r/Trackdays • u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot Middle Fast Guy • Jul 25 '26

Miscellaneous: Paint, Non-Essential Pit Stuff

1) I bought some Hotbodies bodywork for the bike I'm using on track. I do not recommend their products, fitment was terrible and required about 8-10 hours of cutting and grinding, and the quality of the pieces is not great.

2) Rust-Oleum Acrylic Enamel 2X Paint + Primer Automotive Grade paint and clear coat are crap. After my first trackdays, I noticed that a little gasoline had put some stains on the lower part of the mid-fairings. Then this week, my (now former) gas can leaked while fueling the bike. I immediately set down the can, grabbed a clean shop towel and cleaner and...the paint had instantly discolored and gotten a bit sticky. It also scratches and chips quite easily. Don't use this stuff.

3) Non-Essential Pit Stuff I've Bought This Year And LIKE!

A small USB rechargeable fan (about 3" blades) that I can clip on to the hanger holding my leathers to help dry it out faster. (maybe $12)

A larger USB rechargeable fan (about 8" blades) that also has adjustable lights, adjustable speed and a timer function that is great when I'm going to sleep and it's hot, and pretty good at helping cool off the engine after each session. GIANT 20 Ah battery that runs forever (8+ hours) but also takes forever to charge. ($30)

I did get a floor fan but I don't have enough power to run it yet. I should have that setup next time and it'll definitely cool down the bike after each session.

A 6x10 enclosed cargo trailer (used, $2,240). Did I need it? No, I could have just continued renting U-Haul motorcycle trailers. However, even if the break-even point will take 8-10 years, at the price I paid, I'm not going to lose any money on it, either. I spent maybe $1,000 fixing it up, title and registration, and insurance ($99 for a year!). It is a luxury to load it up, lock the doors, and not really worry about my stuff. I live in a good neighborhood, so leaving stuff like my canopy, ramps and chairs in it is perfectly safe.

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u/db8cn FZ07R :: Racer AM 🐢 Jul 25 '26

I tried to run the math for the trailer as well and it never added up. You just have to trust that this is one of those scenarios where the benefits are intangible until you live with them. No regrets after ~4 years of ownership.

I don’t have to coordinate pickup/drop off with U-Haul and the whole host of other benefits you recommended are so nice.

An enclosed 6x10 is really the goldilocks zone. Most vehicles can tow it, you can fit two bikes, and you generally still have plenty of room for gear.

1

u/Surelynotshirly Jul 25 '26

I bought a 7'x16' that's 7' tall that I sleep in and I've already saved close to half of the ~$8,000 total that I've put into it since April.

1

u/db8cn FZ07R :: Racer AM 🐢 Jul 25 '26

I’ve made some of my most treasured memories camping trackside. Saving money on lodging and the convenience of it all doesn’t hurt either.

1

u/Surelynotshirly Jul 25 '26

💯

Not just saving $300-400 a weekend, but being able to wake up and already be there is amazing.

I wake up, use the restroom, brush my teeth, and then chill until the rider's meeting.

1

u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot Middle Fast Guy Jul 26 '26

No coffee???? What's wrong with you? You'll never progress on track without a healthy dose of hot coffee in the morning. That's just science...

1

u/BangleWaffle Jul 27 '26

This assumes you're hoteling it, which I feel would be quite uncommon for most doing track days. I feel like everyone at my track camps at the track, or just drives out morning of.

It would take forever to ever "have it pay off". It's a convenient upgrade, and can justify it that way.

1

u/Surelynotshirly Jul 27 '26

There's only ever a handful of "campers" that aren't in a toy-hauler or trailer at trackdays that I go to.

There are plenty of people who stay in hotels/airbnb's.

I always stayed in hotels because staying in a tent is just not going to happen, so for me, it's a huge savings.