How many of you sport bike riders have not been to the track?

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Disconnected Peoples

New member
I want to go to a track day but I'm kind of hesitant about taking my 848 since I don't want to trash it. I go to the twisties on weekends but don't really push it too hard. Anyone in the same boat? Should I get a cheaper dedicated track bike or just take my new bike?
 
Just take your bike and perhaps get some track day glass for it. I think personally you will be better off on the track than being on the road more track days you do I think you will find the road a lot less attractive.
 
geez, your going to get all kind of responses to that one.those in the cities will likely do the track days more than anyone.travelling in traffic would be a pain in the arse. for me having had mine since new came down to two things. some great motorcycle rodes are at the end of my driveway,so why bother travelling 2hrs to go to a track. and the other came down to no insurance whilst on the track [ins. co. wouldn t cover even for a rider training day],so any damage would be straight out of the back pocket. and ducs arent the cheapest to repair!!.many do,more money,less responsibility who knows.upto individual.even my duc mechanic recomnmends using a jappa for the track due to there relative affordability.cheapest way out would be to purchase a damaged bike from insurance auction.hj
 
i haven't been to a track, but it's cuz there isn't one here. hawaii's track got closed about a year before i started riding.




i've heard this repeatedly from so many ppl. the tracks are way safer, no traffic and obstacles that can take your head off. you feel very at ease on it and you're pretty much the one pushing the limits, so it's much more apealing.
 
yeah sea bass... i myself have debated this. I really considered using my 848 with some skins but after hearing so many problems with bent frame tabs for the foot pegs for small crashes I have nearly gotten away from the idea. I really would like to do a track day and learn to get my knee down... don't laugh, but never have done this... don't really care to on a public road either. Considered a Jap... and might eventually do that of course then I won't be experience the ride of that sweet sounding, smooth riding, L-twin. As far as I have seen and experienced the great love I feel for my Duc, and wanting to keep her nice... is also also the biggest disappointment and frustration I have found with her.
 
By all means, take your Ducati to the track! This is the safest place to ride AND you get to experience what this bike was made for. Just because you ride at the track does not mean you are going to wreck it. I have seen a whole lot more wrecks on the "back roads" than I have ever seen at the track. You will learn how your bike handles without the fear of the "law" or worries of road hazzards. Get in the "beginners" group regardless of your percieved skills. Learn the track and enjoy!
 
I run mine on the track as often as possible. It's what it's made for. It's all the calculated risk. Can you crash on the track? Sure. But you can on the road. And I feel the bike is safer on the track. Providing we're talking about a trackday. If you plan to race and want to start improving lap times, then you're going to be riding at your limits and toss the bike eventually. But if you're doing trackdays and just riding for fun, stay with in your limits and it's all good.
 
I've never got my knee down, I want to atleast once and I don't plan to do it on the public roads. Plus I want a nice action pic of myself. On one hand I can reason that public roads have a greater chance of me going down even going slow (poor asphalt, debris, etc), but the track kind of intimidates me too for some reason.
 
+1 on wilson's and Texas Boy's replies.

I just started doing track days with NESBA and have been bitten by the bug (where do you live: here's a place to find track days near you: http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_0308_track_day_organizations/index.html ). I've been a road rider for about 7 years now and I'm kinda done with the street riding. Don't get me wrong, I'll still ride on the streets with my boys, but I just don't appreciate them as much any more. Take a look at some of these pics from the last time I hit the track: http://picasaweb.google.com/chrispak/TrackDayPart2?authkey=11LimrTRnYo&feat=directlink

If you look at the bike, I've got the Hotbodies track body work (which is crap btw) for the cost of a single side fairing. Do the track body work and get out there! Oh yeah, if you look in the background in one or two of the pics, you'll see a guy wearing orange, he's a control rider, he's there to make sure you're never over your head. One thing about putting your knee down... one of the control riders that was out there with us told me one thing... "I always focused on getting my knee down when I first got out here... that distracted me from my primary goal... to get better at riding. When I got better and faster, my knee naturally came down, 'cause I wasn't thinking about it. Oh, yeah, btw, the 1st time you get your knee down, it's going to scare the $hit out of you"
 
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