View Full Version : never been to a track day, what you like to have known before your first track experience?
Paul the 6th
12-12-07, 02:26 PM
How do,
I've got a few mates who've done plenty of track days and rave about them saying wild things like "you can learn more about your bike on a track in half an hour than you can on the open road in 6 months".
I would like to get myself to a novice trackday at some point next year and see what it's all about. I think the nearest tracks to me are either Donnington or Croft (being bang in the middle of west yorkshire)... would these be good starters?
I've also heard you need to have either a one or two piece suit's which I'm looking at getting in the new year.
My general assumptions are that on track days:
- it's not a race.
- if you're in the novice group it's more about learning the circuit and how to get your bike round smoothly, not about getting your knee down round every corner and putting in GP lap times...
- you HAVE to put electrical tape on your lights so that you look like a real racer on the photographs.
-any others?
any advice/info about novice trackdays etc would be great.
PT6^
:stupid:
Alpinestarhero
12-12-07, 02:30 PM
I havnt done a trackday either, but from what I gather these are the sensible ideas
-Go at your own pace. Mr GSXR1000 going that fast will only go in the gravel, dont follow him
-seek advice from the instructors at the track, they will help you with the best lines and make your experiance safer and more enjoyable
-dont go hell for leather until you have some heat in your tyres and brakes!
-its gonna sap alot of energy out of you - eat little, and often. Big meals will make you feel sleepy and rob you of confidence
-dont friggin bin it, unless its your crap-heap of a track bike and you really dont care.
Hope this gives you some things to ponder on!
Matt
I did my first track day this year at Donnington and it was the best day of my life ..... does that sell it to you!
My friends and family are sick of hearing about :D
All you need to know beforehand is that its a blast, and everyone is in the same boat as you in the novice group ... oh and just because someone else has got all the gear, doesnt mean they know what they are doing.... often far from it ;)
Just be confident, and take your time on the first few laps
Good luck with it. I'm looking at doing my first bike trackday at some point in the new year. I'm also looking at either croft or donnington.
Corft is great I have been there a couple of times, plenty of run off, great surface, nice selection of corners.
My only query is how do you get all your tools and spare fuel to the track if your riding there :( ............can you tell I'm used to going in a car?
I did my first (bike) trackday at Croft in July, and it's a brilliant circuit, much better than others I've been on surface wise, although it has a reputation for chewing tyres up as it's a pretty abrasive surface.
Things to note:
You will need an ACU approved helmet and 1 piece or two piece zip-together leathers which connect all the way round.
Trailer your bike there if possible - if the worst happens you'll be happy you did (like I was).
Make sure your bike is in tip-top nick, you don't want something silly like a flat battery ruining your day.
Don't drink anything the night before, and get an early night. When I came off, I was breathalysed - it was a new thing that trackday company does (they'd had a guy come off a few months prior who was so ****ed he could hardly stand).
You may or may not need to tape the lights, some trackday organisers/tracks aren't fussed, some are. Plenty of people rode at Croft with untaped lights.
Tape over your speedo. You do NOT need to know how fast you're going.
Take plenty of water, and/or your favourite energy drink, and DRINK IT.
Eat little and often, high energy stuff, you'll be amazed how tiring it is.
If possible, get yourself a set of manky fairings to ruin in case you bin it. I wish I'd followed that advice.
Crash bungs are your friends.
Don't try to keep up with anyone else, ride your own ride.
Firstly, ask yourself why you want to do a trackday. There are a number of reasons why people do:
1) To ride fast in a safer environment, rather than do it on the road.
2) To ride the same piece of tarmac as Rossi, Walker, Haslam etc (believe me, there are lots of people who do it for this reason)
3) To improve your riding
4) To learn more about what your bike is capable of doing
5) To see if you're fast enough to go racing.
Once you've made your mind up, book yourself a trackday in Novice group and go see an instructor right at the start of the day. Explain to him/her what your goals are and ask for advice and help. That's what instructors are there for, to instruct. They won't just teach you to go fast, they'll teach you body positioning, how to hang off safely, lines into and out of corners, braking points, how hard you can brake, how hard you can put the throttle on and a huge number of other things.
If the instructor thinks you're a bit good and fast enough they might move you up to intermediate group. If not, practise in Novices until you are good enough to book yourself into Inters without worrying if you're good enough.
Just my 2p's worth
Tape over your speedo. You do NOT need to know how fast you're going.
