OK someone I know is getting out on a track for the first time.

He is not sure what to buy. And I dunno either ... 

So what tars ? he's runnign stock front and 4.5 kat wheel.
What sprokets (teeth/ratios) and what chain, I suggested non O ring cos well its easier to spin those and it barely gets used 2-300 miles a year on a race bike. Besides you never see rain and never get them run without lots of oil.
He also isn't sure he needs air filter - but I said he does. K&N lunch box.
Anything else, he hates novice and 2 clowns are sharing 1 bike so they have to be separated by category. 1 clown in novice and one in intermediate (dreaming ?)
Cool.
Buddha.

Anyone ?
Cool.
Buddha.

I went out for the first time last year and got hooked.  It's addictive and you'll find yourself booking more days quickly! 

For the first time out,  all that is required is that the bike is safe and well maintained.  The track day organization may have specific rules (ie tires less than 25% worn, safety wire oil plug, etc)  You won't need racing mods at this level. 

I did my first track day on a ninja 250 with bias ply tires.  It was in novice.  I learned volumes from my instructor and definately wasn't the slowest person on the track, even though I had the least horsepower.  I would imagine you'll be booking a track day with an organization.  They might have a forum.  If not than go to the sportbiketracktime.com forum and ask the same question.

I doubt someone who has never ridden on a track before is ready for intermediate, and might be putting themself and others in danger. 

That's about all I can suggest..since I just moved up to intermediate myself!  Hopefully some of the racers here will chime in, correct my mistakes, and give you more info. 

Buddah?

Whats kenny got to say?

15/41 (or 42) good for most tracks without very long straights. Shorter tracks I will run 14/41.
I like non-oring chains for less rolling resistance, usually EK.

Fresh rubber. Probably not able to excede typical sport street tires. Of course they may get over confident and toss it anyway. Pilot Activ or Pilot Powers are great choices and BT090 are more than they need.

Good brake pads. EBC HH are always a great choice.

for the first time? Or even times. He doesn't need anything but a safe bike and more track time. Put some Sport Demons or similar on there, stock everything else, who cares about the chain, sprocket and air filter? That's small potatoes stuff, and he isn't racing. The first limit by far will be the rider. Second will be suspension-- hopefully a kat shock and sonic fronts will be enough to make some cheap fixes there.

Quote from: ineedanap on March 19, 2009, 02:59:51 PMI doubt someone who has never ridden on a track before is ready for intermediate, and might be putting themself and others in danger. 

ditto

accidental repost   

Quote from: sledge on March 19, 2009, 03:11:29 PM
Buddah?

Whats kenny got to say?

I think I gotta go over there and poke him in the eye and get some race take off's.
Thanks for the ideas everyone - especially Dgyver. Pretty soon I think I'd rummage through your trash pile for stuff you toss.
But keep the ideas comming.
Cool.
Buddha.

good tars are a must!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SS front brake line is a good idea
good front brake pads a must
down 1 or 2 on the front   it feels like you you are faster!!!!
standard chain is better than o-ring but not needed
remove all body work and lights!!!!!!   keep the front fender
crash bars are very desirable much cheaper than an ignition pick up coil
remove center stand!!!!!!!!!
might have to remove the side stand

whatever the track day requires to be safety wired.....they are getting more lax on this lately


tell friend have fun, don't crash, he will suck, and all other bikes will pass him on the straights

Yo werase ...
Check ya PM's. Need some race take off tars.
PM me.
Cool.
Buddha.

buy NEW....
mine are too old to go back to the track


http://www.stickboyracing.com/dots.html

090's

Bleed the brakes with fresh non-silicone fluid.  Make sure the pads and tires have plenty of meat, and the bolts are all tight, especially the ones with fluid behind them.  Have your 'friend' hook up with someone to advise on tire pressures and to show him around - if he has to pay for a good instructor, it's worth it.

Take off the mirrors and signals, tape over the headlights.  Don't worry about gearing and the like until that becomes limiting.

R'gal - Ha ha, already got no headlight ... OK T/S'es gotta go. Cool.
No "friend" ... just friend. The clown prolly has sent in a membership request here and waiting for approval.
This clown's weight, and the lack of talent will limit him severely as will the fact that he's on a GS ... muhahahaha ...

Werase - track day not actual race. You think he can tell the diff ?
Cool.
Buddha.

your Friend is fat and slow....ya want me to post a pic of ya?

track day not actual race. You think he can tell the diff ?..........  no

love it when they tape the headlight and leave it plugged in......

No head light already. Removed it and slapped it on another bike.
Anyway my pic already was up when someone posted it up a few days ago. But I know I am slow, he thinks he isn't.
Anyway I'll tell him to get new tars ...
Cool.
Buddha.

I have no track experience so I have no advice to give other than do exactly what the instructor says! 

hey, im the intermediate clown. the novice is the one with zero track time. ive done a couple of days on SVs as part of track school. on a slightly detuned sv, along with detuned gixxers, i've been in the top few lap times of day...but since im fat AND fast, and on a gs...will i be more fat or fast on a track (not enough parts for street) gs500?

i mean, is it so slow versus bigger bikes that its dangerous even if im riding the thing at 95%?

If you're in the C/Beginner/Just Starting group, bike won't matter at all, as everyone plods.

You see 'slow' bikes in the fast groups at most any track day.  You'll be sorted into the right group for you.

In general, as long as you know the line, you're fine.  It's the passer's job to pass, and the passee's job to keep to the line as if he/she were not being passed so the passer can make a safe pass.  In general, of course, it's better to be faster on a slower bike than slower on a fast one, as few mind people who are fast in the turns while most hate the guy who goes by on the straight and parks it to change direction.

thanks for the info. ive never been on a track with a large number of bike types. i hope i dont end up being the shrill slow poke near the racing line in a fast corner....if i do ill take the air filter out.

Quote from: werase643 on March 20, 2009, 06:27:44 PM
buy NEW....
mine are too old to go back to the track


http://www.stickboyracing.com/dots.html

090's

werase- 
Thanks for that website, hopefully they will ship to my base over here in italy.  I dropped 1 or 2 tears when i saw the prices for race tires.  This is mostly due to the fact that i just purchased 2 Pirelli Super Corsa's out in town for our track day (this sunday) and spent 320Euro (460dollars roughly) ::tear:: 
Thanks again!
-J.Rich