Ride the track wannabe

[fjrrider RI]

Never been on a race track - just watched, don't have the bike or equipment yet. Do have a 250 ninja I could convert or purchase another used for the track. The question is "Best way to get started. Are you always riding with lots of other bikes on the track when you learn? Just how dangerous will this be for my bod if properly equiped?" just a few stupid nubee questions like that for you racers!!!!!!!!

[eboos]

The best bike to bring is one that you are already comfortible on. Your current bike should be just fine and there is minimal bike preparation to get started. You will be on the track with other riders, but will get follow the leader instruction to orientate you with the track, and the groups will be spread apart enough so that you will not be packed together. Danger wise, much less then street riding. Most on track incedents end with next to no physical harm, and this is due to the fact that tracks do not have the hazzards that public roads have.

Check out Boston Moto's ITR (Introduction to Track Riding) program. This will be a great way to get started.

[OreoGaborio]

See banner in sig

- No inside passing in any group
- Limited passing areas in beginner group (passing rules monitored by control riders & instructors and are definitely enforced )
- Solid instructor:student ratio
- Our whole program geared towards new track enthusiasts & street riders.

The list goes on... check out the website & see if it's somethin you're interested in. TONS of customers on this forum can attest to the quality of our organization.

Best way to get started is to ride your own bike... it's what you ride on the street, right? Same pavement, safer environment.
Learn what your & your street bike are really capable of.

[Jim]

Never been on a race track - just watched, don't have the bike or equipment yet. Do have a 250 ninja I could convert or purchase another used for the track. The question is "Best way to get started. Are you always riding with lots of other bikes on the track when you learn? Just how dangerous will this be for my bod if properly equiped?" just a few stupid nubee questions like that for you racers!!!!!!!!

try a day or two with your 250 ninja and make a decision from there if you wanted to keep using that, or get something else.

as far as getting started, buy used gear over the winter. i prefer to have a 2nd set of gear for street and track (helmet, gloves, suit, boots). a 2 piece suit is acceptable, but you may want a 1 piece suit.

there is a risk of getting hurt on the track, as like riding on the street. you might be doing speeds near 100MPH on the start/finish line. i can say that i've seen at least 400 track day riders on the track this year, and have seen MAYBE 5 injuries resulting in a broken bone or dislocated shoulder.

the beginner groups are carefully coached and monitored at all the track day events and will provide the safest possible day for you.

hope this helps.

[Mustang]

there is a risk of getting hurt on the track, as like riding on the street. you might be doing speeds near 100MPH on the start/finish line. i can say that i've seen at least 400 track day riders on the track this year, and have seen MAYBE 5 injuries resulting in a broken bone or dislocated shoulder.

FWIW, yesterday was my 11th TD and my first time where the handlebars hit the pavement, and the only thing that happened to me was a (possibly) fractured fingertip.

[Jim]

FWIW, yesterday was my 11th TD and my first time where the handlebars hit the pavement, and the only thing that happened to me was a (possibly) fractured fingertip.

really, that's it? tomorrow will be my 11th TD (7th at loudon)

[Pittenger5]

really, that's it? tomorrow will be my 11th TD (7th at loudon)

Ive done 4 I think.


And worse comes to worse at the track, and you DO get hurt, theres 2 ambulances no more than 1000 feet away with the engine running.
Oh, and theres no volvos allowed at the track.

[Jim]

Ive done 4 I think.

he's talking to the track day customers, not you expert racers with fancy white/black plates

[kbroderick]

try a day or two with your 250 ninja and make a decision from there if you wanted to keep using that, or get something else.

as far as getting started, buy used gear over the winter. i prefer to have a 2nd set of gear for street and track (helmet, gloves, suit, boots). a 2 piece suit is acceptable, but you may want a 1 piece suit.

An EX250 is perfectly capable of being a blast at Loudon (or at NJMP, for that matter). It does help if you're comfortable being passed by bigger bikes on the straights, but I didn't find that particularly bothersome (but I was used to it happening on the street anyhow).

I've done a fair number (er, maybe 12?) of track days. I've lowsided twice, I think on days 6 and 7, because as I got better I kept pushing to ride as fast as I could, not necessarily focusing on solidifying improvements (e.g. better body position). Both times resulted in zero injury to me, some scuffs on my gear, and a few minor parts needed for my Ninjette (which I happened to have on hand just in case). In one case, I missed one session repairing the bike; in the other, I didn't even miss a session. If I had been a bit smarter about riding at 85% rather than 105%, I probably wouldn't have crashed at all.

there is a risk of getting hurt on the track, as like riding on the street. you might be doing speeds near 100MPH on the start/finish line. i can say that i've seen at least 400 track day riders on the track this year, and have seen MAYBE 5 injuries resulting in a broken bone or dislocated shoulder.

hope this helps.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting too near 100 MPH on the start/finish straight at NHMS with an EX250. I top out around 85 MPH (GPS-verified) on a good day; with a properly tuned bike and a better rider, I'm guessing you might get 90 MPH, but that would be with great drive out of 12 and a tailwind.

[Mr. Kurtz]

Roland(rolker on the forum) did a boatload of TTD events on his EX250, and I can't remember him ever having a bad time. If you've already got that bike, take it to the track! We're going to NJMP Monday and Tuesday, and there's still space left, so there's no time like the present!

