Using Your Own Bike at a TD

[Chippertheripper]

You've ridden this bandit on the street. It's not going to do anything different on the track.

Take the plastic bits off. Plenty of cats do that to avoid unnecessary repairs in the event of an nap.

[KawiSmurf]

Don't crash, dumbass.

Easier said than done, because It's not my riding that worries me...It's getting taken out by the guy that didn't care to check how tight everything was on his bike.

[Ken C]

I'm bringin my Rex next trackday!

There were two guys in May on their ZRXs that were flying.

[Ken C]

Easier said than done, because It's not my riding that worries me...It's getting taken out by the guy that didn't care to check how tight everything was on his bike.

Really?

[KawiSmurf]

Really?

Yes, really. It's a legitimate concern. Has it stopped me from going to multiple trackdays? No. But its definitely a reason to think about not using your street bike.

[Rada]

Really?

Its pretty rare I would say.

[noxin]

Rossco,
I took my bandit 1200 to the track multiple times in 2009, I just pulled the half-fairing off, ziplocked the connections, and had at it.

hope that helps.

[TheIglu]

There were two guys in May on their ZRXs that were flying.

I've used it to instruct last year when I thought it was going to rain (didn't).

A bunch of the novices I was assisting with (and a few intermediates) couldn't believe I was running touring tires on it while still going at that pace. I just found it very comfortable, easy to ride smooth and the huge seat helped to turn around on to keep an eye on my student at the time.

[BostonSVkid]

Here is the funny thing...I have ridden track days on a my streetbikes and now I own a track bike.

Guess which bike I crashed? The track bike which has upgraded suspension, tires and everything else. If you are comfortable on your street bike you will be fine. Put some frame sliders on the pig and have at it.

[TTD]

The only "close calls" I've had at trackdays have been riders going down directly in front of me while cornering.

This is not to say other things can't happen, but I think the chances are not higher than on the street.

[Ken C]

Yes, really. It's a legitimate concern. Has it stopped me from going to multiple trackdays? No. But its definitely a reason to think about not using your street bike.

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude.
I know it happens, but it's very far down the list of likely things that can go wrong that would cause another person to crash.

[OreoGaborio]

Yes, really. It's a legitimate concern. Has it stopped me from going to multiple trackdays? No. But its definitely a reason to think about not using your street bike.

Might wanna stop riding on the street then, too. I see far more stuff fall off vehicles on public roads than at the track.

Other than financial or travel reasons, I can't think of a single thing that's been used as an excuse for not wanting to ride on the track that can't be said for the street.

[TTD]

In my many years of doing this, the only instance of something like this happening was the Turn 6 brake thing a few years back. Considering how many track days have happened, that is a pretty small risk.

Again, not saying that shit can't happen at a trackday that is not your fault and takes you out... but that example is not one I'd sweat.

[KawiSmurf]

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude.
I know it happens, but it's very far down the list of likely things that can go wrong that would cause another person to crash.

No need to apologize, your perspective simply differs from mine. I understand and agree that it's a rare occurrence...but it can, and does, happen. I'm just offering an answer to the original question of the thread, which was:

Why are people so afraid to use their street bike at a trackday?

And like I said, it hasn't stopped me from attending and enjoying track days. But I can understand why someone would be apprehensive about wanting to do it with their one and only shiny new street bike.

Might wanna stop riding on the street then, too. I see far more stuff fall off vehicles on public roads than at the track.

You're right. But you're also being a tad dramatic. No one's suggesting anyone quit riding. Well, except, that you just did...

In my many years of doing this, the only instance of something like this happening was the Turn 6 brake thing a few years back. Considering how many track days have happened, that is a pretty small risk.

And the engine cover incident leading to the oil spill last year? I'd put that in the same category. Again, I'm simply saying that you can't just assume because you ride safe and clean doesn't mean you won't crash. It's always a possibility, and for some people, just the fact that it's a possibility (no matter how rare or random) is enough for them to reconsider.

[OreoGaborio]

You're right. But you're also being a tad dramatic. No one's suggesting anyone quit riding. Well, except, that you just did...

