Track riding miscoception - by street riders

[Metastable]

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For those of you who are apprehensive of riding at the track, I just wanted to give a heads up. There is a huge misconception about track riding.

1 - Just because you are riding on a track, it doesn't mean that you all of the sudden have to go as fast as possible. It isn't a race. You do what you are comfortable with, just like riding on the street. Imagine it being a street with no cops, no speed limit, and no cars!!!!

2 - The beauty of a track school is that they make you start off slowly, so that you can learn properly. The first couple of sessions you will probably be behind a control rider. You start off by taking baby steps and you progress, so that by the end of the day.... you are going much much quicker, but still at a comfortable pace for you.

3 - A track school day isn't necessarily for those who only want to do trackdays and/or race. It is a GREAT tool for guys that just want to ride street, but would like to improve their skills and gain some confidence. You will be amazed at how much you can learn in 1 track school day.

4 - Just doing a trackday is a great idea too, but can be a bit more intimidating than a school, since there isn't as much professional help to guide you along. Plus, self learning is a lot harder and a school can help take away bad habits. However, if a trackday is out of your monetary league, even a regular trackday is a great learning tool..... and most organizations will have control riders you can approach and they will help you out. Plus at schools and trackdays in the beginner group, there are passing rules. You won't (or shouldn't) have anyone bombing past you on the inside as you tip into a corner. Again .... it isn't a race, but a controlled riding environment geared to your skill level.

Remember - if it were not fun, there wouldn't be so many people doing track.

 

[SunnY S]

This thread should be a sticky.

I'm glad the attitude on this forum is shifting. Last year, I got PM flak from several for taking a Intro to Track Day class because none of the instructors were "racers". Not everyone who wants to partake of a track day, necessarily wants to go "racing".

I did 2 "track school courses" (Turn 2 ARC 1, and Intro to Track with GWB at TMP) before doing a proper "track day". The help and guidance and time spent there was well worth it, as opposed to "jumping" in to a regular track day and not knowing what to fully expect.

Money and time well spent.

And with the draconian speeding and aggressive driving laws we have now..... track is my crack.

.

 

[jc100]

If it was like Europe where you can pay 14 euros to go and whizz around the Nurburgring I'd definitely do that for a blast, even advertise and pay for someone with skills to come and give me a few tips for the price of his lap, might even do it a few times at that price...but with the ridiculous prices for trackdays/schools here I have zero interest in riding around on the same circuit for a day. Would rather see an advanced street motorocycle course put in place (would be more worthwhile for street use) that gives takers insurance breaks (similar to UK) for people that sign up and do more long distance touring where I see different scenery as time goes by.

 

[Nick_f]

i just want to take my motorcycle around a track. been riding for 4 years now, no track instruction.

Can i still go to a track at my own 'leisure' and not get bullied around by other riders?

 

[Metastable]

Sure you can. There is no bullying.... there are other people just trying to learn like you are. Plus there are rules for different groups. In beginner a common one is no passing in the corners, or passing only on the outside, so that you don't spook anyone. Then if you feel like it, you can get a hold of one of the control riders and have them help you out if you want the help.

 

[Brian P]

There's only going to be "bullying" if you screw up.

"Screwing up" not only includes crashing; it also includes actions that interfere with other riders, particularly actions that are unpredictable from the viewpoint of others on the track. You still have to play nice with others.

 

[jc100]

i just want to take my motorcycle around a track. been riding for 4 years now, no track instruction.

Can i still go to a track at my own 'leisure' and not get bullied around by other riders?

Yep, but see my post, it will cost you. In Europe anyone can take their bike/car round one of the more technical/longest tracks on the continent for 14 euros ($20 CDN), I don't know anywhere here where that's remotely possible for that price, you have to pay for the whole day at upwards of $300 on the cheap end. I asked a racing outfit at a bike show if it was possible just to take a bike out for a lap of a track and was told well, for the weekend it would be $800. That's a joke, for $800 I can be sipping margaritas on a beach for a week in the sun. Some people have zero interest in spending their day going round and round the same track, I know I dont. It would be good if there was a place you could just boot around once or twice.

 

[AGS]

Do you use your street bike and if so, what prep is involved - removing mirrors, etc?

 

[Treize]

Yep, but see my post, it will cost you. In Europe anyone can take their bike/car round one of the more technical/longest tracks on the continent for 14 euros ($20 CDN), I don't know anywhere here where that's remotely possible for that price, you have to pay for the whole day at upwards of $300 on the cheap end. I asked a racing outfit at a bike show if it was possible just to take a bike out for a lap of a track and was told well, for the weekend it would be $800. That's a joke, for $800 I can be sipping margaritas on a beach for a week in the sun. Some people have zero interest in spending their day going round and round the same track, I know I dont. It would be good if there was a place you could just boot around once or twice.

