Did my first track day yesterday at Autobahn Country Club through Sportbike Tracktime. It was one of the best riding experiences of my life along with my first trip to North Carolina and the Tail of the Dragon. I learned so much more about the bike and myself as a rider. Being able to legally push your bike and yourself with out the worry of cops or road hazards is awesome. Got my knee down on the third session in the morning and saw the bike register 54 degrees lean angle right and 50 left. All the coaches and riders are super friendly. I thought I was decent rider but damn, watching guys in advanced and even the better sub groups in intermediate was humbling. Obviously, being my first trackday ever I was in beginnner. Well, first session after lunch my coach grabbed and asked how many track days I have done(not knowing it was my first) and I told him this is the only one. He said they normally don't bump up on someone's first track session but said I didn't belong in begginer and bumped me to intermediate. Was super happy that he thought highly enough of me as a rider to bump me up. I really can't say enough about this experience or sportbike tracktime in general. Best advice I could any sportbike rider is do it! It is worth it! Leave your ego at door and just go there and learn.
Nice! I had a similar experience a month ago at Highplains raceway in Colorado. I'm going again tomorrow. I'm hooked. I'm trying to drag some of my group ride buddies along, but they're intimidated by both the expense and environment...Though its really not all that expensive. 100 for half day (160 for full, but my out of shape a$$ cant handle that quite yet), 30 for gas, 30 for uhaul trailer - its much cheaper than some of the tickets people in the group have been getting lately...I have yet to be intimidated by someone/something at the track. Everyone just kind of rides their own ride. Everyone is nice and cordial. It was an open day (no sessions) with open passing rules, and I never felt that someone was interfering with my safety. I made a few passes (but was passed more). The only problem is now I have difficulty rationalizing speeding in that road group ride. It just doesn't make sense to me to be pushing low 50's lean on the street when you can do more on the track significantly more safely...Ill probably continue to ride the group, just take it easy from here on out.
Passing wasn't opened up till after lunch and only on 3 straights. Agreed that everyone is super cool. Long as you leave your ego at the door and pay attention to what they say, you'll have no issues. It really is a must do in my mind.
Always good to read another rider made it to the track. I have yet to meet anyone doing their first track at the end of the day say they did not like it - almost 100% of them can't wait to do it again.
I like all types of riding from dirt to street to track - all motorcycling revs me up.
Track days on an RR is one of the coolest experiences I've had on a motorcycle - the performance of these bikes is just mind boggling.
Was at the track all day today going back in the morning - tomorrow makes my 22nd track day this year - might get 1 or 2 more in before it is done for the year - even today the temps were a little too cool.
Congrats! I cannot wait much longer... Don't know if I wanna drop close to 4k to do the Circuit of America's though. I think I might just save the $ and go do one in California for half the price.
I agree the RR absolutely is in its element at the track.
Riding it on the street can be a lot of fun but you can't appreciate what this bike is all about and capable of - well let's say trying to do it somewhat safely.
Me personally - I don't have the cojones to ride it really fast on the street - plus how stupid will I feel getting a massive ticket or getting arrested for reckless riding/speeding when I spend so much money going to the track most weekends to go fast.
A lot of riders think they can't afford going to the track - then they get one of these big fines - would have been cheaper to do the track days.
And of course I know many riders purchase RR's that never make it to the track for a few reasons - just don't have the opportunity or they really don't have any interest in going to the track.
Whatever the reason we buy one of these machines the RR is truly an amazing motorcycle for less than $20K.
When I was a kid if anyone ever told me one day I would be riding a motorcycle that has almost 200HP will go 180 mph stop like nothing you have ever experienced - I would have smiled and asked them to pass me the joint.
This is where this bike belongs. I just picked up my bike 1wk ago and getting used to it, but your awesome right up is wanting me to hit up a track day earlier.
I agree with some comments... to keep costs down I will also hire a U-Hual trailer and try and get some time at a local track before the end of the year. Although I would like some coaching before trying to hit 50 degreee angle. :wink2:
This is where this bike belongs. I just picked up my bike 1wk ago and getting used to it, but your awesome right up is wanting me to hit up a track day earlier.
I agree with some comments... to keep costs down I will also hire a U-Hual trailer and try and get some time at a local track before the end of the year. Although I would like some coaching before trying to hit 50 degreee angle. :wink2:
Yeah. Believe me if you do anything with that bike, get to the track. And I would definitely just follow your coach and classrooom instructions. I ridden for ten years and 5 times in the last 5 years at the Tail of the Dragon. I've watched many YouTube vids and the Keith Code dvds. But, the amount I learned and picked up at the track this weekend is by far the best and most valuable yet.
