Noob Track Rider- Question

[MikeyZ]

Hey guys...

I'm very interested into getting my bike on the track. I was looking at the Tony's Track Day's and want to get into that beginner course @ Loudon.

I saw you need full equipment. I am ATGATT, however I dont have a full suit of leathers, or boots. I was looking at renting the leathers from MotoMarket.

Question 1: Can you use motorcycle specific shoes, such as these?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ane-Shoes.aspx

Then...I have a 2000 ZX9- If I drop it I will cry. Is it not worth bringing it to the track days?

Thanks

[csmutty]

Those shoes will not be adequate. You need a full boot. Renting the leathers will be fine or you can post up a thread asking to borrow some. I have loaned mine out in the past to people. Depending on your shoe size and comfort level I would even consider loaning you some boots that I have only worn twice.

And crashing could happen but is not likely. Ride within your own abilities and just have fun.

[WordTooYoMamma]

Depends on your track day. In my short 2 track day experiance I have seen 2 sets of work boots being used and ridden with. There are always good deals on boots/leathers on the forums for cheap.

I personally took my 2009 gsxr 750 to the track and crashed it. Insurance company fought me. It was a big mess. Do not bring anything up there that you don't plan to fix out of pocket or live with the damage that could occur. Making a blind assumption that your not a millionaire I would say spend the time piecing some gear together and save your penny's for some track plastics. Could also consider penguin school and renting a ducati.
Just my .02

[j4eric]

What's your size and where in MA do you live?

[WordTooYoMamma]

Friggen phone. Someone delete this..

[WordTooYoMamma]

Delete this too. I hate that little button that appears next to the spacebar randomly that tabs you down.

[MikeyZ]

Ok- I mean my bike is definitely not worth what most of you guys have- but I am still in college and could not afford to pick up a new one/ repair it fully if I dropped it.

I was thinking of picking up something cheap- less than a grand- and bringing that to the track.

And Im 6' 1 220- Lowell Area

Thanks Everyone

[j4eric]

Your frame of mind should not dwell on crashing or you will never do track days.....track days ain't racing, ride your ride.

[csmutty]

Here is the text from the tony's website.

BOOTS: Motorcycle specific boots that fully cover the ankle are required. Boots should have significant protective items in the ankle area. High-top sneakers, "stunting" boots, and workboots are not allowed.

I believe those boots that you posted belong in the "stunting" category.

[OreoGaborio]

Hey guys...

I'm very interested into getting my bike on the track. I was looking at the Tony's Track Day's and want to get into that beginner course @ Loudon.

I saw you need full equipment. I am ATGATT, however I dont have a full suit of leathers, or boots. I was looking at renting the leathers from MotoMarket.

Question 1: Can you use motorcycle specific shoes, such as these?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ane-Shoes.aspx

Then...I have a 2000 ZX9- If I drop it I will cry. Is it not worth bringing it to the track days?

Thanks

Hey Mikey!

First, in regards to gear, give this page a good look over. Under the boots section it says "Motorcycle specific boots that fully cover the ankle are required. Boots should have significant protective items in the ankle area. High-top sneakers, "stunting" boots, and workboots are not allowed." I'd probably rank those shoes BELOW "stunting" boots in terms of protection.

In regards to the bike, I'm wtih Smutty, if you're able to ride within your limits then you shouldn't have any problems. Just treat the day as a super fun street ride and you should be just fine, cuz well, that's pretty much what it is, just without all the soccer moms

[ctbandit]

Wirelessly posted

I did 7 track days before any incident, and that incident just scuffed my tail annd broke a clutch lever. Its all about staying in your mental comfort zone. Your not there to ride as hard and fast as you can, you're there to learn and have fun.

[maxim_X]

I have some info for you from a new track rider to another. I tried the track last year and participated in 3 track events. In each one I crashed within 15 minutes of being on the track. Twice it ended my day. One time was with my street bike. That being said I will absolutely be back this year. If anything crashing encouraged me to get back out there.

Anyway, what i'm trying to get at is that you have to be prepared to crash both in gear and with your bike. Don't just get what's going to pass as far as boots, helmets and leathers. Get what your body is worth. Pushing your personal limits at the track is rewarding and risky. 95% of people on here are willing to take that risk for the sweet, sweet reward of pure ectasy that is riding a sportbike on the track. But, you want to mitigate the risk as much as possible with quality gear, a properly equipped bike, and the right attitude and knowledge of what your doing. Books car help. Check out "a twist of the wrist", "the upper half of the motorcycle", and "total control".

[burtonboarder23]

I had the same mind set last year when i took my R6 to the track for my first TTD, by the second session the idea of destroying my street bike was out of mind and as others above have said, just treated it like a fun day on the street without the worry of getting taken out by a car... or if your Chris, having your foot run over by some woman in a van

[OreoGaborio]

I have some info for you from a new track rider to another. I tried the track last year and participated in 3 track events. In each one I crashed within 15 minutes of being on the track. Twice it ended my day. One time was with my street bike.

This sort of thing is EXTREMELY RARE and raises all sorts of questions & red flags in my head as that should never happen.

Mechanical issues?
Mental approach?
Technique?

What do you think you can change to avoid that from happening again?

