Joined
·
4,199 Posts
Got a PM asking how to prepare a DL650 for a track day. The answer is "It depends" because different tracks and track day organizations have different rules. I've ridden my DL up and camped as well as taken it in a van, and ridden two tracks, NHMS in Loudon NH and NJMP in Millville, NJ.
You WILL NOT be the slowest rider and the DL650 WILL NOT be the slowest bike there. Even if you were - no one cares. Everyone's out to have fun and learn to ride better. Tourances, Anakees and the like do just fine on the track - no problems. If it rains, they're great.
The SV650 is probably the most-tracked and most-raced bike in America. If you go to a forum like SVRider you'll find plenty of threads on track day prep. The DL650 is virtually identical for most such preparations. So is the SV1000/DL1000.
Review the bike prep requirements for the track day organization in advance - they vary. It takes less than an hour to prep the bike the first time, and about 15 minutes thereafter.
Review the rider equipment requirements as well. Most will require a full face helmet with a Snell M2005 or newer rating. Most require gauntlet gloves and leather boots. Most will allow textile gear (no mesh) in the Novice group as long as it zips together: some require the zipper to go at least half way around, others not. Most organizations require a racing-grade back protector. They can be rented, borrowed or purchased.
If you don't have the necessary gear, you can usually rent a full leather race suit for $50 to $75 a day. A new Vanson race suit is almost $2,000 so that's not a bad deal.
You will need a cordless drill, some 1/16th drill bits (you can buy a pack of them for a few dollars), a hose clamp, some blue masking tape, some duck tape, and some zip ties. The only store locally that I found with safety wire was Harbor Freight. You do not need safety wire pliers but they make the job a lot neater.
You will always have to remove your rear view mirrors.
Most orgs want you to shut off the headlights. Pull the high and low beam fuses.
Some orgs don't require taping of plastic headlights. Some do. Bring blue (long life) masking tape to cover them if required. I usually put a layer of duck tape over them, if required.
Unlike the SV it's difficult to unplug the tail light and brake light and they are on the same fuse circuit as the tach. So tape them up - blue tape and duck tape.
Remove your license plate or tape the edges - it can cut.
TAPE OVER the SPEEDOMETER! If you want to know how fast you are going, bring a GPS or rent a GPS lap timer. Some orgs require it, some not, but it's a distraction you don't want.
Some track day organizations require you to safety wire your oil filter. This is really easy. Buy a hose clamp and put it around the oil filter. Then drill a 1/16" or so hole in one of the tabs on the engine and safety wire from the tab to the clamp.
Some track day organizations require safety wiring the oil drain plug. There is a tab just in front of the plug, so drill through it and safety wire around it.
A small number of organizations will require you to safety wire the oil fill plug. Drill a hole and safety wire it to the frame.
Some organizations will require you to replace the coolant with water (spilled coolant is as slippery as oil). No biggie.
Air your tires down to 30/30 to start unless otherwise advised. Check the wear pattern after a few seasons and check the pressures during the day. The rear will heat up a lot more than the front and you may have to let more air out. Ask an instructor or experienced racer if you aren't sure.
You will have to go through a tech inspection. If at all possible, get the bike there the night before and get it teched then.
Find out if there is gas available at the track. If not, bring a 5 gallon can. You will get less than 30mpg if you are really on it, and will probably do over 100 miles on the track.
If it is your first track day or first time at the track you will be pulled into a special briefing to review passing rules, pit in and out, etc. You will likely have one or more "Follow the leader" sessions where you will follow an instructor around the track to learn the line and get the feel of things. They will often have classroom sessions after you get off the track.
Lots of people have cameras these days so you can find all sorts of videos on youtube for any track.
Bring a chair to sit in, and if there isn't a pit garage think about a sun umbrella or other shelter. Some food and drink. A towel and a change of clothes to take a shower after you've finished. Bring Plexus and some microfiber towels to keep the face shield clean.
