pumilio Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 I'm taking my road bike to the track for the very first time today - just a 20 minute taster session at Oulton Park. I have to ride the bike to the track - I have a few small questions about prepping my bike once I get there.The guidance notes I have say I need to tape the glass on my bike. What kind of tape should I use? Also, if I tape the headlights will the heat they generate bake the tape on? Is there a universal trick for turning off the headlights while the bike is running (this for a 2009 fireblade)? I wish I had managed to get the crash bobbins I've been meaning to get.... Quote
Netmeister Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 Don't worry mate you'll be fine, and I guarantee you'll be back for more.The best tape to use is electricians tape like this http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/Tape/8913.jpgIt doesn't leave any glue on the headlights or body work. It's the stuff I used and the bike was clean as a whistle after.The reason for taping up the lights it's to stop people seeing them, it's if you come off it keeps the glass in one/just a few pieces. Just do a bike X across both lights and that will be enough.I'd tape up or remove your mirrors as well as you don't want to be looking behind you, just concentrate on whats going on in front. Quote
pumilio Posted May 21, 2010 Author Posted May 21, 2010 Many thanks - that makes sense and helps heaps. I think I even have rainbow colours of tape! Quote
Guest philgale Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 bugger, just got back from oulton would of come to say hello if i had known... Quote
Guest philgale Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 did you see Blakeatron? PG? yep in the gravel at druids well didnt see him there but saw him emptying the gravel out if his bike Quote
Guest Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 did you see Blakeatron? PG? yep in the gravel at druids well didnt see him there but saw him emptying the gravel out if his bikelol, will have to mention that in passing.. what about drago (ponytail) red CBR600f Quote
Guest philgale Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 dont remember seeing him, probably did dothere was a guy with a splint on his hand? Quote
TC Posted May 21, 2010 Posted May 21, 2010 That was Jimsoon PhilDidnt see drago there.Shame we missed you ED. You had the weather for it mate, How did you enjoy it, it looks a great track for a blast Quote
pumilio Posted May 22, 2010 Author Posted May 22, 2010 I looked around the garages before my session for familiar faces but didn't see yas Phil, Dave or any TMBF stickers The weather was fantastic - the "taster session" was perfect, but then again I was just getting confident when the session ended! I'd recommend trying a short session if any are thinking of a trackday but aren't sure, especially on their own bike. After the sighting lap we were free to go at our own pace. I passed a few people and got passed by others. I could have gone a bit faster I think - for me, I think pushing it harder will be part experience and part psychology (mechanical sympathy for my bike aside!)! I love that big left hand curve heading up to the skinny hairpin - that whole section leading to and away from the hairpin is fantastic. there is a little section right before that big hill with the walk-over where you can't see the track after the turn before the hill. I went too close to the apex coming in and I bottled it an rolled onto the grass at low speed - no crash or drama or anything and I came right back onto the track. I took the corner better after that - I should have paid better attention to that part on the sighting laps In the end there were at least 30 or us who went out at 4:30 - all sorts of bikes from 600cc and 1000cc sportbikes to regular standard bikes like a street triple, a bandit and a few others. We went our in little group of about 10 bikes behind an "instructor" for 2 laps with no passing (in quotes because the only instruction we had was following him to see the lines around the corners). Here are a few pics my friend took - I have no idea where on the track he was standing, or why he didn't use his zoom!Objects are closer than they appearMust... buy... double bubblefast bumblebee Quote
Guest philgale Posted May 22, 2010 Posted May 22, 2010 Glad you enjoyed it...that left would be island bend fooling scary as it's virtually flat out then slamming on for shell oilsand clay hill is the other, again another scary part if you go over flat front trys the clime while banked over lolhopefully catch up at cadwell in July if not sooner Quote
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