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Giving up street riding for the track

  1. #1
    Senior Member ancosta's Avatar
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    Question Giving up street riding for the track

    I just did my second track day yesterday at NHIS, and had a great time. (Thanks Team Daemon for a great event & thanks Peter for great bike setup!) I feel like I made some good progress over the one I did last October. I am signed up for another one in a month or so, and can’t wait to give it a shot.

    Considering all of the anecdotal & hard facts out there around street riding and its risks, I am really questioning if it makes sense for me to be riding on the street.

    More rides than not I spend a good deal of time wondering if this is the day when I get hit by a car, slide out on an oil patch, etc. The majority of my riding time is either highway or in-town riding, this means a lot of time being contorted on the bike while travelling 90-100 on my frequent boston-providence runs, or idling around in traffic. While it’s cheap and fast transportation, I really can’t say it’s a particularly fun or challenging. What’s next…get an SV1000 and ride even faster on the slab, or ride hard on the street and hit a telephone pole or guardrail?

    In contrast, I show up to track day and have a blast. I am on an awesome course that is truly challenging, I get to push myself as much or as little as I want to, and I am surrounded by great people who are willing to lend a hand weather its an instructor helping me find my line or someone giving a hand with my bike in the pits.

    So, I am mulling over phasing out street riding. My SV is pretty much track ready with the brake & suspension work I have done. I guess I’d swap to clip-ons, put on track bodywork & tires when feasible, and safety wire the bike. I have so much to learn, I was getting smoked by a guy on a Honda CB1 and his rear shock had literally no oil in it, as in flopping swingarm. (he too was a friendly guy to talk with)

    If I do stay on the street, it would be more of an occasional thing when wearing full gear isn’t an impediment. Maybe do a 2-3 day tour to someplace rural, away from the havoc of the greater Boston area. I could put back the street bodywork/tires and be ready to do a nice touring ride.

    Nothing is concrete yet, I am really just weighing the risks vs. benefits of riding street & track, track only, or not riding at all. Street riding (in its current context) looks LESS appealing the more I think about it.

    For those of you who have made the switch...how was it?

    From a safety perspective...can I expect to be much safer on the track? It sounds like odds of crashing go up, odds of getting minor injury goes up, and odds of getting major injury/killed go down. Not sure if this is valid or not.

    Ideas are appreciated, especially from track-only folks.

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    Last edited by ancosta; 06-09-05 at 12:47 PM.
    Andrew
    03 Suzuki SV650

  2. #2
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Well, good questions. A lot of people feel just like you do and never hit the street again after riding the track. Most of them dirt ride as well.

    The dangers of track vs. street are different.

    You are much more likely to crash on the track, and therefore much more likely to get injured in some way. People just push it harder on the track, and there is some level of thinking it's OK to crash.

    On the street most people are terrified of falling (with good reason) and this usually limits the amount of pushing the limits that goes on.

    For example I ride both places and have MANY crashes and some injuries on the track, but ZERO crashes on the street.

    Take the MSF ERC for a refresher on strategies for the street, and it is a safe activity. It is NOT a place to push the limits though... I still have fun on the street, but I don't sport ride much these days.

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    Paul_E_D


  3. #3

    Giving up street riding for the track

    This is good timing for me.

    I just put new rubber on the 'Wing and went out for a spin yesterday.

    As I was trying to scrub in the tires a bit on some twisty sections, I just could not shake a bad feeling I had about something jumping out from the bushes or something around a corner.

    I kept my speeds down and nothing happened, but I was definitely thinking a lot of the thoughts you mentioned.

