Moto-Brian

I will see him at Indy and could pick up the spring from him as he can bring it to the Dealer Show.

Oh, wait... You want a 500 as you have a 525 now. I gotcha. Yeah, get a 500 or a 475 (More highly recommended for your weight if 150-160) really. You are at the low end of a 500 and in the meat for a 475...

Then if you have a 500, you really have the right spring. Somewhat stiffer than I would suggest (I would suggest the 475). I'd call Reuben and see what he has at the shop. The cost is gonna be cheap. I'd buy a 475 and have the 500 as a tune changing option. You'd use a 500 at some tracks vs the 475... Talk with Reuben and see what he thinks. He has a VAST knowledge for the Kawasaki ZX6R...

How much do you weigh?

He's got a Hyperco spring... Won't work for reference sake... As for what i currently have - I have a 7" 425 spring. Not gonna work... I have moved to Ohlins and don't have any extras other than that one for some reason... Check on www.wera.com they have them everywhere as that is a Penske spring and very common brand. Best bet though is to check with Reuben as he has a PILE of springs at his shop and would sell you one cheap. 317-850-3884

Are you going out and starting the bike to run it during winter? That will pull load on a bike's battery and the bike's charging system is doing nothing to maintain the charge. Same with the ATV. A lot of farmers would start their ATVs and slowly ride to another barn or something and take maybe 3-5 minutes of total running time and they'd come to the shop all upset the battery keeps going dead. You really need to use the bike or ATV at working speeds and maintain a certain RPM and higher to get the charging system to function. Just asking as you may already know this, but during winter, I find a lot of guys go out and run their bikes because they think they should... They shouldn't...

WERA does not. I am thinking that CCS has changed that also, but not sure... It has a Propylene Glycol base to it and technically speaking, is not allowed in AMA or CCS. However, they both state via the rulebooks that ethylene glycol is not permitted... The issue is that simply put, glycol is slippery and freaking sucks to clean up. The reality is that the AMA and CCS rulebooks are technically outdated under this topic. They really need to state that nothing with GLYCOL is permitted or allowed. But, rules are rules and Engine Ice creeps under the radar with those orgs because of it. Glycol allows the anti-freezing capabilities. That's a no-no...

Again, straight water offers no lubricating property. You really need to add at minimal, Water Wetter. And, that's pretty old school... Engine Ice is illegal in about every racing org as it contains synthetic glycol stuff. Glycol is bad, may? But, it is allowed by a lot of track day companies for some reason vs race series. My personal opinion is that whatever AMA, WERA and CCS/ASRA allow should be the norm across the board with every track day company...

AWESOME point! Almost forgot. Having a race bike tends to have me forgetting some details!

I see that the two leading issues are: 1) Afraid of crashing one's bike. The thing here to think about is that whenever we have seen Novice group crashes occur, it is due to a few things that can easily be avoided. The riders get in over their heads. It usually is a deal where the rider towards the second half of the day get a little too confident and run off track and crash. The speeds are much slower in Novice and if you can suck up the pride and harness the ego, you really shouldn't have any issue concerning this. Don't worry about "keeping up" or trying to impress the coach. If you ride within your means, keep a little fear in the back of your mind and IF - IFFFF you start to worry about keeping up, etc AND TALK TO A COACH, we and they can adapt to you to comfort you as you are out there or assist in getting you the tools needed to stay safe and have fun. 2) I don't have a bike suited for track use. Stop and reflect on that. The biggest thing to realize is that the bike you have now is a bike that you SHOULD be very comfortable with. Now, if you have a Yamaha Virago, then yes... You need a more suitable bike. But, if you have a Ninja 250 and think you need a 600, you are off base. Hell, even if you have a Busa and think you need a 600, same deal. It is more about what you are comfortable with. A lot of guys and gals come out on bikes maybe not the best choice for Advanced track day riding, but more than enough to ride in Novice and even Intermediate groups. If the bike is a sporty machine, a naked sport styled bike, a motard based machine or even a sport tourer, you are good to go. Heck, we've seen sporty cruisers like the 883/1200 HDs. They do perfectly fine. Ground clearance is an issue, but the result is that the rider is still having a blast and learning. They just are held back slightly from being more aggressive due to the pegs, etc. One of the best bikes is a motard. They are light, easy to handle and really shouldn't get you into an over your head situation. Just food for thought...

This is true. The reason being is simple - making it as easy for a first time rider to get to the track and try it out. Draining the fluids, safety wiring, etc are all things we as track day riders feel are easy and essential, but if required, it then becomes a bit of a labor intensive amount of work and some things towards the bike that are tough to swallow for a first time track day rider. So, this is the easiest list to follow for the first time track day rider: 1) Tape (Painters Blue Tape) headlight, tail light and any reflectors 2) Remove mirrors. 3) Use DUCT TAPE and tape over wheel weights - even the clip on style. 4) one or two piece suit. Cordura is acceptable in most novice programs. Again, ease of getting to the track. If two piece, needs a 360 degree zipper. 5) Gauntlet style gloves. This means they just need to cover the cuff on your jacket or suit. 6) Boots that cover your ankles. While not recommended, we have seen many a set of work boots, military boots, etc. But, with closeouts around, boots are a cheap thing to buy and something to really consider for street use. Other than that, nothing else needed. Street tires are fine. Regular pump gas. No drilling, no silicone, no water replacing coolant, nothing. Really, no excuses on the prep side of things.

