Panigale Track Prep

going to little tally this weekend with xact motorsports? I just did little tally for the first time (did it on the streetfighter) this past sunday, and it's a fun track.

As to tips. on my pani, I'm going to leave the mirrors on and just tape the glass, I've done 4 days on the pani and I fear taking off and putting the mirrors back on will cause wiring issues.

ALso, someone here mentioned gaffer's tape as opposed to duct tape or painters tape (camera shops sell this tho I bought mine on ebay). It's a cloth backed tape adheres really well but leaves no residue on removal, I'm really happy with that stuff.

jmparton said:

Have been prepping mine for the track this upcoming weekend. I think most track days require a minimum of tapped lights, removal of tag and mirrors, and a non-glycol coolant. I have also added a few protective pieces: front axle sliders and engine covers.

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this is the stuff, used it this past weekend:

Amazon.com: JVCC GAFF30YD Premium Grade 30 Yard Gaffers Tape: 2 in. x 30 yds. (Black): Camera & Photo

also reposting the pirelli sc pressure chart(it's actually for the sc1 dot tires).

I ran supercorsas on the sf, I ran 29ft and 27rear.

Germcati said:

Just gotta make sure I find a tape that doesn't leave that glue all over the headlights!

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most of the tracks I have around here require water/water wetter. Interestingly STT allows novice class to run anti-freeze.

Gunny Fitz said:

Very true, although it is usually not the track itself, but the organization that dictates what needs to be done for passing tech. I know a few other ones who do require oil filter, drain plug, and cap to be safety wired. Summit is "fairly" new still and in decent condition. "Main" is much better for a new rider rather than "Shenendoah" which is totally on the pegs the entire 20 minutes you are out there! Brutal thigh and quad cramps at end of day !!

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Most trackday providers are pretty easy on first-timers, since they are not the crashers. Up here they have mandatory lessons for beginners which they provide $$$

First of all, start doing squats now, because your quads are going to get quite a workout.

Consider TechSpec tank grips. They'll help you hold onto the bike with your legs instead of hanging on with your arms, which are going to get really sore by the end of the day.

I'd recommend taping/folding the mirrors instead of removing them. They pop off easily enough, but they're a pain to reattach--esp when your forearms are fatigued!

Blue painters tape from the hardware store will take care of your lights, won't come off and will come off clean.

Check the requirements regarding prep on the website of the group you're running with to determine if anything other than tape/mirrors is required.

Wear something like under armor under leathers.

Bring food/snacks or plan on eating before 11 or after 1 (otherwise you will miss a session, the lines get really long at lunch!).

Stay hydrated. It's a workout.

Consider bleeding your clutch and brakes before the event. Panigales seem to suffer from air in both systems from the factory (and then sometimes after). They don't need to be fully bled. Here's a quick and effective way that will take 5 min:

1) pull off the rubber nipple from the bleed screw
2) put a 12 point wrench on the bleed screw
3) Cover with a towel
4) have a friend squeeze your clutch lever half way down
5) crack the bleeder screw just slightly, then tighten it up before the lever reaches the clip on.
6) remove towel (there should only be a spot of fluid on it, but keep it away from paint).

Repeat for brakes.

Normally before events you'd want to do a flush, but being that it's your first event and the bike is new, you probably won't be boiling the fluid.

Lots of good advice. I'll add...

Remember to breath! You'd be surprised how many track newbies forget this simple thing.

Don't "death grip" the bike. If you find yourself tensing up too much, dial it down a bit - it's often a sign of riding above your limits. Staying relaxed allows you to be smoother on the controls.

Before heavy braking zones, consider giving your brakes a quick feel to make sure they're still there. It happens all the time; get a good head shake out of a corner and you lose your brakes. In my case, I experienced this at the end of a +300kph straight, going into a 160-170kph turn. You do not want to experience that!

Focus on your riding since that will be the biggest limitation at this point. Sort out your suspension, but otherwise, spend your money on track time and race schools instead of performance bits. Unless you have the $$$, in which case do both.

Finally, beware the final track session of the day. This is often when riders go down while chasing that hot lap. Take it easy and remember that it's not worth sending your bike into the dirt.

11ninenine said:

Lots of good advice. I'll add...

Remember to breath! You'd be surprised how many track newbies forget this simple thing.

Don't "death grip" the bike. If you find yourself tensing up too much, dial it down a bit - it's often a sign of riding above your limits. Staying relaxed allows you to be smoother on the controls.

Before heavy braking zones, consider giving your brakes a quick feel to make sure they're still there. It happens all the time; get a good head shake out of a corner and you lose your brakes. In my case, I experienced this at the end of a +300kph straight, going into a 160-170kph turn. You do not want to experience that!

Focus on your riding since that will be the biggest limitation at this point. Sort out your suspension, but otherwise, spend your money on track time and race schools instead of performance bits. Unless you have the $$$, in which case do both.

Finally, beware the final track session of the day. This is often when riders go down while chasing that hot lap. Take it easy and remember that it's not worth sending your bike into the dirt.

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This is very good advice.

What do you mean though that you could lose the brakes from head shake?

Another question for the track day old salts, how many track days do you recommend for a set of tires. Today I had a suspension turner tell me I should change out tires every two events. Other threads have said four. What are your views? His other recommendation was to get the Pirelli track day (not race) tires. Anyone familiar with this spec?

