Newbie trackday advice

[mister c]

If it's organised by the likes of Hottrax, or No Limits, then book some time with an instructor it's normally free & you wont believe how much you learn from them. I tthought I was a good rider, but when you see a bloke coming past you with his knee on the deck, looking behind him to show someone a line, it makes you realise how slow you are. Pride was a big thing with me, but my next trackday may be spent with an instructor to make me that little faster

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by mister c

Pride was a big thing with me,

Its a big thing with a lot of people, and a lot of them will be on the track with you.

to heavily Paraphrase Pulp Fiction

Originally Posted by Soulkiss Wallace

The day of the trackday, you may feel a slight sting. That's pride messing with you. Forget pride. Pride only hurts, it never helps.

So what if you are the slowest out there? You'll be riding your bike home, and probably better than you rode it there.

[Paul the 6th]

I was slowest in my group, mainly because it was full of people on race-prepped track bikes (race fairings, numbers and support vans) all in the novice group with me... the only actual novice... it was a waste of time for me but if I do one again, it'll be a novice only day so I can explore my limits without a ducati trying to have me off whilst attempting to keep up with his mates

[Binky]

Make sure you don't have R&G's. They are worth shizzle all in a crash. They should call them 'drop protectors' to quote Mr.Spiers as that's all they're good for.

Just make sure you keep within your own limits, as everyone else has said. You will also be surprised at the grip you can get from the track tarmac. Have fun more than anything and don't worry about people behind you or keeping up with those in front.

: sunny:

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Binky

Make sure you don't have R&G's. They are worth shizzle all in a crash. They should call them 'drop protectors' to quote Mr.Spiers as that's all they're good for.

Just make sure you keep within your own limits, as everyone else has said. You will also be surprised at the grip you can get from the track tarmac. Have fun more than anything and don't worry about people behind you or keeping up with those in front.

: sunny:

Cheers binky, although unfortunately they are r&Gs that are fitted. ah well better than nowt.

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Cheers mr C but it's my first trackday+wet+new bike (probably going to be like the 10th time I've ridden it) and I'm a pessimist.
Going round some bends on the AR the backend went without warning but it was as I was picking it up anyway so didn't trip me up, thing was I was taking it pretty easy so can invisage some arsé/tarmac interface on a soaking track

Why are you so obsessed with it being wet?

It will be dry. Dry and warm.

Seriously, the best thing is to stop worrying about it and ride to your capabilities. As Mr C says above, trying to push that little bit harder is what will cause problems.

If you overthink the possibilities, that's when you'll come off.

Im taking my Benelli out for my first track day.

Only goes as fast as you tell it too. No self control, then run the risk of binning it.

Daimo we heard a nelli with a stubby can on, wowsers it sounded nice.

My advice, don't crash.

What colour?

What is also a Remus exhaust, or one of the motogp style ones?

Not heard a stubby yet, all those lot live mid country upwards. All us Southern Fairys use proper exhuast systems

You bought yourself an F4R?

I wouldn't worry about falling you'll probably find that you feel more comfortable going into the corners on your Sv than a lot of people on more expensive quicker bikes, I did 1 a couple of weeks ago at Snett after only riding for a coulple of months and felt that I was riding well within mine and the SV's comfort zone but i was still quicker than a lot of other bikes, If you feel like your holding people up let tham past and try and learn from the quicker riders, look at the lines there taking and even talk to them in the pits asking if they have any tips most people will gladly give you a few pointers. Above all enjoy yourself and ride safe, one of the best things to learn whilst on the track is how hard you can actually brake safely, During my track day i think i pretty much halved my braking zone by the end of the day just make it a gradual progression.