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

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Really Gomer, you think people that track their bikes are out there just so we can "talk the talk"? Come on man don't be a hater, go do a track day and you'll get the point. You've been here a while now and seem like a reasonable person, i thought you were above bashing what you don't have any personal experience with.

You seem to be comparing a track day to racing, nothing could be further from the truth. As a novice track rider the sanctioning body ie STT, NESBA etc. will put you in a learning group that is led by several track "coaches". You will have to follow them and will not be allowed to pass, you will follow their lines at their speeds. I's very controlled and very safe, bordering on tame. It's not until you develop your skills and move into an intermediate group that you're allowed to pass other riders at will but you are still riding with track coaches that monitor your riding and will correct you if necessary.

I only ride 80-90% on the track, it wasn't until i started riding in the advanced group that it felt like anything resembling a "race". A lot of those guys are racers/club racers and aren't afraid to show you a wheel in a corner. My point is that a track day is NOT a race or anything close to it at the beginning level, it's very safe and very controlled. It's up to each rider to decide if he/she want's to move up and what group to ride in, how fast or slow you want to ride is almost completely up to you.

You have it completely wrong and i think you're sending non track riders a bad message. A track day is not supposed to be "competitive", it's supposed to be fun.....period.
 
Never took the 1098 to track (yet) but I'm ex-backmarker in regional racing scene.

Dont get nervous about it,since it'd be your 1st time I think they will make you wear an X on your leather so other guys|girls know what to expect from you.
Go slow,up the pace,find your own rythm,dont let peer pressure get to your head (peer pressure is located around you thighs region)...follow your instinct...if you get thirsty (drink!) or you can feel energy drain,get off the track and go home....or wait for the afternoon session.

Take it in strides,dont hurry anything...you might get a free or cheap suspension setup out of it too!
 
Track days broaden your riding skill on so many different levels and your awareness of time and place for lettin' her rip. Absolutely do it! No question that it will make you an overall safer and more confident rider.
 
Ten-6....I sayed at the end of my post....jmo. Talking the talk is how I take the majority of posts I read in this forum when track talk is started up just by their words they type. Certainly not trying to put a damper on anyones parade. From your words I see this is just the next new wave of something to do and as you say, "certainly not racing".

I sayed in my post if anyone is longing for a track...certainly go do it. I did not take that as bashing or I would not have said it. I "do not bash" people. I certainly am one of the most reasonable fellows one could ever run into and meet.

I take riding on a track as serious business....not something the group does on a Sunday outing..thats just me, where I have been, what time frame I grew up in and how my view points have been formed.

Not sure where you got your words about me not having any personal experience in track riding??? I have riden on many tracks, dirt and pavement and enjoyed what I was doing (though scared enough most of the time my butt felt like it had been glued together) . I don't ever remember riding in a race that it seemed liked a fun ride. Never was worth a plug nickel as a racer and was happy I did not get seriusly injured.

Maybe you were meaning no experience in this new wave terminolgy on what track riding is these days?? If so, then in that case you are right and I certainly will not be getting any experience any time soon in this new wordy avenue.

I guess its just my age showing through...I understand your words at the last of your message on what track days are to the younger generations these days and how that differs from really racing. Its seemingy more like a social event. I am certainly not trying to start something by my choice of words, just how I am relating to the the description of what tracks days are these days. Maybe its just me and having been on tracks in my past years, its just not that big of deal to me anymore compared to someone who has never done that form of riding? Still the only way I can see it and why I sayed, "Talking the talk" in my original post is in the following how I see it. If your riding on a track and your not racing as in a race where you and other competitors are only interested in who is going to finish first then your only riding on a track to be able to say you rode on a track? Which semingly is a current trend with many folks.

I would never be happy just following someone around a track and having someone else tell when I was ready or not ready to pass someone. Especially when I felt like someone needed a good buzzing right then and there! I just am not real good at doing groupie things. They would be asking me to leave the track I fear...

