Advice: 7 tips for your first track day
Riding a motorcycle on a circuit for the first time can be intimidating, but there are a few things you can do to prepareYou just picked up your first sportsbike from the dealership and you’re eager to get out and test the limits of your new machine on the track. But, of course, the age-old question will no doubt cross your mind: how do I go about getting track ready?
As a motorcycle racer in the Australian Superbike Championships for the past 10 years and owning my own track day company, I’ve compiled my 7 top tips to make sure you’re as prepared as can be!
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1. Purchase correctly fitted, good quality gear
I cannot stress this point enough - do your research before buying your first lot of road riding gear!
While you don't need to buy top-of-the-range gear – like Alpinestars GP Tech V3 leathers coming in at a balmy $1,999, or an Arai RX-7V priced at $1,339 – it is always best to avoid purchasing the off-brand budget gear. Spending an extra $500 on a quality set of leathers and helmets that fit nice and snug could be the difference between walking away from a crash unscathed or not. Choose reputable brands that suit your needs and budget, but try to stick with trusted brands like Alpinestars, RST, or Dainese for leathers or Arai, Shoei, Nolan and Bell for helmets (to name just a few).
2. Get to know your bike
Understanding the capabilities of your own machine is just as important as understanding your own riding capabilities.
Knowing how your bike handles is crucial to on-track performance as it allows you to know how it brakes into corners and how the front and the rear suspension handles. For example, is it soft in the front? Will it dive into the corner and possibly bottom out, resulting in less braking capacity? While your bike may reach speeds of over 200 km/hr in a straight line, it may not have the cornering capabilities to hold its line, especially if you are running tyres not designed for circuit racing.
Gaining an understanding of your machine’s strengths and weaknesses means you know what to expect when pushing the limits on circuit.
3. Complete a bike maintenance check-over
Knowing your machine also means understanding the maintenance side. It is always important to complete a maintenance check before packing your gear into the van.
As you start off, write a bike maintenance checklist to give yourself peace of mind knowing your bike is track-ready. You can use the below list as a reference or write your own! This can include:
- Check tyre pressures are correct
- Make sure all axle nuts are tight
- Check all bolts are tightened to the appropriate torque/tension setting on handlebars, brake & clutch levers, footpegs, headers, triple clamps, brake callipers, sprocket nuts (remembering that sometimes over-tightening can lead to stripping!)
- Check over the front and rear brakes to make sure both are clean of debris and in smooth working order
- Ensure your bike has sufficient demineralised water/coolant in the radiator
- Check engine oil is at the correct level in the window
If you don't know what you should be checking on your bike, remember that it's always best to leave it to the experts!
4. If coaching is available, TAKE IT!
Never assume that being a seasoned road rider means you know what to do on a road circuit! One of the most common mistakes we see is first-time track riders assuming they know how to ride on a circuit.
Opting in for coaching will provide you with those early foundations for kicking off your first track day, while also making your time on track safe. Coaching will allow you to learn integral skills like body positioning, brake markers, tip in points, learning the apex, and smooth acceleration (just to name a few). You won't regret saying yes to coaching.
5. Research and know the track
It’s important to do your research before riding a new track, whether it’s your first track day or your hundredth! Every track is entirely different, and knowing what to expect before heading out for your first session will ensure a smooth transition into circuit riding. Spend some time on YouTube watching on bike track footage, or live race footage, and get yourself accustomed to the layout. Some tracks, like The Bend Motorsport Park, have several blind corners, and knowing what to expect beforehand will fasten that settling-in process.
6. Don’t shy away from asking the experts
Your first track day can be intimidating for some, but it’s important to remember that everyone has to start. That seasoned track rider pitted next to you was once in your exact position - new to the track, and not knowing what to expect!
You would be surprised just how many riders' at the track are open to helping you learn the art of riding on a circuit - never be afraid to reach out and ask for help.
7. Don’t ride to impress your mates
The racetrack can sometimes be an egotistical nightmare, and it’s important to ride to your own ability. Safety is paramount to having a fun time on the track, and if you implement a number of these steps above, it won’t take you long to get up there and enjoy bumping bars with your mates!
This article was originally published on February 11, 2022.
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