Where to test a bike before a track day

[james88]

Hi,
I live in the Manchester, UK area and I've got a Yamaha SZR 660 which I'm considering turning into a track day bike. I'm wanting to test the bike out prior to getting it on a track.
The bike's been sat for about 5 years but after a bit of general garage upkeep the engine runs well.

Does anyone know where I might be able to take the bike out, get it up through the gears and get a feel for any fundamental flaws it might have before getting it to a proper track day?
I'd rather not get it to Oulton Park to find the bike's finished before she's even warm.

Are there any cheaper track days (i.e. karting tracks) in the area?

My dad used to do club class racing in the 70's/80's and suggested finding an old aerodrome or similar (which would be ideal!) but I would rather not have a run in with the police or annoy a land owner.

Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers, James

[.Bishbash.]

A few ideas for you;

Years ago I used to go to a local abandoned airfield and test there, do a search in your area for something like that if you are lucky you might find somewhere.

Ask a landowners permission to test your bike there.

Stick the bike in a van/trailer and drive somewhere much quieter than Machester and test it out on some quiet road.

There are lots of cheap trackdays out there, you can even do trackday evenings which are a fraction of the price. Search on the trackday organisers websites, No Limits, Focused events and see what they have to offer.

Chuck the rear up on paddock stands and test the engine that way.

You just missed out on a BCF event, but there is always Santa Pod RWYB events, costs a massive £35 for a days fun. That would certainly test your machine.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[CaNsA]

https://www.three-sisters.co.uk/

[loply]

What's the reg on the bike out of interest?

Would love to have a go on track on one. Used to have one as a road bike.

I would take plenty of tools to the track with you, make sure to give the carb a thorough clean beforehand. Maybe give the vacuum fuel pump a good once over too.

99% of things can be figured out without riding the bike though, just by running the engine on stands, bouncing around on the suspension a bit, etc.

Give it a real thorough once-over in the garage and I reckon you could find out about about any problems.
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[supZ]

the simplest solution would be to stick a no. plate on it, mot ('daylight'), tax and insure it and make it road legal.

possibly not the cheapest solution though
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[james88]

Bishbash, thanks for the tips!
Think I'll have to go for a mooch out on the bonnie and try and find somewhere suitable. Or like you said, try a cheap track day/evening. Just an hour should give me a good idea of what's what.

Loply, its a '96 SZR. My uncle had it for years but was getting dusty in his garage and told me its the best handling bike he'd ever owned.
Thanks for the info.

supZ, that was an option but trying to avoid unnecessary costs at the mo!

[G]

For the engine, you could also book a dyo run - then you'll not only find any general issues, but get more detail of fueling etc.

Probably cost as much as doing a drag event and you won't get to actually ride the bike, however.