Welcome to our page on track day riding and set-up tips for your bike.

If you  have any requests for information or ideas on track riding or bike setup just This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   and we will include responses for everyone to view in this section.   

One of the best things you can do to improve your riding is to actually stop and think about what you are trying to achieve.  It is common practice in just about all sporting endeavours these days to use some form of visualisation and positive re-enforcement to gain an advantage.  Being open minded and actually analising your riding can make a huge difference to the outcome of your performance both on the road and the track.

So,what should you be thinking about?

There are a number of things to think about when riding.  Am I in the right gear?  Should I be braking now?  When do I get on the gas?  Is this the right line?  All these question will be continuously running around in your head, competing for your attention.

The secret is to know when and where to spend that attention!

However, there are several things that are well worth getting sorted before you get out onto the track that will make your day more fun, more rewarding and safer for yourself and everyone else. Following are a few things to help get prepared for a great Kiwi Track Day...

Bike (General) - We won't labour this point but, to ensure you enjoy the day, your bike should be in good, safe order. The brakes need to work well with pads in good condition. There should be no mechanical issues so well serviced, well prepared and reliable. 

Riding Gear - We recommend full leathers, good quality riding boots and gloves, and a well fitting safety standards approved helmet in A1 condition. We also strongly recommend full length quality back protectors as they can make all the difference between walking away or being carried away... they aren't expensive and are worth every cent!

Mirrors - Take them off, tape them up or turn them in. There is no need to use mirrors on the track, it draws your attention away from what you are doing, and all too often results in erratic changes in direction as riders try and "move over" for other riders approaching from behind. The point is... concentrate on what you are doing and stick to your line. 

Tyres - The condition of your tyres can make all the difference between having a great day or an awful day... or ending up hitting the deck. All too often we hear riders say "I left my old tyres on as I thought I would screw the last out of them at the Track Day and replace them afterwards!"  The fact is the track is where you need the best grip and particularly side grip. Fitting new tyres, or ensuring you have suitable tyres in good condition, will make the bike feel better so you will feel more confident, do better lap times and be safer. 

Tyre Pressures - Optimum tyre pressures for the track are usually considerably lower than the commonly accepted pressures for road use. Higher tyre pressures for road use help prevent punctures more than anything else however on the track lower pressures increase your contact patch for increased grip as well as help ensure your tyres reach their optimum operating temperature. A good starting point for road tyres used on the track is Front: 32-34 psi and Rear: 30-32 psi.

Suspension - The standard road suspension settings of most bikes are usually too soft so not ideal for track use. Tracks are generally have fairly smooth tarseal and relatively few bumps compared to the open road. In such conditions firmer suspension settings work better as it makes tyres work better, resulting in increased traction,  and better feedback. The most important factor in achieving the correct suspension action is to set the front and rear "sag" correctly. This is the starting point before you go near any compression or rebound clickers. A correctly set up bike increases rider confidence and safety. It's not rocket science and is a relatively straight forward process that can turn your bike from feeling insecure and unstable into feeling like it's on rails. For full instructions on how to set your sag, as well as damping, just do a google search on "Motorcycle Suspension Sag" or "Motorcycle Suspension Setup". There's plenty of good articles online that explain the process in detail... it's easy and well worth the effort!   

Click on the following useful links for more information;

Sport Rider Sport Bike Suspension Setup 

GoStar Racing Suspension Setup

Moto-Racing Motorcycle Suspension Setup