Noob Track Rider- Question

[Garandman]

With respect to crashing. Is it better to find a cheap bike or is it better to rent a bike and pay for the insurance? Either way I would assume that I'm screwed if I crash but which is better?

So, you are going to get a track-worthy bike cheaper than an SV650?

Just put some sliders on it and knock yourself out. You can't swing a cat without hitting an SV650. It's purrfect. I've been to several TTD's where the total number of crashes for all groups and all sessions is - zero. A "normal" number is a handful. Most people don't crash.

[j4eric]

With respect to crashing. Is it better to find a cheap bike or is it better to rent a bike and pay for the insurance? Either way I would assume that I'm screwed if I crash but which is better?

On my first track day I used my own bike, my thinking was not crashing but I wanted to unleash its potential and what better bike to bring to the track than one you are used to already.......if you only had to pick from above choices then I guess rent one first.......why don't you go to a track day first and spectate like what Ken said...

[CBR929RE]

you guys are over thinking it. stop thinking about crashing and just go to enjoy yourself. basically just don't go any faster than you would on the street. once you start to get comfortable the speed will pick up. there is no one that will make fun of you for going slow. I've seen some slow novices who had bigger smiles on their faces than a fast guy who was having an off day but still going much faster than any novice.

come to any of the different orgs track days and watch. it'll give you the run down on how things go.

[Doc]

With respect to crashing. Is it better to find a cheap bike or is it better to rent a bike and pay for the insurance? Either way I would assume that I'm screwed if I crash but which is better?

Just bring your streetbike... If it is really pretty I will let you ride my 748.

[ae]

Just bring your streetbike... If it is really pretty I will let you ride my 748.

I have a 08 sv with a pretty beautiful dent on the tank and some rash that makes it look like it's been to places. I'd say 9/10 would bang.

Thank you guys for all the input.

I think I will go spectate sometime soon and will start investing on (looking for sales on the form) Pants + Boots.

I should probably thank the OP for starting this thread. So.. thank you mikeyZ.

[brady]

Either way I would assume that I'm screwed if I crash

No, assume that with frame sliders mounted and spare levers in your tool kit you'll likely be back on track within an hour.

[jasnmar]

Frame sliders, huh... Do those mount to the same locations as the cup holders? I'm a bit concerned about whether or not my bike can take the extra weight.

[brady]

Frame sliders, huh... Do those mount to the same locations as the cup holders? I'm a bit concerned about whether or not my bike can take the extra weight.

I don't think that will tip over far enough to use sliders, so you're all set!

[nhbubba]

Frame sliders, huh... Do those mount to the same locations as the cup holders?

No, outboard of the CB radio mounts.

I've honestly never seen 'wing lowside. Yootoobe isn't helpin' me out here either.

[j4eric]

i forgot which trackday it was BOMO or TTD, but there was a goldwing out there a couple of times.

[TTD]

i forgot which trackday it was BOMO or TTD, but there was a goldwing out there a couple of times.

We've had them in NH, and now we're going to have one in NJ this weekend!

[Expat]

We've had them in NH, and now we're going to have one in NJ this weekend!

Yikes!!

[TTD]

Actually, Jersey should be better as it's more flowing. The new style goldwing handles quite well. The only "problems" I had on mine at Loudon were the transitions in Turn 3 and 10.

In Jersey, there are no bumps so he'll do just fine... especially in Red group.

[Expat]

Actually, Jersey should be better as it's more flowing. The new style goldwing handles quite well. The only "problems" I had on mine at Loudon were the transitions in Turn 3 and 10.

In Jersey, there are no bumps so he'll do just fine... especially in Red group.

I hope Tom doesnt get in his way, that thing will be like a juggernaut compared to his little 125!

[jasnmar]

Lowsiding a wing (technically lowsiding) is pretty hard. They don't easily get to that sort of lean angle.