Oh I dunno about this one. It was a real blast seeing the speedo reading 150mph as the front came right up under Donington's bridge, when I was on my Gixer Thou. I was giggling like a loon at that.
Oh I dunno about this one. It was a real blast seeing the speedo reading 150mph as the front came right up under Donington's bridge, when I was on my Gixer Thou. I was giggling like a loon at that.
guess it depends on your outlook .... exciting to see your speed, or intimidating? Depends what kind of novice you are .... keen for speed or a little nervous and wanting to gain confidence. Personal choice but worth considering.
the_lone_wolf
12-12-07, 03:27 PM
guess it depends on your outlook .... exciting to see your speed, or intimidating? Depends what kind of novice you are .... keen for speed or a little nervous and wanting to gain confidence. Personal choice but worth considering.
i'd leave it uncovered simply to see it reading something so silly, i've only had it up to 115 so far8-[
metalmonkey
12-12-07, 03:40 PM
Firstly, ask yourself why you want to do a trackday. There are a number of reasons why people do:
1) To ride fast in a safer environment, rather than do it on the road.
2) To ride the same piece of tarmac as Rossi, Walker, Haslam etc (believe me, there are lots of people who do it for this reason)
3) To improve your riding
4) To learn more about what your bike is capable of doing
5) To see if you're fast enough to go racing.
Once you've made your mind up, book yourself a trackday in Novice group and go see an instructor right at the start of the day. Explain to him/her what your goals are and ask for advice and help. That's what instructors are there for, to instruct. They won't just teach you to go fast, they'll teach you body positioning, how to hang off safely, lines into and out of corners, braking points, how hard you can brake, how hard you can put the throttle on and a huge number of other things.
If the instructor thinks you're a bit good and fast enough they might move you up to intermediate group. If not, practise in Novices until you are good enough to book yourself into Inters without worrying if you're good enough.
Just my 2p's worth
I want to a track day for all the above reason, I can't wait to do one. I really what to find out what me and the bike can do on track!
Ask for covering the the spedo, I was talking with the guy that races in super stock, he took his bike out for a test, went back said diconnect the speedo, he really didn't want to know how fast he was going!
Blue_SV650S
12-12-07, 05:38 PM
Tyres …
I didn’t want to splash out on a new set of tyres before a trackday as it seemed silly to burn up a nice new tyre … I could just destroy the remains of an old one …
What I know now …
The bits you will use are the bits you won’t be using on the road, so its not like you are ‘wasting’ any new tyre.
A well used tyre chews up incredibly fast .. becoming an unusable/scary tyre …
Tyres are the singles biggest confidence supplier and taker …
Tim in Belgium
12-12-07, 09:07 PM
Do it. Full stop.
Trackdays are great, make sure you've some rubber on the tyres (I've used Pirelli diablo stradas mainly), brake material on the pads, oil in the sump and fuel in the tank.
Exact bike prep depends on circuit and organisers, take some duct/masking tape and you'll be able to meet most of their requirements (unless your bike is super unsafe, or stupidly loud).
As for masking up the speedo or not, a matter of opinion, been both ways, only tend to look at it on long straights which start to get a bit boring on the SV anyway, or the fuchsrohre for bragging rights.
Go there with the aim of having fun and coming home in one piece, whether it's speed, knee down, lap times, looking swish, or just living the dream.
I've driven to trackdays before, and trailed the bike as well, trailing is a luxury but not always available, I've ridden to the 'Ring from the Uk twice for weekends and for one dayers in the UK from Belgium once (including the euro tunnel), France from Belgium, Belgium from Belgium and the UK from the UK before, so it is do-able.
As for tracks, Croft is good, better for a first timer than Cadwell, haven't done Donny yet, but take heed of other's advice.
weazelz
12-12-07, 09:44 PM
- crashing is not compulsory (I wish someone had told me that ;) )
- 15-20 minute sessions seem a *lot* longer than you might think
- everyone else is too busy concentrating on their own riding to think "look at this noob" or whatever you might think they might be thinking about you
- slow is smooth
- smooth is fast
Blue_SV650S
12-12-07, 10:02 PM
...
- slow is smooth
- smooth is fast
Slow is slow ... it is actually hard to be smooth when you are wobbling about ... you need a fair bit of momentum/sweeping lines to make it smooth!! ;)
But without being to literal :rolleyes:, generally speaking it is true that if you are 'trying' too hard you are probably actually going to be going slower than if you knocked it off a few degrees and got your fluidity back 8)
At the end of the day, just go out there an play ... you don't need advice and seeking it will only get you over thinking stuff!!! ;)
Tim in Belgium
12-12-07, 10:11 PM
^ ^ ^ ^
Exactly, it's all about the fun factor.