Germcati said:

Just gotta make sure I find a tape that doesn't leave that glue all over the headlights!

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You needn't worry about the duct tape residue if you plan to remove it within a week or sooner. I've used normal silver and now Red and black to match the paint. All you have to do is use the tape against it's residue. After you remove the tape there will be little glue spots. Just reapply the tape over the residue and yank off like a band aid. Repeat this method over until all residue is gone. I just finished my track day over the weekend and have zero residue after this method.
Here's what I did this weekend for prep. Again ever track has own rules as stated earlier:
Removed mirrors. Zipped tied the holes to support fairings.
Removed mud flap/turn signals.
Removed fuse for the headlight.
Taped front lights and rear lights.
Switched dash to Race mode. On to the track!!!

I found ductile alone a pain in the ass to remove just having to go around removing the glue with the tape later as gman wisely recommends. What I found is that one coat of blue painters tape under the ductape at the tail light makes removal effortless. Takes two minutes on prep and saves ten on removal.

Hogdog said:

Another question for the track day old salts, how many track days do you recommend for a set of tires. Today I had a suspension turner tell me I should change out tires every two events. Other threads have said four. What are your views? His other recommendation was to get the Pirelli track day (not race) tires. Anyone familiar with this spec?

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I've been track riding for a lot of bikes and years. It was different on the other bikes since the Pani only has one available street/track tire. There is the race tire but I do not have them. I have three events out of these Pirellis. The first day was getting to know the new bike, next two I wasn't as cautious. Currently have only 1400 miles on the bike/tires and they are spent. Great middle, like brand new! But the sides are done.
Each rider is going to use up a set of tires differently. Heat cycles have alot to do with the life of a tire. Hense your advise you were given. Truly depends on your level.

Hogdog said:

Another question for the track day old salts, how many track days do you recommend for a set of tires. Today I had a suspension turner tell me I should change out tires every two events. Other threads have said four. What are your views? His other recommendation was to get the Pirelli track day (not race) tires. Anyone familiar with this spec?

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As others have said - it depends on your riding ability. Brand new Supercorsa SP's with no miles on them - some people could ride 6 or even 10 track days on them in beginner and it would still be fine. Some people can wipe those tires out in 15-20 laps (one race). So it really depends on rider, track, etc.

The impression I get is that us track newbies might go trough tires faster than the vets due to inefficient use of power through and out of the turns, so I'm being conservative here. The guy I spoke with said the rubber bits I see on my tires after each session are actually from the tires so the faster riders ahead of me, my tires picking them Jo on the gummy surface when I heat my tires up. Now I believe that after rubbing those bits off my clean tires. Looks like the trick is power management in the turns to keep from spinning the rear. Others have this experience?

EvoL said:

This is very good advice.

What do you mean though that you could lose the brakes from head shake?

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A head shake can push the pistons back into the calipers, so you'd need to pump them to get some bite. Better to find this out ahead of the braking zone, rather than at the final marker. A quick touch of the lever will let you know.

SoutheastJay said:

That sounds like too much hassles and a big pain in the ass just to take your bike and beat on it for a few hours.

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Don't knock it until you try it. You certainly won't complain about the heat.

I've ridden a couple bikes on a track for some years, and the best advice I can give, is sit on the bike when you're riding it, and turn the bike when the track curves, be it to the left or right- doesn't matter. As long as you follow this advice, you are listening to me, that's for sure. Oh, and know when to hold 'em, know when to not hold them.

Hogdog said:

The impression I get is that us track newbies might go trough tires faster than the vets due to inefficient use of power through and out of the turns, so I'm being conservative here. The guy I spoke with said the rubber bits I see on my tires after each session are actually from the tires so the faster riders ahead of me, my tires picking them Jo on the gummy surface when I heat my tires up. Now I believe that after rubbing those bits off my clean tires. Looks like the trick is power management in the turns to keep from spinning the rear. Others have this experience?

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Getting your suspension setup correctly is a big key. Often you can look at a tire when someone comes in from a session to see if your suspension is setup correctly.

Newbs often tense up, and have the death grip going on. All the pressure is transferred to the front end.

You should not have any weight on your wrists.

Track days are not about being fast, but smooth. Once your smooth the fast bit will come naturally.

AntiHero said:

First of all, start doing squats now, because your quads are going to get quite a workout.

Consider TechSpec tank grips. They'll help you hold onto the bike with your legs instead of hanging on with your arms, which are going to get really sore by the end of the day.

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I really liked techspec and the way they look but it keeps pealing off.

Its happened twice now in one year, techspec customer service has been great and replaced it each time, but they shouldnt just peel off on the corners.

Overall I like the look and feel but the quality of sticking doesnt match stomgrip

Hogdog said:

Another question for the track day old salts, how many track days do you recommend for a set of tires. Today I had a suspension turner tell me I should change out tires every two events. Other threads have said four. What are your views? His other recommendation was to get the Pirelli track day (not race) tires. Anyone familiar with this spec?

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He's talking about the Supercorsa SC. It comes in a couple different compounds. Good DOT race tire.

I found the SC1's to be really soft. . . I mean much softer than I would have expected but very very grippy... . Definitely not used to that compound such that if you use the Supercorsa's I would go with the SC2. . . Can't imagine what the SC0's would be like.

The temp ranges are pretty far ranging on these tires, so nowhere near limited like you would previously have led to believe.