How loud is my bike? Am I allowed on a track?

[atoyf]

Hello,

I’d be interested in doing a track day in 2018, very much possibly on my own bike, I no longer have factory exhaust. Before purchasing a track day, is there a way to check if I won’t be kicked out of the track because of the sound limitations ? Can I go to sears point let’s day and have them measure up or how does this work?

Thank you

 

[Junkie]

What exhaust do you have? Sears Point has some restrictions, but they aren't too bad. Laguna some stock bikes fail...

 

[afm199]

Hello,

I’d be interested in doing a track day in 2018, very much possibly on my own bike, I no longer have factory exhaust. Before purchasing a track day, is there a way to check if I won’t be kicked out of the track because of the sound limitations ? Can I go to sears point let’s day and have them measure up or how does this work?

Thank you

Highly unlikely you will get dinged at Sears Point. It almost never happens.

Laguna is a different story. What bike and pipe?

No, you won't be able to get it tested. They take the reading at the front straight. On bikes going by under full throttle.

 

[atoyf]

Most likely I will be going to thunderhill, however I’d like to test the bike closer to home(east bay).

The bike is turbo hayabusa with dump-pipe, I’m used to it, so I can’t judge the sound, not do I know how 103db is loud...

 

[dbenj]

Most likely I will be going to thunderhill, however I’d like to test the bike closer to home(east bay).

The bike is turbo hayabusa with dump-pipe, I’m used to it, so I can’t judge the sound, not do I know how 103db is loud...

If the dump pipe goes to the ground, you'd probably have trouble at Sonoma and definitely at Laguna. Plus, if there's no muffler whatsoever, you won't be allowed on track even at Thunderhill regardless of how loud your bike is. If the dump pipe is routed to the muffler, you should be O.K. at Thunderhill and Sonoma at long as you are below 103db but no way of knowing for sure unless you test. Maybe purchase a decibel meter and go to Wednesday Night Drags at Sonoma. Have a friend hold the meter and see what you get at full throttle during a run.

--David

 

[atoyf]

If the dump pipe goes to the ground, you'd probably have trouble at Sonoma and definitely at Laguna. Plus, if there's no muffler whatsoever, you won't be allowed on track even at Thunderhill regardless of how loud your bike is. If the dump pipe is routed to the muffler, you should be O.K. at Thunderhill and Sonoma at long as you are below 103db but no way of knowing for sure unless you test. Maybe purchase a decibel meter and go to Wednesday Night Drags at Sonoma. Have a friend hold the meter and see what you get at full throttle during a run.

--David

Well, I guess you just answered my “bottom line” question, if I don’t have a muffler, I can’t go out on the track, regardless of the sound restrictions, that’s a pitty

 

[afm199]

Most likely I will be going to thunderhill, however I’d like to test the bike closer to home(east bay).

The bike is turbo hayabusa with dump-pipe, I’m used to it, so I can’t judge the sound, not do I know how 103db is loud...

Yes, will be a problem at Sears Point, probably not at Thill, but maybe. Definitely at Laguna

 

[shouldnthave]

Well, I guess you just answered my “bottom line” question, if I don’t have a muffler, I can’t go out on the track, regardless of the sound restrictions, that’s a pitty

You could always put a muffler on your bike for the afternoon.

 

[DirtyD]

That's ok, you probably don't want to ride that thing on the track anyway. You'd probably end up crashing the shit out of it, and then you'd be bummed out. I had a Yamaha Turbo back in the day, and I remember how hard that turbo would come on. And it only made 97 hp! I can only imagine that turbo Busa coming up on boost at about 100 mph coming out of a fast turn, spinning up the rear tire, and launching you straight onto a helicopter heading to the hospital. Keep that thing parked in front of Cycle Gear where it belongs. Or at the drag strip. But not on a track with corners. Best case scenario? You take it super easy into, through, and out of the corners; then gas in on the straights. Everyone thinks you're a pain in the ass to pass because of this riding style, and your lap times are slower than a 70 year old guy on a stock 600.

 

[Hooli]

^^^Ouch. :laughing ^^^

 

[atoyf]

That's ok, you probably don't want to ride that thing on the track anyway. You'd probably end up crashing the shit out of it, and then you'd be bummed out. I had a Yamaha Turbo back in the day, and I remember how hard that turbo would come on. And it only made 97 hp! I can only imagine that turbo Busa coming up on boost at about 100 mph coming out of a fast turn, spinning up the rear tire, and launching you straight onto a helicopter heading to the hospital. Keep that thing parked in front of Cycle Gear where it belongs. Or at the drag strip. But not on a track with corners. Best case scenario? You take it super easy into, through, and out of the corners; then gas in on the straights. Everyone thinks you're a pain in the ass to pass because of this riding style, and your lap times are slower than a 70 year old guy on a stock 600.

I do want to ride it on the track, as my goal is to become a better rider. However, you sound very fast, if I knew you in person - I’d make sure to stay away from your group.

I’ll be looking into an option of putting a muffler on, though not sure what it would do/affect the tune.

 

[zelig]

That's ok, you probably don't want to ride that thing on the track anyway. You'd probably end up crashing the shit out of it, and then you'd be bummed out. I had a Yamaha Turbo back in the day, and I remember how hard that turbo would come on. And it only made 97 hp! I can only imagine that turbo Busa coming up on boost at about 100 mph coming out of a fast turn, spinning up the rear tire, and launching you straight onto a helicopter heading to the hospital. Keep that thing parked in front of Cycle Gear where it belongs. Or at the drag strip. But not on a track with corners. Best case scenario? You take it super easy into, through, and out of the corners; then gas in on the straights. Everyone thinks you're a pain in the ass to pass because of this riding style, and your lap times are slower than a 70 year old guy on a stock 600.

