Two Motorcycles in the Bed

This will be my first track day. I just got my one piece a few weeks ago, and already put my knee down. I need to get off the street or slow down. And getting off the street seems like the more fun option.

I am looking into Barber's, Road Atlanta, or Jennings GP. But there are also a few other tracks in the area like Littly Tally which is cheap, but the track shows that it is cheap.

I had forgotten about that pitbull trailer restraint. Those look NICE, but I'm on a budget here. That system for one bike is over $300!

 

And where are these guys to chime in?!?

 

Lucky man. Those would all be very fun tracks. Good choice on not riding on the street like that. It can only end up bad eventually. That's the same position I was in when I decided to give the track a shot. Get ready to drop a lot of money, haha. Worth every penny though. It's definitely the more fun option. Makes me want to go right now. Taking the year off though. Highsided and destroyed my collarbone last time out.

Remember, stay hydrated! It's not a race. Have fun!

 

Yes, they are like $300, which is a lot but if you transport your bike often they are worth every penny. Especially if your bike is worth in the $10k range, $300 is a drop in the bucket.

I can load my bike on the trailer (by myself) in about 2 minutes and it's more secure than any strap system. Pit Bull also doesn't put any stress on the suspension or on the clip-ons. One bent/broken clip-on, damaged throttle, damaged fork seal or rubbed paint would cost more than the Pit Bull.

 

Well they definitely both fit! So that is a good start.

 

Don't have pictures but it used to do it all the time. No need to go backwards with one of them, just use your baxley and then load the other bike next to it. Take a little time to get the straps right so they don't rub on bodywork. The ccr or bed buddy work great and add more tie down spots to choose from.

 

We went to the highest point in Alabama a few weeks ago, riding like hooligans, and this happened right in front of me. Definitely a wake up call.









Obviously he wasn't riding ATGATT, and he came out alright for slamming into a guardrail at ~60mph. Nothing broken, just a severely sprained ankle, and nice laceration on his thigh. It took three of us to get his bike out from underneath the guardrail after they loaded him in the ambulance.

 

Yeah, I've seen numerous wrecks and 2 deaths since I've been riding. Not fun. But all the wrecks were ultimately caused by the rider. I wouldn't say speed wasn't the only factor. Speed, inexperience, showing off/ego, and finally, people trying to ride above there abilities. The track is definitely the place to learn how to actually ride a bike.

As far as ATGATT goes, that's the first thing I noticed in the pic. Where is his gear? I always wear my gear now. I kind of value my skin. Don't be afraid have a group chat about gear, riding level, and any safety matters. Nothing puts a halt to fun like a wreck. Even more, nothing haunts you like a friend dying for not.

Good for you for making the observation.

 

I was in my full suit, full boots, gauntlet gloves, and helmet. He was in a riding jacket, gloves, and helmet. He took his jacket and gloves off because it was in the low 90's that day. And HUMID, if you know anything about Alabama weather, its always humid. He was definitely riding beyond his limits. He has been riding for 9 years on the street, but I'm assuming that he has never ridden like we were that day. That was the first time we had ever ridden together, and I think he just wanted to show that he could keep up. He was following one of the better riders in our group and I was right behind him. Watched him get tossed like a ragdoll along the guardrail.

That was the second wreck of the day. Another inexperienced rider high sided off of an embankment. He and his bike landed at the bottom, about 15-20 feet down. Luckily he was able to walk and ride away from that. But after the second wreck, I had to call it a day and headed home.

I try to tell everyone to ride at their own pace, and that no matter what, we will wait on them at every road change if not before then. But some people just don't listen or want to become a better rider immediately. It's a dangerous sport, and it takes to progress and gain the experience needed to ride faster. "If you can do it, then I must be able to do it too," is often the mindset I assume people have when they wreck.

 

Serious go fast bike, Pilot Powers, GP shorty can... and jeans? Well, glad to hear he didn't end up worse, but you'd expect a guy on a bike like that to be ATGATT. I don't care if it's 49 degrees or 94... I'm wearing my full leathers.

 

Same here. No reason not to.

 

We are all on 600's. None of the SERIOUS go fast bikes.

He really should have been. I don't know if he had all the gear, or if he was just a squid.

But I think he learned his lesson(s). ATGATT and ride at your own pace.

 

These might help you out, instead of putting the hook on the bars (no space) or on the triple clamps where they can slip you can use these and it also extends your tie down point another foot or so, so you get better angles that will hopefully go past your fairings. Theyre like 20 bucks

https://www.google.com/search?q=anc...KFogTLqoCgDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&biw=1290&bih=683

 

A 125 is fast enough to kill you. A. 600 is sure as hell a serious go fast bike. At some tracks a 600 will be faster then liter bikes. Anyways, hopefully you and friends learned from the crash and all start wearing proper gear. I personally won't even let someone with jeans etc ride with me when I go out. The street is more dangerous then the track.

Also, when you go to the track don't worry about dragging your knee. So many new riders are out there hanging off the bike like a monkey trying to drag knee. Get with an instructor and work on proper form early on before you build bad habits.

Use two baxleys and either canyon dancer or soft ties from the lower triples to just snug them down. No need to crank them down super tight when using a wheel chock.

 

Another quick question, how does the suspension handle the extra weight?

 

Ride rite air bags! The stock leaf springs will def need some help with that much weight.

 

Well crap. I wasn't looking to do any suspension work for this trip. But I guess it is close to 1000lbs of weight in the bed. Plus gear, tools, and us.

 

You'll be fine.

 

You will be ok, but be prepared to bounce off the bump stops a few times. If your going to end up doing a bunch of track days with friends then invest in an add a leaf or the air bags.

 

The suspension is pretty weak. Before I upgraded the suspension, I used to bottom out with a single 750cc sport bike in the bed.

A few times?? That truck will never leave the bump stops