Prepping a Bandit for a track day.

[orionburn]

I'm planning on doing my first track day sometime this summer. Finally acquired leather pants so I'm covered on gear now. Signed up with NESBA this morning and am looking at doing track days at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan and maybe Blackhawk in nothern IL.

I know most of the basic requirements for readying a bike for track days (removing mirrors, signals, etc). I'm planning on getting a set of engine guards to help minimize damage in the event of a spill. Any other ideas/tips to help protect the bike as much as possible?

As far as taping up the headlights what do you recommend using? Want to use something that wouldn't take a day of scrubbing off residue if I can avoid it.

Any advice from you guys that have done track days before is much appreciated 

[PitterB4]

For tape, they make a low-adhesion duct tape.  It works great - sticks well enough to stay on and doesn't leave any residue (make sure you disconnect the headlight).  The only other obvious thing is tires.  You certainly don't need race rubber but something sporty and new-ish.  Brakes are your friends.  Stopping power was the biggest thing I noticed going from my old B4 (stainless line, HH pads but single disc) to the CBR (all that stuff but obviously dual disc).  If possible, I'd want steel lines and good pads are a must (they WILL check them closely at tech). 

There are some good lists out there of things to do/bring for a track day - tools, spares, lots of beverages....  Do a web search.  I'm kinda groggy from a couple days of travel...    

NESBA rocks, BTW.  I assume the Midwest Region is run as well as the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.  Take advantage of all the opportunities for instruction.  Don't be shy.  They really treat beginners very well. 

HAVE FUN!
Have fun!

[smooth operator]

  make a list of things you don't want to forget, like taking out the headlight fuse so you don't melt the tape on you headlight. I like the blue painters tape,doesn't leave glue behind.Make sure your chain& sprockets are in good condition (no tight spots) and adjusted properly. Your throttle snaps back when you let it go. Extra gas. Lots of drinking water. I wouldn't worry so much about the SS brake lines, if this is your 1st track day don't worry about braking into the turns. That should be done befor you get into the turn,the sooner your on the gas the better. Just be smooth. Although a good set of HH pads would be good.And like Rob said, good tires!  Have fun

[orionburn]

 

Good tip on pulling the fuse out...wouldn't have thought about that. I've been wanting to make the switch to SS brake lines anyway but have to see if I can swing that addition or not. The tires are relatively new on the bike but I want to have an extra set on hand so if I need to replace them prior to the track day or for after if I wear them down to nothing. Going to take my tire changer with me just in case to be safe.

Now I have to try and convince the girlfriend that I need to buy all this stuff...

[PitterB4]

On my B4, it was easier to disconnect the light than get to the fuse but either way is good. 

If NESBA has a trailer there, tire changes are dirt cheap.  Just make sure you've got the appropriate tools and whatever stands you need.  You can find out if they'll have tire changes available on the NESBA forum.

[smooth operator]

  Another thing to jot down on your list is tire preasure. If you don't adjust them down, you'll feel it get greasy when they warm up to temp. I run 30 front 31 rear usally.
 

[orionburn]

I know I have to pull the rear turn signals, but what about the brake light? Does that need to be taped up as well?

I figured I'd check ahead of time to see if they'll offer tire changes onsite or not. I'm planning to get the wheels painted on the FZR so that'll give me some practice on changing tires as a just in case.

[orionburn]

I'm officially scheduled to do my first track day on August 9th. I joined NESBA awhile back and have read through the riders manual. My question is exactly how picky are they when it comes to tech inspection? I'm on the fence about which bike to take. Originally I planned on taking the Bandit, but may take the FZR if I can get off my ass (and find the time) to work on it. I don't have a ton of things to do to it. Mainly replacing old fluid lines that have worn out over the years. The wiring is ok on the bike, but doesn't look the best. Clutch & brake lines are good. No fork problems that I know of. Nothing is terribly "bad" on the bike. It's the simple fact my bike is 21 years old and obviously has a lot of wear.