[FAST GSXR750]

I've found the only negative to doing track days is work gets in the way. And it is totally addicting, do one and you'll find you can't stop. Ex250 is great to start on.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup... crashes absolutely do happen... typically somewhere between 5 and 10 people go down on any given day... sometimes more, sometimes less. Down in New Jersey a couple weeks ago we only had 5 "unscheduled dismounts" total over the whole two day event!

But as a few others have said, you can do MANY track days w/o ever going down. I've only had one track day crash and it was on my 3rd track day ever back in '07.... and I've done... gees... 40, maybe 50 track days since?

[Doc]

really, that's it? tomorrow will be my 11th TD (7th at loudon)

...and you're that slow?



Left yourself wide open.

[rolker]

An EX250 is perfectly capable of being a blast at Loudon (or at NJMP, for that matter). It does help if you're comfortable being passed by bigger bikes on the straights, but I didn't find that particularly bothersome (but I was used to it happening on the street anyhow).

I've done a fair number (er, maybe 12?) of track days. I've lowsided twice, I think on days 6 and 7, because as I got better I kept pushing to ride as fast as I could, not necessarily focusing on solidifying improvements (e.g. better body position). Both times resulted in zero injury to me, some scuffs on my gear, and a few minor parts needed for my Ninjette (which I happened to have on hand just in case). In one case, I missed one session repairing the bike; in the other, I didn't even miss a session. If I had been a bit smarter about riding at 85% rather than 105%, I probably wouldn't have crashed at all.




I wouldn't worry too much about getting too near 100 MPH on the start/finish straight at NHMS with an EX250. I top out around 85 MPH (GPS-verified) on a good day; with a properly tuned bike and a better rider, I'm guessing you might get 90 MPH, but that would be with great drive out of 12 and a tailwind.

I've reached a top speed if 85ish as well at Loudon on the EX250.

Roland(rolker on the forum) did a boatload of TTD events on his EX250, and I can't remember him ever having a bad time. If you've already got that bike, take it to the track! We're going to NJMP Monday and Tuesday, and there's still space left, so there's no time like the present!

Always had a great time on the EX250 at both Loudon and NJMP!

[FireboltEric_MA]

I just started doing track days. Did one last year. and about 12 this year. If you can, try and do a couple in a row. the info you get there is alot to digest in one day. It;s overwhelming to say the least. The second day allows you to get out there and put it all together right out of the gate.

Been down on the streets twice before starting TD's, and never down at the track. The control riders are great to learn from. I am soooo much better of a rider due to all the help they give.

[fjrrider RI]

thank you for all the interesting replies. I do need to get the 250 wire locked before using on a track right?

[Jim]

thank you for all the interesting replies. I do need to get the 250 wire locked before using on a track right?

just the oil filter. get a hose clamp and safety wire the clamp. or buy a K&N oil filter, which already has a pre-drilled hole for safety wire

[akira700]

No, for Tony's Days the only requirement in terms of safety wiring
is a hose clamp on your oil filter that will stop the thing from vibrating
loose. Any of the people here on the forum who have been to track
day before can help you with this.

Go for it. The bike setup obstacles are next to none!

[Jim]

No, for Tony's Days the only requirement in terms of safety wiring
is a hose clamp on your oil filter that will stop the thing from vibrating
loose. Any of the people here on the forum who have been to track
day before can help you with this.

Go for it. The bike setup obstacles are next to none!

one thing he forgot to mention, is to bring tons of hot bitches. that is a requirement

[Mondo]

[OreoGaborio]

No, for Tony's Days the only requirement in terms of safety wiring is a hose clamp on your oil filter that will stop the thing from vibrating loose.

Let me clarify... you need to either position the hose clamp so that the tightening screw rests against a part of the engine case should the filter begin to spin loose, or it needs some safety wire on there to connect it to a fairing stay or something so that the filter can't spin lose.

Simply putting a hose clamp on the filter won't help you if you can spin it off the engine case.

[fjrrider RI]

one thing he forgot to mention, is to bring tons of hot bitches. that is a requirement

I normally carry only one with no spares

[CBR929RE]

Let me clarify... you need to either position the hose clamp so that the tightening screw rests against a part of the engine case should the filter begin to spin loose, or it needs some safety wire on there to connect it to a fairing stay or something so that the filter can't spin lose.

Simply putting a hose clamp on the filter won't help you if you can spin it off the engine case.

basically what you're saying is buy a hose clamp that fits your bikes oil filter and bring it to the track with you. Ask someone for some help. If they can't help they might be able to point you to someone who can help.

here's a little safety wiring writeup, pic of a wired oil filter are in there http://www.rc51.org/wire1.htm

[DucDave]

Lots of great advice in this thread. The only thing I don't see is what, I feel, should be a 'Surgeon Generals' type of warning:

"Track Day Riding Warning - Participating in a Track Day can be addicting and hazardous to your free time and finances."

[KawiSmurf]

Lots of great advice in this thread. The only thing I don't see is what, I feel, should be a 'Surgeon Generals' type of warning:

"Track Day Riding Warning - Participating in a Track Day can be addicting and hazardous to your finances."

fiksed