Trackdays and essential kit - what do I need?
Discussion
Plan for 2020 is to make my track day debut. I'll be using my road going CBR600 and plodding along in the novice group - aside from the towbar, trailer, leathers, helmet etc, what are the essentials
Paddock stand
Jerry can
Basic socket-set and spanners
Foot pump + gauge
Chair to sit on
Packed lunch
List seems a bit short, anything else?
Paddock stand
Jerry can
Basic socket-set and spanners
Foot pump + gauge
Chair to sit on
Packed lunch
List seems a bit short, anything else?
You don't need a paddock stand if your road bike has a sidestand, or a towbar, or a trailer, or half the things you think you will need, ride bike to circuit, have a bit of fun, ride bike home.
You can buy fuel at the circuit (yes its expensive but not really as you'll only use 20 litres at most through the day)
You can borrow tools, unless you fall off you won't need them anyway.
You can buy all the gear if you must but it's not necessary and a lot less hassle if you don't.
I did the trackbike thing with the van/trailer/kitchen sink and found it a pain in the arse, riding my road bike to the circuit was much simpler.
You can buy fuel at the circuit (yes its expensive but not really as you'll only use 20 litres at most through the day)
You can borrow tools, unless you fall off you won't need them anyway.
You can buy all the gear if you must but it's not necessary and a lot less hassle if you don't.
I did the trackbike thing with the van/trailer/kitchen sink and found it a pain in the arse, riding my road bike to the circuit was much simpler.
Edited by Jazoli on Thursday 2nd April 14:34
Beaver Dam said:
All good advice 
Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
I read that and thought this ones done another sport before. I'm an ex mxer too.Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
Not sure what you were like at MX but typically the transition is very easy and you will be comfy with the bike moving about a bit
I started track days in 2016 on an old dog K1 750. Cost me £1600 and was brilliant.
Half the trick is decent tyres, pressures, a front brake that doesnt go like a sponge after 3 laps and suspension that doesn't wallow.
Things like warmers, paddock stands etc as you start off aren't essential as you can get good grip from even an all round road tyre like a Power RS, Rosso Corsa 2, M9RR etc
Long as you 100% check you have all your bike kit, bike key and driving licence you'll be fine. If you can trailer it you can take fuel and not get bummed at the track fuel costs and you can have that reassurance that 'if' you do slide it wont be a big issue getting home (assuming its a soft slide)
Its addictive...and can get expensive!
Birky_41 said:
Beaver Dam said:
All good advice
Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
I read that and thought this ones done another sport before. I'm an ex mxer too.Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
Not sure what you were like at MX but typically the transition is very easy and you will be comfy with the bike moving about a bit
I started track days in 2016 on an old dog K1 750. Cost me £1600 and was brilliant.
Half the trick is decent tyres, pressures, a front brake that doesnt go like a sponge after 3 laps and suspension that doesn't wallow.
Things like warmers, paddock stands etc as you start off aren't essential as you can get good grip from even an all round road tyre like a Power RS, Rosso Corsa 2, M9RR etc
Long as you 100% check you have all your bike kit, bike key and driving licence you'll be fine. If you can trailer it you can take fuel and not get bummed at the track fuel costs and you can have that reassurance that 'if' you do slide it wont be a big issue getting home (assuming its a soft slide)
Its addictive...and can get expensive!
MX wise I was intermediate level. Elsworth was my bread and butter with a bit of Mildenhall, Chippenham and Essex MX thrown in too. Don't mind things getting a bit loose
Jazoli said:
You can buy fuel at the circuit (yes its expensive but not really as you'll only use 20 litres at most through the day)
On the OP's 600 probably less than that.Edited by Jazoli on Thursday 2nd April 14:34
My MT10 got through over 30L at Anglesey, couldn't believe how thirsty it was!!!!!!
Beaver Dam said:
That's all really helpful, cheers Birky.
