How'd you benefit from your track day experience

[TexanRT]

How did you benefit from a track day experience? What would you recommend in way of preparation for the day? How much street experience should you have before considering track day? Did you go alone or as part of an organized class or even sponsored by a club or dealer? Your information and recommendations would be appreciated -- thanks.

[Muriel]

I did a Tony's Track Day a few years ago at NH International Speedway - I'd been riding 3 or 4 years at that time. I rode my F650 and was in the novice group (which is where I wanted to be). Just a note - I was over 60 when I did this.

My cornering was much improved after the day, and probably my shifting as well. Tony advised us to come to the area the night before to conserve energy, so several of us met for dinner and shared rooms nearby. Tony's set up was orientation, then you're out on the track for twenty minutes every hour for about eight sessions. We followed the instructors for the first session as they showed us the best lines. They were also on the track when we were. Once on our own, we went out one at a time (forgot the gap inbetween - 30 seconds?). Each level had different restrictions on where you could pass, with the Novice group only allowed to pass in a few places. Tony supplied food and drink. Other BMW riders from the area helped us prep our bikes (cover the headlights, taillights, remove mirrors), and we went through an inspection to ensure proper tires etc. Tony also advised us not to ride home that night as we would be tired.

I need to do another track day this year. I'd recommend it. There was a photographer at the track taking pictures, so we could buy one or more later on - he took them from different vantage points. Do it!

Muriel

[adamceckhardt]

I need to do another track day this year. I'd recommend it.
Muriel

If you decide to do it, let me know!

I did a driving course with Skip Barber years ago. If a track day does for riding what a driving school does for driving, I'm sure that it will not only be an incredibly fun experience, but a great learning opportunity as well.
Adam

[dancogan]

I did my first track day last year, with about 4 years/40,000 miles of experience. It was an invaluable learning experience, arranged at the Grattan track by BMW of SE Michigan. Most important was learning that adding throttle in a turn helps settle the bike and makes it turn better, using brakes in a turn does pretty much the opposite.

It was also great to watch the speedo pass 100 mph, then 110 on the straightaway. Having done that on the track I'm not at all inclined to hit absurd speeds on public roads.

[85138]

How did you benefit from a track day experience? What would you recommend in way of preparation for the day? How much street experience should you have before considering track day? Did you go alone or as part of an organized class or even sponsored by a club or dealer? Your information and recommendations would be appreciated -- thanks.

Check http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/experience.html for an example of a typical track day. Also check w/ other providers to give you a broader base for comparison.

I'd echo the previous comments for preparedness. Would you be riding the RT? This may seem like anathema to some but if possible trailer your bike. This is just in case there's a mishap and you can't ride that baby home. Also you'd be pretty beat at the end of the day. Also a good idea to go w/ friends if possible. Camaraderie, support, brainstorming ... and worse case if a mishap (yes it can happen) someone to help you out with transport or arrangements.

For your first track day, I suggest an outfit that does some formal instruction. You can't go wrong w/ Code's www.superbikeschool.com . Can also rent a bike from some outfits so as not to risk yours. Here's another ... www.classrides.com

Street experience? Most outfits say at least one year. I'd venture at least 3000 miles including a decent amount of twisties and comfort with bike and dynamics.

Prep? Bike prep is fairly easy for novice groups and the track day sponsor would provide details on their website, also as to your riding gear. Be as rested as possible. Ride within your limits.

Note some track day providers are quite 'squidly'. Dealer events in my experience more low key and friendlier. Helps if in conjunction with an outfit that offers some formal instruction. Outside of Code's, I can only opine on some of the N.East track day providers.

You'd be pleasantly surprised with your skill improvement and the limits of your bike. Be warned! It can be addictive. :)

[pffog]

How did you benefit from a track day experience?........

Confidence, confidence, confidence...............If you feel confident, you are less liable to get nervous if you need to lean a little more than expected on the street, causing you to loose focus and have a target fixation incident (accident).