I would love to do one but I'm concerned I'll bin it.
Blue_SV650S
13-12-07, 11:04 AM
I would love to do one but I'm concerned I'll bin it.
That is a common concern and perfectly valid as it could well happen. 8-[
But consider this --> Do you think the same before you go out on a road ride/burn?? A 'bin' could well happen on every/any road ride ... so if not why not?? :rabbit:
That is a common concern and perfectly valid as it could well happen. 8-[
But consider this --> Do you think the same before you go out on a road ride/burn?? A crash could well happen ... so if not why not?? :rabbit:
+1
Your no more likely to crash on the track, than on your journey to it if you take it easy, just dont try and push yourself to quickly.
Blue_SV650S
13-12-07, 11:16 AM
+1
Your no more likely to crash on the track, than on your journey to it if you take it easy, just dont try and push yourself to quickly.
its hard to quantify 'likelihood' of one against the other ... but there is a chance you will drop it on the road, yet most people don’t give it a second thought ... it certainly wouldn't stop them for going for a ride ... my point is that why should this be any different on/for the track???
Its more fear of the unknown than probability based ... but at the end of the day all you are doing is going for a rideout, but on a well tarmac’d road with no oncoming cars/busses etc or chances of tractors pulling out ...
I feared ‘dropping it’ before my first trackday (and I still do) … but it didn’t prevent me and doesn’t prevent me from doing one …
lukemillar
13-12-07, 08:34 PM
its hard to quantify 'likelihood' of one against the other ... but there is a chance you will drop it on the road, yet most people don’t give it a second thought ... it certainly wouldn't stop them for going for a ride ... my point is that why should this be any different on/for the track???
Its more fear of the unknown than probability based ... but at the end of the day all you are doing is going for a rideout, but on a well tarmac’d road with no oncoming cars/busses etc or chances of tractors pulling out ...
I feared ‘dropping it’ before my first trackday (and I still do) … but it didn’t prevent me and doesn’t prevent me from doing one …
Yep - I think everyone does! I'm around 12 trackdays in now and a superbike school and still haven't binned it (touch wood) :wink:. Another thing to consider is that a spill on the road more often than not, ends up being more costly than one on the track (to you and the bike) because there is a lot more for you and your bike to hit.
ThEGr33k
14-12-07, 04:58 AM
Just wondering about insurance.
Im wanting to do one next year and i dont want to have an accident and write the bike off without insurance :(.
So where can you get track insurance etc?
lukemillar
14-12-07, 07:00 AM
Just wondering about insurance.
Im wanting to do one next year and i dont want to have an accident and write the bike off without insurance :(.
So where can you get track insurance etc?
ebike do trackday insurance, but it usually isn't worth it. The excess is huge ~500 pounds and they don't cover things like plastics! Only really worthwhile if you have a big one and write off the bike. Plus it's an extra ~60 pounds on top of the cost of the day.
ebike do trackday insurance, but it usually isn't worth it. The excess is huge ~500 pounds and they don't cover things like plastics! Only really worthwhile if you have a big one and write off the bike. Plus it's an extra ~60 pounds on top of the cost of the day.
in the immortal words of Mr Squid, "Don't crash".
If it's your first track day you probably won't be pushing the bike as much as it can go to worry about writing it off.
My only piece of advice, Don't get pi$$ed off if everyone else, including a restricted curvy, overtakes you! Easier said than done!
Alpinestarhero
14-12-07, 02:33 PM
in the immortal words of Mr Squid, "Don't crash".
If it's your first track day you probably won't be pushing the bike as much as it can go to worry about writing it off.
My only piece of advice, Don't get pi$$ed off if everyone else, including a restricted curvy, overtakes you! Easier said than done!
What if a restricted curvy came past, with a topbox and muffs attached and the rider was a fan of alpinestars?
Matt
What if a restricted curvy came past, with a topbox and muffs attached and the rider was a fan of alpinestars?
Matt
that would only happen if I'd crashed the bike and was stationary!!!
;o)
Jester666
14-12-07, 04:28 PM
I feel a challenge brewing.
Except.....
Kinvig has no SV!!
I feel a challenge brewing.
Except.....
Kinvig has no SV!!
