im gonna have my 1st trackday... well sorta.

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#21 Unread post by **Big B** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:59 am

experiment what? you have a hell of a time countersteering on the road, and you're going to do better while going faster? i can see one of two things happening, either you waste a lot of money because you aren't skilled enough to make good use of the time there, or you dump the thing, for the same reason.

VermilionX · Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:15 am

Big B wrote:experiment what? you have a hell of a time countersteering on the road, and you're going to do better while going faster? i can see one of two things happening, either you waste a lot of money because you aren't skilled enough to make good use of the time there, or you dump the thing, for the same reason.

that's why im going to improve my skills. i don't expect to drag knee the 1st time at the track.

and you can't improve unless you push your limits. hopefully, i don't push it too far.

#23 Unread post by **bok** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:15 am

it's the only place you can fully enjoy your bike.

holy crap i better sell mine and stop riding in the mountains

VermilionX · Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:18 am

bok wrote:
it's the only place you can fully enjoy your bike.
holy "crumb" i better sell mine and stop riding in the mountains

take note... i said "fully"

i enjoy my bike anywhere.

CNF2002 · #25 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:18 am

Even just watching I think you will have alot of fun.

#26 Unread post by **bok** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:25 am

i "fully" enjoy my bike in the mountains. you made a generalization that one can't enjoy their bike fully anywhere other than the track...if that were the case then most riders will never "Fully" enjoy their bike and should just quit riding.

jonnythan · Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:32 am

bok wrote:i "fully" enjoy my bike in the mountains. you made a generalization that one can't enjoy their bike fully anywhere other than the track...if that were the case then most riders will never "Fully" enjoy their bike and should just quit riding.

Some people have *zero* appreciation for subtleties or beauty and can only enjoy magnitude. Bigger and faster is always better, and the only best is the biggest and fastest.

earwig · #28 Unread post by **earwig** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:33 am

Big B wrote:experiment what? you have a hell of a time countersteering on the road, and you're going to do better while going faster? i can see one of two things happening, either you waste a lot of money because you aren't skilled enough to make good use of the time there, or you dump the thing, for the same reason.

At the track you usually have time with an instructor that can help you learn how to push the limits of yourself and your bike. Other riders will also make recommendations after watching you in person. After a couple track days... if you are on the street and take a turn a bit too fast you will feel more comfortable leaning more and staying on the throttle rather than freaking out and smashing into a guard rail. There is no way to waste money by going to a track, you can learn a lot by talking to the other guys there and following what the more experienced riders do.

cgalavis · #29 Unread post by **cgalavis** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:12 am

I agree with VermilionX, a sportbike is enjoyed the best on a track which is its natural habitat. Tracks are designed to challenge the rider; they are clean and more predictable than public roads and there are no speed limits. It allows you try things that would either bee too dangerous or illegal on the streets.

I do agree however that practice makes the master, and riding in all conditions is key to developing strong riding skills that will make your experience safer and more enjoyable. I would say, use the track as often as you can.

onlinesmurf · Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:39 am

Long winded warning.

This "the only way to enjoy a sportbike is on the track' is nonsense. Most people with them just like to either go straight line fast or boast about how fast the bike can go, or how fast some professional went with it. If you only have fun with your bike on the track, then what you need is a track bike. We wont miss you and your need for speed on the streets where you need to be sensible.

I agree trackdays can make you a better rider for track situations. Tell me which track school teaches these core concepts you need on the street:
- How to handle someone taking a left turn infront of you?
Answer: They don't trackdays are more about finding the best line and going the fastest possible. On the street that has no use in most cases, its more important to be aware of what everyone else is doing, not what you want to do.

- How does it teach you slow speed manuevers?
Answer: In most cases it doesn't. And if you are on the street you need them. Situations like right from a stop light; Slow speed (5mph or less) behind stop and go traffic.

- How does it teach you to see the big picture?
Answer: It does not. As I mentioned before trackdays are more about focusing on what you want to do and how to do it faster. Street riding is all about seeing the entire picture which includes what you want to do, but only second to making sure you know what others are likely to do. Yes you can argue that on trackdays you have other riders, but they are focused also and it is a predictable environment. Basically trackdays teach the opposite of what you need in street riding.

- How does it improve your general speed riding skills.
Answer: Greatly and more than street riding. You will become a faster racer, but that still does not translate to more than 25% of riding for most people. If it is more of what you want, then that is even a better argument for a trackbike.

Basically Verm your concept of what you need to improve on is backward. If I recalled you crashed trying to do late apex turns. Perhaps you didn't understand the reason you use that technique is to see beyond the turn faster than you would in a usual situation. It is not intended for you to come through it hot, so you can put your knee out.

Regardless trackdays does not improve your street riding skills on a whole for most of the things that are most deadly to us. It may teach you how to turn better, but that skill (for the street) would be equally learned by putting in more miles or practicing a route in your area, with many corners.

People may disagree, but lets face facts. There is no problem with wanting to go fast, but don't fool yourself that trackday is more important than street riding miles, unless you plan to be a racer.