what track days/racing has taught me

[wookie]

The last year was my first time at the track and my first time racing. It is amazing how much I have learned in addition to just the improved riding skills.

1. how to work on my bike.
Prior to buying a track only bike I did a little tinkering and generally understood how to work on cars. In did a little work on my two street bikes (changing the oil, etc.), but I didn't really appreciate what to look for and how important it is to care for your bike. Having to take care of a track/race bike has taught me a lot.

Previously, I would take my bike the dealer for service and assume they did everything correctly. They did, but now I realize (1) how much stuff they could screw up, (2) that they were not magicians/infalible (I can do the same stuf in my garage without destroying my bike), and (3) how to properly check over my bike for safety issues (e.g., checking to make sure bolts are tight, checking tire pressure and brakes more often, how to adjust the suspension, etc). Now it almost seems crazy that I just picked up my bike from the Harley dealer, jumped on, and rode away - assuming they did everying correctly. Also, I'm now confident I can tackle most any project on my bikes.

2. how to ride with reduced traction
Taking a 2k mile trip through twisty, rain drenched, cold roads in California would have been less fun if I didn't have the confidence gained from riding around the track in the rain. Having some idea of what the bike can do in the wet and how the bike handles when you push the limits of traction allowed my to enjoy those twisties.


3. how dangerous it is to ride on the street
After crashing a couple of times on the track I realized that just because I never crashed on the street didn't mean it couldn't happen. It made me realized that you can fall off.

Also, You would think that riding at the track would make you overconfident on the street, but for me, it was the opposite. There are open areas to slide off/run off on the track, there are too many immovable objects lining the streets.


4. I'm out of shape
I thought I was in reasonable shape, but three days at Holmstead in hot, humid Florida showed me I wasn't. Getting off the bike after a race and having rubber legs showed me I needed to take better care of myself. Maybe I was really out of shape, but it is amazing how much a race can take out of you.

[Pittenger5]

What racing has taught me:

No matter how fast I think I am, I'm slow.

[mzdagrl]

What racing has taught me:

No matter how fast I think I am, I'm slow.

you sure it's you and not the bike?

what my track day taught me: I am weak and slow, and I am okay with that. For now....

[Pittenger5]

Well Im talking in relatives. Obviously the bike is slow, but people are still running 8 seconds a lap faster than me on identical bikes. Thats fast. Im slow.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

how to work on my bike.[/B]

Yes I too have learned how to work on your bike, When its was My bike and still when its your bike.

You have learned Well, You have as we all should learn, That when it comes to bike Maintenance You are responsible for your own saftey, When someone Helps you out with a wheel change or whatever, Its Your Job to torque the the bolts. Because your the one riding it.

Zip tie Alley 2008

[wookie]

the F4i seems to be a good bike to learn to work on....

thanks for your help.

[The Crashing Tomato]

I'll be picking up another Hawk this weekend ( not Watts/ Mongoose's)

[The Crashing Tomato]

Oh yeah and TDs have taught me when your riding next to a douche to just let them be and be prepared when they crash or just HOT PIT.

crashing is an expensive adventure in traction loss.

never skimp on new tries

if it doesn't 'feel' right it prolly isn't
A.note to self: .... if this 'feeling' happens GET OFF THE TRACK

You meet the nicest people at TDs

[Pittenger5]

You meet the nicest people at TDs

Only cause you aint done a track day with me. Im a total prick

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I'll be picking up another Hawk this weekend ( not Watts/ Mongoose's)

Why Not mine I have been turning buyers away for 2 Weeks

[butcher bergs]

Having some idea of what the bike can do in the wet and how the bike handles when you push the limits of traction allowed my to enjoy those twisties.

I read this and instantly thought "wet leaves".

That one road was sketchy at best.

[wookie]

I read this and instantly thought "wet leaves".

That one road was sketchy at best.

I forgot about that....the first few hours of that day the roads were tretcherous. Those wet leaves blanketing the roads...holy crap.

[The Crashing Tomato]

That day turned out to be a great day of riding 575 - 600 mi and a T****fiesta

[eboos]

While I can relate to all of those, #3 and 4 hit home the hardest.

[Rick Lee]

concord ER nurses are hot.

Lol....yeah i figured that one out as well!

[Paul_E_D]

Guys, when you're in pain, anyone with meds is hot! Go back there someday when you're not hurt and double check.

[DucDave]

I learned....

....that a two valve, air cooled twin can teach me more about riding fast than I would have ever believed...

[Doc]

No matter how much I think I know, there is much more to learn.

I second the "even when i think i am fast I am slow"

The pits are like family.

People hear your a racer and they think you know everything. (or nothing)

[Pittenger5]

The one thing that continually astounds me is the faster I go, the slower I feel like Im going. My fastest laps I come into the pits and bitch how slow I was going until I see the laptimes

[Tricky Mike]

I second the "I feel like I'm slow" feelings... but I actually am, so it's all good.

[nt650hawk]

I Agree.

How slow I am to everyone else.

[jwm2k3]

Track days have taught me that the bike can WAY outperform this rider.

Also the traction and cornering that sportbikes can do is amazing.

[Pittenger5]

Also the traction and cornering that sportbikes can do is amazing.

My dad came to a race last summer, and we went into the bowl to watch the experts, he just sat there with his jaw dropped and his head shaking. I asked him what was up, he just said, I cant believe how far these bikes are leaned over. I just laughed, he was simply amazed.

[hammadown]

1st, as other have already said, how slow I am. I thought I was somewhat fast from my street riding experience. I learned very quickly I was not.

2. How to stay cool/ and ride ones own ride in a complicated or dangerous situation. All part of being smooth, being prepared, etc. Saved me at least one crash that I know of for sure.

3. Slowed me the F down on the street. I no longer feel any need or desire to go fast on the street. Actually I don't really even ride the street much at all anymore. Im not complaining

4. Also as mentioned above. The insane abilities that these bikes have. I would love to one day be able to take a supersport and actually say I found the limits of the bike, and not myself. Im VERY far from that, but maybe some day


Ok off to the home front to play Motogp and maybe some GHIII

[Wishbone]

Great thread Wookie. I can't wait to start the learning in April.

I read this and instantly thought "wet leaves".

That one road was sketchy at best.

I forgot about that....the first few hours of that day the roads were tretcherous. Those wet leaves blanketing the roads...holy crap.

That day turned out to be a great day of riding 575 - 600 mi and a T****fiesta

That morning was VERY educational.

Here is a pic when it started getting nicer

Guys, when you're in pain, anyone with meds is hot! Go back there someday when you're not hurt and double check.