track day recommendations

[feralchimp]

Had nothing but great experiences at Penguin and Tony's. Incredible skills/knowledge base, well organized, and great folks on both the control and customer sides. Haven't tried others yet.

[Lxpony]

Tony's takes the cake, especially for a street rider just looking for that good time in a controlled environment.

I agree with this statement. Tony will also admit that he doesnt market his days towards the racer, he markets them towards the street rider who wants to become a better street rider by way of riding at the track (that would be why I prefer Tony's)

[MellowYellow]

TTD is top notch!!

[jasnmar]

@gumby - in case you missed it Stoneman posted http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...pril-27-a.html today.

If I didn't have to rent pretty much everything for this I'd be very interested. Your setup is quite a bit different than mine and you would probably fit right in for this with your current gear.

[OreoGaborio]

For what it's worth

[jasnmar]

@OreoGaborio - Yes. I'm aware... And interested. (I'll pre apologize to Stoneman if necesary, as i don't know the rules here about linking to other forums, some are fine with it, some don't tolerate it). http://community.tonystrackdays.com/...-ARC-Track-Day.

When Stoneman posted the auction I went to the Penguin site. They specifically recommend not having a touring bike (which I do). They require full leathers (which I don't have). They require a Snell approved helmet (which my modular isn't) .

While I understand that it's very hard to put a price on skill / safety (especially the lack there of) , it's also hard to convince my "financial advisor" of the cost of improving one's skill. The amount of trouble I'm in over buying gear is a hard enough sell for me at this point. :'(

Changing the cost of a day on the track from a "couple hundred" to "almost a grand" makes it a non-starter for me.

[OreoGaborio]

Ah right. Forgot about that thread.


Soooooo do a TTD? NESR raffles those off, too.

Touring bikes welcome
Leathers not required
Modular helmets accepted (red group only)

Questions? Fire away.


While the type of instruction you receive at TTD will be different than Penguin it will certainly be no less professional.

[k_cotter]

last tony's day i went to there was a guy on a bmw k1200rt and was wearing a hiviz suit, and modular helmet. he was as happy as anyone there. (except me. i had more fun)

[gumby]

@gumby - in case you missed it Stoneman posted http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...pril-27-a.html today.

If I didn't have to rent pretty much everything for this I'd be very interested. Your setup is quite a bit different than mine and you would probably fit right in for this with your current gear.

Thanks Jason... I didn't see that post.
You should join us for some track days. Check with Seacoast in Derry... I don't think it's that expensive if you rent the gear you need.
Besides, I really want to see you hanging off that 'wing in the corners some more!

[jasnmar]

NESR raffles those off, too.

Waiting ...

Touring bikes welcome

Check

Leathers not required

Check

Modular helmets accepted (red group only)

Red group is fine with me. In fact if there were a tope groupe, or maybe lavender, that might work for me.

Since posting to the TTD forums I've actually gone out and purchased a pair of boots, a pair of gauntlet style gloves, and a back protector.

While the type of instruction you receive at TTD will be different than Penguin it will certainly be no less professional.

Unfortunately I'm such an idiot that I'm not able to judge the instructor resumes with much value. Everyone seems so qualified that all would be helpful.

From an idiots perspective, penguin seems to be more "race oriented" and Tony's seem to be a bit more street oriented (I'm sure that there is significant overlap, I'm basing my opinion completely on what I've found on their respective web sites rather than any actual experience ).

last tony's day i went to there was a guy on a bmw k1200rt and was wearing a hiviz suit, and modular helmet. he was as happy as anyone there. (except me. i had more fun)

I'm virtually positive that will be me as well. I really enjoy learning new things and I'm quite sure that the coaches at any of the schools could teach me plenty.

Thanks Jason... I didn't see that post.
You should join us for some track days. Check with Seacoast in Derry... I don't think it's that expensive if you rent the gear you need.
Besides, I really want to see you hanging off that 'wing in the corners some more!

On the plus side I guess I was able to hide the fact that i was falling off the wing about as much as i was hanging off of it I did ride a bit bigger than my britches Saturday. I had a blast, but was probably pushing a bit much.

