What will a trackday tell me?

[stanga5o]

Do you have a household budget? Throw it out now. The progression is well established.

I'm afraid of this. I know I'll be hooked and I haven't even done my first trackday. It doesn't help that I'm looking to buy a house, which is why I'm unsure how many days I'll be able to afford. Hopefully, I'll buy all my gear soon and I'm planning to ask for the trackday for my birthday. Tax return should help.

[nhbubba]

It's all about priorities.


I'm having fun with these animated gifs today. Unless you're riding a high HP super-sport, this is something you might see a little of too.



FWIW, I caught his ass before the apex in T1...

[jasnmar]

Waiting on 'Bub's to post passing the superchicken on the brakes into 1 now...

[nhbubba]

Waaaay fun.

[Garandman]

I'm surprised it took 42 posts for somebody to say that ha!

I already think I'm slow so I'm going to be really disappointed after a trackday.

Nah, it's like playing tennis. There is always someone you can beat, and always someone who can beat you.

But no where is the saying "Ride your own ride" more true. There is so much to learn and improve upon that where others are barely enters your consciousness.

[Tunertype]

After having used lap timers, cameras, and trying to analyze every detail of the track experience from my first track day, I'll tell you these guys are right. Of course I had to prove it to myself the wrong way first. Focus on the riding first. It's so different from riding on the street you just need to relearn how to ride on the track. On the track you have a much wider road to play with(I think it's around 60ft wide at Loudon) instead of your usual single lane on the street. There is a ton of dynamics that come into play when you have this kind of space to move your bike around and you can feel kind of lost for a while not knowing what to do with all this room.

If you do want a cheap lap timer, they make some decent cell phone apps. Pirelli Diablo Superbike is good(free), race chrono(has a free version) is ok, Harry's lap timer($10-$20) is one of the more expensive ones, but a more popular/common/advertised one. The Qstarz BT-Q1000eX lap timer is also relatively inexpensive($200). I'm going to try out the Harry's lap timer/Diablo Superbike apps with a dual XGPS150 Bluetooth receiver($80) and see what results I get with that. I find it helpful to analyze the corner entry and exit speeds. This gives me an indication of which corners I need to focus on more when compared to a fast rider.

[Tunertype]

I'm afraid of this. I know I'll be hooked and I haven't even done my first trackday. It doesn't help that I'm looking to buy a house, which is why I'm unsure how many days I'll be able to afford. Hopefully, I'll buy all my gear soon and I'm planning to ask for the trackday for my birthday. Tax return should help.

You can also find deals on them so they arean't always $300 each. http://www.groupon.com/deals/new-yor...ack-2-new-york . I'm not sure if this is the best 1st track day though. I'd pick TTD for a first track day. He's got 3 levels and the beginner level a lot of the time has many first timers. I've never done the NYST run ones, but they only have 2 levels(the 3rd session is for cars) and seems like it's going to be a little less structured instruction.

[stanga5o]

Part of the reason I'm excited about the track is all that space! Personally, on the street I find it challenging staying within the lane and worrying about oncoming traffic, painted lines, running off the road, etc. when going for a spirited ride on a windy road. Don't get me wrong, I'm not reckless and I've never gone over the center line..

I know the dynamics of a bike and car are different, but I've always picked "lines" driving my cars. I often wonder if people behind me think I'm a bad driver when I set up my line for on ramps merging onto the highway so I can get up to traffic speed easier.

Learning proper lines, such as for double apex turns, is something I'd hope to eventually learn. I know, I need to learn the basics first! I got it. I'm just thinking out loud.

[nhbubba]

Part of the reason I'm excited about the track is all that space! Personally, on the street I find it challenging staying within the lane and worrying about oncoming traffic, painted lines, running off the road, etc. when going for a spirited ride on a windy road. Don't get me wrong, I'm not reckless and I've never gone over the center line..

I would recommend being reasonably confident both as a rider and with your machine before doing a track day. If you aren't reasonably proficient at turning, stopping, and shifting a motorcycle, a track day may not be the next best step for you.

There is also the Total Control ARC class. It teaches some of the more advanced fundamentals like counter steering and throttle/brake management. Drills are done in a parking lot at much slower speeds. There are no lines or reference points or other riders at speed to worry about. Easier to focus on those skills.