Wings start scraping hard parts before getting to the friction limits of the tires in most cases (of course there can be extenuating circumstances).

The hard parts can then "lever" a wheel off the ground (making the friction between the wheel and road 0, as they are no longer touching, so it's kindof a lowside in that you exceed the grip, but you do so by making the grip 0).

The thing is, that even if this is recoverable by the rider (which, it probably isn't), the bank angle sensor has now shut the bike off, but if you are quick enough to cycle the key from on, to off, and then back to on, and then restart the bike you'll be able to ride right out of it

I've actually dumped mine similar to this doing low speed maneuvers. I was turning a bit tight (but going extremely slow, less than 10 probably), front wheel washed in a bit of sand in the parking lot. I ended up still sitting on the bike. Bike shut itself off and was sitting on the engine guard and bag guard. Just scuffed a little chrome. But now I know the bank angle sensors work.

Outboard the CB mounts, huh... My wife's going to be disappointed at the loss of her anti-fog make-up mirror that I have there now .

I'm very much hoping to get out on NHMS before the end of the summer.

[rolker]

I hope Tom doesnt get in his way, that thing will be like a juggernaut compared to his little 125!

Tom should be able to run circles around him on the 125!

[nt650hawk]

Body positioning will be your friend

[jasnmar]

Body positioning will be your friend

Or my enemy :-|

I've played with this a little, but am sure I'm doing it wrong, which is why I want to do the training

[TTD]

Just remember it's opposite of the slow speed moves you're doing in your picture.

[StrayNut]

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)

Looks like you already got a bunch of great advice for this, but I wanted to add: the best thing you can do is be predictable. If you find you're not on the line you wanted, don't change it all of a sudden, don't chop the throttle, etc. It probably will spook you a little the first time someone zooms past you, but hold steady. It's up to them to pass you safely off your line.

I had my noob track day last year, and was getting passed by EVERYBODY even in the novice group. People were pretty respectful and passed with plenty of space. The few times someone passed me in an unexpected place, it was a control rider. They're control riders for a reason - you can see them riding, you know they know what they're doing, and you just have to trust them. Between the novice rules and the control riders you should do just fine at your own pace.

[Doc]

I have a 08 sv with a pretty beautiful dent on the tank and some rash that makes it look like it's been to places. I'd say 9/10 would bang.

Thank you guys for all the input.

I think I will go spectate sometime soon and will start investing on (looking for sales on the form) Pants + Boots.

I should probably thank the OP for starting this thread. So.. thank you mikeyZ.

Clearly you have nothing to worry about... No 748 ride for you!

[Doc]

Looks like you already got a bunch of great advice for this, but I wanted to add: the best thing you can do is be predictable. If you find you're not on the line you wanted, don't change it all of a sudden, don't chop the throttle, etc. It probably will spook you a little the first time someone zooms past you, but hold steady. It's up to them to pass you safely off your line.

I had my noob track day last year, and was getting passed by EVERYBODY even in the novice group. People were pretty respectful and passed with plenty of space. The few times someone passed me in an unexpected place, it was a control rider. They're control riders for a reason - you can see them riding, you know they know what they're doing, and you just have to trust them. Between the novice rules and the control riders you should do just fine at your own pace.

Hmm... I would say a control rider should not pass you in an unexpected place.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4s)

Doc, you've been getting passed anywhere and everywhere for so long that you forget what it's like to not expect to be passed. New track riders get surprised far more easily than yourself, even when it's done in a legal passing area.

[csmutty]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4s)

Doc, you've been getting passed anywhere and everywhere for so long that you forget what it's like to not expect to be passed. New track riders get surprised far more easily than yourself, even when it's done in a legal passing area.

[Doc]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4s)

Doc, you've been getting passed anywhere and everywhere for so long that you forget what it's like to not expect to be passed. New track riders get surprised far more easily than yourself, even when it's done in a legal passing area.

Hence why I sad a control rider should not be passing noobs in unexpected areas...