I'd be very interested in doing as others have recommended here and doing "all of them", assuming all of them were free of course . I am very much hoping to get in an ARC + Track day this summer. Unfortunately it's likely to be August time frame if possible. If the planets somehow align I'm certainly up for increasing the frequency as i don't have any idea how I'm going to be able to wait until August.

Apologies for semi-hijacking the thread, and thanks for the feedback everyone.

(Please forgive any misspells. Sent from my mobile device)

[OreoGaborio]

From an idiots perspective, penguin seems to be more "race oriented" and Tony's seem to be a bit more street oriented (I'm sure that there is significant overlap, I'm basing my opinion completely on what I've found on their respective web sites rather than any actual experience ).

Yeah, I would say that's a fair assessment, including your comment on the overlap as we can both accommodate the full spectrum of sport riders.

[DucDave]

...FWIW BOMO has a pretty good 'Intro to Track Days' program...!!!

[jasnmar]

Not arguing with you at all Dave, but as a total noob, there's much less available on BOMO's site to tell me about the different programs they offer and the requirements for them (or maybe it's there and I'm just unable to find it, which is virtually the same thing).

I'd reviewed Boston Moto, Tony's and Penguin in the past. Penguin seemed a little advanced for me, and more about improving one's ability to perform on a track. Tony's seemed to be more about improving ones ability to perform on a motorcycle, by allowing people to challenge their skills on a track. Boston Moto didn't give me any clue as to what they wanted to market their focus as, so I haven't any idea?

[mzdagrl]

Having cornerworked for all of these track day events, in my experience, Penguin's Track Experience group is perfect for a first-timer, pace-wise. Tony also runs a great show for newbs, and the general pace of the beginner class is quick but reasonable. BOMO tends to be a bit quicker in each group, including the beginner group. Also, there tend to be more crashes and ambulance use at a BOMO day than any other event. Again, that is just experience from the other side of the flag, purely anecdotal, and not based in stats or research.

[nhbubba]

While I understand that it's very hard to put a price on skill / safety (especially the lack there of) , it's also hard to convince my "financial advisor" of the cost of improving one's skill. The amount of trouble I'm in over buying gear is a hard enough sell for me at this point. :'(

Dude. I read through your posts here and skimmed your TTD post as well. You and I seem like we are in similar boats, or at least on the same pond.

My plan has been to sign up for an MSF ERC this year. Then sit back and think about something like the ARC later. A real 'track day' isn't even on my radar.

Very interested in what you end up with.

[TTD]

My plan has been to sign up for an MSF ERC this year. Then sit back and think about something like the ARC later. A real 'track day' isn't even on my radar.
.

If you have a couple of thousand street miles and are looking to be a safer, more proficient rider... then the ARC and/or a Trackday should definitely be on your radar. At a minimum, come up and watch on May 21/22 and then decide. My guess is you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[butcher bergs]

Having cornerworked for all of these track day events, in my experience, Penguin's Track Experience group is perfect for a first-timer, pace-wise. Tony also runs a great show for newbs, and the general pace of the beginner class is quick but reasonable. BOMO tends to be a bit quicker in each group, including the beginner group. Also, there tend to be more crashes and ambulance use at a BOMO day than any other event. Again, that is just experience from the other side of the flag, purely anecdotal, and not based in stats or research.

I'm not sure what real evidence you have in suggesting that there are more crashes at a BOMO day than other track days. I know you're a great and frequent corner worker for TTD but don't recall seeing you more than once or twice at BOMO days. I also know that the Intro Program, run by DucDave, is an excellent way for an new rider to learn about track days. The classroom sessions are well structured and we've had terrific feedback from our customers. I do agree that the advanced group pace is probably faster than at a TTD and that's because there are a number of racers that use Bomo as a way to work on their lap times.

A benefit to this is the intermediate or advanced riders will have some really fast guys to learn from if they're so inclined!

[nhbubba]

If you have a couple of thousand street miles and are looking to be a safer, more proficient rider... then the ARC and/or a Trackday should definitely be on your radar.

~18 years riding. Held a license continuously. Couple of low-water years recently, but I would guesimate I have about 40-50k miles across 3 bikes. Never been anywhere near on a track, on a bike or otherwise.

