The other side of Track Day expenses

Friday, October 20th, 2006 at 7:13 pm by gothicbeaST

Ok, so Bob is about to go track day riding… lets see what he MAY need.

  • I am assuming bob has a Ramp, Trailer, and the other basics of motorcycle ownership.

 

  1. Leathers: Basic Joe Rocket leathers: $500 and Up

  2. Race Boots: Alpinestars SMX-Plus: $210 and Up (Link to a Alpinestars discount site)

  3. Race Helmet: Don’t want to crash your nice street lid: $180

  4. Race Gloves: Alpinestars or Held are nice: $150 (and up)

  5. Back Protector: We want bob to walk into work the next day: $75 (and up)

  6. Tires: Figure one set every two track days: TBD + $30 for mounting.

  7. Fuel: Circle K is my supplier at $20 a day (Thank god for lower gas prices)

  8. Suspension Adjustments: Matched Springs, Oil, Etc: $200

  9. 5 Gallon Fuel Can: $10 at wally world, but a nice one is $30 with fill tube with valve.

  10. Front and Rear stands: Pit bull is what you see at the track: $250 for a front and rear set.

  11. Paddock Supplies: 10×10 canopy, Ice Chest, Chairs, Carpet (yes carpet is nice), etc: $200

  12. Portable Air Supply: A Small 4 gallon compressor, pre-filled at home: $150

  13. Track Tool Box: Harbor Freight tools in a portable box: $150

  14. Crash Box Parts: So your tip over off your stand is not the end of your day (Levers, Extra Bars, Faring Stay, Pegs, Sliders, Tape, Spare Bolts, Etc): $250

  15. Food, Water, Etc: $50

 

Don’t forget the $165 for the track day :)

10 Comments

I also remembered the added bonus items.
1. Lap Timer and Holder: $250
2. Upgraded Race HHH+ Pads (Vesrah): $80
3. Tire Warmers: $450 (This is my next big buy)

Comment by gothicbeaST | October 20th, 2006 10:52 pm | Permalink

I thinks it’s time the expression “nickel and dimed” keeps up with inflation. It should now be “hundred and thousanded”.

How come fun is so expensive?

Rhino

Comment by rhino | October 21st, 2006 9:19 am | Permalink

Be sure to set aside some money for marriage counseling also. ;-)

Doug

Comment by Doug | October 21st, 2006 1:02 pm | Permalink

Or in my case maybe a few extra thousands for a 2nd bike for the wife to go track day riding.

Comment by gothicbeaST | October 21st, 2006 2:39 pm | Permalink

Heh - Let see:

Leathers: Got ‘em

Race Boots: Got ‘em

Race Helmet: I have only one helmet for all on-road occasions.

Race Gloves: Same as street gloves for me

Back Protector: My leaters have the vertebrae kind already

Tires: Yep - although I think the SV will go many outings with the same rubber

Fuel: Yep

Suspension Adjustments: Done - the guy I got the bike from is EXACTLY the same weight as me (woohoo!)

5 Gallon Fuel Can: Got ‘em

Front and Rear stands: Got ‘em

Paddock Supplies: Enclosed trailer = condo at the track!

Portable Air Supply: I have a portable tank.

Track Tool Box: Got ‘em

Crash Box Parts: Need ‘em…levers, pegs, and the little stuff that a not-so-serious crash would need.

Food, Water, Etc: Yep

Overall, I’m in good shape for gear, tools, and trackside necessities. The only thing I’m on the fence with is a lap timer.  Now what I need is one of those Goldwing airbags and the airbag vest!

Comment by angrybob | October 21st, 2006 8:09 pm | Permalink

Bob…

Now the Leathers, were they made in this Century? :)

I would have a separate race helmet, but that is me. I actually bring TWO helmets to the track. If I go down, I am tossing the helmet away if it has even a scratch on it.

On the Gloves, I don’t like my Street Gloves on the track, and my Race Gloves are tight and not comfortable for the street.

For tires, my guess is you can get a max of 4 track days out of the tires. I upped my pace and basically went from 2 outings to every outing on one set of tires.

On the Suspension, I would suggest Kevin at the track to at least get the ride height setup for you and your co-rider.

I would get a lap timer. The XT that I reviewed is available as the timer only without a beacon for about $150. Also get a nice $30 holder as it’s a nice to have it mounted.

going to make the November 5th Track Day? I need someone to spank my ass on an SV, as the last fast SV guy spanking my ass crashed infront of me.

Comment by gothicbeaST | October 21st, 2006 9:44 pm | Permalink

I have a secret weapon. My partner is our very own Chuck’s sister. We will have full access to Chuck’s suspension knowledge (see suspension 101). Leathers are a custom Vanson Velocity suit that are several years old and have been crash-tested, but repaired. Gloves are good. Helmet is good. Tires will have to simply see what reality is. Lap timer is a likely.

The bike arrives in Mid-November. I’ll be looking into evant around or after Thanksgiving. Who is the outfit that will charge per bike, not per rider?

Comment by angrybob | October 22nd, 2006 9:10 am | Permalink

Oh yeah…I’m not going to travel outside of Phoenix to hit track days. No intention of racing competitively, just get some grins. I’m lazy and a man of convenience ;). Given the nature of the SV650, I’ll likley stick to the short tracks where lack of Hp is a non-issue.

Comment by angrybob | October 22nd, 2006 9:12 am | Permalink

AB… Cool, you always have the hookups with what is going on.

Lets talk 1 on 1 with the different track day orgs and the people who run them. I Know that TeamAZ allows one other couple (Husband and Wife) to split track time. I don’t know how AZTrackDay would do it, if you had to buy two $120 half days (one for each rider), or something else.

I know the names and the phone numbers to both TrackDay Promoters, so I will help you their.

And as always, I probably don’t want to be at your first track day. I don’t need the humiliation the first time you are there.

Comment by gothicbeaST | October 22nd, 2006 11:55 pm | Permalink

The planets have aligned

After ten years of ownership, 500,000 kms of touring and the odd scratching session my toy is freshly rebuilt, new bearings and bushes, fresh rubber and brand spanking new brake pads.

Have just spent four hours on track day preparation which included lifting the foot boards up by 3/4 inch.

What should you do for your first track day - go have fun.

I am loading the VTR and the Harley Dresser for the day, the VTR should out corner the Harley, but overall its not that much quicker these days.

Guess I will find out whether there is any benefit in using a pingel electric shift on the dresser.

Will post the outcomes after next Monday - Yee Haa, its play time!!!!!!!!!1

Comment by Taz | October 24th, 2006 7:36 am | Permalink

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