You can camp at most tracks. Fees vary. Tracks are often a bit out of the way and hotels may be 10 miles away so I find it more convenient.
You WILL NOT be the slowest rider and the DL650 WILL NOT be the slowest bike there. Even if you were - no one cares. Everyone's out to have fun and learn to ride better. Tourances, Anakees and the like do just fine on the track - no problems. If it rains, they're great.
The SV650 is probably the most-tracked and most-raced bike in America. If you go to a forum like SVRider you'll find plenty of threads on track day prep. The DL650 is virtually identical for most such preparations. So is the SV1000/DL1000.
Review the bike prep requirements for the track day organization in advance - they vary. It takes less than an hour to prep the bike the first time, and about 15 minutes thereafter.
Review the rider equipment requirements as well. Most will require a full face helmet with a Snell M2005 or newer rating. Most require gauntlet gloves and leather boots. Most will allow textile gear (no mesh) in the Novice group as long as it zips together: some require the zipper to go at least half way around, others not. Most organizations require a racing-grade back protector. They can be rented, borrowed or purchased.
If you don't have the necessary gear, you can usually rent a full leather race suit for $50 to $75 a day. A new Vanson race suit is almost $2,000 so that's not a bad deal.
You will need a cordless drill, some 1/16th drill bits (you can buy a pack of them for a few dollars), a hose clamp, some blue masking tape, some duck tape, and some zip ties. The only store locally that I found with safety wire was Harbor Freight. You do not need safety wire pliers but they make the job a lot neater.
You will always have to remove your rear view mirrors.
Most orgs want you to shut off the headlights. Pull the high and low beam fuses.
Some orgs don't require taping of plastic headlights. Some do. Bring blue (long life) masking tape to cover them if required. I usually put a layer of duck tape over them, if required.
Unlike the SV it's difficult to unplug the tail light and brake light and they are on the same fuse circuit as the tach. So tape them up - blue tape and duck tape.
Remove your license plate or tape the edges - it can cut.
TAPE OVER the SPEEDOMETER! If you want to know how fast you are going, bring a GPS or rent a GPS lap timer. Some orgs require it, some not, but it's a distraction you don't want.
Some track day organizations require you to safety wire your oil filter. This is really easy. Buy a hose clamp and put it around the oil filter. Then drill a 1/16" or so hole in one of the tabs on the engine and safety wire from the tab to the clamp.

Some track day organizations require safety wiring the oil drain plug. There is a tab just in front of the plug, so drill through it and safety wire around it.

A small number of organizations will require you to safety wire the oil fill plug. Drill a hole and safety wire it to the frame.
Some organizations will require you to replace the coolant with water (spilled coolant is as slippery as oil). No biggie.
Air your tires down to 30/30 to start unless otherwise advised. Check the wear pattern after a few seasons and check the pressures during the day. The rear will heat up a lot more than the front and you may have to let more air out. Ask an instructor or experienced racer if you aren't sure.
You will have to go through a tech inspection. If at all possible, get the bike there the night before and get it teched then.
Find out if there is gas available at the track. If not, bring a 5 gallon can. You will get less than 30mpg if you are really on it, and will probably do over 100 miles on the track.
If it is your first track day or first time at the track you will be pulled into a special briefing to review passing rules, pit in and out, etc. You will likely have one or more "Follow the leader" sessions where you will follow an instructor around the track to learn the line and get the feel of things. They will often have classroom sessions after you get off the track.
Lots of people have cameras these days so you can find all sorts of videos on youtube for any track.
Bring a chair to sit in, and if there isn't a pit garage think about a sun umbrella or other shelter. Some food and drink. A towel and a change of clothes to take a shower after you've finished. Bring Plexus and some microfiber towels to keep the face shield clean.
You can camp at most tracks. Fees vary. Tracks are often a bit out of the way and hotels may be 10 miles away so I find it more convenient.