I have a skateboard & one cat......I must be able to cobble something together MacGyver-style with that......
mister c
14-12-07, 04:41 PM
Did my first last Saturday. I would say ride at your pace, don't try to race anyone (until you get more confident ;)). The guys that run the days are exceptionally good (well Hottrax & No limits seem to be) and they will offer you lots of feedback if you ask them any questions. Because the weather was so bad we ended up with 2 groups instead of 3, but I felt quite safe. They give you 2 or 3 sighting laps behind an instructor & then let you loose on your own. Nolimits also said if you wanted any 1 to 1 tuition they would do that for you as well.
I loved it & cant wait for the next one, so get out there & have fun :)
For your first one I'd suggest going on your own, not with mates. That way it's a lot easier to ride at your own pace. The bloke getting held up behind you? you don't know him and he won't be taking the **** out of you for months in the pub.
You won't stalk a mate for three laps then bin it trying to get round him somewhere you shouldn't...
Not that I know anything about that of course...
wheelnut
15-12-07, 10:41 AM
Ive done a few, with living so close to Donington, I sometimes just ride up and join in. I have never been brave enough or confident enough to go in any other group than novice. Although I have done California levels 1 & 2 twice.
I doubt you will need a speedo, you wont have time to look at it anyway, some track day organisers tape them up as a matter of course as you do the briefing. You wont be looking at the bike but looking at the track layout unless you are just doing it so a mate can take a photo. avoid this too as you will be looking for him and make a mistake.
Ride for yourself, you will pass blokes on Ducatis and Gixxers, don't think you are the next Valentino Stoner. They are hanging back to give themselves room, to try something new, to even attack one corner or type of corner that is giving them a problem. This is good advice, if you feel crowded, ride through the pit lane and back out. Its not a race
Donington will scare the poo out of you as you drop down into Craner towards the bridge for the first time, it feels like you are falling off a cliff edge as you try to get round the corner. The loop is good fun too and will teach you a lot about the bike, approach, lines and getting back on the throttle.
As I was told at Brands on my first track day: it's really tempting when you're blasting down the straight to have a look at your speedo to see what speed you are doing. Don't. At the end of the straight is a little surprise. It's called Paddock Hill Bend...
What if a restricted curvy came past, with a topbox and muffs attached and the rider was a fan of alpinestars?
Matt
I'd feel sorry for him and his love of inferior riding kit. It woudn't bother me, because I'd be on a slow down lap anyway.
Paul the 6th
17-12-07, 01:39 PM
thanks for all the tips/info/advice, there's a few things in there which I hadnt considered. I'll see if a few mates fancy chipping in for a trailer & i'l get a towbar on my mondeo... :) Does anyone know if you can hire a trailer to carry bikes?
Alpinestarhero
17-12-07, 02:50 PM
I'd feel sorry for him and his love of inferior riding kit. It woudn't bother me, because I'd be on a slow down lap anyway.
But what if you wernt on a slow down lap and I....I mean, hypothetical rider, still came past, dropped off his pizza delivery to the family at turn 3 and carried on beating everyone else?
Matt
Alpinestarhero
17-12-07, 02:51 PM
As I was told at Brands on my first track day: it's really tempting when you're blasting down the straight to have a look at your speedo to see what speed you are doing. Don't. At the end of the straight is a little surprise. It's called Paddock Hill Bend...
"wheres the world gone? Oh...i see......its about 20 feet below meeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Matt
Blue_SV650S
17-12-07, 03:30 PM
... Does anyone know if you can hire a trailer to carry bikes?
Not in Yorkshire; no!! :D
If there are a couple of you that intend to go together (and spread costs), then hiring a van probably makes more sense than a trailer?!?? That way you have more room for 'stuff' and you can even sleep in the back of the van if you travel to a track the night before ...
mister c
18-12-07, 01:08 PM
Not in Yorkshire; no!! :D
If there are a couple of you that intend to go together (and spread costs), then hiring a van probably makes more sense than a trailer?!?? That way you have more room for 'stuff' and you can even sleep in the back of the van if you travel to a track the night before ...
+1
We use a van which makes perfect sense. You can dump all of you clothes etc in the back & it's somewhere to get changed into your leathers when you get there.
Paul the 6th
18-12-07, 03:04 PM
there any guides for tieing bikes down? I'd porbably mess it right up pt6^
mister c
19-12-07, 01:44 PM
there any guides for tieing bikes down? I'd porbably mess it right up pt6^
Ratchet straps round the bars pushing the forks down, then I normally go over the seat to hold the back down. If you have the stands still on the bike, then put the bike on the main stand.
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