U-haul does rent trailers!

^^good suggestion but I would need a vehicle to tow such a trailor. I suppose my 02 corolla would do it if it had a hitch but it is not that far of a ride.

went to the seminar tonight. LOL. About 15 cars there and 2 bikes.

They explained the 6 foot passing rule and the beginner intermediate and Advanced classes. They explained all of the safety practices of the track. No need to do anything to the bike except tape lights. Take mirrors off if they come off easy. Have decent tires. Good brake pads. The Advanced riders may have bikes set up more for track. I think I will remove my lowers just in case.

There is an emphasis on teaching good riding technique. Track guides cruise the track, to maintain flow and watch behavior but they also shoot video and give suggestions. We will get to ride 15 minutes every hour. 8 am - 5 pm.

Seemed like a fun bunch of fellas. A couple of guys who race professionally and a couple track guides at BHF. They all raved about the new ZX-10. Excellent track bike. I started a conversation with one as he loaded his race bike up in a truck. He brought me back in to sit on a new ZX-10. Light as a 600.

Will be attending a Road America (that is out other track 40 miles away) race event at Quaker Steak with live music and food next Wednesday. Check out the Road America track day opps. That is a very well respected track with some crazy up/downhill curves. Its a fast track good for a bigger bike.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/26/2011 @ 10:46 PM *

I was told this would be a physically taxing activity. 15 minutes at a time is enough. You need the break in between to eat rest and hydrate.

Congrats!

Here's what I can chime in with...

Get all liquids on the bike flushed and replaced- fresh oil and filter, engine ice (water weter, distiled water etc.- anything but antifreeze), brake fluid, forks and shock oil, steering damper oil (if still with last years oil).

New or in as new condition tires. If somebody at the track (trustworthy experienced rider, coach or the tire vendor) could give you a good starting setup for inflation COLD, take it from there and adjust if needed.

New brake pads, again fresh fluid and well bled system. You do have stainless steel brake lines, right?
Vesrah and Carbon Loraine are the two top notch brands for motorcycle brake pads IMHO.
Ask at the track about using the rear brake... if I had a $1 for every time some idiot suggested using the rear brake because that's how they were thought when they were at class getting their class M license or that's how the Moto GP guys ride...

The stock supension on the 14 is not adequate for anybody over 170 lbs. suited for track riding IMHO.
Service and dial yours. Might need to revalve and respring if it's still soft.
I always run a ziptie on one of the fork legs and always have a good gauge of how low I get under heavy braking (getting into turn 1 ususally collapses the front the most).

Go through the bike completely- check for proper torque every single bolt you come upon.
Now I know it's not required and that's why it drives me insane... safety wire your oil drain plug, oil filler cap,
put a hose clamp on your oil filter, wire the brake pad pins, front caliper bolts, radiator overflow bottle cap etc.
I know it's not required but if I ran a track day org everybody will be safety wiring by the WERA and/or CCS rule book.

Remember, although you are not riding in advanced group, if your bike leaks oil or coolant on the track it's going to result in delays for clean ups for everybody (rode two session in an entire day last time at VIR due to a dumbass squid that spilled oil over half of the track before the oil ended up on his rear tire and he highsided to the moon).

You do have a well fitting one piece leather suit, right? Full gauntlet gloves, boots, back and chest protector, undersuit (for easy in and out), helmet with at least one clear and one dark visor. I usually have at least two of each I just listed with me at the track. It's for both comfort and a safety net- if you go down and say the helmet touches down it will not pass tech inspection.

Eat light and sleep well for a few days/ nights . Maybe do some jogging or ride a bicycle a little bit- it will loosen you up enough. Stay hydrated- drink fluids for a few days before and during the track day. Bring lots of drinks and light snacks with you at the track, cooler of some sort is highly recommended.
Folding chair, table, canopee/ easy-up for shade if outside and not in the garages. Lots of replacement clothing,
it could rain or shine and you want to be comfy at all time.