Maybe the $4k includes bike transport or rental, accommodation and the school fees for CoTA. Nate's RRFest at the end of October is $500/day including dinner on Saturday night.
@z00 normally only winter is the worst. Good interstate roads shut. So 3-4 months where I ride to work, and the occasional weekend run if the suns out. Once Spring arrives it's every weekend until Winter again.
Go get a ninja 300 that's all track prepped and ride it for a year. Then get a 600 and see how fast they are. Then one can truly understand how fast the 1000's are. Glad you had fun man!!!
More importantly, you will learn more about your motorcycle and yourself in a day on the track, than you can in a year on the street - all in a safer and more controlled environment.
Congrats on your bump to I: That bump isn't necessarily about speed (although that's a component); It's more about holding a good, steady PREDICTABLE line and not getting in over your head. While passes are still 6 ft., usually the rules are loosened to allow inside and outside including turns...It is EXTEREMLY Addictive. Don't get sucked into trying to be the fastest guy, take your time to learn brake markers, turn in points, etc...
More importantly, you will learn more about your motorcycle and yourself in a day on the track, than you can in a year on the street - all in a safer and more controlled environment.
Congrats on your bump to I: That bump isn't necessarily about speed (although that's a component); It's more about holding a good, steady PREDICTABLE line and not getting in over your head. While passes are still 6 ft., usually the rules are loosened to allow inside and outside including turns...It is EXTEREMLY Addictive. Don't get sucked into trying to be the fastest guy, take your time to learn brake markers, turn in points, etc...
Absolutely agree. My coach said he wouldnt bump me up just for goin fast but doing it the right way. I still have a lot learn. My biggest thing is braking coming down a longer straight.
I think it's how much a rider is keen to learn. If one is running at a good pace on the track, no street riding will be able to satisfy while staying safe. Riding on the street is a lot of fun especially long trips. But nothing beats taking corners in triple digits and not having to worry if there are any spills on tarmac, a cow crossing (happened to me), or a cop waiting for you. RR belongs on a race track.
Speaking of this I have a track day next week, and a three day trip to VA west mountains the week after.
Finally, most of my riding improvement came from learning on the track. I think that's the main reason I'm addicted. While one can learn on the street, but it's not the best place. And l think learning on the track has at least 5x faster progress.
Since I just got it home Saturday...But people in the South know me on THIS bike...who's motor exploded three weeks ago at NCM...and I replaced it with the bike I've been wanting for years...
STT is a solid organization with lots of super passionate coaches and friendly staff. They run a great day focused on fun and safety. I have ridden with them many times at Barber. Great folks.
That being said. If you truly want to enjoy a great day try one of the smaller orgs out there. Nothing wrong with the big ones but a smaller org generally gives you a different experience. Fewer bikes on track which can give you less traffic to deal and a smaller more intimate feel in the paddock. It's more of the feel of a private rental than a full on track day.
Even though I prefer the smaller orgs with lots of open track myself I still do go at least once a year to one of the larger track days. Being up at start finish on a track that's filled to capacity is a fun experience as well.
If you are only riding with one organization you are only getting part of the experience. Try them all. So far I have done N2, Xact, STT, Kern and a few private days as well as riding with the California Superbike School. They all have a different appeal to them that makes them unique.
I did CSS level one during the week at Eastern Creek Motorpark, Sydney Australia and for session 2 on the track, they'd taped the turn points on the corners. Again, they warned us not to push it on cold tyres but a GIXXer 750 rider in my group low sided in the turn 2 complex (double apex turn) on the first lap almost perfectly on the marker. I spoke to him later and he said that he'd been late for the turn marker and leaned in harder and gassed it. Thankfully he escaped with just sore ribs and the CSS technicians managed to get his bike going for the next on-track session minus a mirror and a lotta gaff tape.
I am going to try to get my bike out on the track next year. I want to buy some cheap fairings on ebay that i wont have to worry about banging up if i drop it and some good case covers, bar ends, frame sliders and possibly a full tank cover. Last time i was at the track i high sided a 04 zx10 which i heard are notorious for high siding mid corner. Lost alot of confidence, broke alot of bones, but i ride alot of back roads in the ozarks of Missouri. My parents live off backroads. Finally got past 40 degrees on some roads so i feel like its coming back to me. (Yes i know that aint s**t to some of you..) I do feel comfortable enough with the bike now for the track. I love how the thing handles on the backroads so i can only imagine how its gona be on the track..
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