To race or attend a track day there are some basic needs, and then there are all the wants and nice to haves.
NEEDS to go Racing (to race you must attend a racing school, pass, then purchase a racing license to participate) or attend a Track Day(some track days have different requirements, this is what you should have):
Bike and Gear:
- A bike in good working order that does not leak any fluids
(oil drain plug, oil fill cap, and oil filter all safety wired)
(for racing you also need a lower that is sealed and will act as a catch pan if something starts to leak, along with some other items safety wired and removed, you will also need a rear stand since kickstands are not allowed in racing)
- A one or two piece leather riding suit
- Gauntlet style leather gloves (no vent holes)
- Riding Boots that cover your ankles (no work boots, must be motorcycle boots)
- A Back Protector
- A Full Face Helmet, no scrapes or scratches, snell approved, no more than five years old
Supplies:
- Drinking Water
- Snacks/food
- Duc Tape, zip ties
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Notebook, pen
- Extra fuel
- small cooler
It is nice to know how to do these things:
Your fun level will be higher if you can manage a few things on your own, as well as save you some cash.
- know how to safety wire your bike
- know how to take off your wheels
- know how to change your brake pads
- know how to change your oil
- know how to adjust your chain
- know how to change your sprockets
- know how to change your levers, handlebars, rearsets
How to get your bike to the track:
- If you are doing a track day, you can just ride your bike to the track. Make sure you stop at the last possible gas station and top off your fuel tank. Once you arrive at the track you can tape up your lights and mirrors. Done.
- If you are going racing you should not ride your bike to the track. There are just too many complications to doing that and it is not suggested. So, you will need a bike hauler. Here are some options:
- pickup truck
- car with small flat bed trailer behind it
- either with a small enclosed trailer
- van, small Astro vans work great, or bigger full size vans too
- RV with trailer, and so on
*- ALWAYS HAVE A SPARE TIRE FOR YOUR TRAILER AND VEHICLE!
(I also carry small pieces of cut 2x4's so I can put them under my jack if needed)
**You don't have to have a big vehicle to go racing or do a track day and haul your bike. I started racing with a Ford Ranger and travelled the country racing AMA Superbike out of the back of it. At times I found buddies that had bikes and wanted to to go to, so we hooked up a 3-rail trailer and had a ton more room. I stored my trailer in my parents garage on it's side tied to the center poll (against one wall would work too), this way the garage could still be used and there were no worries on storing a trailer somewhere.
See the attached picture of my ranger with bike, gearbag, spare wheels, fuel cans, toolbox, canopy, table, chairs, air tank, cooler, spare parts, and suitcase. You can do a lot with very little space if you plan.
Here are some nice to have items:
- front and rear stands (should have both for racing)
- tool kit/box (and don't carry a big metal tool box with you.. they are heavy, hard to move, and too big.. I used to, but now I carry a plasic tool box that has everything I need in it, and it doesn't take up any room.
- spare parts:levers, clip-ons, rear-sets, brake pads, sprockets, nuts, bolts, fasteners, master links, faceshields
- canopy (these can be life savers, and heartbreakers.. If you are going to set up a canopy, tie it down on ALL FOUR LEGS! ALWAYS! WITH SOMETHING HEAVY! AND I AM NOT JOKING! It is no fun to destroy someone elses stuff with your canopy when a small light wind blows it into someone elses $100,000 motorcycle or vehicle)
- spare wheels
- tire warmers (include power cords)
- generator
Nice to have Basic Tool Kit:
Make sure you know whether you will need metric or not.. most bikes are metric, unless you have a Buell or something. Also, don't go buy expensive tools for the track.. keep it simple, go to Sears or something, not Snap-on or Mac unless you have loads of cash to burn (if so, I can really make you a good list!)
- T handles (8mm - 17mm socket)
- Allen T handles (2.5mm - 10mm)
- Big sockets that will fit your axels, and counter shaft nut
- wrench set
- socket set (make sure you get 3/8" to 1/2" and vise verse adapters)
- vise grips
- plire set
- screwdriver set
- snap ring plires
- tape measure
- breaker bar (I use an old bent fork tube)
- mallet
- lock tite
- high temp rtv
- heavy duty electric impact 1/2" (mine is Black and Decker and works great)
**Once again, If you have questions on anything in the above, ask here in this forum so others can learn from your questions and or mistakes.