And please, don't be the guy on the overpowered bike that crawls in the tight sections but drag races WOT on the straight. That's the last thing a track day session needs- a train of bikes held by a guy that doesn't give people checks after getting on the straight.
My last crash was due to a rider on a Ducati 1198 with some fancy Troy Baylis graphics who just wouldn't let me make a clean pass on him in the turns (mostly bad lines on his part) and opened it up all the way on the straight for 3 laps in a row. When I finally outbraked him into turn 1 and got by him he went over his head and ran into me at turn 2... proved nothing to me or him and busted up a new and expensive bike.

Just have fun and let us know how it goes...

I was hoping you would see this and respond, Mass--since road course riding is your forte. Thanks for including a detailed list. I would like to follow to the T but at this point, I do not think there will be time to check off all. Glad I have a number or the items already in place.

Of course I asked at the seminar what was required to set the bike up for the track and all they insisted on for beginners was to tape the lights and remove mirrors if they come off easy. It seemed to me that they were trying to recruit new track riders as much as inform interested parties. I did not get the feeling every person present was goingto this track day on June 8.

I do have a brand new Shoie, 2 piece leathers, boots, got the HyperPro damper, will change oil and switch coolant to water, have kevlar (not steel)brake lines on, just drained and bled brake system. Brake pads easy enough to put on if I can get them to my door in time.

This is just something that fell out of the air. I have a little feeling this was destined to happen. I'm confident there is a plan set in motion already. What I am not able to address at this point as far as prep won't matter for my first time out---as long as I address as much as I can.

Thanks for posting, Mass. I'll have video from my cam as well as track footage that is provided to all participants.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/28/2011 @ 8:08 PM *

U haul rents vans here for $19.95 a day. Do that!

Mad

Thanks, Mad. That sounds like it might work out great if it is a low van and I can roll the bike in without scraping bottom.

Get a long enough ramp and it won't scrape. If it does, have some help lift the end of the ramp while the bike is on it. It will then clear the belly.

Mad

So, if I can get a hold of some Vesra brake pads by June 8, what kind do I get for the 14 track riding? Scintered, nonscintered? What is the dif? Is there any other kind to consider? IDK much about this so any info would be helpful.

I just picked up some Vesrahs this season, I beleive I have the HH pads up front. So far so good.

BTW, the whole ramp thing is a good point. I long since removed my belly fairing because on a ramp it will get creamed especially if you are on the bike. I'm always throwing my bike on my lift so the belly pan isn't really worth taking on and off. It sits on the shelf now.

Sounds like you're gonna have fun. I would think tire pressure would be an important thing to factor in your first time out.

It sits on the shelf now.

Same here. I liked the look with but I am tired of it now and it is an extra 2 lbs of weight with the bracket included.

Thanks for rec on Vesrah HH. Will look into those tonight.

Vesrah RJL or Vesrah SRJL

And btw, your signature is sooooooo squidly...

And btw, your signature is sooooooo squidly...

I would be more inclined to refer to the mod list as "poserly" but call it what you will. It's part of the fun.

Wait, forgot to update....Godridge kevlar brakelines!!!!! If you can tell me where to find RJL or SRJL for a 14, i can add that too.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/2/2011 @ 12:27 AM *

Same pads as the 09 and newer zx6r, possibly same as the 07-08 zx6r.

VESRAH pads

Holy crap! 270$ for brake pads? That is not even having the SRJL on the rear. Wow.

For $300, that is definitely not going to be omitted from the mod list.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/2/2011 @ 10:45 AM *

yeah i forgot to mention mine were $80/caliper. not sure on rear? Never heard of RJL or SRJL .

RJL is Strong initial bite. SRJL is more expensive (Seems to me, can't find much of a range of supliers to compare prices) and has a progressive feel--harder you squeeze harder the bite.

I can only guess but the RJL might be closer to the feel of OEM.

Here is a helpful thread on brake pads i came across.

