, filler and fill plug safety wired, lights disconnected (not just taped)

This way new riders get very easy rules till they get addicted, then after that they have to work on their bike to go up in groups.

 

[R1-Limited]

Is not there a class for rat bikes?

I always look over others bikes when out and about. Shocked at what I see.

I was SHOCKED at how badly some of you guys take care of your bikes! I saw more chains that were either guitar string tight, so loose they would drag, kinked, dried up, rusty, etc.. then tires...ohhh why on earth would ANYONE wanna ride on some brands i saw?? touring tires really???

Then i saw blown forks seals...duct tape holding things together, etc.. i have to say i see this at every trackday i go to and its getting out of hand. You guys NEED to take better care of you shxt! it affects the others riding at the same time as you.

Chain maintenance cost you nothing to upkeep. WASH your bike before the event..then you might see a leak ahead of time or something else.

Take some pride guys. Its really sad how bad some of your guys (all trackdays/parts of the country) take care of your bikes! No one needs BST or Ohlins but for Christs sake...upkeep them. If you have worn or not the right type of tires, BUY SOME, steal your buddies, or borrow a set of take offs.

Think about it guys...an hour or two before the events goes a LONG ways. You take time off work and spend $150+ to do the event..why risk not being able to cause you never look at your bike??

 

[Porteeguee]

I was SHOCKED at how badly some of you guys take care of your bikes! I saw more chains that were either guitar string tight, so loose they would drag, kinked, dried up, rusty, etc.. then tires...ohhh why on earth would ANYONE wanna ride on some brands i saw?? touring tires really???

Then i saw blown forks seals...duct tape holding things together, etc.. i have to say i see this at every trackday i go to and its getting out of hand. You guys NEED to take better care of you shxt! it affects the others riding at the same time as you.

Chain maintenance cost you nothing to upkeep. WASH your bike before the event..then you might see a leak ahead of time or something else.

Take some pride guys. Its really sad how bad some of your guys (all trackdays/parts of the country) take care of your bikes! No one needs BST or Ohlins but for Christs sake...upkeep them. If you have worn or not the right type of tires, BUY SOME, steal your buddies, or borrow a set of take offs.

Think about it guys...an hour or two before the events goes a LONG ways. You take time off work and spend $150+ to do the event..why risk not being able to cause you never look at your bike??

And as far as the "water wetter" topic?
I don't care what group your in, A or Z. It's a RACE TRACK, not the street.
Drain the glycol. This topic has always bugged me, cause it's common sense people. I