[j4eric]

I have some info for you from a new track rider to another. I tried the track last year and participated in 3 track events. In each one I crashed within 15 minutes of being on the track. Twice it ended my day. One time was with my street bike. That being said I will absolutely be back this year. If anything crashing encouraged me to get back out there.

at least you are consistent...LOL...not going to bust your balls, i am sure you heard all the advice you can ever have already...i give you an A for persistence

[Doc]

Boston Moto rents bikes and gear!

Many people have brought bikes worth 4 times what yours is and crashed them. Yes I know how you feel, it is YOUR BABY and you don't want anything to happen to it.

Riding the track at a good clip is safer than doing the same on the street so if you find yourself "pushing it" on the street I say it is time for a trackday to help improve your skill set in a somewhat controlled environment with some instruction.

Just about any trackday you attend will have an intro program with a higher student to staff ratio and a slower pace to help you get your feet wet.

I hope you can make it to the track. It was the best thing I ever did and I didn't get there until I was 36!

[03Worc9R]

Everything that has been said already is great advice. I felt the same way last year on my first day. I brought my nice clean aprilia to the track and was a little nervous. It is a lot safer out there than most would think. Listen and take in everything you can from the more experienced around you. By the afternoon you will be having a blast and not thinking about crashing anymore.

I had so much fun after my first day last year, I went out and bought a track bike and did 7 more days. Ended the season with a pretty good crash and can't wait to get back out there and keep learning as much as I can.

The dividends you will get from track riding will be worth more in the long run when applied to the street to help prevent a panic situation.

[j4eric]

Everything that has been said already is great advice. I felt the same way last year on my first day. I brought my nice clean aprilia to the track and was a little nervous. It is a lot safer out there than most would think. Listen and take in everything you can from the more experienced around you. By the afternoon you will be having a blast and not thinking about crashing anymore.

I had so much fun after my first day last year, I went out and bought a track bike and did 7 more days. Ended the season with a pretty good crash and can't wait to get back out there and keep learning as much as I can.

The dividends you will get from track riding will be worth more in the long run when applied to the street to help prevent a panic situation.

what a story man....i can attest to this......and for this year, Jeff sold the track bike and got a newer GSXR as a track bike....welcome to the addiction.

[Sheppo]

I live in Westford and as long as you're NOT doing the same track days as I am this year.. I'll loan you leathers and boots. PM Me.

[brady]

I apologize for the ridiculous multi-quote, but watch what I do here:

crashing [on the street] could happen but is not likely. Ride within your own abilities and just have fun.

I am still in college and could not afford to pick up a new one/ repair it fully if I dropped it [on the street].

Your frame of mind should not dwell on crashing or you will never [ride on the street]

if you're able to ride within your limits [on the street] then you shouldn't have any problems.

you have to be prepared to crash [on the street] both in gear and with your bike....But, you want to mitigate the risk as much as possible with quality gear, a properly equipped bike, and the right attitude and knowledge of what your doing.

People that crash at a trackday usually forget they are there to learn to be a better rider, and get caught up instead trying to "ride fast on a racetrack".

track days ain't racing, ride your ride.

Riding the track at a good clip is safer than doing the same on the street

The dividends you will get from track riding will be worth more in the long run [priceless and possibly life-saving] when applied to the street

[maxim_X]

This sort of thing is EXTREMELY RARE and raises all sorts of questions & red flags in my head as that should never happen.

Mechanical issues?
Mental approach?
Technique?

What do you think you can change to avoid that from happening again?

I really can tell you. I've never talked to a real racer or track-rat about it so here it goes. First trackday penguin school, warmup session on the second lap I caught the curb on 6 and washed. I repaired it and finished the day. It was my only real trackday I've done. The second crash was 6 again. I was at TTD intermediate first open session and I was getting frustrate following guys with faster bikes and slower corner speed so I came hot over the hill to 6 to make a pass and braked late. I was hot into 6 on a high line an washed out right at the end of it after I caught my peg on the ground. I'd say if I had better body position and hung off more I could have kept the bike more upright and I wouldn't have caught the peg. Third crash was TTD first session again I was on my zx14 cause my track bike shit the day before. I was following a sv through 9 and 10 and when I hit the bump in 10 I washed. I have the vid of it. I'd say it was body position again. I I hung off more the bike would have handled the bump better.

This year I have my SRAD with good suspension. It should help me when I make mistakes.

[xsiliconkid]

I have a spare pair of size 10 race boots - if they fit you, your welcome to use then at a Loudon TTD day meet...
just come and find me at the track before the event.
graham

[TTD]

Then...I have a 2000 ZX9- If I drop it I will cry. Is it not worth bringing it to the track days?

As others said, those boots won't cut it as they are glorified sneakers. Post up your boot size and you'll likely find someone that has some to loan you.

As far as crashing, it's pretty much been said, but it really boils down to the fact that if you crash at a trackday then YOU probably did something wrong. You cannot always say this on the street and to me that makes all the difference.

Hope to see you up there soon!

[nhbubba]

I'm toying with the idea of signing up for one of these track-days. If I 'crashed', I'd be mortified and likely pretty fucked. ... Just like if I were to crash on the street.

My goal is the same as street riding; have some fun without going overdoing it.

[ae]

Sorry to hijack your thread but one of the things that I'm worried (probably irrational) of when thinking about doing a track day is:

How does one deal with being a noob/slowpoke while other and more experienced track day users zoom past him/her? (Referring to ride your ride)

Is it bad if not dangerous to be slow when you're around more experienced riders?

Thanks.