track day recommendations

[nhbubba]

...at least 10 times more out of it than the ERC when it came to actual riding skills.

Yeah. That's what I'm afraid of... Almost regret asking. I had that expenditure approved already!

My gear setup falls down on two aspects: mesh pants and non MC specific boots.
The MC boots I am starting to come around on. And with the tax refund en-route, may be making a move soon.
But the pants are brand new. Bought them because I am a street rider first and need to be comfortable. Non mesh pants that get left in the closet don't help anyone.

Please bear in mind that I am a product of a motorcycling family where blue jeans and a windbreaker were considered 'gear'. Sometimes progress comes slowly. Part of why I keep posting here is to subject myself to some peer pressure.

Ironically my gear is OK by my read of the ARC requirements.

So this begs the question: For non-track interested street riders which is better, local track day or this ARC program?

[Doc]

To your question I would say the ARC. Head and shoulders over an ERC and I am an MSF and trackday instructor.

I would advise the the ARC over the ERC or even a trackday in your situation.

[jasnmar]

@NHBubba -we're not in similar boats. We're in the same boat. It's a row boat. I thought you had the oars. You though I had the oars. Turns out neither of us had budget approval for oars

I really hear what you're saying regarding equipment. I also completely get your attitude towards renting gear. About all I can say is I share your frustrations. I was lucky enough to buy non mesh pants (actually a Christmas gift, which I very specifically requested) . I've also managed to pick up a set of boots and back protector used on ebay for reasonable prices in preparation for an eventual track day. My current wishlist for father's day and my birthday is an ARC+ a track day, but since that is some time out, my plans could still change.

I believe that I now have the minimum required gear to do Tony's. You're welcome to borrow whatever will fit, assuming it's not the same day as me.

@mzdagrl - I appreciate your impressions of the various track days that you have cornered. I would have expected the pace at TTD to be less than that of penguin. Unfortunately for me, some of the gear required (specifically the bike) makes a huge cost difference between Tony's and Penguin.

@OreoGaborio - To be honest I wasn't remotely considering a track day until recently. I wanted "some sort" of training, but really wasn't sure what. The MSF courses seemed (again, from description only, no first hand evidence) a bit basic. The only reason I'm considering it is because of all the feedback I've heard about being able to reinforce the things you learn in ARC in a track day. I still think I might be better off in the tope group

@DucDave - I'm very worried about the post track day costs. Not sure what I can do about that though. :-/ The fact that your the intro program instructor does make a difference to me, as i at least do know your demeanor. Is there a ppage somewhere on the Boston Moto site that describes the bike and gear requirements?

[nhbubba]

@NHBubba -we're not in similar boats. We're in the same boat. It's a row boat. I thought you had the oars. You though I had the oars. Turns out neither of us had budget approval for oars

Who's got the plug for the drain in the transom?! Yeah.. I know how this one works out.

Thanks for the offer.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, from the sounds of it, if the two of you guys can swing the cash for a Lee Parks ARC followed by a track day the very next day I think you'd be fucking thrilled. Start savin yer pennies And keep an eye out for the NESR auctions.

Yeah, two days back to back is a big hit up front, but you'd be saving money and vacation days in the long run. The cost ain't cheap, but in terms of excitement and benefit for the dollar, ya can't get much better when it comes to doin stuff on two wheels.

[tsorfas]

I have rented and received rented gear for free with multiple people under my experience with BoMo.
My first track day my bike was driven to the guys house who owned the trailer, he drove at the track with it, then dropped it off at my house and he didnt even wanna take $20 of gas money I offered him.
Last track day of the year I gave a suit and a lap timer to a fellow member and I got boots and gloves (I somehow forgot my boots at home that day) from another member.
Plenty of people always helped me with setting up the bike and so many things.
It is a very friendly environment and there is ways to keep the cost down (still impossible to go under 225$ per day).
I am not trying to "sell" you BoMo or any TD organization. all I am saying is it is worth it. Not only for the skills you will gain, but you will meet great people and will have tons of fun.
oh btw I should let you know that after my first track day, I know have a $3500 track bike, 3 suits, 2 helmets, 2 pairs of gloves, 1 set of boots, and bought the ambulance that was here for sale as my trailer/camper and plan on doing every track day possible this year, especially now that racing is out of the picture.

