I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has participated in one of the Penguin Racing school sessions. If not, any advice you can provide me about getting out for a track day is welcomed. I recently purchased an 03 f4i with 2,700 miles and very good tread on the tires. Am I wise to upgrade the tires if I'm going to be going out to the track? Also, any thoughts on getting a set of race plastic? I assume it is a good idea..just in case. Is it generally cheaper than buying new plastic if I end up in a spill and trash mine? Any other thoughts on prepping for track day and where to obtain a reasonably priced set of plastic would be great. So far I have a good pair of Oxtar boots, speedmaster gloves, a set of Teknic leathers, and I'm going to get a back protector. Thanks to everyone. Scott

 

If you are fairly new rider, any street compound tires ( such as the stock ones) are more than adequate for trackday newbies....and race plastics are a good investment, but the time required to strip the upper and all the stuff off may not be worth it. You will need a upper fairing stay for the race plastics since the stock one will not work ( @$175) and then most race plastics are a 3 piece affair, with a 1 piece upper, bellypan and solo tail.
You will have to start by removing your stock lowers and tail section, you can usually remove the stock upper, headlights, ect all at once by unbolting the upper stay at the frame. You will need to unhook your headlight, turn signal wires, ect before hand. You might also have to remove the tank to gain access to the wiring harness so the gauges and all will come out..
Also, the race belly pan is not usually designed for a kickstand so you may have to modify the belly pan if you plan on using a kickstand...Once you do the swap a few times you will get quicker and more proficient, but at first it might take a few hours

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i thought you could just tape up everything with duct tape?

 

That is correct, most organizations require that the radiator be filled with just water and "water wetter" which is made by Redline..and that you tape up or remove your lights, mirrors, signals,ect....
unless you have race body work ( which has none of these items)

 

Thanks for the info..I think, given what you said, race plastic is a bit premature. I'm not very mechanically inclined so I think pulling all of that stuff off would be a nightmare. I'll stick to taping everything.

 

best spending a bit of cash getting the suspension set-up for your self - that way unless you get hit by some bungling moron on a harley you shouldn't fall of and your riding will improve quick time....or get some crash protectors, good ones will protect most of it.

Either way shouldnt worry about it too much cos when you get on a track for the first time its the most amazing experience and funnily enough all the sensible thoughts before hand normally get forgotten about!!

Have fun!

 

Thanks..when you say "crash protectors" do you mean frame sliders (***** that can be attached to the frame in case of a fall)? I am bit new to the terminology..I'm trying to learn fast.

 

yeah i do mean frame sliders - great invention for those little mishaps, saved me quite alot of cash over the last few years definately worth the small investment.

 

Howdy , welcome to the forums



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