Ladies, I'm asking on behalf of my gf who has gone with me to my first 2 track days and is now starting the roll around the idea of trying it herself. Her experience is with a HD 883 Sportster. She RARELY rides, as in once or twice year. She wants a 250 to try out the track. What would y'all recommend for a fellow lady newbie? Besides riding more of course...:bounce:
250s are ridiculous fun on the track and let you grow a lot as a rider, regardless of gender. I run I-group on mine and am far from the slowest bike out there.
You probably lapped me on my 250 too.....that's all part of it. 250's are fun little machines and will teach corner speed and throttle. Great starter bike and great to tool around on for more experienced riders too.
My wife bought her first track bike, it is a Honda 600rr. After her first track day she hinted at looking at getting rid of it and buying a 250. She has done another track day and is getting more comfortable each time. I would suggest a 250 for sure, we couldnt pass up the deal on this 600rr that is why we got that one for her. Currently on the weraclassified site there are a few very nice race prepped 250's for sale around the 3,000 dollar range.
I think her level of confidence would be better suited by a 250 and I agree it would be better for learning purposes. I'd probably even take a few spins on it.
We'll have a well sorted one for sale immeadiately after the WERA GNF. Unless some commits to it before then... and/or he doesn't wad it up before then.
We'll see what she wants to do. A new job and a new car may delay her decision for quite some time. I'm more excited about the idea than she is I think.:nod:
There are a few girls that ride 250s in the south, so she'll fit right in. She'll definitely have a couple of women to talk to about lines and what not. The 250s are great bikes to start on the track with especially if you don't have a ton of experience. In addition to her having a bike to learn on, you can have a great deal of fun taking it out. The husband still takes out my 125, and sometimes the boy's 250. The other thing I would recommend for you to keep in mind is that women have a different way of learning on the track. A lot of women are quite scared/nervous the first track day because it is quite intimidating. Give her a lot of uplifting compliments and get her with Ed or one of the other Novie instructors early. Once you both get comfortable, there is nothing better than to spend the weekend at the track with your husband/wife.
Cyndi you nailed it on the head. Once my wife started doing track days she fell in love with it. We have had a great time and the instructors at the track days spending extra time with her getting her comfortable on the bike has been top notch!!!
I had the pleasure of riding with Knolly at ACC a few weeks back. It was kind of like swatting at that fly on your neck you just keep missing. Everytime you passed him he was right back in the next turn with that 250 buzzing in your ear.
My last post was a bit short since I was in a rush. I wanted to mention that I think the 250 is a great starting bike for anyone at the track. They're cheap to buy and CRAZY cheap to maintain. Their lack of power prevents you from adopting a "point and shoot" approach to track riding, so it really helps you focus on your technique. You have to be comfortable with having your doors blown off on the straightaways sometimes, but it can just motivate you to practice outbraking people. Haha, that's the idea!
There was a girl on a 250 last weekend at Gingerman, she would catch up the guy in front of her between turn 1,2 and 3. She was having fun I could tell. It's definitely not about the power of the bike! I wish I had a 250
Check ou tthe racing that can be done on them... You'll notice them passing some SV's in the corners too.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLZ8vUcBC7s&list=UUO_r0KxcM6sWC9mjnpwm8Wg and here's a lap around Road Atlanta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8PYktdzwm4&list=UUO_r0KxcM6sWC9mjnpwm8Wg
My first track day was on a 636, I have a zx6r for a track bike now and am seriously considering adding a 250 just for fun for next year. Great bike, there's a few women up here that have them.
