the bb trackday thread.

the bb trackday thread.

Author
Discussion

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
On a different note, today is my 1 year anniversary from my first ever track day on a cold, wet and windy day at Oulton Park
The start of a fun, but expensive obsession smile

Biker's Nemesis

38,536 posts

207 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Birky_41 said:
graeme4130 said:
Birky_41 said:
Whats peoples choice on track rubber while cold? Sc1 f Sc2 r? I was thinking of trying the Conti Race Attack again medium front Endurance rear. Not as much grip as the SC but didnt get all fussy and tear when the temperature changed 0.001 degrees and grip was still ok

Need to put an order in so seeing if anyone else runs different before I do
Contrary to popular belief, if you go by Pirelli's own info, you're better off running a softer front if it's really cold


I ran the Conti Race attacks (med front/Endurance rear) on my 600, and found them to be a really good tyre and they lasted better then the Supercorsa's I'd ran previously. They heat up really well too - Possibly due to the more tread cuts, so the rubber moves around a lot
They're also shed loads cheaper.
There's a few places doing cheap runs of 2016 dated SC1/2 Supercorsa V1's at the mo, and you can get a pair for around £220
Yep this is exactly how I know tyres. I go medium front soft rear in hot summer as I've had terrible tear mid summer with soft fronts. In winter though its the other way round

Sod it I know Conti so have ordered some 2017 ones. Cheers
Birky, my previous reply looked like I was giving you poor advice but I was only going off my own experience from Mallory and cadwel in early march using the type 4 Bridgestone BT003 race treaded tyre. I bought them from Holbech and didn't realise back then that the numbers worked backwards compared to everything else.

Not even half a day out of a rear and just scraped a day out of a front that had torn badly but not as badly as the one you posted on here last year.

Biker's Nemesis

38,536 posts

207 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
On a different note, today is my 1 year anniversary from my first ever track day on a cold, wet and windy day at Oulton Park
The start of a fun, but expensive obsession smile
Happy aniversary, keep it rubber side down and the wire tight

Birky_41

4,276 posts

183 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
Birky, my previous reply looked like I was giving you poor advice but I was only going off my own experience from Mallory and cadwel in early march using the type 4 Bridgestone BT003 race treaded tyre. I bought them from Holbech and didn't realise back then that the numbers worked backwards compared to everything else.

Not even half a day out of a rear and just scraped a day out of a front that had torn badly but not as badly as the one you posted on here last year.
Nah you're cool. I know you are knowledgeable. I often write quick replies myself

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
graeme4130 said:
On a different note, today is my 1 year anniversary from my first ever track day on a cold, wet and windy day at Oulton Park
The start of a fun, but expensive obsession smile
Happy aniversary, keep it rubber side down and the wire tight
Cheers mate smile
I sat and worked out the other day just how much I'd spent on motorbike stuff and track days in 2016, and it was a scary number
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
I couldn't work out how many sets of tyres I've been through, but it's certainly got more expensive as I got quicker and then moved to a ZX10R. At the beginning of the year, when I got my first track bike, I was getting 5 days out of a pair of Super Corsa's. Now a rear slick is lasting just over a single day
Life was much cheaper when I was a BMX'er smile

Birky_41

4,276 posts

183 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Cheers mate smile
I sat and worked out the other day just how much I'd spent on motorbike stuff and track days in 2016, and it was a scary number
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
I couldn't work out how many sets of tyres I've been through, but it's certainly got more expensive as I got quicker and then moved to a ZX10R. At the beginning of the year, when I got my first track bike, I was getting 5 days out of a pair of Super Corsa's. Now a rear slick is lasting just over a single day
Life was much cheaper when I was a BMX'er smile
I gave up racing mx bikes in 2014 due to injury and I used to think that was expensive. Did my first year on track in 2016 and its skinted me. I've barely done a third of what you did too on a old donkey 2001 GSXR750!!

Fair play though as Id do more if I could

fergus

6,430 posts

274 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
yikes

PS 10hr Ironman thumbup

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
fergus said:
graeme4130 said:
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
yikes

PS 10hr Ironman thumbup
That was 7 years ago now, and I'm now 15kg's heavier than the skinny 69kg I raced at frown
Not sure I'd even make the 17hr cut off now days. In fact, I know I wouldn't

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Birky_41 said:
graeme4130 said:
Cheers mate smile
I sat and worked out the other day just how much I'd spent on motorbike stuff and track days in 2016, and it was a scary number
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
I couldn't work out how many sets of tyres I've been through, but it's certainly got more expensive as I got quicker and then moved to a ZX10R. At the beginning of the year, when I got my first track bike, I was getting 5 days out of a pair of Super Corsa's. Now a rear slick is lasting just over a single day
Life was much cheaper when I was a BMX'er smile
I gave up racing mx bikes in 2014 due to injury and I used to think that was expensive. Did my first year on track in 2016 and its skinted me. I've barely done a third of what you did too on a old donkey 2001 GSXR750!!