Whatever the reason of difference on my words to anyone on this forum that has read my words and been hurt by their sound.....Let me stand right up and get on this world wide podium and "PUBLICLY APOLOGISE" to anyone that took my words the way ten-6 did.

My words or anyones elses words if viewed as negative on any subject should have no value on swaying anyone away from doing something they want to do, whatever that is. I learned long ago to do what I want regardless of someone elses words. Maybe not everyone else is at that level?
 
sea bass,

I did my first track day last year at Thunderbolt Raceway in NJ. I took my 1098s. After 40 years of riding, I've learned a couple of things about riding, so I figured I'd be competent. I couldn't have been more wrong.

To put it bluntly, I sucked. Part of my problem was what you described: An overriding fear of throwing my 1098s down the track made me very conservative, especially in braking. Coming out of turns, I was fast, but going into turns, I was consistently out-braked by guys with slower bikes equipped with inferior brakes. It was frustrating. My thinking was: If i'm coming out of the corner too hot, I can always back off the gas, but if I'm going into the corner too hot, I'm screwed. I'm in the kitty litter. I wasn't willing to take that chance.

So what did I learn? A few things:

1. I got the track bug! I was hooked after one lap. I've already signed up for track days this year and can't wait!

2. (At least for me), my 1098s is not the right bike for the track. I need a dedicated track bike with track skins on it. A bike I'm not scared to lay down. Without that, there's no way I"m gonna be able to give it my all. My overriding fear of crashing my beautiful Ducati is too much of a distraction. I'm currently looking for a track bike.

3. Years of dirt and street riding experience doesn't make one a great track rider. I've signed up for Keith Code's school. I'm getting some professional instruction, (on their bike!).

My suggestion: Do a track day on your 848, but don't push yourself too hard. It's very easy to crash at the track. (When I did my track day last year, there was at least a dozen crashes, all of them costly!) Take it slow. See if you like it. If you do, (and I bet you will, it's hard to imagine how anybody wouldn't!), think about getting a track bike.

Good luck!

Elton
 
Ouch that's a lot of crashes. What group did you ride with? I'll definitely be in the beginner one, with no passing in the turns.
 
The CDC go quite often to JenningsGp (Florida). I finally have all the gear needed and will be doing my first track day some time this year.

I hope I have better results then I have had on my pocket bike....
 
Trackdays with US Desmo are a little laid back. Not so much "I am faster than you". Besides alot of the Ducati guys have their bikes pretty tricked out, and would hate to have to do it again. Very well run and organized, and lots of beautiful Ducati's. Also a tip of the hat to STT for well run trackdays. Never been to NESBA, so I can't say. If you are close, Eastern US, try US Desmo, good for first timers.

BOBR
 
Okay, SeaBass, and some others on this thread...

First, do NOT make the mistake of thinking you need to get better before you go to the track. That's wrong. You go to the track to be a safer, faster, more comfortable rider than you are now.

All it takes, it just ONE trip to a track, and then you will understand. You can focus, not worry about tree's/police/cars/squirrel mafia or any of that. Just you, and the bike.

This is where you hone your skills. Track days will make you a far better rider.

There are 2 things that I recommend you HAVE TO DO before going to a track. That is;

1) Get real tires. Don't go on OEM or commuter tires. Think Pirelli Super Corsas, Bridgestone 003r's, or better yet all my WERA/CCS racing friends are RAVING about the new Dunlop 211 N-techs.
2) Spend the whopping $30 or whatever it is to have your suspension set up to your weight, either by a reputable race shop, OR sometimes a suspension specialist is at hand at the track on the day of the event. That second choice is your best bet, since you can fine-hone the suspension by telling the guys exactly what you feel when you're out there.

I've been a corner working for SoCalTrackDays for almost 2 years, plus a little for Keith Code from time to time. See a lot of stuff and people doing good things and not so good things.

When you get there, don't be afraid to ask for advice. 90% of the people there are happy to help out the newbies. You're going to be fine.

But make no mistake, you will become a much better, safer, faster, more comfortable rider by doing track days. We'll talk about race schools another time.
 
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