I may end up prepping the Bandit anyway to be safe in case the Fizzer fails tech, but money is becoming an issue and will probably need to put new rubber on the Bandit by then.  Something I'm not sure I can swing right now since I'm in the process of trying to buy a trailer. Any info for you guys with experience is appreciated.

[PitterB4]

In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions they typically check:

*  Tires
*  Brake pads
*  Throttle return
*  Brake lever firmness
*  Taped stuff if you bring a street bike
*  Nothing can be loose or in danger of falling off - particularly pegs, pedals, frame sliders, exhaust, calipers, bodywork
*  Chain tension

Older, rougher bikes (like my CBR) do receive a little harder look.  My exhaust is trashed and wiggles a lot but it is secure to the bike.  It always gets lots of attention at tech.  There are some ROUGH bikes that get on the track. 

Hope that helps.  HAVE FUN!!!

[smooth operator]

  I'd take the bike that you ride the most and are most comfortable on.

[ridenclimb]

Just did three days at Calabogie in Ontario on my 2001 Bandit 1200S about a month ago with Team Promotion.

Here are some track day preps

1.  Pull 2 fuses from fuse box for high and low beams
2. Disconnect brake light connector in tail section
3.  Blue painters tape on rear tail light, front headlight, and all four turn signals (or remove the turn signals if they require you to remove them)
4. Remove mirrors
5. remove centerstand

Here are a few tips for centerstand removal.  Put the bike on the sidestand.  Pull the centerstand down to stretch the spring and insert some coins into the gaps in the strectched spring.  Put centerstand back up and now it should be much easier to disconnect spring.  On the 2001 there are two springs - do the outer spring first and then the inner.

When reinstalling put the outer spring on first then slide the inner inside the outer and install that next.

Wish I had known the above the first time I had to remove the centerstand.  Would have saved me lots of aggravation and cursing. 

If it's your fiirst time at the track you will have a blast on the bandit.

[orionburn]

5. remove centerstand

Is this required for NESBA, or simply something you did by choice? I had wondered about the center stand but couldn't find anything in the manual about it.

Decided to go with the Bandit and getting a few things lined up for it. Ordered a set of Givi engine guards yesterday, ordering tires next week and hoping to have enough left over to pick up a set of Galfer lines and HH pads for the front. Getting itchy to go 

[PitterB4]

5. remove centerstand

Is this required for NESBA, or simply something you did by choice? I had wondered about the center stand but couldn't find anything in the manual about it.

Decided to go with the Bandit and getting a few things lined up for it. Ordered a set of Givi engine guards yesterday, ordering tires next week and hoping to have enough left over to pick up a set of Galfer lines and HH pads for the front. Getting itchy to go 

Nope - I can't imagine that's required.  Although, if it's gonna scrape when you're leaned way over, I'd remove it. 

Man, I need to get back on the track!  My next scheduled day isn't until the end of August (at the new Thunderbolt track in NJ). 

[orionburn]

Although, if it's gonna scrape when you're leaned way over, I'd remove it.

For whatever reason the idea of having the Bandit leaned over that much is scary to me. It's different on my FZR since it sits so much lower, and since the Bandit is still my main daily driver I'm definitely staying within my riding limits.

My Givi engine guards should be coming in today...wohoo!  Next on the list is new tires and Galfer lines for the front with some HH pads.

[orionburn]

Managed to survive my first track day this past Saturday. Have to say it was everything I hoped it would be and was a great, great time. People were terrific, control riders were really helpful, and was a fun track to ride. NESBA is a really great outfit and if you have the chance to join up I can't recommend it enough.

I rode the FZR for most of the day. I took the Bandit out for one session but the brakes felt really spongy and did not feel comfortable at all. The brakes on the FZR are quick to stop between the braided lines and R1 calipers on it.  Maybe that was all, but slowing down in the straights left me with a few "oh, sh!t" moments. Didn't help that twice guys in front of me were going too hot in the straights and had to runoff into the grass.

Finally got one vid cut down enough last night although it's not the best one. This is from the FZR - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLKHF-8XCk

Even though I ran slower on the Bandit out of caution I'll try and get the vid posted up sometime this week. Here's a few pics from the track:







































And what the rear typically looked like after a session....