the bb trackday thread.

[Tribal Chestnut]

What is the back protector? Many of the ‘standard’ ones that come in jackets are a bit sh*t. Irrespective of getting on track, I’d want to be satisfied that it will actually do it’s job.

[Sidecar Man]

Tribal Chestnut said:

What is the back protector? Many of the ‘standard’ ones that come in jackets are a bit sh*t. Irrespective of getting on track, I’d want to be satisfied that it will actually do it’s job.

To be fair they only press you're back to make sure you are wearing one. But I recommend a forcefield one. Very good.

[ar-em-en]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Hi all,

Leathers question, I'm at Cadwell in July and have noted they require a full length back protector (seems mandatory since last year) and if two piece leathers then they must zip 360 degrees.

Currently I have an RST two piece, which has RST's standard yellow insert back protector, does anyone know if this constitutes to a full length back protector or not? My current jacket/trousers don't zip 360 degrees, the zip goes round my hips and back but I can't see this is good enough.

If my back protector is OK then I will buy a second hand RST suit and just switch my back protector over to get round the zip issue, but if the back protector isn't good enough then I'll need to look at other options.

What date are you doing? Me and a few friends will be there on the 13th.

[roboxm3]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

This is what I have and also a pic of the back protector, you can see how far the zip comes round on the trousers. do you think this will be OK?

I've got that exact back protector in my one-piece as a replacement for the standard one and not had any problems, although if I'm entirely honest, it's probably not quite a 'full back' protector in size/length and I do get a bit nervous depending how low down my back they pat to check...

[Pebbles167]

This is the back protector I use. Comfy and fit well under my RST Tractech suit.



https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

Still didnt stop me snapping my spine when I came off though! Lucky I had it as it's the bottom spine that took the hit, and ultimately they could repair the damage. Wonder how bad it would have been without it.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 26th May 10:10

[Patrick Star]

Brands Tues evening anyone?

[daniel-5zjw7]

Thanks guys, I'm not trying to skimp on gear particularly but at the same time I'm doing it for my 40th/bucket list type of thing, I've no plans to go on track again and therefore I'd rather not have to buy a one piece etc


ar em en - I'm going on the 19th, you'll have to let me know what you think of it/if you have any pointers!

roboxm3 - ah OK well good to hear you've got on alright so far, like you i wouldnt call it a full length back protector, I tried on an RST Podium suit the other weekend and that had a full back protector, you could certainly tell the difference.

Pebbles167 - sorry to hear that! :-( I guess you have to think the back protector played some role in it not being a lot worse though.

[ntoskrnl]

What an amazing experience yesterday at Pembrey for my first track day, the whole thing is kinda etched into my brain right now and I just want more, haha.

Next time I will try and get an instructor on track for me to follow, because although I managed to find a flow, I still felt a little lost on where to be position wise a lot of the time.

[Seagoon]

I'm back into trackdays after a few years off, probably too old for it and not as fast as I used to be. But I'm enjoying it, and I dont seem to be in anyones way. Recently did Cadwell, a circuit I had never ridden before, on a bike I had never ridden before (SV650 minitwin ex racer). Because of those two factors I booked into Novices, and was shocked how fast some were! It looks like once Inters is full, the rest of the spaces just get booked up as available? Full blown proper race bikes on slicks and a professional pit set up in Novices? I spoke to a couple of the real novices out there on road bikes, who were having seven shades scared out of them..
I'm wondering if I booked a Euro package, Is it the same? Am I gonna be a mobile chicane? I'm not scary slow, I used to ride at the front of inters or the back of the fast group, and I'm building back up to that. The weather is the big draw, as driving half the length of the country here to get drenched (i know thats supposed to be part of it), is not fun, and I'm doing this for for fun.
Are euro days something people graduate to when they are at the front of the fast group and for racers testing etc? Or will I be ok in the (slower?) groups?

[KurtFlew]

There's all kinds of riders on Euros, I did my first euro after only 3 UK Trackdays. Some people there will crawl round at their own pace and some are backing the back end in dangling the leg. There's plenty of room for everyone and on FE days you'll be sorted into the right groups with a transponder. Not sure if NL do that, haven't done one with them yet.

[ar-em-en]

Seagoon said:

I'm back into trackdays after a few years off, probably too old for it and not as fast as I used to be. But I'm enjoying it, and I dont seem to be in anyones way. Recently did Cadwell, a circuit I had never ridden before, on a bike I had never ridden before (SV650 minitwin ex racer). Because of those two factors I booked into Novices, and was shocked how fast some were! It looks like once Inters is full, the rest of the spaces just get booked up as available? Full blown proper race bikes on slicks and a professional pit set up in Novices? I spoke to a couple of the real novices out there on road bikes, who were having seven shades scared out of them..
I'm wondering if I booked a Euro package, Is it the same? Am I gonna be a mobile chicane? I'm not scary slow, I used to ride at the front of inters or the back of the fast group, and I'm building back up to that. The weather is the big draw, as driving half the length of the country here to get drenched (i know thats supposed to be part of it), is not fun, and I'm doing this for for fun.
Are euro days something people graduate to when they are at the front of the fast group and for racers testing etc? Or will I be ok in the (slower?) groups?

