the bb trackday thread.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Tam_Mullen said:

Im looking at doing a track day this year, its something I've always wanted to do and I turn 30 this year so tempted to do it as a present to myself.

I'm in Scotland so would be looking to do a Novice session at Knockhill, has anyone got any experience of those? I've been riding on the road for 5 years or so now, but have had off-road bikes since i was 14 so very comfortable on bikes and feel like i have quite a good pace on the road.

I've got a Speed Triple i use on the road, but my first road bike was an '03 SV650s which is still gathering dust in the corner of my garage, i already uprated forksprings/oil and the shock for more units suitable for my weight (Im 20+ stone but tall and broad as opposed to having a huge belly). I've got a race suit (more like a hollowed out cow!) and how fussy are they with gloves? I have mid length ones as opposed to full on gauntlets.

I'm assuming the SV would be a better choice, as I can live with throwing it down the road in all honesty, it was never the tidiest bike but perfect for a first road bike. What should I do in regards to tyres (its on sport touring tyres currently) upgrade the brake lines etc?

As long as the tyres aren't old and hard from sitting the sports touring tyres should be fine for your first track day on an SV650. Will probably need longer gloves though, what are they?

[Tribal Chestnut]

Booked Bedford on 10/7 and 7/8.

7/8 is road bike only.

[dibblecorse]

Well, Brno earlier this week was a cracking trip, 4th time there but first time we actually flew in and out of Brno, usually go via Prague, as ever really well run, no dramas, and some cracking people and bikes there .....

[Tribal Chestnut]

Booked Donington Sunday 23/7.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Booked Donington Sunday 23/7.

Now booked 16/8 at Cadwell. It’s an FE BMW day, so 40% of the usual capacity on track.

[Sidecar Man]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Now booked 16/8 at Cadwell. It’s an FE BMW day, so 40% of the usual capacity on track.

Is that because people are inclined to weave about without using mirrors or indicators

[Tribal Chestnut]

Sidecar Man said:

Tribal Chestnut said:

Now booked 16/8 at Cadwell. It’s an FE BMW day, so 40% of the usual capacity on track.

Is that because people are inclined to weave about without using mirrors or indicators

We’ll have the FE bus to follow, so the lack of indication shouldn’t be an issue!

[daniel-5zjw7]

Anyone else at Cadwell on Wednesday? (19th)

Little worried about the weather, not sure what I'll do if its properly wet :-(

Ps thanks sidecar man for the forcefield back protector recommendation, got one of those and very happy with it

[Sidecar Man]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Anyone else at Cadwell on Wednesday? (19th)

Little worried about the weather, not sure what I'll do if its properly wet :-(

Ps thanks sidecar man for the forcefield back protector recommendation, got one of those and very happy with it

That's good then Mate. Always been happy with mine. Certainly saved my back..

[GreaseNipple]

Did a day at Anglesey yesterday, I booked last minute to make sure the weather was playing ball and didn't have rain all day. I drove up the day before and rode around Snowdonia which was great then slept in the van at the circuit which was surprisingly agreeable. Was nice to not be rushing around before the first session too. I'd not been before so the first session was very much getting to grips with the track and I think a few riders would have been thinking I'd got novices and inters mixed up, but it was pretty easy to learn and soon got in to the groove. Church up to rocket was easily my favourite part of the track each time I felt like I wanted to go faster and it goads you on whilst feeling pretty safe but super fast. I don't know if it's the wings on the RSV4 coming in to play but the bike felt so confidence inspiring through there. It's a shame no one runs coastal layout track days because I could take or leave the hairpins. I'm pretty happy with my body positioning now but need to work on getting on the throttle sooner and harder. I think the best thing was getting in the sea at the end of the day 5 mins away then coming back to the circuit for a shower before the long drive home. I think next time I'll make it 2 nights and ride more of Wales

[ImbackYo]

I've just dropped my bike off at FE for a trip to mugello, which I think will be my last euro event. The overall cost is now astronomical. Crooks like Adventure Isurance charging £272 for 2 days repatriation cover and tyres now £430 a pair plus the increased FE cost, plus the ludicrous fee for a pit/garage has made it simply unaffordable. Its the best part of £2k exc fuel, just not sustainable imo.

