Track day Q & A: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Track Days]]

Q. If I get lean crazy and lowside the bike, is there something I can do to protect the fairings?

'''Q.''' If I get lean crazy and lowside the bike, is there something I can do to protect the fairings?

A. Either crash into a wall of pillows and marshmallows, or take off the fairings. If you crash, you're going to break parts, no matter what you do. That's why it's called a CRASH.

'''A.''' Either crash into a wall of pillows and marshmallows, or take off the fairings. If you crash, you're going to break parts, no matter what you do. That's why it's called a CRASH.

Remove the mirrors and turn signals. In the rear, you can undo the four bolts that hold the rear fender on, and the turn signals and tail light all come off together.

Q. Will the stock dunflops do okay for this sort of riding? I know they are okay tires but they are solid as a freaking rock and such a hard compound.

'''Q.''' Will the stock dunflops do okay for this sort of riding? I know they are okay tires but they are solid as a freaking rock and such a hard compound.

A1. Okay, so I've said that the stock Dunlops are pieces of crap for YEARS, and yet you ask this question? I should hunt you down and slap you silly.

'''A1.''' Okay, so I've said that the stock Dunlops are pieces of crap for YEARS, and yet you ask this question? I should hunt you down and slap you silly.

A2. Don't know. I never used them on a track. (Standard answer from experienced 250 riders.)

'''A2.''' Don't know. I never used them on a track. (Standard answer from experienced 250 riders.)

Q. Are there any additions to the bike I should make to not harm anything, or will the little 250 handle 20 minutes of straight racing in stock form? I'd assume so...

'''Q.''' Are there any additions to the bike I should make to not harm anything, or will the little 250 handle 20 minutes of straight racing in stock form? I'd assume so...

A. Well, let's see...

'''A.''' Well, let's see... Once again comes the distinction between track days and racing. Sure, you can take your stock EX250 to the track, but after a couple sessions you will probably be wanting most, if not all, of the following:

[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Better Tires]]~~. ~~

*[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Better Tires]]

[[Front suspension upgrades|Stiffer Front Fork Springs]]~~. ~~

*[[Front suspension upgrades|Stiffer Front Fork Springs]]

[[Suspension|High Quality Rear Shock]]~~. ~~

*[[Suspension|High Quality Rear Shock]]

[[Are Valve Emulators worthwhile?|Cartridge Fork Emulators]] and heavier weight [[What kind of fork oil should I use?|front fork oil]]~~. ~~

*[[Are Valve Emulators worthwhile?|Cartridge Fork Emulators]] and heavier weight [[What kind of fork oil should I use?|front fork oil]]

[[I'd like to know more about clipons.|Woodcraft lowered risers]]~~. ~~

*[[I'd like to know more about clipons.|Woodcraft lowered risers]]

[[Exhaust|Muzzy exhaust]] (optional; suspension is more important)~~. ~~

*[[Exhaust|Muzzy exhaust]] (optional; suspension is more important)

Remove centerstand.

*Remove centerstand

Make sure the oil is fresh and full. Bring some extra and top off as necessary throughout the day. You really should get out the owners manual (or [[Service Schedule]]), and check every item on the maintenance list, whether it'~~s due or not. If they~~'~~re all in order, then the bike will survive.~~

'''Additionally:'''

Check with the organizers about bike prep. They will have specific items that must be prepped how they say. If you don't do it, then you don't get to ride (and you usually don't get a refund either).

*Make sure the oil is fresh and full. Bring some extra and top off as necessary throughout the day.

*Get out the owners manual (or [[Service Schedule]]) and check every item on the maintenance list, whether it's due or not. If they're all in order, then the bike will survive.

*Check with the organizers about bike prep. They will have specific items that must be prepped how they say. If you don't do it, then you don't get to ride (and you usually don't get a refund either).

====A parting shot====

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Track Days]]
-Q. If I get lean crazy and lowside the bike, is there something I can do to protect the fairings?
+'''Q.''' If I get lean crazy and lowside the bike, is there something I can do to protect the fairings?
-A. Either crash into a wall of pillows and marshmallows, or take off the fairings. If you crash, you're going to break parts, no matter what you do. That's why it's called a CRASH.
+'''A.''' Either crash into a wall of pillows and marshmallows, or take off the fairings. If you crash, you're going to break parts, no matter what you do. That's why it's called a CRASH.
 Remove the mirrors and turn signals. In the rear, you can undo the four bolts that hold the rear fender on, and the turn signals and tail light all come off together.
-Q. Will the stock dunflops do okay for this sort of riding? I know they are okay tires but they are solid as a freaking rock and such a hard compound.
+'''Q.''' Will the stock dunflops do okay for this sort of riding? I know they are okay tires but they are solid as a freaking rock and such a hard compound.
-A1. Okay, so I've said that the stock Dunlops are pieces of crap for YEARS, and yet you ask this question? I should hunt you down and slap you silly.
+'''A1.''' Okay, so I've said that the stock Dunlops are pieces of crap for YEARS, and yet you ask this question? I should hunt you down and slap you silly.
-A2. Don't know. I never used them on a track. (Standard answer from experienced 250 riders.)
+'''A2.''' Don't know. I never used them on a track. (Standard answer from experienced 250 riders.)
-Q. Are there any additions to the bike I should make to not harm anything, or will the little 250 handle 20 minutes of straight racing in stock form? I'd assume so...
+'''Q.''' Are there any additions to the bike I should make to not harm anything, or will the little 250 handle 20 minutes of straight racing in stock form? I'd assume so...
-A. Well, let's see...
+'''A.''' Well, let's see... Once again comes the distinction between track days and racing. Sure, you can take your stock EX250 to the track, but after a couple sessions you will probably be wanting most, if not all, of the following:
-[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Better Tires]].<br>
+*[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Better Tires]]
-[[Front suspension upgrades|Stiffer Front Fork Springs]].<br>
+*[[Front suspension upgrades|Stiffer Front Fork Springs]]
-[[Suspension|High Quality Rear Shock]].<br>
+*[[Suspension|High Quality Rear Shock]]
-[[Are Valve Emulators worthwhile?|Cartridge Fork Emulators]] and heavier weight [[What kind of fork oil should I use?|front fork oil]].<br>
+*[[Are Valve Emulators worthwhile?|Cartridge Fork Emulators]] and heavier weight [[What kind of fork oil should I use?|front fork oil]]
-[[I'd like to know more about clipons.|Woodcraft lowered risers]].<br>
+*[[I'd like to know more about clipons.|Woodcraft lowered risers]]
-[[Exhaust|Muzzy exhaust]] (optional; suspension is more important).<br>
+*[[Exhaust|Muzzy exhaust]] (optional; suspension is more important)
-Remove centerstand.
+*Remove centerstand
-Make sure the oil is fresh and full. Bring some extra and top off as necessary throughout the day. You really should get out the owners manual (or [[Service Schedule]]), and check every item on the maintenance list, whether it's due or not. If they're all in order, then the bike will survive.
+'''Additionally:'''
-Check with the organizers about bike prep. They will have specific items that must be prepped how they say. If you don't do it, then you don't get to ride (and you usually don't get a refund either).
+*Make sure the oil is fresh and full. Bring some extra and top off as necessary throughout the day.
+*Get out the owners manual (or [[Service Schedule]]) and check every item on the maintenance list, whether it's due or not. If they're all in order, then the bike will survive.
+*Check with the organizers about bike prep. They will have specific items that must be prepped how they say. If you don't do it, then you don't get to ride (and you usually don't get a refund either).
 ====A parting shot====