Meh, just be mindful of faster riders on bikes that corner better. The usual term here is "don't hold up traffic", but if you're on a turbo busa and throttle out of every corner exit, and not watching your six, you might never notice you're holding up traffic. This should be covered in the preride meeting anyway.

There aren't enough of us and we don't ride enough. We don't have critical mass, and we compound that by dividing ourselves into even smaller factions and ridiculing what the other factions' wear or ride.

Back when I did regular track days, it always put a smile on my face to see anything "odd" out there. That's a rider who wants to learn what their machine will do. That's a rider who did NOT think, "it's gonna cost me minimum $2K to lowside this thing, so I'll just buy a dedicated track bike instead."

Back on topic, wouldn't it be sufficient to plumb a small resonator from the turbo outlet? I know it's not technically a "muffler", but a lot of aftermarket pipes show daylight from end to end too.

 

[stangmx13]

It's prob easier and might be cheaper to just rent a track bike with FeelLikeAPro so you can get your feet wet at the track. And if you are opposed to a small bike, there are other companies that'll rent 600s or 1000s.

 

[FourThreeSix]

I do want to ride it on the track, as my goal is to become a better rider. However, you sound very fast, if I knew you in person - I’d make sure to stay away from your group.

I’ll be looking into an option of putting a muffler on, though not sure what it would do/affect the tune.

Don't let that dude steer you away from riding that bike on the track. Check into that muffler option and hopefully we'll see you out there sometime this coming year. :thumbup

 

[Honey Badger]

Don't let that dude steer you away from riding that bike on the track. Check into that muffler option and hopefully we'll see you out there sometime this coming year. :thumbup

This.

Nobody in C group is outriding their bike. Other than the (if they're even out there) super fast 300s in B group, ain't no one in B group out riding their bike. Most of us in A group are holding our bikes back.:laughing

Come out and work on your riding skills. If you want to use the bike you've got, find a muffler you can put on it and come out and join us. If not, look into renting, you'll still learn a TON.

 

[Smash Allen]

some flexible exhaust tubing and a couple soup cans clamped together and spray painted with high temp paint :thumbup just be 100% sure it's fastened securely and not at risk of coming loose

also, don't worry about faster riders. feel free to gas on straights and park in the corners...if someone behind you can't get around you or stay in front of you, it is their responsibility to run through hot pits. it is not up to you to ride for their comfort, the passor has the obligation. that said, if someone passes you twice in a lap or you pass someone twice it might be a good idea to pull into the hot pits...easy to get free track and just like driving on the road, other road users only add risk

 

[atoyf]

Much appreciate the words of advice and cheer, I’ll be working towards making my way out there!

 

[eeeeek]

I've ridden stock busas at the track. They were heavy pigs. A turbo busa at the track would be nasty. If you have zero ego, you can learn more about how to ride your bike. If you get sucked in by someone on a 600 in a corner, you're in danger of creating a yard sale.

A rule of thumb a the track is unless you want to be a racer, ride what you would on the street. You want to learn how to ride your bike more safely in a controlled environment, then there you have it. The danger with the turbo busa is it will be the most powerful bike there. Even if you check your ego, others will take pleasure out of passing the "beast" and I would worry that other people would do stupid things.

DirtyD does say a lot of truth in his post. You will have a target on your back and many eyes on you, but it doesn't have to turn out the way he laid out. If you play it right, you'll be that chill dude with the beast bike who had a fun day.

 

[atoyf]

I've ridden stock busas at the track. They were heavy pigs. A turbo busa at the track would be nasty. If you have zero ego, you can learn more about how to ride your bike. If you get sucked in by someone on a 600 in a corner, you're in danger of creating a yard sale.

A rule of thumb a the track is unless you want to be a racer, ride what you would on the street. You want to learn how to ride your bike more safely in a controlled environment, then there you have it. The danger with the turbo busa is it will be the most powerful bike there. Even if you check your ego, others will take pleasure out of passing the "beast" and I would worry that other people would do stupid things.

DirtyD does say a lot of truth in his post. You will have a target on your back and many eyes on you, but it doesn't have to turn out the way he laid out. If you play it right, you'll be that chill dude with the beast bike who had a fun day.

you nailed it. I have 0 ego, I know my capacity and I want to find out more about the bike I ride and love riding. :ride

That's one of my resolutions for this year, to attend a few track days, rent a bike, bring my own bike, all for good and safe fun.

 

[RedlineLarson]

That's ok, you probably don't want to ride that thing on the track anyway. You'd probably end up crashing the shit out of it, and then you'd be bummed out. I had a Yamaha Turbo back in the day, and I remember how hard that turbo would come on. And it only made 97 hp! I can only imagine that turbo Busa coming up on boost at about 100 mph coming out of a fast turn, spinning up the rear tire, and launching you straight onto a helicopter heading to the hospital. Keep that thing parked in front of Cycle Gear where it belongs. Or at the drag strip. But not on a track with corners. Best case scenario? You take it super easy into, through, and out of the corners; then gas in on the straights. Everyone thinks you're a pain in the ass to pass because of this riding style, and your lap times are slower than a 70 year old guy on a stock 600.

:laughing:laughing:laughing:laughing:laughing:laughing