So brands here I come.

[Sidecar Man]

ImbackYo said:

I've just dropped my bike off at FE for a trip to mugello, which I think will be my last euro event. The overall cost is now astronomical. Crooks like Adventure Isurance charging £272 for 2 days repatriation cover and tyres now £430 a pair plus the increased FE cost, plus the ludicrous fee for a pit/garage has made it simply unaffordable. Its the best part of £2k exc fuel, just not sustainable imo.

So brands here I come.

Wow Lot of Cash. But re pat is a bit specialized. Don't think it's crazy money considering my mate had a private plane to fly him back.

[Sidecar Man]

I'm at Cadwell Monday day and Evening then off to Oulton Wednesday. Anyone else doing them??

[moto_traxport]

ImbackYo said:

I've just dropped my bike off at FE for a trip to mugello, which I think will be my last euro event. The overall cost is now astronomical. Crooks like Adventure Isurance charging £272 for 2 days repatriation cover and tyres now £430 a pair plus the increased FE cost, plus the ludicrous fee for a pit/garage has made it simply unaffordable. Its the best part of £2k exc fuel, just not sustainable imo.

So brands here I come.

Mugello is nice but track days on the Iberian peninsula are frequently near half the cost for the track, hotel and bike transport, generally cheaper flights & car hire, garages included in the price, much better nightlife, cheaper (better) food & drink, and you could use scrubs.

That’s without even mentioning FE vs NL vs whoever.

How much was Assure ton sport?

Irritatingly I do need to tick Imola off the list.

[Birky_41]

CBTD Donington 28th July

Really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here although it was rammed

The 250 was a little underpowered in advanced group with bigger bikes proper throwing me off line or entry speed at times

Good fun though

360 GoPro video here https://youtu.be/o4im7oQJ-_k

Standard front facing here https://youtu.be/Vi-EDzmgL0c




This one crashed and caught fire



And £12.85 for this!! Criminal

[moto_traxport]

Birky_41 said:

CBTD Donington 28th July

Really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here although it was rammed

The 250 was a little underpowered in advanced group with bigger bikes proper throwing me off line or entry speed at times

Good fun though

360 GoPro video here https://youtu.be/o4im7oQJ-_k

Standard front facing here https://youtu.be/Vi-EDzmgL0c




This one crashed and caught fire



And £12.85 for this!! Criminal

Looking good! You were quite speedy through the Esses at the end of the straight & down Craners with a very animated style on the brakes & going down the gears!

It won’t be the cost of the lunch that puts me off next year - whoever thought 5 groups was a good idea?

I’ve done it for a few years on my old R1 and chasing well ridden RC30’s & 45’s has been good fun but won’t be bothering next year.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Booked myself a few ‘little’ trackdays over Aug.

19/8 Lydden Hill (No Limits)
25/8 Darley Moor (never been)
31/8 Brands Indy (No Limits)

Also at Bedford on 7/8 and Cadwell on 16/8.

[patchb]

moto_traxport said:

Looking good! You were quite speedy through the Esses at the end of the straight & down Craners with a very animated style on the brakes & going down the gears!

It won’t be the cost of the lunch that puts me off next year - whoever thought 5 groups was a good idea?

I’ve done it for a few years on my old R1 and chasing well ridden RC30’s & 45’s has been good fun but won’t be bothering next year.

Yeh this was my first classic day I've done and I'm not in a rush to do another, poor value for money and lots of waiting around. Much more interesting machinery on display than a normal trackday though!
I asked on here about the pace and as I hadn't done a trackday for 4 years when I booked I decided to go in inters, really wish I'd gone in advanced as it felt like a novice group in inters!

[GreaseNipple]

Do you think I'd get any more sessions out of this tyre or is it done?

[Birky_41]

GreaseNipple said:

Do you think I'd get any more sessions out of this tyre or is it done?

Proper got your monies worth there!