This.

Track days here are not worth the money.

 

[TomC]

interesting, i would like to know exactly which tracks and what sort of facilities, amenities, and services these 14 euro trackdays provide...

 

[reciprocity]

This.

Track days here are not worth the money.

And street riding is??

paying $12k for a streetbike, $2000 for insurance and being forced to ride around at 1st gear pace.

Yep, sounds like a good ROI to me.

 

[Venom01]

This.

Track days here are not worth the money.

As a person who really wants to try the track that is a very disappointing thing to hear. I don't think I can afford to ride both street and track now. I just feel that after 10 years of street riding my biking skills are pushing what i can do legally on the road. I want to hit the track to push it a bit but I don't want to give up the street either.

 

[jc100]

interesting, i would like to know exactly which tracks and what sort of facilities, amenities, and services these 14 euro trackdays provide...

The Nurburgring (you may have heard of it). Ambulance on standby. Anyone can go. Many people travel from the UK to go round this track as many times as their cash will allow, the price went up to 24 euros or 38 euros for the Grand Prix track since I last saw it, but at this price you can see the $800 of a track weekend would go reasonably far.

Here http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/angeb...-nordschleife/opening-times-nordschleife.html


Not everyone wants classroom instruction or professional rider tips or wants to go round the same track all day. Some people wouldn't mind having a boot around maybe 1-5 times.

Edit: The price went up to $24 Euros for a lap this year. Still cheaper than having to fork out for a full day for those that don't want to.

 

[Chaos]

I'm seriously contemplating giving up street riding, and going to the track exclusively. I'm not a speed demon by any stretch, but if I want to have a spirited run, I can't help but get a bit anxious on the roads - too many risks/variables on the streets. At least the track is a more controlled environment.

Track might not be cheap, but as a consolation, you won't have a nasty insurance bill every year.

 

[jc100]

And street riding is??

paying $12k for a streetbike, $2000 for insurance and being forced to ride around at 1st gear pace.

Yep, sounds like a good ROI to me.

Or...$5k for a bike (mine) + $700 insurance + freedom to go where I like. A motorcycle is just another form of transport that happens to be a lot more fun than a car.

 

[toybm]

As a person who really wants to try the track that is a very disappointing thing to hear. I don't think I can afford to ride both street and track now. I just feel that after 10 years of street riding my biking skills are pushing what i can do legally on the road. I want to hit the track to push it a bit but I don't want to give up the street either.

I would say do your own research, go to a few track websites they have info or even call or the Trackday section of this website. It's certainly NOT as expensive as was mentioned here in a few posts and try not to get caught up in comparisons with tracks in other parts of the world, we live and ride in Ontario, Canada.

Remember this is the internet and opinions are like ........ well you know. There are quite a few tracks in Ontario that offer many different things at varying costs, check them out.

 

[caboose56]

Lol @ The Nordschleife.

What are you going to learn on that track that you couldn't learn on DVP offramps with a "qualified instructor"? 170+ corners in 13 miles? Blind entrances and guard rails 3 feet off the pavement?

That sounds like a safe environment to go learn in. [/sarcasm]

 

[toybm]

Lol @ The Nordschleife.

What are you going to learn on that track that you couldn't learn on DVP offramps with a "qualified instructor"? 170+ corners in 13 miles? Blind entrances and guard rails 3 feet off the pavement?

That sounds like a safe environment to go learn in. [/sarcasm]

But it's only 14 euros..... So it's got to be the best. [sarcasm]

 

[jc100]

Lol @ The Nordschleife.

What are you going to learn on that track that you couldn't learn on DVP offramps with a "qualified instructor"? 170+ corners in 13 miles? Blind entrances and guard rails 3 feet off the pavement?

That sounds like a safe environment to go learn in. [/sarcasm]

Lol...and you wouldn't for 24 euros?? How many here would pass up the opportunity? I know I would definitely give it a go for that price and I'd probably ride like a granny and enjoy the hell out of it.

All I'm saying is that it would be nice to have the option to boot around a track once or twice for the price of a river rafting trip...rather than having all the bells and whistles of a full track day.

The Nurburgring seems to be doing pretty well out of this operation and there's plenty of people that have taken the opportunity to ride 13 miles with 70+ corners, no cops on a premier racetrack and enjoy it safely.

 

[jc100]

But it's only 14 euros..... So it's got to be the best. [sarcasm]

Where's the jealousy emoticon? Like I said, you'd pass up that opportunity would you?

Luckily for me my brother is still in the UK with his bike so I will probably get the opportunity to try this at some point as part of a european tour. I'll be out about $40-50 CDN or so.

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