I'M the one being dramatic?!?!?!

YouTube - ‪Dramatic Chipmunk‬‏





But seriously... I wasn't being dramatic, I merely looked at that concern from a different perspective... I took your comment and applied it to a different environment - the street... If someone doesn't want to ride the track because of getting taken out by someone else or something falling off a bike, then surely they wouldn't want to ride on the street where the chances of that happening are greater (and still incredibly slim).

[KawiSmurf]

But seriously... I wasn't being dramatic, I merely looked at that concern from a different perspective... I took your comment and applied it to a different environment - the street... If someone doesn't want to ride the track because of getting taken out by someone else or something falling off a bike, then surely they wouldn't want to ride on the street where the chances of that happening are greater (and still incredibly slim).

Don't bring humor into this, you'll only cloud my judgment!

I actually agree with your point, more than you know, because I have relatives that have ridden street bikes for 10-12 years in the Boston area, but refuse to hit the track (for reasons similar to what I've been saying). No matter how hard I try to convince them otherwise, using similar logic to what you and the other TTD guys used, they just solidly believe they're more likely to encounter massive damage on the track. So while I've also asked a similar question Ryan did to start this whole thing, I've also encountered a specific answer. And I believe there's a lot of that sentiment with track riders who don't like using their street bike.

[ThisBitch]

In my many years of doing this, the only instance of something like this happening was the Turn 6 brake thing a few years back. Considering how many track days have happened, that is a pretty small risk.

Again, not saying that shit can't happen at a trackday that is not your fault and takes you out... but that example is not one I'd sweat.

The first track day I ever did with TTD, someone came out of turn 2 in front of me and going pretty slow and hugged the wall WAY too far toward 3. I had passed them underneath and was set up on the outside of 3 to tip in and when that person realized they were off line, spend up and they swung left to try to correct for the tip-in and clipped my front tire. I had seen him coming out of my peripheral vision and had tried to check up, but there was just nothing I could do. It was a pretty mild low side, but it still sucked and my brand new street bike (which now has a lot of miles on it) still has the scars. I actually thought that I was in the wrong and off the line (that's what the other rider told me when he came to my pit afterwards) and started taking the wrong line into 3 until a control rider had me follow them later that day and showed me that what I had been doing before was the right thing.

I beat myself up over it for weeks wondering what I could have done until 2 people that were standing in the split told me they saw it and didn't think there was anything I could have done to avoid it. I know my circumstance is another rarity, but if I had it to do over again, I'd buy a track bike.

In the beginner group, I think just about anything can happen.

[OreoGaborio]

You shoulda been in the garages making pie cakes.

[Rossco]

One of my friends told me that track riders were elitists.
















I lol'd

[OreoGaborio]

We are.... you are insignificant

[G21forme]

One of my friends told me that track riders were elitists.
















I lol'd

Have we not met?

[Not Sure]

I'm not going to read all the pages here, but the thread title caught my eye. Ryan's initial post & thoughts make sense to me and is really the way I've thought about this topic from the start. I wanted to do a track day last year and just couldn't make the calendar work. I am going to get one in this year on my bike.

[Wislon]

My only bike is this beautiful 2003 Ducati ST4S. That lovely grey bodywork is damn' near irreplaceable within my tiny budget. Not to mention the motor...

I have very little "play money". Three or four times a year Wife & I take a few days touring, hence the big heavy "bagger" Duc. Solo rides are weekly half-days at best. It's impossible to get completely un-rusty.

So why do I use it on track days? Because it's the only way to stretch myself and the bike with any hope of safety. And because it's a special kind of fun that street-only riders cannot imagine. Unlike on the street, I'm pretty much in full control of whether I bin it or not.

If you like going fast through corners the track is the only practical option, in my opinion.

David

[DuncanMoto]

I used to take my 1098 to track days with no frame sliders or other added bike protection.
It helps me stay within my limits and I have a blast.
I don't push as much as a race bike, but that's not the idea.
The idea is to find the comfortable limits of my street bike.

[RandyO]

why won't I do a track day with daily rider


simple, its specificly not covered on my insurance and I don't want to take the risk without it