Fair play though as Id do more if I could
I can't afford to do as many this year, that's for sure
As nice as it was doing 2 per week most of last summer, it loses its novelty after a while, and what went from being excited about going on a track day, became a bit routine after time.
Hopefully, trying a bit of racing and doing less track days this year will be as exciting as when I first started.
After doing some Euro's, I'm keen to do less UK days and try and get some more Euro's in later this year as I think the constant red flags and patchy UK weather will grind at me a bit this year, whereas last year I knew no different.
In three Euro trips over winter, I saw 1 red flag at Almeria where the track was so wet it had a river and they had to close it for an hour, and only a couple of yellows. Other than that, it was just clear session after clear session.
Most of last year's UK days had some red flags per day, and nearly every session had at least one yellow

George29

14,706 posts

163 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Birky_41 said:
Never been there but will be one for this year
Personally I wouldn't bother. I don't think I'd do a free trackday there

Birky_41

4,276 posts

183 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
George29 said:
Personally I wouldn't bother. I don't think I'd do a free trackday there
Really? How comes?

My first ever track day was brands indy

No even though my local I avoid as it's short, expensive and absolutely kills the right side of your rear tyre after a day. Basically book brands and work on entry and a rear tyre every time

George29

14,706 posts

163 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
Birky_41 said:
Really? How comes?

My first ever track day was brands indy

No even though my local I avoid as it's short, expensive and absolutely kills the right side of your rear tyre after a day. Basically book brands and work on entry and a rear tyre every time
It's dull compared to any of the other tracks in the uk. Only done it once and it was enough to put me off.

I'd love to do Brands though, the elevation changes alone make it look way better than Mallory

Oh and as for the cold weather tyre question you asked - if it's really cold I'd run Pirelli/Metzler SC2 wets, can use scrubs with the edges worn off too so they're no good for wet weather riding, but the movement in the tread blocks keeps heat in the tyre. Pirellis seem to last well in the dry too, wouldn't recommend it with any other wet tyres.

Edited by George29 on Tuesday 21st February 09:51

moanthebairns

Original Poster:

17,918 posts

197 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
Strange isn't it, how some love a track others hate it.

Unless of course its Oulton Park. If you don't like that track then your just fked in the head.

stew-S160

8,006 posts

237 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Birky_41 said:
graeme4130 said:
Cheers mate smile
I sat and worked out the other day just how much I'd spent on motorbike stuff and track days in 2016, and it was a scary number
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
I couldn't work out how many sets of tyres I've been through, but it's certainly got more expensive as I got quicker and then moved to a ZX10R. At the beginning of the year, when I got my first track bike, I was getting 5 days out of a pair of Super Corsa's. Now a rear slick is lasting just over a single day
Life was much cheaper when I was a BMX'er smile
I gave up racing mx bikes in 2014 due to injury and I used to think that was expensive. Did my first year on track in 2016 and its skinted me. I've barely done a third of what you did too on a old donkey 2001 GSXR750!!

Fair play though as Id do more if I could
I can't afford to do as many this year, that's for sure
As nice as it was doing 2 per week most of last summer, it loses its novelty after a while, and what went from being excited about going on a track day, became a bit routine after time.
Hopefully, trying a bit of racing and doing less track days this year will be as exciting as when I first started.
After doing some Euro's, I'm keen to do less UK days and try and get some more Euro's in later this year as I think the constant red flags and patchy UK weather will grind at me a bit this year, whereas last year I knew no different.
In three Euro trips over winter, I saw 1 red flag at Almeria where the track was so wet it had a river and they had to close it for an hour, and only a couple of yellows. Other than that, it was just clear session after clear session.
Most of last year's UK days had some red flags per day, and nearly every session had at least one yellow
Crikey!

I got 6 track days in last year, which included my first. And Ron Haslam race school.

I now own two track bikes, and booked for Ron Haslam again later this year. Plan on doing as many track days as possible, but may have to limit it to 2-3 per month.

roboR

199 posts

106 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
Stupid question and I think I know the answer I'm going to get...