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    Tony
    Trackdays in CT, NY, and NH
    www.TonysTrackDays.com



    Pirelli Track Tires - www.goMTAG.com


  4. #4
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    I can see where you're comin from & feel the same way sometimes, but as long as i ride MY ride on the streets i can have fun, identify any potential dangers & relax. on the track, my focus is on exploring the limits w/o crossing them and staying smooth. on the street my focus is on identifying hazards & staying fluid and ready for anything that may come up. I get plenty of enjoyment out of street riding, but it goes w/o saying that it's just a different kind of activity than being on the track. i don't think i'll give up street riding for trackriding, each has it's place in my life.

    it's kinda like.... streetriding is your sensible girlfriend w/ a practical car... trackriding is the "other woman"... young, blond (or redhead) & drives a Porsche that you call once a month while your GF is on the rag

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    -Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
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  5. #5
    Lifer richw's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Street ride

    Fun at the end of the driveway.

    I don't see why there is a notion that they are exclusive. If its money then have 2 rats.

    I don't commute and I live in a pretty rural area. Loose sprawl .

    Maybe the real problem is get out of town with the bike. Cities suck

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    Glen Beck is John the Baptist

  6. #6

    Giving up street riding for the track

    I agree... I hate urban driving on a bike, and rarely do it.


    And don't get me wrong.. I'm certainly not planning to "give up" my street riding. I did that for several years while racing, but overall I have come to enjoy the street again... especially on the 'wing at a casual pace.

    I just go through phases and yesterday was one where I just didn't feel "safe" on the street.

    Here I was going about 40mph on a nice back road... and I felt more at risk than when I'm doing 100mph at the track.

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    Tony
    Trackdays in CT, NY, and NH
    www.TonysTrackDays.com



    Pirelli Track Tires - www.goMTAG.com


  7. #7
    Senior Member ancosta's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Thanks for the thoughts, its good to know that I am not alone.

    I think that a lot of it has to do with where I live now. I bought a house in Providence (Cranston) and am there about 60% of the time.

    I'll say that I am less than impressed with the riding scene there, and it has taken a big toll on my street riding morale.

    Cumulatively speaking, the drivers in greater Providence RI are beyond horrible. You know something is wrong up when you ride through the big dig and down the SE expressway without issue but you get off the highway in N. Providence because the drivers are freaking you out.

    I haven't been able to bond with any local riders, can't say I've done my best to do so, but from what interaction I've had with the natives, I haven't found anyone I would want to ride with save for one old timer on a GW.

    I ride to Thayer St and I get heckled (literally, as in from 50' away) by some asshat who I don't know on some blinged out GSXR1RRSVHaybusa1000, then I sit outside with my sandwich and listen to a bunch of HD riders make fun of my crotch rocket, not realizing I am like 5' away. It's a good thing I ride to ride and not to pose, or I'd have to sell my bike.

    In contrast, my buddy insisted we couldn't fit 2 bikes in the back of my Tacoma, so we get to the track with his bike in a 4x8 enclosed U-Haul trailer. The trailer was unhooked from the hitch. He unloads his bike, which causes the trailer to shift backwards. So now you have 2 jackasses trying to unload a chromed out & stickered GSXR at a 40 degree angle. It looked molto stupido to say the least. Then he gets on the track and it's pretty clear he is on way too much bike for his skill level, which is low. No one is heckling him, as a matter of fact people are helping him adjust his chain, set his tire pressures and find his line.

    Maybe if I experienced similar camraderie on the street when I did ride I would be less grumpy, not that I ride to be social, but nice people (and safe drivers) are always a plus.

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    Andrew
    03 Suzuki SV650

  8. #8

    Giving up street riding for the track

    Chromed out and stickered bike at track day?

    I would've heckled him!



    I Keed... I keed.

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    Tony
    Trackdays in CT, NY, and NH
    www.TonysTrackDays.com



    Pirelli Track Tires - www.goMTAG.com


  9. #9
    Senior Member ancosta's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Originally posted by 35racer
    Chromed out and stickered bike at track day?

    I would've heckled him!



    I Keed... I keed.
    Don't get me wrong, you could see some funny looks and the tech guy was like hey this is a really pretty bike, you take awesome care of it, good you have frame sliders, your chain's a bit loose, so just go easy on the throttle, OK?

