Trackdays? Interested?

Discussion in 'Racing & Track Days' started by Hotbrakes, Apr 18, 2012.

  1. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Yeah, NESBA just doesnt have the schedule that fully fits mine this year. Thats whay I am riding with Absolute Cycles.

    well if you are getting up to NJMP or Summit, let me know.

    BZ
     
  2. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    amen to that Bear.

    BZ
     
  3. Haole Girl

    Haole Girl New Member

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    Butting in on this conversation....
    Getting ready to do my second track day, first one on the VFR. First weekend in May, Novice Level, Ride Smart, Cresson, TX...

    I CANNOT WAIT!

    My first track day was on a 1800 GoldWing and I found the experience to be very educational and life changing. It was then that I decided I needed to make some garage changes. I know the VFR is not a true track bike, but I think it will be a bit more capable than the Wing. My goal is 6 track days this year. And I hope to make it to Barber Motorsports in August for a class there.
     
  4. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    A track day on a Goldwing? Now that is pretty cool!

    The VFR is still pretty fun on the track. Check out my photos Haole Girl and you'll see me riding my old 97 on the track. They work fine.

    I love when people just bring what they have, but be warned...I took one too many hits off the "track Pipe" and it made me sell my VFR and I bought a two-stroke road racing bike for track days LOL!

    Oh, and how I want to ride Barber! You so damn blessed, thats a 11-13 hour ride for me :-(.

    BZ
     
  5. Haole Girl

    Haole Girl New Member

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    Thanks Bubba!
    All great pics, but I particularly like this one in your album
    Yup... I had a blast on the Wing. PICS
     
  6. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    That is great. Thanks for sharing your pics.

    I had a buddy bring his FJR a few years ago and he ran pretty well. Passed more than a few pure breed sport bikes coming off turns and going into them as well. He wasn't interested in being a track day addict, but at the end of the day he said he would be doing at least one track day a year. He couldn't believe how much his FJR could do!

    Looking at my pics brought back memories as I forgot my 1st track day is in my album from 2007. Need to update the album.

    Be safe and share your track day stories :)

    BZ
     
  7. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    I did my first track day at Nashville Super Speedway "Under the Lights" event about 3 years ago. The first 4 sessions were run in the day. Then they took a long dinner break while the sun set and then the lights were turned on. Nice when it's hot, but it took a while to acclimate to the the shadows.

    I took my CBR954 and as you can see, the bike was lowered 3" when I bought it. I scraped the rear of the lower fairing in the corners even though I wasn't leaned over that far. I scraped the pegs too.


    [​IMG]

    Here are some more shots of the 954 at later track days after I replaced the lowering link with the stock unit. These were taken at NSS as well.


    [​IMG]


    Again, with the night event. The wife loves riding with me during the 2up sessions the offer. It's a lot of fun. More so when you pass people riding 2up. :crazy:


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I have tracked the '98 VFR which at the time was completely stock. The tires were my regular street tires for this bike, Pilot Road 2's. The track is Little Talladega, which is not that far from Barber.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Like I said, the wife loves to ride 2up on the track.


    [​IMG]
     
  8. Tiutis

    Tiutis New Member

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    I'm also interested to try track days but seems prep. work may be a PITA. A mechanic at Honda dealer said 100% water does not protect the engine as well. Is it true? Anyways, is it ok to run 100% water instead of 50/50. I want to make sure my bike would not overheat on a way a track which is like an hour away.
     
  9. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    You need to check the rules and requirements of the trackday org that is hosting the event. I know on the east coast MOST of the track day orgs DO NOT require pure water or safety wire on your bike. Especially in novice or beginner groups. Usually its tape up the mirrors, or remove them and tape up the lights, set your tire pressure lower than street (30 psi cold) and get out on the track and leanr and have fun :)

    BZ
     
  10. Tiutis

    Tiutis New Member

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    They do require no glycol in the cooling system in case a rider spills it on the track which is PITA to clean up for the crew!
     
  11. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    NESBA and TPM do not for Beginner or Intermediate Groups
     
  12. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    I run Engine Ice which is a lot easier to clean up in case of a spill, cools better and is still an anti-freeze. It *is* a bit pricey though.
     
  13. afinepoint

    afinepoint New Member

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    This is from the FAQ of the NESBA manual:

    Q: Must I drain my coolant system?
    A: Only Advanced class riders must change from antifreeze to water
    Engine Ice and Evans Coolant are NO longer permitted!

    As BZ says check the rule book of the group you plan to ride with as it varies.

    I ran my 2007 for about six track days in 2010 and had fun. The reason I stopped is because even with water wetter the engine ran hot to the point of overheating once. Someone asked about RPMs and yes you have to keep them up to stay in the power band. As we know the VFR is heavy and at 800cc is both heavier than some (most) sport bikes and and putting out way less HP. I suffered on the straights due to the lesser horsepower/weight ratio and couldn't turn in quick enough because of the weight and suspension set up.

    I chose not to change the suspension because the bike is my daily rider and I prefer it's civilized ways on the streets. Adjusting ride height and changing suspension components would have made the track performance more aggressive but where does it end? $$$$

    My answer was to buy a track bike that was truly track ready.

    For those that do or want to do track days on their VFR take heart I got with a YCRS instructor who said the VFR is a capable machine. Things do however go wrong at the track and I didn't want her to end up suffering because of my or another rider's mistake. If my track bike falls over I would pick it back up and not think any more about it.

    Hope this helps some.

    Reg
     
  14. Tiutis

    Tiutis New Member

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    good to know, unfortunately, the track here near denver does not allow any glycol in the cooling system.
     
  15. Tiutis

    Tiutis New Member

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    That's not good. How high were engine temps?
    So what do people do if the track requires 100% water, and their bikes run near overheating limit?

    Anyone else have experience running water/w wetter in VFRs?
     
  16. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    In my VFR, which I no longer have, no...I never ran water and water wetter.

    But in the bike I currently use, Yes I run water with a wetting agent similar to water wetter and have no issues. In fact I would be suprised if you can't run Distilled Water and Kool-It, MoCool or any of the othe rwetting agents with no issues until winter rolls around in CO.

    BZ
     
  17. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    Also, there are some very good non-glycol based cooling agents on the market.

    BZ
     
  18. Tiutis

    Tiutis New Member

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    Any specific recommendations?
     
  19. Hotbrakes

    Hotbrakes New Member

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    Tape the lights, tape the mirrors, and ride! That's all that is required for most track orgs' beginner level. No need to change coolant just yet but double check with the specific org to make sure. If antifreeze is not allowed mix some Water Wetter in with distiller water and the engine will be fine. Antifreeze provides better corrosion resistance as does Water Wetter iirc. But since you will likely change back to antifreeze for the cooler months corrosion will not be an issue.

    Also make sure your tires are fresh no matter what they are. Greater than 50% brake pad life and fresh brake fluid as well.

    Then you should be well on your way to increasing your riding skills and proficiency to be a better, safer rider!
     
  20. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    +1 just used distilled water as tap has mineral deposits and other nasties that doesn't get along with aluminum
     
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