My first track day - on a Concours???

[highsider]

So, I signed up for my first track day (Tony's Track Days - Oct 14th), and I am planning on riding my bike, which is a 99 Kawasaki Concours. I like it, its comfy, and still ballsy and handles pretty well in the twisties. The bike probably has a lot more potential than I am able to unleash, which is why I wanted to do a track day with it.

Here's the catch - I was on the phone with my Dad last night, who raced bikes at Loudon about 20+ years ago (I grew up in the Breyer building ), and he said it might not be the best idea. He says that if I were to have a wreck, doing it with such a heavy bike could be the ticket for getting injured.

Should I bother trying to find something smaller? I really dont want to spend the money..... What do you folks think?

[02SuperHawkRdr]

The Concours should be fine.

Will you be able to attack the corners as if you were riding a GSX-R? No, but you should still have a hell of a lot of fun and hone your skills quite a bit while you are at it.

I look forward to seeing you out there on 10/14.

[gixxer6]

Be real careful bro. I instructed the NESR track day a coupla weeks ago had we had a few guys with heavier bikes go down. You'll be fine just as long you realize BEFOREHAND, that you are not on a gixxer 750 Superbike, and as such you need to ride slower. You'll still have a blast, trust me!!!

[Paul_E_D]

Another vote for riding the Connie. We get plenty of big bikes out there. Tony will even bring the wing out for some laps!

Worrying about crashing/injuries is part of our sport, street or track. But if you can ride without crashing on the street, you can do it on the track...

Not that this is comforting, but it honestly doesn't matter what your on. A guy I know had a compound tib fib fracture from a 10 MPH crash on a 50 cc bike!

[Suf Daddy]

Bring your CHP stickers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol
-Suf Daddy

[highsider]

LOL - I'll get one of those whirly-lights all of the volunteer firemen have and mount it on my tank, and try to pull people over on the track. Then they can do wheelies and give me the finger as they ride offffffff........

[TTD]

The only issue I had with the 'wing was going over the 2 transitions (in 3 and 10).

As long as you chill out over those, you'll be fine.

As others have said, the key thing is to remember that you're on a bigger bike than racetracks are designed for. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun and improve your ability to handle your bike.

[stoinkythepig]

Can't advise you one way or the other since I've never set foot or tire on a track before but I do own a Concours and feel the need to share that. You in COG? It's a pretty cool MC club. Do I already know you?

Dave Roman