You'll be absolutely fine on a euro. The pace is generally quicker but the standard of riding is much higher too. The whole thing is more relaxed and you get to know most of the riders in your group fairly quickly (changes aside) so will know if you're approaching a much slower rider and likewise faster riders will be able to spot you.
Alot of the euro tracks I've ridden are much wider and mean there's loads more room for overtaking too.

[Birky_41]

What a weekend with Classic Bike Track Days and Anglesey! Much more relaxed atmosphere and made me enjoy track days more again. I think I'd lost the love for it a bit as I've done nothing since my euro

The drive up there is horrendous though probably not helped with it being a bank holiday weekend. 7+ hours with a stop for fuel and food for once there circa 30 mins stop max

Watched the sun set and felt it needed a picture (I'll say officially my phone was on a window holder taking this)



Got to track about 10pm unloaded and a couple beers before bed



Took the road bike too for the evening chippy run and a bit of local roads sight seeing

There were dedicated brands in set areas and some real beautiful machinery but I didn't get as many pics as I'd have liked

A sample of them here



The size of the abs units on these just made me laugh. It was the same size on the front! I had a guy telling me a fair bit about these. Starting production 1986 I think he said and being the first mass produced bike to have it



Bringing back old memories seeing the exact same Mille colour as my first one... Wish I had that bike still and I don't say that with much



I spent more time in the Aprilia garage and spoke with Griff a few times who is a guru in the Aprilia community



A very clean MK1 rs250. You see him in the video I uploaded further down



Chatted to a guy from the performance bike forum (CRM known as) and see his very special FP1 and SXV



The evening after first day was a live band, which did get much busier but tbh with the riding and then chippy run didn't have me stay for long...I was shattered!



I ensured everyone was made aware the fashion police were in the paddocks so ensured I kept my socks on with my flip flops



And finally... Yes I rode both the national circuit and international

International circuit upload here >>> https://youtu.be/Yfxv5vNtL-s

[Steve Bass]

Birky_41 said:

.....stuff...

I get the feeling you take the TD faaaar more seriously than 99.99% of the others

RS looks to be going nicely tho... I need to pull finger and get my front cylinder leak resolved, sort the jetting and get her back in the game..

[ar-em-en]

Looks like a very good weekend Birky. How do the groupings work on the classic days?

I've never done one but am tempted to take my cb500 to their donington one in July.

[KurtFlew]

Birky_41 said:

Post

Flying on that little thing, do you prefer Trackdays on that over the L7?

I love Anglesey, localish and always been good weather each time I've been luckily. Throwing the bike into the fast right hander (church) at 100+ is my favourite part.

[Birky_41]

Steve Bass said:

I get the feeling you take the TD faaaar more seriously than 99.99% of the others

RS looks to be going nicely tho... I need to pull finger and get my front cylinder leak resolved, sort the jetting and get her back in the game..

Get it fixed! Before you know it those jobs you keep putting off will be 6+ months time and you'll miss the season

ar-em-en said:

Looks like a very good weekend Birky. How do the groupings work on the classic days?

I've never done one but am tempted to take my cb500 to their donington one in July.

This was my first classic event. They ran as a novice, pocket rocket (that was 2t & 400cc IL4s), 2 x inters and advanced...all classic bikes so check the web page for more specific info on that

KurtFlew said:

Flying on that little thing, do you prefer Trackdays on that over the L7?

I love Anglesey, localish and always been good weather each time I've been luckily. Throwing the bike into the fast right hander (church) at 100+ is my favourite part.

I dont know the names of the corners but the 100+ MPH one I can guess is the same one I enjoyed yes! I liked tapping it from 4th to 5th fully pinned and then as I leaned over I'd see the revs and mph pickup from being on the side of the tyre

I have Brands GP booked in a few weeks on the L8 GSXR but tbh yes I think I prefer it on the RS250. It doesn't go through tyres, pads etc so quick and its all a little less 'frantic'. The GSXR will genuinely light up out of corners and I have to try manage rear slip whereas the RS250 is just old school fun

[Patrick Star]

Brands yesterday for the evening session.
Few red flags, but an enjoyable evening.

Kids got me a sticker for the bike (they're in their 20's!!)

[Birky_41]

Patrick Star said:

Brands yesterday for the evening session.
Few red flags, but an enjoyable evening.

Kids got me a sticker for the bike (they're in their 20's!!)

Ah Patrick from sponge bob! Keep it...certainly better than whats on the front of my GSXR

[dibblecorse]

Anyone on the NL trip to Brno end of this month ?

[GreaseNipple]

Had a great day at brands GP yesterday, I love the flow of it, I think it's my favourite circuit. It was the first time I was getting my knees down consistently and holding in position instead of reflexing it up, felt great. I was improving throughout the day and gradually reducing the amount of overtakes coming my way until there was only really one guy on an R1 who was getting me, in the last session he caught me with a few minutes left so I tried to stick with him and retook him in to Surtees and stayed ahead for the last couple of laps, at the end we gave eachother a nod and thumbs up Michael neeves was there testing his race bike, he's done a little youtube vid of it.