Nurburgring Nordschleif Advice

[Phil The Bassist]

Right, so, now I'm a member of the Thames Vale Advanced Motorists (part of the IAM), I've got myself on their annual trip to the 'ring.

They hire the track for a day, TVAM members only, and we're gonna get lead around the track by 'ring experts, and all in all it should be pretty freakin' sweet!

Do you guys have any advice as to what to do, pre-ring?

I'm going to make sure that I:
Have fresh tyres and brakepads
Have a full service
Have health insurance (as far as possible)
Have Bike insurance (as far as possible, I've heard you can get single day insurance for the 'ring)
Have my full one piece leathers ready.
Have minimum kit apart from that (don't wanna lug shitloads around!)


any other suggestions?

[P.B.]

Don't bin it.

Euro breakdown.

The ring is a public road, but possibly probably not in the eyes of your insurers. If TVAM really have it exclusively for the day then that's null and void and you're back to needing trackday insurance.

Oh, and waterproofs if you're going in November.

[The Red Barron]

Oh God , where do we start  

I've only done it the once - fully laden on a BMWR1150RT - as part of a tour, but it was fun.  We were just passing......

I guess the level of prep rather depends upon how you flan to get the bike there?  If you are going to trailer it, then you can tweek it up quite nicely, but do remember this is a long circuit and the weather can get in the way too.  It can be quite different at different parts of the lap, so I wouldn't be using slicks unless I was also trailering a wet set too.

If you are riding down, then just the usual pre tour precautions really subject to PB's well made point on insurance

[P.B.]

Just a thought, if you chose your insurer on price I'd be checking Euro cover is included.

[SAS Tom]

Don't go with a view of being the fastest. If you bin it, it will be very expensive.

I'd possibly find out about renting a bike at the track. You don't want to smash up your bike and end up stuck there.

Make sure your insurance covers you on the ring, even some track day insurers don't cover the ring.

Make sure you learn the track or at least have a basic knowledge of it. You'll enjoy it more if you know where you are and where to brake etc.

[P.B.]

Thinking about it - and because I can't add to my previous, I'd not bother with new tyres, especially if you're riding over as hammering the Autobahns is gonna square them off. Germans in the fast lane think nothing of hanging 3 metres off your back wheel at 120mph.

Best saved for when you get home (once you've parked up at your local biker cafe for a bit to show off the blisters ).

[qwakers]

heres a fairly informative post about what to do (and not to).

and its always a good reminder of Gixxer....
http://www.gbbikers.co.uk/gbb/index.php/topic,7509.msg69645.html#msg69645

[mikiboy]

The ring experts live there and do it for a living.  They wont be caning it though it may feel like it.  They are the dogs.  You  wont get no hero stories off them, just how to get through safely.
One of them is likely to be Andy.  he won't say, but he holds the record lap time!

[stoney]

Going with TVAM and having the track to yourselves sounds like the best way to try the Ring for the first time.

I've been three times now and loved every minute! Its one of the true petrol-head heaven on earth places that you'll get totally addicted to.

Main advice, as other people have said is: don't be a hero, take it easy and enjoy yourself.

Check out Ben Lovejoy's site - everything you need to know about the ring including the very important 'rules'
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

[SnapDragon]

you joined TVAM ?  right........... ok.............
hope you get better soon 


enjoy the ring

[Phil The Bassist]

Lol! It was either TVAM or RoSPA, so I decided to go WierdyBeardy rather than SafetyGeek

Thanks for all the advice guys&gals, some great links and tips!

So Miki, who's this Andy character then?

[mikiboy]

If he's still in one piece, he'll be there.  He took one of my mates around a few times

[morpheus20170]

I don't know if you have been yet but I went two years ago and I would just say as SAS Tom said, don't try and break any records or go too quick, it's elevation changes are big and if you get caught out it could be very expensive and painful as there are cars, buses, coaches, vans, people carries all going round in roughly 30 second intervals at the gate, oh and don't forget when you come back in after the finish straight slow right down as you will be coming back into the carpark.
Have a good one and take care.