I’ve been reading quite a few posts about knee dragging, chicken strips, proper posture, and braking, just riding technique in general. Most of the answers seem lead to the same resolution, knowing your machine, time/experience and track days. This is my 3rd season and I’ve learned a lot but feel I could have learned much more if there was some type of intervention. I would like to further my knowledge/experience in a more expeditious way. It seems the track would be the most logical way to go about this.
I don’t know about you guys but track days seem to me like they’d be difficult to attain. It requires at least full leather suit, covering of mirrors and lights, transporting the vehicle and gas. Not to mention track fees or the fact that damages incurred on the track will not be cover by your insurance. You may want to invest in a bike just for the track; I’m not going to guess at what this would cost yearly.
I propose an alternate solution. I think people that ask these questions would be satisfied just seeing improvement in their riding. With that in mind I suggest riders within the GIXXER for a sort of big brother team. A few experienced riders manage a group of less experienced riders and critique there technique. Now that I think about it the suggestion does seem a little out there. I am sure there are some thinkers out there who could take the idea and expand on it. In the mean time for the riders out there that have learned a few lesson I’d like you to share them with me. What I might have missed you may have learned and vise versa.

Thanks for your time,


Psyg

Re: the insurance thingy...Most companies will insure you IF it's Not a timed event, and track days are Not timed events...to be safe, check with your agent.

Also, at a track day, you have Several things going for you, that you don't have on the streets.

No guard rails

No cops

No oncoming traffic

No objects flying in your path....

No speed limit

What you have is

EMT's standing by..just in case

Other riders doing the same thing you are

cornerwokers to look out for you

In some cases, instruction

A Safer place to ride.

Yes it costs more than ridng on the street, but your also MUCH safer, plus your skillz will increase faster.

Then there's the FUN factor... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Northern Jersey is the worst place to hone your riding skills unless the skills you're trying to hone are weaving through traffic and dodging semi-blind motorists.

Re: the insurance thingy...Most companies will insure you IF it's Not a timed event, and track days are Not timed events...to be safe, check with your agent.

Also, at a track day, you have Several things going for you, that you don't have on the streets.

No guard rails

No cops

No oncoming traffic

No objects flying in your path....

No speed limit

What you have is

EMT's standing by..just in case

Other riders doing the same thing you are

cornerwokers to look out for you

In some cases, instruction

A Safer place to ride.

Yes it costs more than ridng on the street, but your also MUCH safer, plus your skillz will increase faster.

Then there's the FUN factor... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif



+1

And having full leathers is almost a must on the street also. They make a HUGE difference if you go down. IMHO you get more out of one trackday (at least the first ones) than you get out of a full season on the street, skill-wise http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

And taping off lights and mirrors isn't hard. Just bring a roll of masking tape (the kind used for painting) - it's cheap and leaves no residue http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif It's a good idea to pull the plugs off the headlight bulbs and the brake light switch to keep the tape glue from melting, though - takes a couple of seconds extra http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

if u wnat the most bang for ur buck....and it will cost u....attend a track school where there's actaull class time aswell as track time.....i learned more in those 2 days of riding than the 6 months that i had my bike prior to the school.

Yes, it's expensive to do track days. But, NESBA offers 2 free trackday sessions for noobs and all you need is a jacket and 2 pair of jeans. I bought a used full suit for $75. Wore some 15 work boots, and bought some $30 gloves. LOVED IT. It takes me 15 minutes to prep my bike with tape and removal of the front signals. I ride it to the track and buy 2 gallons of their gas while I'm there. A hiking backpack and I'm there. My only problem is if I go down. But I can always call a friend with a truck to come scrape me up.

I know that finding someone to ride with on the road to learn sounds like a good idea. The track is better for these reasons.
1) controlled environment - you don't have to worry about cagers or cops
2) repitition - you do the same exact corner every time. You can then see and feel your results from trying something new.
3) visual aid - you can just go and watch the "fast" group and take notes of lines / body position.

You will not believe the improvement in your riding from 1 day at the track. I understand that it looks like a huge investment, but it also has a huge return. Beg a friend to borrow their leathers. Hell, I think Kneedraggers.com rents leathers. Save some money and do one track day. Check your insurance and remember that it's not competition. If your agent wants to deny you because you were on a race track, remind him that they charged you more because it's a race bike.

the track is curve after curve which gets your tires hotter than i can get them on the street. I didnt realize this till i tore the plastic off my bike trying to scrape footpegs on the street. Had on full leathers, went down at honest 85, pulled a rib loose & scratched my hand, not even a bandaid. At 61 i should have known better but im sorta proud of my old body for taking the crash so well. God must have known what he was doing.

