Houston Superbikes Ducati Aprilia

Track Days & Prepping

There is absolutely no way to describe riding on a race track to those that haven't. You can try to say that it's like riding your favorite street, but there's no cars, no cops, no trees, no dirt, and you don't have to turn around to ride it again.

While those statements are true, nothing can can begin to explain the rush of absolutely blasting into a turn on a track. You get to go so fast that comparasions to the street just don't hold. You can go so fast, and test your limits so well, that you really cannot do it equally on the street.  If you're intimidated about going to a track a riders class is an outstanding introduction to a race track.

Bike Prep:

• Pull the fuses for any lights which you leave on the bike. You don't want the heat from the bulb melting the tape!
• Remove your mirrors.
• Have good tires. Ensure that you've got at least half your tread.
• Check with the track day organizer if you are required to drain your coolant and run "Water Wetter".
• It is normally not necessary to safety wire components on your bike.
• Overinflate your tires by 5 psi, so you can easily set thier pressures at the track (and not need to initially add air wth a compressor) 
• You'll need to wear full or two piece leathers, helmet, gloves, and boots.

Things you should take:

• Tools and stands: everything you need to change your wheels and brakes.
• Gasoline
• Fire extinguisher
• Folding canvas chairs
• EZ-Up canopy
• Water and Gatorade
• Oil and brake fluid
• Paper towels
• Moving blankets to protect the bikes from the gear as well as floor mats
• Tons of tie downs

Old style SS:

• 4 screws hold on the rear fender and tail light and turn signals.  Then just pop the single connector for the tail section.
• Tape over your headlight and turn signals.  Use colored Duck Tape.
• Pull the headlight fuse so you don't bake the tape on the lens
  Also pull the "Stop + Horn" fuse.
• Remove your mirrors. If you still have the OEM mirrors, replace them with large button head fairing screws.
  

Superbikes:

• 3 screws hold on the rear fender with turn signals.  Next, pop the connector for the tail lights (under the seat). I prefer to tape over the taillight, as it is tricky to remove and replace frequently.
• Pop off the right fairing and pull your headlight fuse as well as the "Stop + Horn" fuse. Leave the fairing off for now.  Remove the forward three Dzus fasteners on the left upper and loosen the frouth, but leave it in.
• Remove your mirrors - there's a small screw on the bottom in the center. Then they pull straight out. Next, remove the two screws holding on the upper fairings.
• Tape over the headlight assembly and also remove the front turn signals
• Now put the front fairing back on. You can use a zip tie through the mirror mount holes. I use some Dzus fasteners.
• Reinstall the side fairing and fasten the left one.
  

Monsters:

• 3 or 4 screws (depending on the year) hold on the rear fender with turn signals and taillight.  Pop the connector for the tail section (under the seat).
• While the seat is off, pull the headlight fuse so you don't bake the tape on the lens.  Also pull the "Stop + Horn" fuse.
• I just tape over the headligt and front turn signals.