.... What would you recommend in way of preparation for the day? ..........

Good tires, good gear, and ability to relax and have a lot of fun.

,........ Did you go alone or as part of an organized class or even sponsored by a club or dealer? ........

As mentioned previous, a good organization with good reputation for teaching.

............ Your information and recommendations would be appreciated -- thanks.

One last thing, it is the 2nd most fun you can have on 2 wheels, the most is riding the Alps. There might be another thing, but this is a PG rated forum :brow

Oh, and prepare to become Addicted.............

[26667]

went to Reg Pridmore's CLASS some years ago. fantastic! They preach "smooth." I'm a much better, and a much more confident rider at hiway speeds and in the twisties.
Whichever sort you attend, my advice is to be sure and get a good nite's sleep before hand. You'll need all your concentration, and you'll have a lot more fun.

[dbrick]

My most striking memory was being ridden around Laguna Seca on the back of Reg Pridmore's bike. It was beyond smooth. I could look over his shoulder and see on the tach when he shifted, but I could not feel it. I just sat there and the horizon tilted left and right at impossible angles.

This was a great lesson. Since then, I aim to ride as smoothly as possible.

[kbasa]

If you've never been on a track before and are looking to enhance your abilities, do not take a track day. Take a real class that will lead you through some level of instruction. I highly recommend Reg Pridmore's CLASS. You'll be lead through the basics of motorcycle control, rather than just being turned loose on the track. You'll have exercises to practice each time you go out, in addition to becoming comfortable with choosing lines, understanding where to brake and roll on the gas and position your body to help steer the bike.

Tina and I ride together frequently and CLASS taught me to be smooooooth and fast. This is important when you're working an RT up a tight mountain road with your wife and camping gear on it. I've learned how hard I can actually brake and I know how to make a motorcycle change direction Right Now. These kind of skills are important when you come down some mountain road and a logging truck is coming the other way taking his half of the road out of the middle.

Mostly - you learn how to make operating a motorcycle a repeatable, consistent experience, no matter the weather, road conditions or bike. You learn to actually handle a motorcycle.

Tina took CLASS when she'd been riding about a year. She's never been fast, but she picks a perfect line, is smooth and efficient and I never worry about her running off the road or making some other mistake based on not knowing how to control her bike.

[TexanRT]

you learn how to make operating a motorcycle a repeatable, consistent experience, no matter the weather, road conditions or bike. You learn to actually handle a motorcycle.

That's my goal -- thanks for all those suggestions. New for this year, Lee Parks is now offering classes through a local company -- I'm going to sign up for one of the classes offered during the summer in Humble, Tx. He's also offering classes in Austin, Lubbock, and Dallas. Here's his website:

http://www.totalcontroltraining.net/HTML/Schedule.html

Reg Pridmore's CLASS was one suggested to me by Eric Trow of Stayin' Safe. Reg Pridmore wrote an introduction to one of the chapters in Larry Grodsky's book Stayin' Safe. Pridmore's class comes highly recommended.

[85138]

That's my goal -- thanks for all those suggestions. New for this year, Lee Parks is now offering classes through a local company -- I'm going to sign up for one of the classes offered during the summer in Humble, Tx. He's also offering classes in Austin, Lubbock, and Dallas. Here's his website:

http://www.totalcontroltraining.net/HTML/Schedule.html

Reg Pridmore's CLASS was one suggested to me by Eric Trow of Stayin' Safe. Reg Pridmore wrote an introduction to one of the chapters in Larry Grodsky's book Stayin' Safe. Pridmore's class comes highly recommended.

Great idea! Lee Parks' class would be a great precursor to an actual track class (e.g. with Classrides) I did Lee's course after my first track day and wish I'd done it first. Then for the next step up, I did Keith Code's.

One other thing ... if you haven't yet, read D. Hough's 'Proficient Motorcycling' or a performance riding book, e.g. 'Total Control' from Parks.