[stanga5o]

I would recommend being reasonably confident both as a rider and with your machine before doing a track day. If you aren't reasonably proficient at turning, stopping, and shifting a motorcycle, a track day may not be the next best step for you.

There is also the Total Control ARC class. It teaches some of the more advanced fundamentals like counter steering and throttle/brake management. Drills are done in a parking lot at much slower speeds. There are no lines or reference points or other riders at speed to worry about. Easier to focus on those skills.

No problems with confidence going into my first track day! I just meant that on spirited rides on a curvy street (maybe 10 mph over the suggested limit), I find it hard to tip the bike in and accelerate through the turn without getting near the edges of the ~15ft lane width without making minor line adjustments. I'm not saying I'd be all over the place on a track (hopefully), but it would be nice actually being able to use the full width of the track (up to 60ft as noted above).

Prior to buying my current street bike, I had dirt and some limited street experience (borrowing friends' sportbikes or my father's Harley). My father taught me how to use the friction zone on my first dirtbike when I was about 11 years old (they wouldn't let me have a dirtbike any younger than that).

When I bought my bike (SV650s), I knew I wanted to take an MSF course to get my license and "learn the fundamentals". I researched the drills taught and practiced them in parking lots for a month prior to taking the "Experienced MSF" course. I was the only one in my class to get a 100 on the test. To be honest, this class didn't teach me anything I didn't already know, but simply reinforced the "fundamentals", some of which I disagree with BTW.

There were 1 or 2 people in that class that I felt shouldn't have passed, but everyone did.

I've watched the Twist of the Wrist videos and other instructional videos. More recently, I've started watching some trackday videos, races, and documentaries such as Faster, Fastest, etc.. I'm ready to take my riding to the next level..

I appreciate the advice, regardless.

[nhbubba]

Not passing judgement. Hell, I'm far from qualified to do that! Just offering potential misinformation to help confuse you. ... Or maybe point out options. You be the judge.

[carsick]

I've started watching some videos such as Faster, Fastest, etc.. I'm ready to take my riding to the next level...

Oh, it takes a couple track days to get to that level...
Congrats on the excitement, most of us know how you feel! You're getting way ahead of yourself with it though, you'll be shorting out your processor by springtime. Let the experience come to you instead of chasing it down and chewing it to pieces.

[Tricky Mike]

Oh, it takes a couple track days to get to that level...
Congrats on the excitement, most of us know how you feel! You're getting way ahead of yourself with it though, you'll be shorting out your processor by springtime. Let the experience come to you instead of chasing it down and chewing it to pieces.

And if you can't, please self identify if we're at the track together so I can stay behind you (and get the GoPro running)

[nhbubba]

I was told that a guy on a 1000cc super-sport planted himself in the air fence on the first or second session my first day. I was very pleased that A) I hadn't been around him and B) he had been convinced that track riding wasn't for him. I did try not to laugh.

[The Snowman]

If you want to see improvement right off the bat, I recommend doing a 2-day event. (Tony's offers a discount per day, if you do it this way http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...s-and-save.htm. Shameless plug, sorry...)

Even without the commercial break, you will see a HUGE improvement in your riding on the 2nd day. The first day is all about acquainting yourself with how things work. Once you know what's going on, the 2nd day is all about concentrating on your riding.

As most others have said, forget about lap time and just go with the intention of having fun.

[aldend123]

I just meant that on spirited rides on a curvy street (maybe 10 mph over the suggested limit), I find it hard to tip the bike in and accelerate through the turn without getting near the edges of the ~15ft lane width without making minor line adjustments.

I'm hardly an experienced rider myself, but it sounds like you're getting on the gas too soon.

I thought there was an article describing this on http://www.ridinginthezone.com/categ...gs-motorcycle/ But I can't find it. FYI, those articles are written by a member here, who I think is one of the lead instructors at the NH track.

[OreoGaborio]

If you want to see improvement right off the bat, I recommend doing a 2-day event.

Heh, absolutely, man.

First track day can be summarized by "information overload" and "track familiarization". Day two you know the routine, are somewhat familiar w/ the track and can immediately resume working on all of the skills you began developing the day before.

[Doc]

I still remember my first time on track!

I was passing 90% of the people in my group pretty easily... then I was going around Turn 9 in Loudon faster than anyone can possibly go... and suddenly an instructor appears on my right... looking back at me and giving me the Thumbs up!