MX wise I was intermediate level. Elsworth was my bread and butter with a bit of Mildenhall, Chippenham and Essex MX thrown in too. Don't mind things getting a bit loose
No doubt you'd have been on track with me thenMX wise I was intermediate level. Elsworth was my bread and butter with a bit of Mildenhall, Chippenham and Essex MX thrown in too. Don't mind things getting a bit loose
Andy at Elsworth was someone I was close with as with cliff at Mildenhall and Stuart Nunn before he sold it on
Rip Elsworth and Essex mx. Two very very good tracks right there
You'll be a duck to water with track days as an inters mx rider
Old milly memories https://youtu.be/2krDmjrRH_Q
Edited by Birky_41 on Thursday 2nd April 21:16
Birky_41 said:
Beaver Dam said:
That's all really helpful, cheers Birky.
MX wise I was intermediate level. Elsworth was my bread and butter with a bit of Mildenhall, Chippenham and Essex MX thrown in too. Don't mind things getting a bit loose
No doubt you'd have been on track with me thenMX wise I was intermediate level. Elsworth was my bread and butter with a bit of Mildenhall, Chippenham and Essex MX thrown in too. Don't mind things getting a bit loose
Andy at Elsworth was someone I was close with as with cliff at Mildenhall and Stuart Nunn before he sold it on
Rip Elsworth and Essex mx. Two very very good tracks right there
You'll be a duck to water with track days as an inters mx rider
Old milly memories https://youtu.be/2krDmjrRH_Q
Edited by Birky_41 on Thursday 2nd April 21:16
As said above. If you have a trailer and you’re using your road bike then just take some food, plenty to drink, some fuel, tyre pressure gauge, pump and a camping chair. If you’re not using tyre warmers, you won’t need paddock stands.
Tape up or remove your mirrors and not everyone will agree but tape over your speedo. It’s a distraction.
I’m one of those guys who takes spare wheels, tyres, warmers, spares, tools and literally anything else I can fit in. Seriously, I reckon I could do a seasons racing with what I drag along to one trackday. Do I use any of it? Do I f
k!
Just go and enjoy your first day and take it for what it is. Fun! Make the most of though as in 12 months time I’ll bet you take just as much as I do!
Tape up or remove your mirrors and not everyone will agree but tape over your speedo. It’s a distraction.
I’m one of those guys who takes spare wheels, tyres, warmers, spares, tools and literally anything else I can fit in. Seriously, I reckon I could do a seasons racing with what I drag along to one trackday. Do I use any of it? Do I f
k!Just go and enjoy your first day and take it for what it is. Fun! Make the most of though as in 12 months time I’ll bet you take just as much as I do!
Birky_41 said:
Beaver Dam said:
All good advice
Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
I read that and thought this ones done another sport before. I'm an ex mxer too.Used to do MX which involved taking a whole host of stuff/spares etc hence the thinking my list was a bit light.
Not sure what you were like at MX but typically the transition is very easy and you will be comfy with the bike moving about a bit
I started track days in 2016 on an old dog K1 750. Cost me £1600 and was brilliant.
Half the trick is decent tyres, pressures, a front brake that doesnt go like a sponge after 3 laps and suspension that doesn't wallow.
Things like warmers, paddock stands etc as you start off aren't essential as you can get good grip from even an all round road tyre like a Power RS, Rosso Corsa 2, M9RR etc
Long as you 100% check you have all your bike kit, bike key and driving licence you'll be fine. If you can trailer it you can take fuel and not get bummed at the track fuel costs and you can have that reassurance that 'if' you do slide it wont be a big issue getting home (assuming its a soft slide)
Its addictive...and can get expensive!
Unbusy said:
A small compressor rather than a foot pump?
Some grid girls obviously.
Tyre warmers to look like a pro.
A loud horn in case of brake fade.
I’ve never done a track day, so don’t listen to me except for the grid ladieeeees, obvs.
Enjoy it!
A big table that takes up half a garage, complete with full Snap On kit, a huge urn full of boiling water for tea and coffee for your full factory support team, pitboard, laptimer and full diagnostic kit, ideally your own suspension guy. A mat for your bike to keep it off the cold concrete and make sure you park it in such a way that nobody else has a chance to get in the garage. Some grid girls obviously.
Tyre warmers to look like a pro.
A loud horn in case of brake fade.
I’ve never done a track day, so don’t listen to me except for the grid ladieeeees, obvs.
Enjoy it!
Or as others have said, ride there, take a few psi out of the tyres (the tyre guy will do it for free and advise you on the best pressures and he’ll pump them back up at the end of the day), put the bike on the sidestand and just enjoy the day.
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