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

L

lacrossegal511

New member
I have to disagree here slightly. There is a certain limit of inexperience that is acceptable for the track, you need to be competent and comfortable with the operation of your motorcycle and doing things at an accellerated pace. That being said in my opinion track days are something that should be considered towards the end of your first riding season. By then you should be ready to start expanding your skill set beyond the basics and until then the track may not be the place for you................just yet.
 
I would say the track is a perfect place for a newbie what a better place to learn cornering skills and braking than in a controlled enviroment after a couple of track days your general riding will have improved greater than a whole summer of riding.
 
I went to the track for the 1st time in 2007. I was really aprehensive about it, but these guys are all right. It 's the best place to ride and have fun. Not go nuts or do stupid things, but have fun and ride at the pace you want to ride.

I have yet to hear or read about anyone who didn't get hooked.

Right after my 1st track day I enrolled in Fast Riding School, visited Riding school again in '08 + more trackdays...I hoping to get in at least 10 trackdays this year.

Do it, you will not regret it.
 
j-ma,

With all do respect, I disagree, and here is why. My son never rode a bike until last fall. After riding on the street for acouple of times, I suggested we go to Roebling Road for a trackday, with US Desmo. Well, he loved it and since then we have gone a couple of times amonth. He rides my 748, a perfect track bike, for his skill level. He is a fast learner and has done real well. This week he order a set of tire warmers and a front stand. Trackdays are a great learning environment, somthing I wish I had back when I started racing. Back then you had a couple of practice sessions then you lined up with forty wild eyed other racer wantabees and went for it. Whew, things are much different now. Trackdays are a huge asset. And looking at the schedules you can go every weekend to a different and great track. Gotta love it!

BOBR
 
sea bass,

It was my first time, so I was in the beginner group. Crashing wasn't limited to any one group. Not surprisingly, the fastest group had the most crashes, but there were plenty of crashes in the intermediate group and a couple of crashes in the beginner group as well. And there were plenty of aggressive cowboys in the beginner and intermediate groups who pushed the passing restrictions to the limit. The track monitors did their best to flag flagrant abusers, but it was definately not for the faint of heart.

Elton
 
hahahahaha.. C-mon 10-6.. It ain't that bad!... Close but not quite...

More like dating a supermodel and only being able to dry-hump her..



RC
 
Great thread, alot of advise here. There is one thing that I have come across recently that is different. I confirmed with my insurance agent that I am covered when and if I attend a track day. As long as there is no prize money or trophy to be won, they consider it the same category as safety coarses. I am sure it all depends on who your insurance carrier is.
 
While IMO not a "have to" i agree with getting the sag and suspension set before you hit the track, I'll have to disagree with your tire comment however. Not only are street tires fine for a novice track rider they're the best to use. Street compounds heat up quicker and will generally offer better traction when cold, novice riders won't push them hard enough to make them "greasy". Most beginners also don't use tire warmers or will they push a track compound tire hard enough to get them hot and sticky.
 
+1 on TEN-6 post, the most imortant thing is to do it. The more of us paying for the track time the better. The more of us riding Ducati's on the track, the better. It is a win-win deal for all of us. If you get to a track in the southeast, look us up we are the guys in the gooseneck horse trailer with red Ducati's. Look forward to seeing you. We are headed to Roebling Road next weekend with STT.

BOBR
 
Anyone shouldn't be pushing thier bikes, regardless of tires (and if they don't have warmers) within the first 2-3 laps anyway.

They don't have to get race compound DOT tires, but my point was OEM tires just don't do well at tracks, nor commuter tires. Novice riders don't push them that hard.....at first. But they do get faster, and at some point very well can go down for any number of reasons. A good majority of the low sides I see are because the tires are just not up to the task, or, were not warmed up yet.

Do NOT use OEM tires or commuter tires at a track. You're going to be playing Russian Roulette with them at every corner. Even a novice rider can make one quick change or adjustment on the bike that will throw the tire beyond it's grip. All it needs is an instance.

(Now, the irony is that the OEM tires on my 1198S are supposed to be badass. Regardless, every instructer, racer, coach, and veteran have all said the same thing. OEM tires and commuter tires are meant to do a job on the street, where you are NOT trying to go knee down)
 
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