FAQ

Here, we would like to answer some frequently asked questions about motorcycle track days and road racing.

Motorcycle Track Day Questions

Motorcycle Road Racing Questions

What type of motorcycles are allowed on track days? TOP

Most motorcycles are allowed on track, provided they pass a safety inspection. We’ve seen everything from cruisers with saddle bags, adventure bikes with windscreens, to limited edition track only race bikes.

What’s in the motorcycle safety inspection? TOP

They will check to make sure that the motorcycle brakes work, hand & foot controls are secure, lights have been taped or disconnected, mirrors have been removed, wheel weights taped, oil change wasn’t recent, chain is adjusted, body work if present isn’t loose.

Essentially, a basic safety check for your motorcycle.

Are street tires sufficient for a track day? TOP

Absolutely! They just need to be in good condition which would mean that they are less than 5 years old, have more than 50% wear left and aren’t damaged.

What type of gear do I need to go on track? TOP

Full face helmet with visor, leather gauntlet gloves, motorcycle riding jacket, motorcycle riding pants, motorcycle boots that cover the ankle. Some organizations require a back protector.

In the beginner group of most organizations, they’ll allow textile riding gear but in intermediate and above they prefer a 1-piece or 2-piece leather riding suit.

Some organizations require a gear check before allowing you on track

How do I prepare my motorcycle for the track? TOP

At the easiest, you can apply painter’s tape to cover the lights [headlight(s), turn signals, brake lights] and fold the mirrors in. We’d suggest going a step further and removing the mirrors, especially if they are the bar-end type. Your motorcycle might be set up for adventure/cruising so it would be best to remove luggage.

What items make life more pleasant at the track? TOP

Comfortable chairs, canopy for shade, cooler with ice, clock to know when to go out, foot pump or battery powered inflator. [Joe wants it known, that an air conditioner is essential!]

Do I need tire warmers for a track day? TOP

Not at all. Most sport tires do fantastically at track days. You just have to warm your tires up at the beginning of the session by doing 1-2 laps at a sensible pace.

Do you have a list of items to bring for your pit? TOP

**COMING SOON**Yes, here is a list with way too many things!

How much should I budget for a track day? TOP

$350 – 500 for the day here in the PNW.

What will I get out of doing a track day? TOP

The biggest take away that most get is confidence in their street riding. It’s a safer environment to practice riding techniques like braking and acceleration, body positioning, etc.

How dangerous are track days? TOP

Nothing in life is risk-free but at a track day, risk is greatly reduced. There are no blind corners, no debris or animals hiding behind a corner, and all traffic is going in the same direction. Having a team of people monitoring the road you are riding on for hazards, and then communicating them to you, definitely reduces risk.

Now I’ve done a few track days am I ready to try road racing? TOP

Yes!

You don’t even need to do a few track days to be ready. Some start racing right away and do amazing at it.

How do you prepare your motorcycle for road racing? TOP

There are a couple approaches you can take. The first is to have a motorcycle shop to do the prep for you. Visit our vendor page for recommendations. The second approach is to do the work yourself. This is the route most people take. You’ll want to check the race organization rulebook for specifics but the list below is essentially what is needed.

  • Remove lights
  • Install Belly Pan and/or Race fairings w/belly pan [bike specific]
  • Swap coolant for water
  • Safety Wire
  • Install Safety Items
    • Brake Lever Protector
    • Chain Toe Gaurd [shark fin]
    • Engine covers [not all bikes require this]

Do I need slicks to race? TOP

No but they are recommended at higher speeds.

What additional equipment do you need to race? TOP

These are all either essential or highly recommended.

  • Tire/Wheel stuff
    • Race Stands
    • Tire Warmers [reduce risk of crashing on out lap]
    • Tire pressure gauge & Tire Inflator
  • Tools
    • to remove fairings
    • to adjust chain
    • to remove wheels
    • anything bike specific
  • Gear
    • 1pc race suit [some orgs allow 2pc with 360º zip]
    • Helmet with up-to-date testing sticker [check racing org requirements]
    • Back protector
    • Gloves with wrist and forearm closures
    • Race Boots [these vary in price wildly, they don’t have to be expensive to function]
  • Pit items
    • Pit Board with numbers
    • Fire extinguishers

Is motorcycle road racing expensive? TOP

Short answer, it isn’t inexpensive.

Long answer, after you have purchased you bike and gear the race round fees are similar to doing track days. A three day event that consists of 1 day track day, 2 days of racing with 2 races a day is currently about $700 or $233 per day. More than 2 races a day is very challenging for most riders as you also have practice and/or qualifying each day. NOTE: a pre-race track day isn’t required but some riders use it to get familiar with a track they’ve never raced, or, to work out any bike set up issues prior to race day.

There are also running costs of tires, oil & brake pads but those costs vary wildly on the bike you choose to race and you level of skill. For example, starting out on a small bike you might get a whole season out of a set of tires compared to the top club racers on 1000cc bikes tearing up a set per day.

There are plenty of racers that set a budget and stick to it. It doesn’t have to break the bank.

Do you have a list of items you take with you to race? TOP

We can all make it overly complicated and what is essential to one person it might not be on another persons list.

**COMING SOON** That being said, here is a PDF list of items that we bring for our race weekend.

Should I join a team, do it alone or create my own team? TOP

It isn’t necessary to join a team because you’ll never be alone at the racetrack. As a novice, you will find all the help and support you need from the experts. That being said, we created CCK Racing because that’s how we approach the track, we like to help each other out. This philosophy has enabled us to include more people and get more people out on the track.

A race team is essentially just a group of like minded individuals that want to help each other get on track.

How dangerous is motorcycle road racing? TOP

Racing is arguably more dangerous than track riding due to the nature of riding at ones limits. The same applies though in regard to reduced risk compared to street riding.

There are a few additional steps that racing organizations take to improve safety.

  • More thorough tech inspection and more safety features required
  • More corner workers than a track day watching for safety
  • Racers tend to be more predictable on track and thus safer to follow