[nhbubba]

Missus is really gonna hate me.

Any advice on how to break it to her?

[tsorfas]

when i bought the track bike I sent her flowers and chocolate strawberries at work, came home before her cleaned, did the bed and the laundry.
at the first track day I just brought her with me. theres pretty cool people there to entertain her/keep her busy, OR even take her on the track...

[e30addict]

Missus is really gonna hate me.

Any advice on how to break it to her?

It will help increase your skill set to deal with the morons on your commute, thus improving the odds of you coming home safe and sound. Safety, yeah, that's it.

@OreoGaborio - To be honest I wasn't remotely considering a track day until recently. I wanted "some sort" of training, but really wasn't sure what. The MSF courses seemed (again, from description only, no first hand evidence) a bit basic. The only reason I'm considering it is because of all the feedback I've heard about being able to reinforce the things you learn in ARC in a track day. I still think I might be better off in the tope group

From what I've seen on the car side of things, people over think the track day thing when considering doing one. People seem to have the stereotype it's a Type A, over the top macho thing with everyone trying to set lap records at every opportunity. Reality is the experience is much more laid back and educational instead of "let's see what ya got". Once they do one most wonder why they waited so long.

People also stress over run groups and keeping up etc... Once they get there, they magically discover that the other newer participants feel the SAME way. Don't stress and enjoy the ride

[OreoGaborio]

A lot of people to overthink & hype themselves up way too much.

[carsick]

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...!

Damnit! I resemble that remark down to the last detail!

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.

Yup, me as well. MSF BRC and ERC = sex ed class. Track day = Amsterdam. It's good to have learning before doing, but both have their place. And I learned how much I don't know from all of them

A lot of people to overthink & hype themselves up way too much.

Took me 20 years to get to the bike, 2 more years to get to the track. I still marvel at the excuses I made to keep myself from enjoying every minute of those experiences. No more!

[CBR929RE]

especially now that racing is out of the picture.

what is this bullshit. I was all prepared to haze and help you out.

Missus is really gonna hate me.

Any advice on how to break it to her?

tell her afterward.

when I first started riding I told my mom a month later on the way home from the hospital that I had a bike. 8 years and a few crashes later she finally didn't even ask after the last crash, which was by far the worse one, if I'm still gonna ride.



you guys just need to save the money for a track day then post up here asking to borrow gear. They're all good so you won't be disappointed. As long as you have the basic skills necessary to control a bike then you'll do just fine in any intro group. The only pressure ever put on a first time track rider is whatever they put on themselves.

[nhbubba]

tell her afterward.

I did not know borrowing gear was really an option. Some helpful NESR'ians have stepped up setting me straight in this regard via PMs.

This is now firmly on my radar. I am sure I'll have a bazillion q's regarding bike and gear setup, and advice on where and what to do when. Thanks in advance.

Does Penguin really require the bike be emptied of antifreeze? Seems like the only one of the three that has this requirement. I am with Jason in that my perception was they were one of the more intense offerings. The antifreeze requirement is part of that.

[TTD]

Does Penguin really require the bike be emptied of antifreeze? Seems like the only one of the three that has this requirement. I am with Jason in that my perception was they were one of the more intense offerings. The antifreeze requirement is part of that.

I believe that the Track Experience does not require the antifreeze removal.

Good luck wherever you end up!

[bkonner]

I am curious why didn't you like the California Superbike School? For one thing it looks expensive. What was it like? What track did you do (Vegas?). Both Tony's and Penguin are great. I just did Penguin this last Friday. I think Tony's is a little better and a little more organized but both are good. I have paid for a six day Tony's pass and a five day Penguin pass this year. I would really like to hear what you have to say about California because I am thinking about doing it. Thanks!

[CBR929RE]

I wouldn't call Penguin less organized. Its just that the day before a race weekend can seem very chaotic between Track Experience, Basic School, Advanced School and racer practices thrown in. That's why I would recommend a completely separate track day for a beginner.