I carn`t get enough track days. I`m completly addicted.
Purchased a trailer, invested in some glass, done some suspension work. Its sending me broke. Ive got to work 2 jobs to keep the money up to it but oh man, am I having a ball.

I carn`t get enough track days. I`m completly addicted.
Purchased a trailer, invested in some glass, done some suspension work. Its sending me broke. Ive got to work 2 jobs to keep the money up to it but oh man, am I having a ball.



+1 - once you get hooked, you want to keep taking hits off the track pipe http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did a track day three years ago, then went straight out and bought a track-prepped bike and a trailer. Since then I bought a van instead that will hold two bikes plus gear, tools, parts, etc. enclosed, a ton of various tools including for changing and balancing tires, extra rims so I can have slicks on one set and rains on the other, etc., etc... This season I'm taking my race license and plan on doing a couple of race weekends on top of the 11 track days I already have planned... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/icon_rant.gif

I guess my bank advisor hates me now... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif

+1 - once you get hooked, you want to keep taking hits off the track pipe http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did a track day three years ago, then went straight out and bought a track-prepped bike and a trailer. Since then I bought a van instead that will hold two bikes plus gear, tools, parts, etc. enclosed, a ton of various tools including for changing and balancing tires, extra rims so I can have slicks on one set and rains on the other, etc., etc... This season I'm taking my race license and plan on doing a couple of race weekends on top of the 11 track days I already have planned... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/icon_rant.gif

I guess my bank advisor hates me now... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif
I hate you:mad I cant wait until i can financially be able to do what you do... I hate riding on the street the way i do but its all i got for now. The second I can move my ass to 100% track I will. Again, i hate you:mad but one of these days i will see you at a track and thank you for inspiring me to make you look slow:D j/k, some day... some day.......

I propose an alternate solution. I think people that ask these questions would be satisfied just seeing improvement in their riding. With that in mind I suggest riders within the GIXXER for a sort of big brother team. A few experienced riders manage a group of less experienced riders and critique there technique. Now that I think about it the suggestion does seem a little out there. I am sure there are some thinkers out there who could take the idea and expand on it. In the mean time for the riders out there that have learned a few lesson I’d like you to share them with me. What I might have missed you may have learned and vise versa.

Thanks for your time,


Psyg

Not a bad idea actually, but you want to be mindful of who you have mentoring you. Some guys may appear to be quick on the road if they are quicker than you, but that doesn't mean they are a good, or safe, or necessarily a fast rider. Here in the UK, you can go on IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists, or something like that..) observed rides where your riding gets critiqued (everything from road positioning, to spotting hazards). The observers tend to be old guys on VFRs but you will do well to shake one of them if you tried. And these guys are old bikers for a reason!
Once you have all their techniques down, to go faster you really should take it to the track.

I hate you:mad I cant wait until i can financially be able to do what you do... I hate riding on the street the way i do but its all i got for now. The second I can move my ass to 100% track I will. Again, i hate you:mad but one of these days i will see you at a track and thank you for inspiring me to make you look slow:D j/k, some day... some day.......

:D :lol :cheers

Actually I just got back from two full days at the track :p

And I did get my racing license two months ago :D

Sounds to me, your trying to conserve your money and motorcycling isnt the place to skimp on. Safety is number one in my book. I buy more gear then mods on my bike, because in the long run its whats going to save you from the serious hospital bills.

1pc suit and full gear is a must, on the track and off the track. Spend your money wisely and if you cant afford something there is always second hand on ebay.

Do not skimp on tires! If you go to the track have new tires on. You will love the track and like the others have said its an addiction. Most of the guys I know have stop ridding street and track only.

Has anyone ever been to MARRC?

http://www.marrc.org/html_docs/rrs.html

-they offer a class and track day up at summit point in WV.

Im tryin to find some tracks in my area -or as close as possible. Im about an hour south of DC. Any suggestions -schools? Ive been riding street bikes for 5 years now.. but have never been to the track.. got that itch -and now a good job so I can afford it!

Thanks!

Has anyone ever been to MARRC?

http://www.marrc.org/html_docs/rrs.html

-they offer a class and track day up at summit point in WV.

Im tryin to find some tracks in my area -or as close as possible. Im about an hour south of DC. Any suggestions -schools? Ive been riding street bikes for 5 years now.. but have never been to the track.. got that itch -and now a good job so I can afford it!

Thanks!

Try the Track Day Forum, you'll probably have more luck there. And welcome to the addiction - track is the best drug in the world :cheers

Will do, Thanks!