I only have about 1850 miles on the street and on a motorcycle ever. I am pretty comfortable on the motorcycle just more worried about the hazards on the roads such as gravel, bumps, etc. Also, I havent been really riding on the street at "high" speeds. For what its worth I still have that line around my front tire as it came from the factory. I am nervous about signing up for my first track. I would like to accelerate my learning and not have to worry about the problems the come with riding on the street. Given my experience on the street am I ready to ride on a track? Next if I do go ahead with a track day, should I just rent a leather suit for my first time? I would like to get a nice two peice suit eventually so I could wear the leather jacket on the street without the pants sometimes but am not sure if I shoule make that kind of investment before I ever try a trackday.
Yes, you are ready. Enter as a Novice, and ask to be put in the slowest of the Novice groups. You'll do fine there, and in very short order we'll know where to rank you so that you ride at a pace that lets you have fun while being challenged to learn. STT's Novice program will accelerate your learning curve literally by years over learning on your own. As for the suit, arrange with STT in advance to rent one, so you know it will be there for you. I understand about waiting until you see if you like it before buying your gear, but let me explain it this way.... Trackdays are like sex. You'll like the experience, but you'll be really unhappy when it's over and you have to wait before you can get some more. And as much as you'll be thinking about when you can do it again, you'll also be thinking about how you can do it better!
Where do you live? Might get lucky & have an Instructor that lives in the area willing to spend some time with you on the street before you hit the track. In the meantime, pick up Twist of the Wrist II if you haven't already. Should be able to find it at a major book store like Barnes & Noble.
Sign-up for a day/weekend at BeaveRun. It's a fun track and easy to learn. Great track for someone's first track day.
JJM004, You are ready for a track day and after the 1st day you'll want to be back the next weekend! I rode my F4600 for 6 years as a basic communter get to work get around town bike in both Florida & California before I did my first track day. STT makes the Novice class very stress free and lots of fun. The insturctors have always been great and there is no pressure to ride over your comfort level. My 1st track day I was the only person who had never been on a track before. I was in the slowest Novice group + the slowest rider all day but still had an excellent time and burned off my chicken strips by lunch. Since my first track day at Road Atlanta Aug 2006 I've been hooked and did 5 more track days in 2006 now I'm getting ready for 2007 ! Have fun, done ride over your comfort level and work on the basics and you'll be hooked as most people at the track will tell you it is addictive.
All excellent postings . I did my first track day @ Beaver Run Oct 2005. Went in the slowest group as well. By the end of the day I was in the 2nd group. STT's NOvice tuition is the best going /It was the best riding decision I ever made. Last year I did some more novice days @ Mid Ohio . Then I went to intermediate , turned a 1:47 @ Mid Ohio on the big beast. When I ride on the street I just cruise knowing the next TD is coming . It will make you a better rider and a safer rider. Who needs to get busted going 80 in a 65 , when you can go 150 on the back straight of MO. Just do it , you wont regret it
Be careful, your first Track day is like your first hit of crack. I'll just see what it's like. Next thing you know is your hooked and you're selling everything you own to pay for more track time, tires, shocks, springs, leather suits........I think I need help. No really sign up, it's the best time you will have on your bike. Just remember I warned you. :shock:
:shock: :shock: :shock: Uh, oh I'm screwed. I just sold 4 out of my 7 guns doing that!!! :x .........It really is like crack :lol: :lol: . Of course I still kept my two favorite deer rifles though :wink: . 8)
Are you ready for a trackday? To get the most out of our instructional novice classes you should answer yes to both of these statements: Have I successfully completed a MSF class. (our instructions will build on what they teach you) MORE IMPORTANTLY I am comfortable riding the bike I will be using at the trackday and at highway speeds. I am not saying you should not attend a trackday if you answer no to both. I have had students who had fun and never went over 35 mph all day and in their words "their greatest day and learned a lot". Remember trackdays are all about having FUN. We can teach you the MSF stuff, but you'll need to ride at a moderate speed to benefit from some of the drills. Example, you will not get much out of a shifting drill if you will only go 10 mph.
Yeah, I'm keeping the basics for what I usually use. I kept the Remington Model 700 30.06 for when I hunt down in Kentucky, the .50 caliber Inline Muzzloader for hunting around here in Michigan(More accurate for deer than a shotgun :wink: ), and of course I kept my bow. That's what I usually hunt with. I figured I could live without the others and I'd rather play on the track than shoot some gun that I hardly ever use. Now I just need spring to get here so I can play on the track. I can't wait for Putnam!!!
About the only thing I can add is find yourself a nice suit now. Pick up a good back protector too. The street is more dangerous than the track so why would you want to wear less protection? I wear the same gear street and track.
I am still on schedule for signing up for beaver run on may 26 or 27. i just purchased new gloves. i am buying boots and a suit in the next couple weeks. i know everyone says its a addiction but i will have to learn to keep it under control because its just not practical for me to do many trackdays per year....especially since STT only has two weekends at beaver run this year.
If you're careful and don't let the adrenalin push you too far you will have the time of your life! If you can an actual school may be a better place to start as they do more theory and have people there to teach you the basics. I did Jason Pridemore's Star School for two days before I stated doing open track days and I think it was a good move. Then again, if you hook up with a few members and they spend some time with you, it will be similar in the end and cheaper than a school. Like the others have said, the streets are more dangerous so get the best equipment that you can and use it everywhere. Oh yah, get ready to have some fun!!
I am nervous and a little scared to book my first trackday. Do you think that is a sign that Im not ready or is it natural to be nervous before going on the track for the first time?