Not true at all. If it is bone dry and a guy crashes and leaks water in the same corner, you will probably go down as well. Slick is slick - dry to wet isn't going to be a fun outcome. But, you are mostly right. The idea is that water cleans up easily. The Glycol in coolant is the issue. It is VERY difficult to get out of the pores of the pavement and leaves behind a slimy, slick residue. Again, tough to clean, slick residue = tough time after it happens. If it occurs promptly after a crash and you have to lean over and ride through - water or coolant will probably put you on your ear. Also, water alone is a bad idea in your cooling system. Anyone that says it is fine alone hasn't taken their water pump apart and seen what straight water will do to it. The use of Water Wetter, Kool-Aide and others allows the pump to be lubricated and lowers the boiling point also. The lubrication process is the biggest key. Not sure what every track day allows, but the rule of thumb is that Water Wetter (Primitive and old school) or Maxima Kool-Aide are the two most recommended and safest to use. Plus, as easy as regular water to clean up...

Let me check and I will let you know tomorrow...

Ruts from cars that were never regraded and smoothed out. Tire walls that are WAY too close to the track - due to a few things like a water shed area that cannot be changed. Now, before the fellows chime in and think I am anti-MotoSeries, I will say that never once have I said anything about the staff, the coaches, the racers, the series. I think Motoseries is a great entry level race series and perfect for those that want to get their feet wet. I will say that they are VERY laid back and are a very clicky type group. Which is fine. However, what I don't want to paint a picture of is that I am angry or have hatred towards the series.

It's both... For newer riders, it is honestly an OK place to go. If it was $99 vs $195, I could see it, but when you factor that Mid-Ohio charges $350 for two days, it drops to $175 and for $50, you are comparing two totally different tracks.

Dude, there are enough if us regular track day goers that we can accommodate meeting you, ride share with you, help you at the track, etc. You WILL NOT BE ALONE! Promise!

What size? I have a few pairs of Helds that are new, but stupid cheap.

How so? Painters tape and a few minutes removing mirrors, etc. Bike is prepped! For yourself, again - suit rentals so you don't have to buy and of course, the option of loaners... It's probably cheaper than people imagine and is WAY cheaper than an organized trip on your bikes for a weekend...

The KTM events ALWAYS will have hookers and blow. It is all in garage 13 at Mid-Ohio. You know, the "secret garage"...

This is the exact response we want. I call it a "shit eaten' grin" that I look for in the faces of the newbies. Hell, I still get one a lot... One thing that needs to be understood is to check the ego at the gate. There is ALWAYS going to be someone faster on a smaller bike, with less seat time, by first time riders, by experienced pro racers, etc. The list goes on and on. The idea is to become a better rider. Broaden the ability level in an effort to increase what I call "Reserve" when the shit hits the fan.

The thing is that street tires are perfectly fine. They will last NUMEROUS track days and definitely not get destroyed or worn to the point of useless after a weekend of riding the track. Now, in Advanced? Maybe a little, but we run our Race Orange RC8Rs with street tires and I punish them only to see them laugh in my face and keep going... As for gear, you can typically rent suits with most ors anymore. That's a minimal cost or simply ask for someone to lend you a set. I probably have 10 suits hanging in the garage. Race bike - see my response to nick above...

Yup. They worry about speed, being too slow for the group, etc. You know as well as most, we have had people so slow in Novice group due to being literally sacred that we have taken them one on one the whole day to build confidence and give them peace of mind so they can absorb what we are trying to teach them. In most cases, it has led to them becoming much more confident and at the end of the day, at pace.

That's why I put that up there. A LOT of people think they need a specific style bike or a track purpose bike and it just isn't so. I have seen just about everything...

I started a thread with the hopes of getting some new track day riders to chime in or possible candidates to chime in so we can see what is being thought about. http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=72137 I said love fest and you guys added "sausage"... You guys scare me. I'll stick with pitting out of my own trailer...

Ok, there are some polls and some threads discussing track days. Most of those are from members on here that are already track day riders or racers. So, my questions are directed to the general population that do not ride track days, but may want to try them out or what it would take to get you to one. What I am looking for is what would make you as a new track day rider WANT to give this a shot? Many of the available track days listed in Dubguy's poll thread are VERY much welcoming to new track day riders. Some things to consider: Look for a track day that has an extensive Novice program. Meaning, classroom sessions to which you are taught some basic track day info and then sent out to implement these ideas. Street and track are VERY different and the things we learn on the street most often do not apply to track. HOWEVER, track riding translates into MUCH better street riding ability and safety. Also, consider the Intermediate group. Does it include solid one on one instruction if need be? Are the coaches creditable and accomplished? Are you able to get attention from coaches out on the track? I think that every track day org listed has this covered so, it is pretty much a give me. But, these are things that you need to ask about and consider. Another thing to look at is doing a 2 day trace day event. Reason being is that many first time track day riders are somewhat overwhelmed with all the info, the newness of riding in an environment that is different and just plain ol' intimidated. If you do two days, the second day is MUCH more fun, more relaxed and usually, leads to bigger and better results in your riding. Typically, we see more and more new riders wanting to come back for more or wished they had signed up for the next day. Anyways, I want to hear what you all have to say. This is a GREAT sport and is also a great way to better yourself as a rider. Many on here may disagree, but you will learn more as a rider on the track than years riding on the street. It isn't so much about seat time as the guys that travel across the US have more of that - it is more about learning what a machine will do, what it can do and the aspect that you as a rider will grow much faster in ability level if learning in a controlled environment. Just food for thought... Let's hear some voices!