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Track day riding gear

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I don't know about the EZ up since like you said you'll be in an air conditioned class. I wouldn't worry about it but if its easy and quick to set up it might be nice to have some shade by the bike for the few minutes each time your near it.

Yes, just peel the leathers down to the waist. You might want to do some yoga excerises to practice getting out of sweaty leathers.
 
A belt is handy for when you pull the top of the leathers off. Keeps the bottom from falling down when you walk. Just put on the outside and let the top fall behind you. You'll see it a lot.

EZ up is great but make sure you anchor it. Lots of fly away EZ ups during the day. Also...check the forecast for wind. If it's expected to be more than 20-25 MPH and you are going to be in class most of the time...I'd skip the EZ up unless it's one of the really strong, industrial grade ones as the wind will just destroy them and you won't be there to save it.

Eventually you'll need a generator, tire warmers, compressor, tools, bike stands, fans, generator gas, race gas, spare parts, etc..... But that's still a few sessions out.

My first time in novice I showed up with my bike and my gear and that's about it....
 
You will only be in the air conditioned class for 1/3 of the time. So don't expect that to keep you good for the other 2/3 of the time ;-) I would take a decent box fan or shop fan. When I was at Texas World Speedway, we had accessed to covered garages with power. Sitting in your chair with a fan blowing on you while you drink water/gatorade will feel really good.
 
There is no power at Cresson unless you bring a generator. There are a few plugs in one carport area but it will fill fast the Friday before and be gone by the time you arrive on Saturday.

Point being...if you bring a fan...bring a generator or make friends with someone there running one or your fan likely won't help much.

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Jarrett said:
What's the whole tire warmer thing about?

Is that mostly a winter use thing? Hard to imagine needing tires warmer than they are naturally today.
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Race tires are made to run at 150-170 degrees so they don't burn up. They aren't sticky until they get hot.

Even when it's 100 degrees and 120 on the track, you use warmers to keep them at 160 so you can go hard your first lap and not have to wait a lap or two to warm up.

You'll see a lot of tire warmers tomorrow...but usually in the faster groups with dedicated track bikes

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Jarrett said:
Had fun at Cresson today. That track seems to really eat tires.

The heat wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I got in 6 sessions. It's a much different experience doing a track day on the Speed Triple versus VFR. Minus one ADV bike out there, it was all sport bikes and the Speed Triple held its own very well.

Compared to the last track day I did, this one had a lot of wrecks. I think I counted 5 or 6 crashes by the end of the day. Level 1.5 had two, Level 2 had to, I think. Level 3 had at least one well, maybe more.

I got to spend time with the suspension specialist there and got the bike tuned in for me. That was pretty cool. Didn't expect to feel a noticeable difference, but did immediately. Lots more confidence and speed afterward. Looking forward to the next track day.

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Looks like you need track wheels and tires!
 
**** Jarrett, you're doing motorcycling the right way. I'll be left behind at this pace.

What do the others think about an ADV bike there? No money to buy a sport bike.
 
Nice. That's what tires are supposed to look like after a track day.

Just put some slicks on my 2004 today. Doing Hallett next weekend.
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Jarrett said:
I got to spend time with the suspension specialist there and got the bike tuned in for me. That was pretty cool. Didn't expect to feel a noticeable difference, but did immediately. Lots more confidence and speed afterward.
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I try to convince everyone to put their time and money into suspension before just about any other mod. Get it right, and it makes all the difference in the world. Unless it is a straight line drag race, suspension will get you going faster than just adding a few more horsepower because you will feel FAR more confident in the bike doing what you want it to do. It is true on the dirt as well.

Ocho said:
What do the others think about an ADV bike there? No money to buy a sport bike.
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Remember, it is NOT about top speed when you are in the lower levels. It is about learning how to handle the bike. I would not hesitate to take a GS on the track. I doubt many tracks are even remotely as tight and twisty as most of the fun roads in places like Arkansas, Missouri, and just about anywhere in the Smoky Mountains. About the only thing that might matter is what tires they will let you run. I've dragged luggage and foot pegs running TKC 80s on my GSs over the years, but they probably will not want you running those on the track ;-)
 
Tourmeister said:
I try to convince everyone to put their time and money into suspension before just about any other mod. Get it right, and it makes all the difference in the world. Unless it is a straight line drag race, suspension will get you going faster than just adding a few more horsepower because you will feel FAR more confident in the bike doing what you want it to do. It is true on the dirt as well.



Remember, it is NOT about top speed when you are in the lower levels. It is about learning how to handle the bike. I would not hesitate to take a GS on the track. I doubt many tracks are even remotely as tight and twisty as most of the fun roads in places like Arkansas, Missouri, and just about anywhere in the Smoky Mountains. About the only thing that might matter is what tires they will let you run. I've dragged luggage and foot pegs running TKC 80s on my GSs over the years, but they probably will not want you running those on the track ;-)
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Proper suspension will help with drag racing too, transfer of power to the ground is very important. So proper chassis set up can overcome some horsepower shortages, not much. But some
 
aspr said:
Proper suspension will help with drag racing too, transfer of power to the ground is very important. So proper chassis set up can overcome some horsepower shortages, not much. But some
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Right, but in corners, all the HP in the world can't make you go faster without crashing if your suspension stinks. Watch qualifying for any MotoGP event and this is what all the practice and qualifying rounds are about, getting the suspension right so you can actually use all that HP. It doesn't over come a lack of HP, it allows you to use the HP you have to the fullest effect.
 
Tourmeister said:
Right, but in corners, all the HP in the world can't make you go faster without crashing if your suspension stinks. Watch qualifying for any MotoGP event and this is what all the practice and qualifying rounds are about, getting the suspension right so you can actually use all that HP. It doesn't over come a lack of HP, it allows you to use the HP you have to the fullest effect.
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Exactly.

That's why eli tomac has such bad off days. He is very setup dependent
 
Jarrett said:
What's the scoop on that place? Better than Cresson?
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Pretty fun. I like the layout a lot. Really cool vibe from the people that run it too.

It's my favorite track besides COTA.

Want to join us?

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Jarrett said:
I had been scratching my head as to why the left side of my tires were chewed up more than the right, then it dawned on me :)
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Yeah...little bend is the only high speed right turn when going CCW on the 1.7M at Cresson. You eventually will add Wagon Wheel as a hard right corner but even then, it's way more wear on the left side of the tire.

A lot of riders flip their tires after one side wears so they can get full use out of the tire. Rain sipe direction doesn't matter much on dry tracks.

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