Trackdays - Get the Maximum Enjoyment from Your Time on the Track

Many motorcyclists want to take their bikes onto the track and trackdays are the ideal environment. If you have never been on a track before the experience can feel daunting so here are a number of tips to help make your trackday enjoyable. Use a van or a trailer to get your bike to the track

This has a number of advantages. If the worst happens and the bike gets damaged you can get it home without waiting for a recovery service. You can prepare the bike the night before by removing anything that can be damaged in a spill. Removal is far better than taping something up. If cost is an issue hire a van with a friend or two. One advantage that is often overlooked is what happens after a trackday. You've been out on the track for 8 sessions, you're tired (trust me, you will be!!), your leathers are soaked with sweat, your tyres are way past their best, you have to ride home and your perception of speed is screwed up. It's a recipe for disaster. With a van or trailer you can get changed into fresh clothes load the bike up and unwind with some good sounds. If it's a hot track day you can change out of your leathers between sessions.

Food

Don't eat junk food and drink Coke or other fizzy drinks: the sugar levels dull your concentration. If you don't believe me have a look at the first session after lunch at your next trackday. Drink bottled water and eat fruit or pasta.

The 3 Sessions to be aware of!!

There are 3 sessions you have to take extra care in. I would advise you to run at 75% in these sessions for various reasons:

1. The first session of the day

You are new to the track. Even if you have been around it before and it's dry, the grip levels will be different from last time and heavy rain might have washed some of the rubber deposits away. The track will be colder than before and other riders may not have ridden the track before. If you have done any work on your bike you will surely discover that you failed to tighten a caliper bolt in the first few laps.

2. The first session after lunch

Tyres have cooled, concentration levels are lower. Use this session to get back into the groove and gradually build your speed up again.

3. The last session of the day

Simple bit of advice here, don't go out in the last session: confidence is up and will invariably exceed ability, tiredness will start to play a part and tyres wil be nearing the end of their life. It's just not worth it. Pack up when you are ahead.

Find someone slightly faster than you

Once you have settled into a rhythm, know the track and are confident with your bike's handling and braking, find someone who is about 5-10 % quicker than you. Follow their lines, use their braking points and soon you will find that extra bit of speed.

Pick your group wisely

Fast Group: lots of fast road riders and racers, this is probably the safest group of the lot as fast riders know what they are doing. If you aren't sure whether you should go intermediate or fast, pick the fast group: you can always ask to go down a group later.

Intermediate Group: Try to avoid this group like the plague, its got fast guys who don't like to finish mid pack, slow guys who don't want to go in the slow group. The broad spread of riders is a recipe for disaster.

Slow Group: this is the ideal group for Novices and people who want to build their confidence. You won't be the slowest rider here, you are not expected to ride like a GP god and apart form a few intermediate riders who like to lap people and so choose this group you will be given lots of room. Once you have lapped 3/4 of the field and are confident of your ability then its time to move up. Take some lap time of riders in the other groups from the front, middle and back of the group, compare them with your lap times and if you can make it in the fast group, do it!

Mark Thompson has spent the past 20 years racing motorcycles and managing race teams and riders. He now runs the Trackbikes website.

---

So You Want To Be A Custom Bike Builder? Start With A Motorcycle Kit!

So you want to be a custom bike builder? Well friend, before you rush out and buy that motorcycle kit, the one that will set you on... Read More

Avoiding Excessive or Uneven Front Tire Wear

All rubber tires wear down over time, whether they're on a motorcycle or automobile. However, you want to watch out for uneven or excessive wear, both of... Read More

The Motorcycle Helmet You Want May Not Be As Safe As You Think!

Choosing the right Motorcycle helmet can make a difference?.?.literally between life and death. But how does an ordinary guy in the street make an informed decision about... Read More

Suzuki Motorcycles - From Fine Loom Manufacturers to Major Motorcycle Company

Started in a small warehouse by Michio Suzuki back in 1909, Suzuki aimed at making better looms for the Japanese silk industry. It was only thirty years... Read More

Motorcycle Helmets - Mind Your Head!