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    Andrew
    03 Suzuki SV650

  10. #10
    Lifer brewmaster's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Great thoughts. I agree that track riding is SO much more exciting and challenging. Thus I just made the jump and bought myself a track bike (see below). It will allow me too ride harder on the track without worrying about messing up my “old girl”. It will also let me learn how to set up/ adjust a suspension, ride closer to the limits and of course have more fun! I can’t wait to take it out in July. So now I need a trailer and such so it is an expensive alternative (unless someone can throw my bike on their trailer in July, please, please).

    I too still enjoy riding on the street. Only now it seems a sport tour bike is more to my liking. Something to enjoy the road, go for longer distances more comfortably and still handles decent. I’m not ready to sell out to a cruiser yet though. Not my cup a tea or as in most cruisers rides beer.

    Riding is fun driving is boring! Well except a nice sports car would be fun..hmm….honey…….

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    Last edited by brewmaster; 06-09-05 at 03:38 PM.
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  11. #11
    Member babo's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    I went through the same issues a while back - I was thinking so much about all the shit that could happen that I really wasn’t enjoying the experience at all. I’d finish-up with the ride and be exhausted and frazzled.

    My problem was that I was using the bike to commute on the highway (Rt 128 specifically), or really busy roads, and it sucked.

    I’ve since totally changed my riding style to concentrate on riding and finding slower (25 – 35 mph) roads were I can concentrate first on being smooth, rather than fast.
    These roads tend to be less traveled, and way more challenging that simply commuting on the slab. I still have to deal with the same safety issues. The difference is that they tend to be right in front of me, rather than coming at me from all sides.

    I now figure if I cant get there by back roads, I’m not gonna go!

    I also don’t force myself to get on the bike. There are some days that I suit up, only to take my gear off again and jump in the cage. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!

    Do I still have the need for speed? You bet. I did my first track day in May and my second is June 21st!!!


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  12. #12
    Lifer
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    I've gone through the same thing this year. This is my slowest year mileage wise on the street since I started riding. I'm not sure I've even rode 1500 miles yet, and keep in mind I rode right through the winter. (occasionally)

    In my case I guess I'm a) lucky b) stupid, cause I don't have many close calls with cars and I don't feel in danger on the street very often.

    But it gets really old following a line of cars at 20mph all the way to/from work every day, getting stuck in bumper to bumper traffic at every light and roasting my nads, etc, etc, etc... that is just not what motorcycling is about to me.

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  13. #13
    lost in space zombie's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Originally posted by ancosta
    Don't get me wrong, you could see some funny looks and the tech guy was like hey this is a really pretty bike, you take awesome care of it, good you have frame sliders, your chain's a bit loose, so just go easy on the throttle, OK?


    I was at the track day yesterday and saw that blinged out gixxer, pretty funny looking bike .I was on my black triumph speed triple and saw you on your SV650. Really nice day awesome weather and didn't dump the bike ...result.
    I'm a street rider and love to ride anywhere anytime and accept the risk that goes with that, I don't care what type of riding I'm doing as long as I'm riding and in motion. Every couple of years I like to take the ERC course to refresh my road skills and emergency braking and other aspects of riding.

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    eat me

  14. #14
    medium pimpin' slaps76's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    You're definitely right about bad drivers in Providence...driving through 95 is ridiculous, it's a rolling idiot convention.

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    "It is important never to forget where u all came from — becoz black, white, brown or pakistani we all come from de same place — de punani."
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  15. #15
    God Cam_In_IL's Avatar
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    Giving up street riding for the track

    Dude, you need to hook up with me. There are some nice roads here that aren't congested. You won't find them up there, though. They're in south county. Or you could head west to Connecticut.

    In fact, if you're not doing anything this weekend, a bunch of us are riding to the Bean and to that bikini bike wash.

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    Yup.

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