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=73518933-1372-66AE-3B5880C844C9B99F&page=1

I am sorta in a hurry for this track day. Migth just dump another friggin load$$$$. Damn, just spent $1000 on struts and tires/aligment on the Carolla.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/2/2011 @ 11:12 AM *

Nah, why would you pay 250 for some dang pads! jeesh. I don't know if I can base it on a pic but in that link to Vesrah you gave my packaging looked like the yellow package so I guess maybe they were JL material which must be their name for a HH pad. I think he had to go through Parts Unlimited's catalog. Unless you want EBC's pads there doesn't seem to be a prolific supply of alternatives out there when you want them quick.

Nah, why would you pay 250 for some dang pads! jeesh

I would go with the RJL for the first try but I do not see them offered. KurveyGirl is the only supplier I can find and they have (2) Vesrah items for the ZX-14; rear RJL and front SRJL. That is what I am going to have to go with and pay second day delivery or overnight....

My OEMs looked the same as the last couple years I checked them. If they still have a couple mm of wear bar left, I will keep them. If I burn them off at the track that will mean I need to get some cool aftermarket rotors--and maybe even calipers if I burn them hard enough. NJK that would be dumb.

Found some more info. we have 3 pads. SRJL 17 is the best, apparenty. There is also an SJRL 8

http://www.vesrah.com/new_page_56.htm

http://www.factorypro.com/products/vesrah.htm

In any case, I can only find one set of Vesrahs that will fit the 14. There is no other choice for our bike (at least I cannot find it). I'd rather go with the SJRL X in stead of the XX but it is not available. End of story pay up or Shut up. Your parts guy must have ways of ferreting stuff out that I can't figure, Crush.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/2/2011 @ 12:38 PM *

there are more factors like how much you have to heat them up to get good bite. Race compounds are for heavy braking and need to be hot all the time. Street compounds are more forgiving when you've been doing 180mpg for ten minutes and then have to suddenly brake for bamby. At the track you will like the race compounds but you will have to decide how much you're willing to give up on the street.

I'm planning a few track days this summer too Rook, and going to watch yet another one tonight. At the suggestion of the organizers and other guys in the novice category, for the first few times out just make sure your bike and body are safe. Get to know your bike on the track first and then fix the weaknesses as you realize them. I'm taking mine as is because I'm quite sure the 14 is far more capable than I am. If anything I will buy some gear, maybe a back protector, neck brace, under armor, etc. I know you have tuned your suspension a lot but it has been very interesting watching the track guys speed up the rookies with minor adjustments and simple advice.

And after 45 replies Rook still hasn't fixed the spelling mistake in the title... He must be excited!

And after 45 replies Rook still hasn't fixed the spelling mistake in the title... He must be excited!

LOL --AFAIK, when you screw up the title of the thread, there is no changing back. The post is editable but the title remains as you spelled it.

At the track you will like the race compounds but you will have to decide how much you're willing to give up on the street.

I'm taking mine as is because I'm quite sure the 14 is far more capable than I am.

1. You roll that bike out like it is. All those brake hoses and pads are not what you are going out for.
2. Think smooth not fast. Look way out ahead and that will begin to show you this next trick.
3. Do not hang right behind a rider. S/he brakes hard, you roll up on them dead on. Better you are to the right or left of them for passing.
4. If they go down, the trick is to go where they've been, not where they are headed like both meet there. If you aimed where s/he was, they won't show up there again so that is where you head and keep looking up so you have that OUT!
5. If you can hang with them, they are too slow holding you up. Go around them.
6. Want braking points? Choose either one. Don't look and feel the climb down. Look at the brake markers. Aim for that marker each time.
6. Speed builds up, you chase a deeper brake marker entry.
7. Smooth becomes much faster you keep looking up and out, not at the bike up front but around it.
8. Throw a foot out and feel that ground take the boots first. Pull your foot in and now feel a peg stab the tarmac.
9. The idea is not to pace with anyone but to run your own best, comfortable feel for speed.
10. It's smooth practice not race someone and break your concentration. Think nothing else but a smooth apex in and a smooth curve out.