How to prepare your motorcycle for a track day: complete checklist before riding

A track day demands more from your motorcycle than any road ride. Temperatures are higher, brakes work harder, and tyres face loads that simply do not exist in daily use. A thorough pre-track check prevents on-track interruptions, reduces the chance of mechanical issues, and lets you focus on riding instead of worrying about the bike.

Mechanical check: the essentials

Tyres:

• Pressures set to track recommendations, not road pressures.
• Tread profile without excessive wear, no sharp edges or squaring in the centre.
• No cuts, embedded objects, or bulges on the sidewalls.

Brakes:

• Pads with enough material remaining (minimum 3-4 mm).
• Discs with no deep scoring or warping.
• Brake fluid: correct level and in good condition. Changing fluid before the season is good practice.
• Hoses with no visible leaks or cracks.

Engine and fluids:

• Oil at the correct level. Do not go on track with oil at the minimum mark.
• Coolant: level and condition. The engine runs hotter on track than on the road.
• No fluid leaks of any kind: oil, coolant, brake fluid.

Drivetrain:

• Chain with correct tension and lubrication.
• Sprocket and rear sprocket with no bent teeth or excessive wear.

Controls:

• Brake and clutch levers well adjusted with no excessive play.
• Throttle working correctly: returns smoothly on its own without sticking.

Track-specific preparation

• Mirrors: Remove them or fold them. They are not needed on track and can break or cause injury in a crash.
• Lights: Tape over the lenses with masking tape to protect them. Some circuits require this.
• Coolant: Some circuits do not allow conventional coloured coolant because it makes the track surface slippery if spilled. Use distilled water or a track-specific coolant.
• Brake pads: If you have been running road pads for a long time, consider switching to track compound. Road pads can lose effectiveness under the repeated heat of track braking.

What to bring to the paddock

• Basic tools: wheel wrench, Allen keys, chain adjustment tool.
• Tyre pump and pressure gauge.
• Fuel can: many circuits do not have a fuel station available during sessions.
• Reserve engine oil.
• Front and rear paddock stands if you have them.
• Rags and rubbish bags to keep your area clean.

Day-before checklist

• Bike mechanically checked.
• All fluids at correct levels.
• Tyres in good condition and pressures prepared.
• Mirrors removed or ready to fold.
• All gear checked and ready: helmet, suit, gloves, boots, back protector.
• Documentation ready: ID, driving licence, bike insurance.

Day-of checklist

• Arrive with enough time for technical inspection if the organizer requires it.
• Adjust cold pressures based on the day's conditions.
• Check the rear brake and handlebar before the first session.
• Take the warm-up laps seriously: tyres, brakes, engine and body all need gradual heat.

After the track day

• Check brakes, chain, and tyres after riding.
• Change the oil if the bike has worked hard across several sessions.
• Clean the bike and check whether any leaks appeared during the day.

Book your next track days in advance and always arrive with your bike properly prepared.