Using Your Own Bike at a TD

[tonup]

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.

Well Said. I have to thank Mr. Nicholson and Doc for making me realize how stupid the "what if" on the track was. Since the first few laps I knew I found a happy place. My street riding has improved in so many ways I can't begin to babble. Now the wife joins me on back to back TD's every year while I throw my lumbering thruxton around Loudon. As for someone else taking you out...I thought the same thing. Then realized I'm just as human as the next and could be the one with a lapse in judgement. Come on July 25 & 26

And Thank You to the Control Riders. You guys/gal are awesome.

[OreoGaborio]

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


simple, I haven't logged enough miles on the street yet.

[j4eric]

i brought my street bike 08 CBR 1000rr to the track, thinking that i would benefit from learning more about the bike than on the street....i did......low sided on turn 3 on that cold April TTD......i am not angry at all, i prepared the bike with sliders...axle, fork, frame sliders and all i spent was 50 bucks to replace the footpeg, frame slider and toe peg.....i learned alot...one is that my skills have a long way to go, that i have to spend more track time to get those skills and the 1000rr is not the bike to learn on.....so i am on the hunt for a 600 trackbike to learn on.....i still bring the 1000rr to the track while i wait for that right 600....but, i am slow as my friends tell me....but i will continue to bring it to the track while i wait for that right 600.

[SRTie4k]

Wasn't this forum was started because people were sick of the elitist attitude of track riders from another forum?

[ThisBitch]

Wasn't this forum was started because people were sick of the elitist attitude of track riders from another forum?

Eh... not entirely, but yeah... I was just thinking that this thread does NOTHING to dispel that elitist attitude theory. Its a shame because I love most of these people, but they can just be so over fucking bearing about "TAKE IT TO THE TRACK. PERIOD."


I give up.

[TTD]

I guess I don't really understand the whole "elitist attitude of track riders" stuff?

What I generally see happen is:

Riders with less skill ask for advice.

Riders that have been to the track post up that it helped them and encourage the less skilled rider to try it.

[ThisBitch]

What I see is:

Riders with less skill ask for advice.

Track riders offer it as the one and only option and then heckle people who disagree and/or don't want to bring their bikes to the track.

Like I said Tony, I love a majority of people that are track rats, but the way some of them go about encouraging people to go to the track is off-putting at the very best.

[csmutty]

What I see is:

Riders with less skill ask for advice.

Track riders offer it as the one and only option and then heckle people who disagree and/or don't want to bring their bikes to the track.

Like I said Tony, I love a majority of people that are track rats, but the way some of them go about encouraging people to go to the track is off-putting at the very best.

AT least you're purty.

[TTD]

Track riders offer it as the one and only option and then heckle people who disagree and/or don't want to bring their bikes to the track.
.

I agree that is wrong.

[ThisBitch]

AT least you're purty.

You don't love me, you just wanna bang a pregnant chick.

[csmutty]

You don't love me, you just wanna bang a pregnant chick.

Now that you know you are pregnant the thrill is gone.

[OreoGaborio]

What I see is:

Riders with less skill ask for advice.

Track riders offer it as the one and only option and then heckle people who disagree and/or don't want to bring their bikes to the track.

Yeah, SOME people are like that.... but I'm pretty sure I see that MOST people on here will recommend various books, plain ole seat time and other professional instruction, too.

Maybe you should stop being such a moody pregnant big bitch

[ThisBitch]

Yeah, SOME people are like that.... but I'm pretty sure I see that MOST people on here will recommend various books, plain ole seat time and other professional instruction, too.

Maybe you should stop being such a moody pregnant big bitch

100 people can say something the right way, it only takes a few assholes to give them all a bad name.

All I'm saying is that when someone says "What's the best way to learn how to ride?" and the first response is, literally "TAKE IT TO THE TRACK. PERIOD." I not only get concerned that that person is making you all look like morons, I, as a new rider, would also be concerned that you're advocating that people that don't even really have control over their motorcycles get out on the track and put other people in danger.

I'm not being moody, if you check way back either in this thread or in another, I said the same shit a year ago.

The reason I waited as long to do track days as I did was EXACTLY that attitude. TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU'RE A MORON! TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE! THE TRACK IS THE ONLY PLACE TO REALLY RIDE YOUR BIKE!

You know what? I like track days, especially on the safer, more fun tracks on the west coast, but I will ALWAYS prefer riding on the street. I ride to experience nature in a different way, outside the confines of a vehicle, not to drag my knee and show all of my friends my wicked cool scraped up pucks.

Its pretty clear to me that there are other people that feel the same way, but the number of track riders here is larger and more vocal than those that feel the way that I do.

[Rossco]

100 people can say something the right way, it only takes a few assholes to give them all a bad name.