I have no doubt that I have the experience to be ready to hang with jasnmar in his 'tope' or 'lavender' group, or maybe even your 'red' group.
It's the financial commitment I wonder if I have.

I know it's an impossible question, but I always read those "what's at track day really cost?" threads with great interest.

[OreoGaborio]

Bubba, mind if I ask why a track day isn't on your radar?

If you think it's a matter of your pace or your riding aggressiveness or lack there of, believe me, it's not like that at all. You're plenty experienced enough to do whatever type of event you wanted to attend, including a track day if you so desired.

As for what a track day costs, if you already have gear that meets the organizations requirements and don't feel the need to bring a bunch of extra stuff, then it really doesn't cost much more than the entry fee at all. Plenty of people do track days on a short budget and get by just fine.

[DucDave]

~18 years riding. Held a license continuously. Couple of low-water years recently, but I would guesimate I have about 40-50k miles across 3 bikes. Never been anywhere near on a track, on a bike or otherwise.

I have no doubt that I have the experience to be ready to hang with jasnmar in his 'tope' or 'lavender' group, or maybe even your 'red' group.
It's the financial commitment I wonder if I have.

I know it's an impossible question, but I always read those "what's at track day really cost?" threads with great interest.

The actual cost for a first track day will be $250-$350 depending on where you come from, what equipment you need that you dont have, gas, etc.

The real cost however comes AFTER your first track day. Many become addicted and end up with a track bike, trailer, new leathers, and a hole in their soul that requires frequent track day refreshings to keep full...!

[nhbubba]

Peel back the bullshit and it's probably 99% about cost. $225 is a lot money for me. A $60 ERC is a helluva lot easier to justify. It's on the weekend too, so no vacation time required.

I have gear. Tough to justify renting gear (and having to give it back) if you already have some. But is mine 'good enough'? No idea. Probably not.

Trying not to make this thread about me, so I'll spare everyone the specifics.

Some where deep inside I keep saying to myself "Get that last piece of quality gear, then you can think about it." Bought my new jacket with the zipper attachment partly because I think it will pass for a track-day.

[OreoGaborio]

Bah... it's not about you, it's about USING you as an example for others

For gear, check your org's requirement to see if it meets minimum standards. If it does, then it's probably good enough and should reasonably protect you in the event of an unplanned dismount.

If it DOESN'T, then you may want to revisit your approach to gear. With the exception of a back protector and motorcycle specific pants (I admittedly wear jeans a little too often), I rarely ever ride on the street with anything less than minimum track gear.

[scottieducati]

I think the real cost, and the $200-300 depending on what kind of track experience you're talking about, is far better compared to say trying to enjoy spirited sport riding on the street and getting 1 speeding ticket. The ticket may not cost as much depending on the level of offense, but the $ you'll pay down the road will certainly outweigh a single (or a couple) track days per year. If you're a more modest street rider and can get your kicks at legal speeds, with traffic, etc. and still have a smile on your face then yeah, I'm not sure I see a justification in terms of cost. For most (myself included, even as a paying attendee at another track day... which I do about 4-5 times per year) the modest expense of a track day beats the accumulation of expenses trying to enjoy a weekend of sport riding. I simply don't enjoy many roads on a motorcycle at or under the speed limit and have little interest in either getting, or fighting, or paying for tickets... and my track-only bikes don't require annual registration, or insurance. The costs become a non-factor for most once they realize committing to a season (4-6) of track days per year means you can avoid all the street related expenses, or potential hazards / expenses. If you have a cheap track bike that's easy on tires and are just out there for enjoyment, it becomes quite financially attractive as opposed to the alternative BS involved in having fun on a sport bike on public roads.

[KB]

Track time is good time. Try them all and find the one that fit's for you!

KB

[brady]

My plan has been to sign up for an MSF ERC this year. Then sit back and think about something like the ARC later. A real 'track day' isn't even on my radar. Very interested in what you end up with.

I did the MSF ERC after 1 year and approx 3000 miles. It was a good review of on road safety habits and awareness, but still pretty basic. I did my first track day 6 months later (only because of the intervening Winter) and got at least 10 times more out of it than the ERC when it came to actual riding skills.

I've done track days with all the org's mentioned. They all rocked.