Track Day tips
Xplore News - Jun 6, 2007

Imagine: No speed limits. No cops. No double yellow lines. No soccer moms in SUVs. Just a big curvy road and no limitations except your own. Sound like a dream? It’s not. You’ll ride your own bike on a real race track where it’s just you, your machine, and the pavement — an environment as free from distraction and hazards as you’ll ever find.

Nate Kern presents six tips to maximize your track day, as well as any other, motorcycling experience.

1. Tire Pressure

One of the most crucial aspects of riding on the track is having the optimum tire pressure based on the specific conditions on that track.
Tire pressure should be adjusted based on the time of the day and the ambient temperature as well as other factors.
Too high of a pressure minimizes contact patch and decreases level of input for braking or acceleration.
A good starting point is to check tire pressure throughout the first few sessions. The key to consistent optimal grip is finding a pressure that is around 32 front and 30-31 rear with your tires warm from riding.
If you have tire warmers, setting them on HOT before going on the track is a safe bet for optimum operating temperatures.
As the day progresses from morning sessions to late afternoon keep in mind that for every 10 degrees in air temp increase, tires grow by 1.2 lbs. So check them again around lunch time and drop pressure if needed.

2. Suspension

A good baseline set up is to visually see and feel the front shock and rear shock compress and rebound at the same rate.
With the BMW Telelever front shocks, do not hold the front brake while compressing the front end. It will not travel or give you the necessary feedback. Push on the front end without applying the front brakes.
On some bikes, the front shock has a 2 way valve that combines compression and rebound in the same adjuster. It’s usually a big black dial that is found at the base of the front shock. Adjusting it affects both aspects of rebound and compression.
The rear shock should again have the same rate of return (rebound) as the rate of compression (going down). This can be achieved through various means. R1200S’ have a compression knob that is located at the top of the rear shock. You do not want it blowing through its stroke too quickly and bottoming out. Rebound is located at the bottom of the shock and it’s adjusted with a flat head screwdriver. Turning the rebound/compression knobs clockwise slows the rate of return.
ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) makes all this easy, On Bikes that are equipped with ESA, set the ride level to “Sport.”

3. Proper Gear

1 piece leather suits are preferred, but a 2 piece that zips together and connects the pants to the jacket is also good. However some organizations may not accept textile suits, regardless of armor. Please check with your track day organizers.
Spine protector. No track day organization in the country will let you on the track without one. They are imperative, so find one that fits the length of your spine, and covers your tailbone up to the base of your neck.
Helmets should be very snug. There are a great many riders that wear helmets that fit loosely. It’s very dangerous to have too much movement in your helmet.
The “2nd impact” is what we try to avoid by always wearing helmets that fit snug. When a helmet hits the ground we call that the “first impact,” and when the rider’s head hits the inside of the helmet we call that the “2nd impact.”
Do not wear too dark of a visor on an overcast day. Keep your visors to be bug and scratch free. It’s important to have a clear field of vision with no distractions.
Gloves and boots should have no holes and or tears in them. Seams need to be intact. Also essential to have steel toed or reinforced toed boots, with higher level of ankle support.
Drink as much fluid as you can retain. But don’t drink too much Gatorade, mix it with water instead—half and half is a good measure. You can never take in as much fluid as you put out.

4. Riding on the Track

The track is the safest place to go fast.
Learn about the physical brake markers and use them consistently.
Find reference points such as apex cones and use them every time.
Remember you will go where you look. So, while on the track use your vision as a tool and do not follow too closely.
On track days you’re not racing, you have a regular job that requires you to be there on Monday, so keep a safe distance to leave room to react.
Hold your line while being passed by faster riders. There are no trophies at track days, so you can’t win anything but a trip to the hospital. So have patience.
Be very aware of the corner workers’ safety flags. Know each flag’s significance and react accordingly. On Red or Yellow flags, do not shut off the throttle abruptly. Hold your line and come off the throttle controlled and easy. You don’t want the rider behind you to crash into you, because he may not have seen the flag yet.
Give a nod or a simple wave of thanks to the corner workers on your cool down lap. It lets the mostly volunteer group know you appreciate their time!

5. Body Position

Try to stretch the night before and the morning of a track day.
You want to remain flexible to achieve the proper feedback necessary to make inputs at speed.
Minimize lean angle, sounds funny I know, but it’s also important to optimize contact patch. Too much lean angle minimizes ability to react trail braking (see below) or acceleration.
Best way to minimize lean angle is to keep a LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY. This is accomplished by getting your weight off the top of your bike.
Do not sit too high on the bike while cornering, too much lean angle and you run out of contact patch.
Relax! Do not grip the handlebars too tightly. Allow yourself to breathe at a normal rate. Remember this is supposed to be fun!

6. Cornering and Braking

There is a natural progression to being on the track. Do not rush the corners thinking you’re going to go faster. You will only be slower overall.
There are 3 parts to a turn: 1) Entry, 2) Mid corner, 3) Exit. All corners are different. Some may emphasize slower entry for optimum exit. Take your time and learn the depths of each turn. You have all day and all season to get better!
Lean angle is relevant to corner speed. Do not hang too far off attempting to drag your knee; it will happen naturally and in time, with speed and momentum.
Brake smoothly. Allow your suspension to travel/compress at a progressive rate. Do not snatch or be grabby with the brakes. Roll off smoothly (which allows your suspension to settle) then brake progressively.
The term “trail braking” refers to any amount of braking applied while leaning. Trail smoothly, but try to get all your braking done as straight up as possible.
Do not over use the rear brake! The rear does not have the same stopping power. However, if you do go off track for an agricultural experience, do not use the front brake, be on the rear only!

Lastly, remember to allow yourself time to get to the track and be well rested. You worked hard to be on the track all day, make it as perfect of a day as you can! Keep it fun and have a blast!

Track Day tipsXplore News - Jun 6, 2007

Track Day tips
Xplore News - Jun 6, 2007