But what's the consensus on if I should replace my lid after that crash or not?

I'm not sure if I hit my head and if I did it certainly wasn't hard. There's a tiny stone chip in it, but it's not actually scratched etc. But then I'm guessing you'll all say better safe than sorry...

This is what happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW7z_EcuhAs&fe...

SAS Tom

3,398 posts

173 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
Stone chip doesn't sound bad. Take the padding out and look at the eps liner. If it's all black like most helmets are these days check for any cracks or indentations they'll be easy to see as it will be white where the surface of the eps has broken. If you do see something then it's new helmet time.

Renn Sport

2,761 posts

208 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
stew-S160 said:
graeme4130 said:
Birky_41 said:
graeme4130 said:
Cheers mate smile
I sat and worked out the other day just how much I'd spent on motorbike stuff and track days in 2016, and it was a scary number
I did 37 UK days (including 4xCSS) + 3 Euro's over this winter.
I couldn't work out how many sets of tyres I've been through, but it's certainly got more expensive as I got quicker and then moved to a ZX10R. At the beginning of the year, when I got my first track bike, I was getting 5 days out of a pair of Super Corsa's. Now a rear slick is lasting just over a single day
Life was much cheaper when I was a BMX'er smile
I gave up racing mx bikes in 2014 due to injury and I used to think that was expensive. Did my first year on track in 2016 and its skinted me. I've barely done a third of what you did too on a old donkey 2001 GSXR750!!

Fair play though as Id do more if I could
I can't afford to do as many this year, that's for sure
As nice as it was doing 2 per week most of last summer, it loses its novelty after a while, and what went from being excited about going on a track day, became a bit routine after time.
Hopefully, trying a bit of racing and doing less track days this year will be as exciting as when I first started.
After doing some Euro's, I'm keen to do less UK days and try and get some more Euro's in later this year as I think the constant red flags and patchy UK weather will grind at me a bit this year, whereas last year I knew no different.
In three Euro trips over winter, I saw 1 red flag at Almeria where the track was so wet it had a river and they had to close it for an hour, and only a couple of yellows. Other than that, it was just clear session after clear session.
Most of last year's UK days had some red flags per day, and nearly every session had at least one yellow
Crikey!

I got 6 track days in last year, which included my first. And Ron Haslam race school.

I now own two track bikes, and booked for Ron Haslam again later this year. Plan on doing as many track days as possible, but may have to limit it to 2-3 per month.
I am also impressed. I managed 2 uk and 2 euro events. I am hoping to better that this year but I am not sure I can.


Deep green Kawasaki envy! smile Need to get out more.

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
roboR said:
Stupid question and I think I know the answer I'm going to get...

But what's the consensus on if I should replace my lid after that crash or not?

I'm not sure if I hit my head and if I did it certainly wasn't hard. There's a tiny stone chip in it, but it's not actually scratched etc. But then I'm guessing you'll all say better safe than sorry...

This is what happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW7z_EcuhAs&fe...
I had a similar dilemma. Crashed last Nov and put the smallest stone chip on my lid, and can't work out if I actually hit my head or not..
I decided that seeing as I hold my head in quite high importance, it was better to be safe than sorry, so bought a new one and now keep the old one as a spare

George29

14,706 posts

163 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
roboR said:
Stupid question and I think I know the answer I'm going to get...

But what's the consensus on if I should replace my lid after that crash or not?

I'm not sure if I hit my head and if I did it certainly wasn't hard. There's a tiny stone chip in it, but it's not actually scratched etc. But then I'm guessing you'll all say better safe than sorry...

This is what happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW7z_EcuhAs&fe...
I had something similar when I came off at Almeria. I didn't hit my head but the gravel bounced up and put a couple of stone chips in my carbon helmet. I ended up doing an X-ray of it at work just to make sure it was ok, then had it sanded down and re-lacquered, is good as new now. I'd definitely remove the lining and check the inside of it though

roboR

199 posts

106 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
I had a similar dilemma. Crashed last Nov and put the smallest stone chip on my lid, and can't work out if I actually hit my head or not..
I decided that seeing as I hold my head in quite high importance, it was better to be safe than sorry, so bought a new one and now keep the old one as a spare
That's pretty much my current thinking. Use the one I crashed in on the road (it's a better fit anyways than the one I was using on the road before anyways) and then buy something else for the track. If I buy another HJC RPHA it will be the third sodding one I've bought! haha. Tempted to go for the silly Venom one or the Boba Fett, that while while I slowly potter around the track I'll bring some entertainment to everyone biggrin