To most riders, motorcycle helmets do not fit into their dream accessory. They feel helmets are restrictive and unnecessary and do not add to their aesthetic appeal.... Read More

Necessity of Motorcycle Parts

If you are one of the many people who consider your bike as invaluable as your family, then we know you're head over heels. We may be... Read More

Auctions and Car Transport: Everything You Need To Know

Everyone has wanted to sell a car at some point and in the age of Internet auctions, there are more options than ever when it comes to... Read More

Workings of a Motorcycle Muffler Suspension

Motorcycles are becoming more popular because of its convenience and relatively inexpensive cost compared to automobiles. They are capable of the same speeds as cars and can... Read More

Motorcycle Protective Clothing That Works!

There is some great looking motorcycle clothing on the market these days, but believe me not all of the motorcycle clothing offers as much protection as you... Read More

Kids Like to Ride Motorcycles Too

Roaring up on a motorcycle has a strong draw for all of us who have adopted the biker lifestyle. This draw often hits our children too. I... Read More

Motorcycle Suspension Setup: Getting to Grips with a Black Art

Suspension Set-up: The basicsWhether you are a road rider or a racer correct suspension setup is the key to fast smooth riding and consistent lap times. To... Read More

Welcome To The World Of ?Upside Down? Motorcycle Loans!

With the depreciation on motorcycles being so enormous after they are driven off the showroom floor, the potential for a buyer owing more on their motorcycle loan... Read More

Know Your Mini Moto

The Mini Moto is a small scale replica of the World Super Bikes used by the likes of Valentino Rossi and ex champion Carl Fogarty. The Mini... Read More

Save Money on Used Motorcycle Parts

For every motorcycle enthusiast, it is indeed very taxing to maintain bikes as good as new ? its engine running and all its other parts functioning. We... Read More

A Great Motorcycle Ride in Mexico: Queretaro

A beautiful ride across cities and places named World Heritage by the Unesco, through an splendid protected natural area and ending in a surrealistic garden by artist... Read More

Kawasaki Motorcycles - Independent in Thoughts and Actions

The story of Kawasaki Company goes back to 1924, at that time involved into metallurgy and the aircraft industry.In 1949, they decided to enter the motorcycle industry... Read More

People Are Crazy... and Everyone Is A Racer

?And everyone is a racer. If you doubt that, you've obviously never driven in New York City during rush hour. Look closely at the driver of that... Read More

Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges

We have heard a whole lot of talk about fuel cells and of course it is a worthy endeavor. Portable generators, cars, transportation industry, Power generators, Ships,... Read More

A Convenient Way to Slash Your Gas Bill

"With oil prices spiraling higher almost every day, people are starting to look for alternative modes of transport," says Michael S. Milstead of Scootertronics. "With scooters, commuters... Read More

Liquid Cooled Minimotos (PocketBikes), How Fast Are They and Are They Affordable?

As the latest craze of Minimoto Madness continues in the United Kingdom. The demand for pocket bikes means that the consumer is now looking for more better... Read More

Online Shopping for Motorcycle Accessories

When shopping for a certain item and material, the way to do it is to shop like a woman. Who else knows how to shop till they... Read More

Motorcycle Parts - OEM or Aftermarket ?

This is always a difficult one to answer when shopping for motorcycle parts and I firmly believe that each one of us must decide what's best for... Read More

Frame Slider Design and Selection

Call them crash protectors, crash bobbins, fairing protectors or frame sliders, all these products ultimately seek to do one thing - protect your expensive bodywork or the... Read More

Yamaha Motorcycles - Creativity and Spirit of Challenge

"If you are going to do something, be the best" Ginichi Kawakami, Yamaha Motor Company First President.Yamaha Motorcycles, under this motto, employing all its creativity, and with... Read More

Ghost Minimoto Moto GP Reps ? What Are They?

What are Mini moto's? A Minimoto is a miniature version of a real GP racing motorcycle; it just doesn't go as fast as one. There pocket bikes... Read More

Motorcycle Radar Detectors

Standard radar detectors were not built for motorcycles and were never intended to be used on them. Most detectors use an audio device to inform the driver... Read More