Guys and Gals,
I will be doing my first track day on my new 2005 R6 soon. Any tips for suspension set-up?
Also, I am running stock issue Dunlop 208s - will these be OK? - I have noticed the back end squirms a lot under heavy breaking and downshifting....

Adey :D

Dunlop D208's aren't the greatest. You will quickly get to the limit of traction with them. They just don't deal with heat very well and become greasy. But depending on your riding they make work for a day or two.

Lemme ask this, Do you drag the foot peg feelers at all? Have you ever been to a track day before?

If you answered yes to either question you might want to invest in some better rubber. If your bike is going to see mostly the street with maybe 2 or 3 track days per set of tires, consider the Pirelli Corsa. These were designed for a 70/30 street/track life span.

As far as bike set-up here are a few things to get started:
1)Drain the anti-freeze and replace with Water Wetter (http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp)

2)Get your suspension dialed in. Personnaly I like the feel better if you raise the fork tubes up in the clamps by 5mm. It will quicken the steering and make the ride more aggressive

3)Add some PRELOAD into the rear. That's the big stepped collar on the rear spring. You'll need the big hooked wrench in your tool kit to adjust it. Take it up to like 2 or 3 clicks from the tallest. (This should settle the rear end a bit during braking)

4)Remove everything that isn't essential. Mirrors, turnsignals, license plate. The less stuff you have on, the cheaper it is to fix if you go down.

5)Add some frame sliders. They will help your ridability after a loss of the battle against gravity.

Now on to things for you. Make sure you gear is good and ready, clean the visor on your helmet. Oh and don't forget to eat breakfest that morning. You are going to have a tough work-out....all day. :wink: Oh and don't forget to have fun. :twisted:

Fierohink,
Thanks a lot for the advice. Have done 4 track schools on things like NC30s and FZR400s and 1 on a Ducati 748, so not a total track novice but have not been to an "open" trackday yet. Don't touch the pegs down but also don't ride like a pussy, so probably average..???.
Will see how I get on with the 208s :)

You can make 208s last. I ran with Mich Pilot Sports way beyond the skill needed to rooster the back tire. I should have switched to a more aggressive tire long ago, but I didn't realize the performance and comfort gain.
Looking back I can say there were days at the track that I had to really hold back to keep from having a BAD day. In the end, I ended up high-siding at the track at the end of the '03 season. Now for '04 were a set of Metzler Rennsports. They are super sticky and I have just watched seconds drop off my laps.
The better tires allow my to ride the same as before, but now I'm within the limits of the tires instead of at the edge of their abilities.
Just a little food for thought.

Fierohink,
Thanks again for the great tips - I am riding up to the Isle of Man TT in June so will keep the 208s on for that but your advice has made me think - will probably get a more track oriented tyre before a trackday.
Cheers
Ade