I've done a couple track days in the past and just got a sportsbike . Checking the owners manual the maintenance intervals are so spread that for my mileages it would be once a year at most. I imagine that attending 4-6 track days a year will wear bike parts more than two years of riding... So what is the regular maintenance of a bike used regularly at the track?
Opinions vary... Engineers, especially those who deal with vehicles with warranties, are notoriously conservative. I believe that service intervals as stated in the manuals are nowhere near the mechanical limits of the machines. My own maintenance regimen is easy. Bike gets tire pressures, chain slack, and all other maintenance performed before every track weekend. Oil changes are nice to do once per weekend, but may times I'll do 4-5 trackdays (less than 1500 miles) and monitor the level between oil and filter changes. Major service intervals (such as valve adjustments) will be half of mileage stated in the manual. I'm nearly due for a valve adjustment! -Tom
Okay so I have had my track bike (07 GSXR 600) for almost 2 years and in that time have done approximately 16-18 track days on it. How often would you have your valves adjusted and who do you have do it? Just the local bike shop? Is there any kind of indicator (noise or power loss) that the valves need adjusted? Thanks for the help.
Keep an eye on the front brake pads, too. You'll be surprised how quickly you can go thru a set on the track vs the street. Also be aware of the brake fluid level after putting new pads on. You may need to remove some fluid.
I pull the bodywork off and thoroughly clean both my wife's and my bike after every track weekend. I take that time to inspect everything from front to back. I generally find all kinds of small issues while cleaning; from loose bolts to worn brakes. Oil changes, I do every other track weekend on my bike and every third or forth for Gina's, (I ride about twice as many miles)
Valves on a sportbike don't give you a lot of clues... Intake valves closing up on you will make the bike harder to start, but that's not easy to tell on a multi cylinder machine with electric start. Safest thing is to get familiar with a feeler guage. Once you do that you can decide whether to adjust yourself or drop it at the LBS (Local Bike Shop). -Tom
Oil change after every weekend or two. Filter once a season. Brake fluid twice a season. Fork service once a season, shock every 2nd or 3rd season. Air filter, too. Tire pressures checked constantly. Chain checked and lubed each weekend. Sell the bike before it needs anything else. LOL
oil change every couple trackdays coolant flush twice a season brake flush twice a season new pads for every season new air filter/spark plugs every season tire pressure and chain slack/ every other session forks/rear shock (ohlins) serviced each season i go through the bike and all bolts after each trackday. i only do about 6-10 trackdays a year/season. preventative maintenance is cheap (oil/plugs/filter), it's the forks and crashes that start adding up.
filter change your filter every time you change your oil, 4-5 days should be fine. 2-3 if you are more conservative.
every 2 trackdays or once the oil turns dark i change it oil filter every 4 trackdays plugs every 3-5k miles i ride mine on street and track air filter cleaned once a season chain lubed regurlarly chain tightened when needed
