Testing track bikes at home | GTAMotorcycle.com

Testing track bikes at home

Corsara

Corsara

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I'll be doing a few mods over the winter, and since it's a track bike (no insurance), I was wondering how everybody "tests" their work at home. I'm obviously not talking about things like fine adjustments to suspension etc, these can be done at the track where you can feel it and do the trial-error.

But let's say you change something on the engine, or the drive, or put new pads and you want to bed them in nice and slow before you get to the track. Where do you do that?

I don't think I feel comfortable spinning around my neighborhood on street illegal bike. How about loading the bike on the trailer and taking it to some mall's parking lot after hours, is this something that people do?
 
I have bedded in brake pads in my neighbourhood. I've also trailered her out to some quiet country roads for a more thorough shake down.

Be aware of whats around you and just pull over if there's any cars nearby. Dont ride like a jackass.
 
I do it at the track...... I spun the autotune around the street once or twice, and didn't get effective changes until I took it to a trackday. Same goes for brake pads, you have to put a lot of around the block laps at a risk of getting pulled over before it's done properly. Mall is private property, you could be busted for same.
 
Seating seals and brake pads doesnt take 20 kms of riding. I make a few passes up and down my street, no issues. Suspension takes mileage, so that's done at the track. Engine Management is on the Dyno where it can be measured accurately.

If you are looking for a legal way to test it, you 'better buy your own private track!
 
Thanks for the replies, I guess trailering to deserted roads is what I'll do.

carboncat said:
what ever you do dont take your fire and theft off the bike.
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I didn't know I can have fire and theft without the liability component, lol... I'd better call, huh?

Grimmy said:
If you are looking for a legal way to test it, you 'better buy your own private track!
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Never though about that, I guess I should make the call and buy me one then, hehehe
 
You can bed pads at track in 10 laps or less. And caboose must live in the hicks like me. there are very few cops out here and its opp. A lot nicer than regionals when doin this type of activity.
 
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gsxr guy said:
You can bed pads at track in 10 laps or less. And caboose lives in the hicks by me. there are very few cops out here and its opp. A lot nicer than regionals when doin this type of activity.
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I used to. I live in London now on a fairly quiet residential street. I'm not sure how other people bed in pads but I do it in one lap. I can do it in my neighbourhood in a few minutes.
 
I only said 10 or less. Cause he's new and figured he probably doesn't brake at the holly crap time like you do! :)
 
gsxr guy said:
I only said 10 or less. Cause he's new and figured he probably doesn't brake at the holly crap time like you do! :)
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Actually, as far as I know you're supposed to bed them in slowly at first. It's also on the packaging. That very reason makes me want to bed in before I get to the track. I can't imagine going even a lap at nice and light braking.
 
gsxr guy said:
You have probably heard to break in a motor nice and easy. But that's not accurate either.
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I'm I'm on the same page as you regarding a new motor, but I'm not yet convinced you are right about the brake pads.
 
Mr.Azim said:
Mall is private property, you could be busted for same.
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They can ask you to leave, and tell you if you don't they will issue a tresspass to property ticket, or call the cops to do so.

"they" has to be the landlord or an agent of the landlord such as a security guard.

They can't file a tresspass ticket until they have asked you to leave. Tresspass signs would be considered the same as the first warning, but failing that, just be apologetic and leave when asked.

I've brought my girlfriend to the mall on my trailbike and had her tool around in the lot for hours without anyone making a fuss. I can't imagine I'd attract any more attention with my trackbike, as long as I'm not acting a fool.
 
Break pads can be bedded in slowly at the track, just take it easy the first couple laps.

I'll ride my bike around the block if I have to but I've also had problems pop up at the track that have had to be fixed. I had to remove my secondary throttle plates, missed one session or a few laps can't remember. Just make sure you bring enough tools with you that if you do have an issue you can fix it. I bring enough tools that I could dissasemble most of the bike and bring my laptop that has my manual on it. 90% of what your trying to adjust or make sure is working right has to be done at the track anyway under track conditions or your not getting an accurate evaluation.
 
Do it all at the track. You're going to be taking it easy your first day back at the track anyway so that should take care of your brake bedding. Just dont come to any hard complete stops and the few laps you do to get your groove back will take care of the bedding. Just take it easy as you should be anyway. Dont bother with tuning over the winter because its not going to be zero humidity and -10 and below when you will be riding it anyway so none of your tunes will be any good.

I dont know what other peoples views on this are but I do not believe you should be starting the thing throughout the winter anyway.

I would just do as some have mentioned and make sure you are prepared with tools, parts, and computer.... the first ride of the year.

It's not worth risking police involvement because they most certainly wont care if you're just testing

just my two cents lol
 
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matt365 said:
"they" has to be the landlord or an agent of the landlord such as a security guard.
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"They" can also include the police if they were called in or saw someone dicking around on a bike with no lights, signals or plates :p Status of the vehicle is a provincial matter. Even if it was a legal vehicle, you could be ticketed for loitering. Security guards don't have the authority to issue that.
 
Noo, not planning to start the bike during the winter, I doesn't even have coolant or water. I'll run it up and down in the spring when I'm prepping for the track soon. It's just a few of the things that I feel I should check before heading out to the track---new brake lines, new chain and sprockets, pads---these kind of things. Of course I always carry a full set of tools to work on the bike at the track, but when the spring comes I'd rather do my homework at home when nothing else to do and reduce the chance of having to work on it at the track. That's all, no big deal really, just like to be prepared as best as possible, makes me sleep better :) Thanks for all the answers!

Regarding the pads, yes, the first session or two after this long winter are indeed necessary to "get back in shape". I now remember last summer whenever I go to the track, the first session feels totally off at the beginning before it goes back to normal.
 
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