Graham did that to me! Except he was tapping his tail on a friggin DIRTBIKE telling me to follow him.

[Doc]

No problems with confidence going into my first track day! I just meant that on spirited rides on a curvy street (maybe 10 mph over the suggested limit), I find it hard to tip the bike in and accelerate through the turn without getting near the edges of the ~15ft lane width without making minor line adjustments. I'm not saying I'd be all over the place on a track (hopefully), but it would be nice actually being able to use the full width of the track (up to 60ft as noted above).

Prior to buying my current street bike, I had dirt and some limited street experience (borrowing friends' sportbikes or my father's Harley). My father taught me how to use the friction zone on my first dirtbike when I was about 11 years old (they wouldn't let me have a dirtbike any younger than that).

When I bought my bike (SV650s), I knew I wanted to take an MSF course to get my license and "learn the fundamentals". I researched the drills taught and practiced them in parking lots for a month prior to taking the "Experienced MSF" course. I was the only one in my class to get a 100 on the test. To be honest, this class didn't teach me anything I didn't already know, but simply reinforced the "fundamentals", some of which I disagree with BTW.

There were 1 or 2 people in that class that I felt shouldn't have passed, but everyone did.

I've watched the Twist of the Wrist videos and other instructional videos. More recently, I've started watching some trackday videos, races, and documentaries such as Faster, Fastest, etc.. I'm ready to take my riding to the next level..

I appreciate the advice, regardless.

This sounds SO familiar.

I was 36 years old and had over 25 years of varied riding experience before my first trackday. I thought I was so fast! I was one with my bike and a damn good street rider. (or so I thought) I was gonna go right to advanced my first day!

Needless to say that did not happen But I had a blast, learned a ton and got hooked. I am still learning everytime I go out on the track. Good Luck and welcome to the addiction.

[stanga5o]

Haha, you guys crack me up! I genuinely appreciate everyone's advice! My last post was simply in response to Bubba to explain that, based on skill, I feel I'm ready for my first trackday and I'm not just a beginner learning to ride or uncomfortable on my bike.

As always with the internet, things may be interpreted differently. I am in NO WAY trying to suggest "I'm so fast", "I'm such a good rider", "I can't wait to go fast", "My first trackday I'm going to prove something". Trust me, I'm a humble person and know I'm not fast, I know I'm not a great rider, I don't even consider myself to have natural talent on a motorcycle. The last thing I want to do is be involved in or cause a crash on a track. I was going to say that I don't want to make an ass of myself, but that seems to be standard protocol for first timers haha!

Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned Faster and Fastest, but I love motorcycles and have always enjoyed watching motorcycle/car racing (Moto GP, MX/SX...). Didn't mean to imply that I thought I was going to be able to do what they do and be the next Rossi. I also heard people recommend watching Twist of the Wrist and reading some books written on riding technique. When Keith Code emphasizes being smooth on/off the throttle all the time, looking through the turn, counter-steering, etc.; this all makes sense to me and are the same lessons I was taught at my MSF.

If I can swing a 2-day trackday, I definitely will.

The reasons I'm doing a trackday are: to become a better/safer rider, have fun, hopefully meet some new folks, and use my motorcycle closer to how it was intended to be used...nothing more!

[Doc]

Again, sounds familiar. Alot of us have been EXACTLY where you are. You are in good company here. Welcome!

[stanga5o]

Again, sounds familiar. Alot of us have been EXACTLY where you are. You are in good company here. Welcome!

Thanks, Doc! I suppose it's just one of those things you don't know until you've done it before.

Needless to say, I can't wait for spring to come and start riding again. Hopefully I'll see you guys on the track and learn a thing or two. I'll be the slow guy on the red SV.

[Tunertype]

If I can swing a 2-day trackday, I definitely will.

This will also help you out a lot. Maybe just maybe you'll get enough in the 2 days to tide you over for a little while. If you go for just one day you'll be immediately planning the next one. Your learning so much on the first day, you'll want to apply some of it the next day.

[Imbeek]

A) that you want to do more of them because they are ridiculously fun, and LEGAL!
B) that you have way more traction and braking/handling performance available than you ever thought possible
C) that there's no need to go insane on the street because there are better places
D) that some people are much faster than you
E) those people love to share their knowledge

[Rada]

E) those people love to share their knowledge