Quick trackday question

[MementoMori]

Sorry if it's in the wrong section...

I was just wondering if, to take your bike on a track for a bit, you need a full face helmet and racing leathers? If so do they need to be one piece or can they be two? And does your helmet have to be completely full face with no ability to flip up like some do?

Sorry that they're kinda stupid questions. Oh and another thing, what needs to be done to the bike when taking it onto the track?

Hope you can help. Thanks.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I believe a 'flip front' helmet is ok....as are leathers that zip together??

But for your own safety....one piece leathers are the go really.....

The bike....lockwire the sump plug and oil filter (if it's four stroke)....as well as the oil filler cap. Any overflow hoses need to go into a catch tank......no additives in the cooling system if it's water cooled that are banned.....ummmm.....fresh underwear......

Have fun!

[kiwifruit]

from my (trackday, not racing)experience;

leathers can be one or two piece, zipped together or not.
(same with textile jacket /pants)
flip up helmets are fine

bike; good tyres at correct air pressure (optional),
no leaks, chain in usable condition, working brakes, no sharp bits

[limbimtimwim]

The bike....lockwire the sump plug and oil filter (if it's four stroke)....as well as the oil filler cap. Any overflow hoses need to go into a catch tank......no additives in the cooling system if it's water cooled that are banned.....ummmm.....fresh underwear......

Trackday, not race day.

Never had to do anything of the sort for a trackday.

Just tape up the glass/plastic.

[El Dopa]

Sorry if it's in the wrong section...

I was just wondering if, to take your bike on a track for a bit, you need a full face helmet and racing leathers? If so do they need to be one piece or can they be two? And does your helmet have to be completely full face with no ability to flip up like some do?

Sorry that they're kinda stupid questions. Oh and another thing, what needs to be done to the bike when taking it onto the track?

Hope you can help. Thanks.

Bike: For most open track days (not race days) you just need a bike that's up to WOF standard.

All glass (lights, blinkers) taped over, mirrors removed or taped over. Probably a good idea to tape over your speedo, too (it's distracting).

You: Full face helmet, but a flip-front is OK.

Decent road gear is OK for an open day, but it's what you think your skin is worth, really. Armoured and abrasion-resistant full body gear (seperate jacket/trousers generally ok) is pretty much mandatory. A back protector is a jolly good idea....

If you're thinking of doing one for the first time, I highly recommend Frosty's track days. That way you'll be in the group that suits your abilities, and you won't get run off the tack by some numpty who thinks they're Rossi.

lockwire the sump plug and oil filter (if it's four stroke)....as well as the oil filler cap. Any overflow hoses need to go into a catch tank......no additives in the cooling system if it's water cooled that are banned

Only necessary if you're going RACING, not for an open track day.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Trackday, not race day.

Never had to do anything of the sort for a trackday.

Just tape up the glass/plastic.

Sweet....even better!...and easier!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Only necessary if you're going RACING, not for an open track day.

Like I say....sweet. Odd though....as it's your general road rider that's more likely to leave something lose than the race people.....so it's ok to spill shit all over the track and cause major hurt to someone else simply 'cause you're only doing a 'tack day' not a 'race day'!

That makes sense.

[El Dopa]

Like I say....sweet. Odd though....as it's your general road rider that's more likely to leave something lose than the race people.....so it's ok to spill shit all over the track and cause major hurt to someone else simply 'cause you're only doing a 'tack day' not a 'race day'!

That makes sense.

Think we got crossover posting.

I suppose it comes down to money. How many people would turn up to an open day if they had to race prep their road bike every time? The organisers are playing a numbers game.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Think we got crossover posting.

I suppose it comes down to money. How many people would turn up to an open day if they had to race prep their road bike every time? The organisers are playing a numbers game.

Yeah I appreciate that....but once you've drilled your sump plug and filler cap....it only takes a few mins and no money to wire them up!

[Gixxer 4 ever]

As Above.Road Leathers are fine for track days and tape glass and make sure there are no leaks or sharp bits on da bike. Brakes and Tyres are good. If you can get a warrant you are in with some taping on the glass. Helmets should be full face and as far as I know flip lids are fine. Or they were when I scrutineered last time. As for the comment on the oil on the track. I picked 7 bikes up the last time I did recovery and we had no fluid on the track. But I had cement and brooms to fix the problem. I also dropped my Gixxer at the track in Taupo before Christmas and had no fluids spill. Probably cos we are not doing the speeds the race bikes do they don't fly to bits as fast.

The only thing you have to check is your insurance. If you have instructors on the track you are possibly covered but in most cases you have to ask. I asked for it in writing and it states No "one on one training" and you are not covered. So I purchased a set of Track day plastics and skid knobs. The last crash cost me a brake lever and a strap for my can. Would have been a grand for the plastics if I had the good ones on.

They are a great day and it is rare to crash. I had a new bike and tried too hard. But it was a good experience. If you get a chance to do a track day do it.

[MementoMori]

Just had a thought. In the future once I have the cash I intend to start racing in which case it'd be better to get the correct gear for that while I'm at it.

What type of helmets and leathers is required for racing?

[Keystone19]

Just had a thought. In the future once I have the cash I intend to start racing in which case it'd be better to get the correct gear for that while I'm at it.

What type of helmets and leathers is required for racing?

Awesome! Good to hear you are going to come racing.

Leathers are compulsory for racing as is a back protector. Good quality race gloves and boots are also vital. All your equipment and helmet is physically checked prior to you being allowed on the track at a race.

I don't know what size you are but it is difficult to get women's track leathers in New Zealand. I would suggest you try and access Alpinestars women's Stella range which is available in this country (Haldanes in Auckland stock these but I imagine there is a closer retailer to you). Spidi's or Dainese also do good quality women's track leathers. If you know what size you are then most shops will be able to get these in for you. Quasimoto do made-to-measure leathers as well for women.

As for helmets - the helmet must meet approved standards and fit perfectly - this will also be checked before you are allowed to race. Personally I wear Shoei but that's mainly because it's the only type that fits my wee head.

Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you've got any other questions.

[MementoMori]

Thanks a lot for your help! Very much appreciated. Now I just need a bike, and quickly!

I don't know what size you are but it is difficult to get women's track leathers in New Zealand.

You ain't kidding, I found that out today!

Thanks again!

[limbimtimwim]

Thanks a lot for your help! Very much appreciated. Now I just need a bike, and quickly!
You ain't kidding, I found that out today!
Thanks again!

This guy: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~integra...pages/home.htm (Leda leathers) will apparently make anything you want. Not just racing leathers, but more general purpose stuff as well. rwh and maybe fatjim have leathers made by this guy.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Thanks a lot for your help! Very much appreciated. Now I just need a bike, and quickly!



You ain't kidding, I found that out today!

Thanks again!

The other thing you may wanna try if Quasi doesn't have anything for you...is Dusty at Leda Leathers.....he's painfully slow to front with them....but I will say his gear is beautifully made and well tuff.....I know this!

For lots of crashing....it's pretty hard to go past a taylor made suit!

I'll dig up a phone number for you when I go back to work Tues......what sort of bike do you want to race?