First Track Day

[NOMORE4s4ME]

So I signed up for my first track day with the Buell. It's in early Oct. Besides the things I need to do to pass tech inspection, what should I be doing in terms of dif oil, trans fluid, things like that. I want to make sure I do all I can to protect my baby while under more than usual stress. I ride pretty hard on the street, but not track hard. Anyone have experience with this. Any info or tips would be great. Thanks.

 

[RHYNOXB9R]

Ride with your head,not your ego.Track days are way fun,but it is very easy to get caught up in the competition of the session.Ride to ride another day.I really would't change what you are allready running in the motor/trans.If your bike is running well with the oils now under hard street riding,schould be ok.Make sure you have good if not new(well scuffed in)tires and let them heat up for the fisrt few laps.Check with the track side tire company(usally one rep at the track)to see what tire psi you schould be running for your tires and the track /days temps.I would tape up your speedo so you cann't read it,the speed numbers could mess with you.If at all possible,don't go out in the first session,let someone else find out what a green track means,and wait till a bit of rubber has been put down before you go out.Hope I have helped,this is only from my own AFM experiences.Have fun and ride safe.

 

[bad juju]

well i ride like a bat outta hell so i woudlnt give any advice as far as that.but a good synthetic oil would be good!and there is always an argument about that pro's and cons but to me i just see it as a personal preference i run repsol,or r4 superbike cuase i get it for free,but i heard harley's syn3 is very good!

 

[LeFox]

good suspension setup, good & new tires (but ride them in first), check tire pressure (lower than street since tire gets warmer)

otherwise, i think by now you have the oil you need and such...

 

[NOMORE4s4ME]

Great. Thanks for the tips. I run full synth AmsOil, which I just changed, and my pilot powers have 80% of their life left, so I'm thinking they'll be ok. They have suspension help there at the track to help with set up. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[LeFox]

unless it's a buell track day, take a copy of the weight/suspension ratio graph with you

 

[NOMORE4s4ME]

good call.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

Why would you need that for a track day? I've never been to one and know very little about them. Also, where would you find such a thing?

 

[LeFox]

Why would you need that for a track day? I've never been to one and know very little about them. Also, where would you find such a thing?

cause on a trackday your suspension is tuned for track use, which is harder compared to road use.
they also do some personal prefference tweaking aswell.

if it's not a buell track day, the suspension guys might not be all that used to buells.

that's why it would be good to have a copy of the graph, which can be found in your manual, with you incase they would need that info.

 

[shilohsk8]

You can find the weight/suspension ratio graph in your service manual. If you don't have one you can download it. I just can't seem to be able to find a working link for it anymore. If you need it give me your email add. and I'll send it to you.

 

[typeone]

i have a track day next month as well, i'm getting my suspension refreshed, new rubber, have already refreshed the brakes and fluids will be freshened the day before. the rest of the bike prep i just followed the track day organizers tech rules

along with your suspension chart from the manual, you could also have Shawn Higbee's 'aggressive handling' chart with you:


http://www.steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpages/xbhandling.htm

 

[NOMORE4s4ME]

That's just the link I've been looking for. Thank you. I'm a suspension novice and I hate it. I'll def be tweaking my suspension with that this week to try some new things out.