Damn that was fun!!! I'm hooked. Did my first track day at The Ridge on the 4th. What an awesome experience. I had wanted to go to a track day for years but just hadn't committed. After seeing the post that Kirk/Trailboss started I got seriously interested. I signed up for level one rider group and level one rider school. Highly recommended for first time. OPRT Optimum Performance Rider Training in a great event organizer. Got to the track Sunday evening planning to camp over and be rested and ready to learn. Immediately found myself surrounded by a lot of fantastic people both OPRT staff and other riders. A couple level three riders and instructors invited me to go for a walk around the track. Before class even started I was learning the track, reference points to look for and experienced riders sharing their way to go fast and smooth. I think I road 8 sessions and every time instructors and control riders were there to offer advice, fallow or lead.
There was also a great photographer there taking pictures. threesixtyphotography $35 got me like 25 awesome pictures showing me I have a lot more to learn.



Already planning to go to the August events.

* Last updated by: david5525 on 7/6/2016 @ 9:34 PM *

Congrats!

Caution ... very slippery slope ahead

Nice David. Looks fun. Any tips for people you can share? Tire pressures? Also something I've been wondering is how much fuel you use or take with?

^^A full tank will probably last you a track day. BHF had gas pumps at the track. Credit card.

You look awesome, david. intoxicating, isn't it?

Caution ... very slippery slope ahead

Thanks guys,
It was a lot of fun. I don't know about the addiction but I do plan to do more. For now I am using it as a learning tool to better hone riding skills in a controlled environment. And yes I am grinning ear to ear while doing it.

Looks fun. Any tips for people you can share? Tire pressures? Also something I've been wondering is how much fuel you use or take with?

Not sure how other tracks run they're track days But OPRT have a lot of great knowledgeable people there to help you with every aspect of riding and bike set up. There was a trailer set up for changing tires and I got some help with my suspension after a couple sessions from one of the instructors. Told me I need a stiffer spring in the rear for my weight as he doesn't like to use to much more than half the adjustable range for preload/sag. But he made some adjustments for compression and rebound which definitely helped the bike remain steady in the corners.

Tire pressure was recommended at 30/30 FR/RR buy the instructors for the Dunlop Q3 I am running.

I probably went through a little over a tank. After 6 20 minute sessions I was down to 1 bar on the fuel gage but I started the day with 32 miles on the trip meter from a full tank. Might have made it on one tank but I added for thew last 2 sessions.
The track is close to 2.5 miles with a 1/2 mile front strait. I was feeling good running 3rd gear for most of the track with a down shift to 2nd for a down hill corkscrew at the end of the track right before the front strait. Going into the front strait in second gear I was peeking 4th by the end of pit wall at 160mph with room for 5th and hire speed but still want to learn controlled braking and entry speed for turn 1.

It was great to see you out there, David. It looks like everything was clicking out there for you.

I know the feeling of thinking you're leaned waaaaay over, then the bastard photog ruins your day. Your form is excellent for a first track day. We'll work on getting your further down to the inside as we get your corner speeds up.

Welcome to your new addiction!

Congrats on making your first track day.

I try to get in 8-10 track days a year and find it's a
great way to relax on the weekends.

I try not to take it to serious and just have fun.

Awesome David!

Was a great day too be at the track... What better way celebrate our independence?!?!?!

Was a great day too be at the track... What better way celebrate our independence?!?!?!

Sorry I didn't come lookin for you. Had a great time! Planning on the August days so if your there I will definitely take a walk around the pits to say hi.
I like the camp over idea to be fresh and ready to go. Don't know if its the same on non holiday weekends but it was kind of nice to relax and go for a walk around the track.

Piken,
I think i'm with you on not getting serious in it. I'm in it to improve my skills and meeting the great people that are out there enjoying also. Don't see myself racing.

Call it spirited road riding.

Track day #2 Hooked

Had a great time. I could feel myself getting more comfortable with the corners and body position. By the end of the day I found where plastic touches, exhaust touches and boots when you don't keep your feet tucked in tight.

Rob, great to meet you. Wish I could have gotten some more track time behind you. I think it was probably the last session you were riding with us level ones. Found myself behind you for a couple corners and was feeling good. You looked back a couple times and it gave me confidence. Then your buddy you were waiting for road around the outside of me and you guys left. HaHa it was fun Though.

Ass shot. Can't wait till next time.

Looks like you found the limit. Hard to tell just from a few pics but I'd say you will only go faster now if you hang off more and that only goes so far before you just need a skinnier bike.

Lookin great out there, david. Wish i could go!

Hey now, I like my wide girl. I'll learn to hang off her some more but honestly I'm just having fun enjoying the day and the people.

Looks like you're having fun there, Dave!

We need to get together again soon and do some more riding.

Maybe I'll actually bring my 14R this time...

Hey now, I like my wide girl. I'll learn to hang off her some more but honestly I'm just having fun enjoying the day and the people.

Nothing wrong with having two! I've got two big ones and I love them both (but that poor busa has been so neglected this season, I'm ashamed. Will she still love me back?

Looks like you're having fun.

I did my first few track days on my old zzr1200 and was hooked

It didn't take long and bought a bike that I could designate for
the track, bought a zx10 you can find lots of nice bikes in the
3-5k range.

I try to go once a month during season, starting next month and
relax, have fun, bs with friends, 8-10 times a season.

As I said before I try not to take to serious. tweak and rebuild stock
suspension, run street tires, Q3, Supercorsa SP, OEM brake parts, etc.

Even at that I figure runs about $400 per track day and that's not
taking it seriously!

Been on summer break down here, first track day 9/25 can't wait.

Mark my words, you'll be looking for a skinnier girl that's faster than you.

DAMN! I never have used loktite on the caliper bolts but I guess I would start. Or safety wire which is often used all over a track bike. I would think torquing a bit less than spec would be adequate. I wouldn't torque higher. The threads may be wearing out. Seems strange that all 4 bolts were coming loose. Keep an eye on that.

On the track all kinds of stuff comes loose.

I'll come home go over bike and find bolts loose, missing.

I go through everything that I can. I safety wire fluids, oil drain plug, oil filter,
oil filler cap, rad drain plugs, rad cap.

I'm working on adding more safety wire as I go.

Now, having said that I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but I have serious
doubts on the caliper bolt torque that you did. Personally I've never seen a
caliper bolt come loose, but all 4? Double check your torquing and the torque
wrench you are using.

Safety wire would be the best route, don't think thread locker will work on
caliper bolts because of high temps. They do sell some high temp stuff that's
good to 450 and I'd guess that's right around the temp of a caliper on the track
if not higher.

Borrow a friends torque wrench re-torque your bolts and double check with second wrench
and you should be good.

* Last updated by: piken on 8/28/2016 @ 11:39 AM *

Thanks for the thoughts and pics,
I guess I have never questioned my torque wrench. Never over torqued with it, never used it to loosen bolts and always back the adjustment off after use. Might be time to check the calibration on it. Might start drilling some holes too.
For now I'm going to go through and check everything before I go on a ride next month. Getting towards the end of the season and planning to go through the bike this winter. I'm at 15K now so be looking to check/adjust valves while she is hibernating in the nice worm garage.
Dave