All I'm saying is that when someone says "What's the best way to learn how to ride?" and the first response is, literally "TAKE IT TO THE TRACK. PERIOD." I not only get concerned that that person is making you all look like morons, I, as a new rider, would also be concerned that you're advocating that people that don't even really have control over their motorcycles get out on the track and put other people in danger.

I'm not being moody, if you check way back either in this thread or in another, I said the same shit a year ago.

The reason I waited as long to do track days as I did was EXACTLY that attitude. TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU'RE A MORON! TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE! THE TRACK IS THE ONLY PLACE TO REALLY RIDE YOUR BIKE!

You know what? I like track days, especially on the safer, more fun tracks on the west coast, but I will ALWAYS prefer riding on the street. I ride to experience nature in a different way, outside the confines of a vehicle, not to drag my knee and show all of my friends my wicked cool scraped up pucks.

Its pretty clear to me that there are other people that feel the same way, but the number of track riders here is larger and more vocal than those that feel the way that I do.

[TTD]

You know what? I like track days, especially on the safer, more fun tracks on the west coast, but I will ALWAYS prefer riding on the street. I ride to experience nature in a different way, outside the confines of a vehicle, not to drag my knee and show all of my friends my wicked cool scraped up pucks.

I know what you're trying to say, but doing trackdays does not have to be about scraped pucks and dragging knees.

I think that's where there is a disconnect.

No matter how/why you ride, having better control over your bike is a good thing.

[Rusty the Scoob]

FWIW I'm a fairly new rider with just 16,500 miles under my belt, have never been anywhere near a track, and I haven't felt at all inimidated or put off by the track riders or racers here.

[Doc]

100 people can say something the right way, it only takes a few assholes to give them all a bad name.

All I'm saying is that when someone says "What's the best way to learn how to ride?" and the first response is, literally "TAKE IT TO THE TRACK. PERIOD." I not only get concerned that that person is making you all look like morons, I, as a new rider, would also be concerned that you're advocating that people that don't even really have control over their motorcycles get out on the track and put other people in danger.

I'm not being moody, if you check way back either in this thread or in another, I said the same shit a year ago.

The reason I waited as long to do track days as I did was EXACTLY that attitude. TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU'RE A MORON! TAKE IT TO THE TRACK OR YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE! THE TRACK IS THE ONLY PLACE TO REALLY RIDE YOUR BIKE!

You know what? I like track days, especially on the safer, more fun tracks on the west coast, but I will ALWAYS prefer riding on the street. I ride to experience nature in a different way, outside the confines of a vehicle, not to drag my knee and show all of my friends my wicked cool scraped up pucks.

Its pretty clear to me that there are other people that feel the same way, but the number of track riders here is larger and more vocal than those that feel the way that I do.

Someone has some pent up estrogen...

I have finally made it into the "elite". After 22+ years of riding, 6 years on the track (I didn't even make it to the track until I was in my 30's), 4 as an instructor or control rider, and 4 years as an MSF instructor I have made it!

As for my comment (in another thread) "Take it to the track, Period." It was part marketing ploy, part advice.

I of course think you can also learn from personal experiences, books, videos, private instruction, MSF classes etc, but when asked by someone who has some experience "What's the best way to learn how to ride?" I will give them my opinion. No where have I ever said that other ways to gain experience are any less valuable. I feel a trackday will teach you a number of things, especially if you have access to a quality organization. One of them is humility. I think once someone gets to the track they realize just how much they have to learn and that continues as they progress. I think most trackday junkies and racers feel the same way and don't not feel like elitiests.

Too bad people make judgements about people from what they read on an internet forum.
It's not like making a judgement on a hoochie mama that shows up to the track in inappropriate attire and tries to feed their ego from getting oggled.

[RyanNicholson]

FWIW My original intent was meant more for the people that would or want to do a trackday but are afraid of binning their bike.

As for learning methods, personally I learned a ton (quickly) from riding the track so I'd suggest it but just because it worked for me doesn't mean its somebody else's cup of tea. Aside from doc I think you'll probably find most people that race are actually more humble than anything.

[Doc]

Aside from doc I think you'll probably find most people that race are actually more humble than anything.

Dude, seriously.

[OreoGaborio]

Dude, seriously.

Lemme get this straight... you make a couple of douchey comments directed at Jackie, then get sand in your vagina when Ryan busts your balls?

Get over yourself.

[Jim]

:docsucks:

[RyanNicholson]

Dude, seriously.

Just kidding man haha

[Expat]

I didn't read all 12 pages of this thread but if you want to do a track day but are not confident enough to use your own bike, how do you do it??

[FirstDuc-1098]

Doc sucks

[ThisBitch]

I didn't read all 12 pages of this thread but if you want to do a track day but are not confident enough to use your own bike, how do you do it??

I believe at least one of the track days rents bikes, so you could go that route. Either that or spend $1000 and pick up a cheap EX250 on craigslist. They crash well and can be repaired cheaply. In hindsight, I should have held on to my 250 for exactly that reason.