Ononewheel
Registered
To those of you who enjoy spirited street riding and have not done a trackday yet, this thread is for you.
Trackdays have so much more to offer than just being an expensive way to ride your bike that you can ride on the road for free. Trackdays offer the ability to ride at a much smoother, faster, and enjoyable pace without fear of cars, oil, deer, pedestrians, and cops. Doing one trackday will teach you more about yourself and your bike than will will learn in years of street riding. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO TRY IT. Try it once and you will probably be hooked. Once you get out on the track and stretch your legs a bit, you will find your street riding will become, better, smoother, safer, faster if you want it to be, and still enjoyable.
There are plenty of reasons people dont do them:
1. Too much money. Well it is but it isnt, your first trackday will be the most expensive. Many places rent leathers now, but you will want to buy them if you dont already have them. Gloves, boots, and a helmet are also needed. You can get by just fine for your first trackday on street tires, no need to guy buy slicks just yet. So you still cant afford it? Dont buy a set of high mounts or turn signals for a couple weeks, save some money, consider it a gift to yourself, or a vacation, borrow money if you have to, its really that worth it.
Typical trackday:
$180 track fee
$50 Gas/ food/ water
$
gas to get there
$
for tires
I generally get 2 trackdays out of a set of tires, so figure 150 a day for tires if you are buying race tires. Pilot powers or diablo corsas will go a looong way and end up at maybe 50 perday.
Another reason: Im scared I will wreck. Well, if you are not afraid of a car, on their cell phone, in a huge freaking rush to go nowhere, cutting through traffic you DEFINATLEY should not be afraid to crash at the track. Crashign happens, its part of it. BUT, most people dont crash in one trackday. its after you start getting comfaortable that crashes happen( the intermediate group is where the crashes mostly happen), so rule that out. You are not automatically going to crash at the track. However, in the case that you do, there is nothing to hit, tracks have nice run off, and no gaurdrails to smack. I got off at over 100mph and walked away without a scratch, just some bruises and a slight limp.
I dont know how to get started:
I can help you with this one. Firstly look up a track day provider in your area. www.nesba.com is an excellent group. They maintain a well structured trackday. The track is broken into 3 groups, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Beginner does not mean you are a beginner to riding, it just means you are new to the track and there are some things they want to teach you. they have control riders working with you to improve your habits, lines, and speed. All while providing valuble feed back to make you a better rider. It is not a race, but you will be surprised at how fast the pace is.
I still dont think I can afford it:
I bet you can, you just dont desire it enough yet. Do what it takes, make it into a vacation with your wife. It will be one of the best times of your life. YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!!!!
Whew... end rant. But seriously if I can help anyone get out ther on the track for some fun, give me a holler, I am not an expert but have about 7 trackdays and a race under my belt and will be able to get you pointed in the right direction. Also, I live near www.beaverun.com and can help out with anybody close!
See ya at the track!
Trackdays have so much more to offer than just being an expensive way to ride your bike that you can ride on the road for free. Trackdays offer the ability to ride at a much smoother, faster, and enjoyable pace without fear of cars, oil, deer, pedestrians, and cops. Doing one trackday will teach you more about yourself and your bike than will will learn in years of street riding. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO TRY IT. Try it once and you will probably be hooked. Once you get out on the track and stretch your legs a bit, you will find your street riding will become, better, smoother, safer, faster if you want it to be, and still enjoyable.
There are plenty of reasons people dont do them:
1. Too much money. Well it is but it isnt, your first trackday will be the most expensive. Many places rent leathers now, but you will want to buy them if you dont already have them. Gloves, boots, and a helmet are also needed. You can get by just fine for your first trackday on street tires, no need to guy buy slicks just yet. So you still cant afford it? Dont buy a set of high mounts or turn signals for a couple weeks, save some money, consider it a gift to yourself, or a vacation, borrow money if you have to, its really that worth it.
Typical trackday:
$180 track fee
$50 Gas/ food/ water
$
$
I generally get 2 trackdays out of a set of tires, so figure 150 a day for tires if you are buying race tires. Pilot powers or diablo corsas will go a looong way and end up at maybe 50 perday.
Another reason: Im scared I will wreck. Well, if you are not afraid of a car, on their cell phone, in a huge freaking rush to go nowhere, cutting through traffic you DEFINATLEY should not be afraid to crash at the track. Crashign happens, its part of it. BUT, most people dont crash in one trackday. its after you start getting comfaortable that crashes happen( the intermediate group is where the crashes mostly happen), so rule that out. You are not automatically going to crash at the track. However, in the case that you do, there is nothing to hit, tracks have nice run off, and no gaurdrails to smack. I got off at over 100mph and walked away without a scratch, just some bruises and a slight limp.
I dont know how to get started:
I can help you with this one. Firstly look up a track day provider in your area. www.nesba.com is an excellent group. They maintain a well structured trackday. The track is broken into 3 groups, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Beginner does not mean you are a beginner to riding, it just means you are new to the track and there are some things they want to teach you. they have control riders working with you to improve your habits, lines, and speed. All while providing valuble feed back to make you a better rider. It is not a race, but you will be surprised at how fast the pace is.
I still dont think I can afford it:
I bet you can, you just dont desire it enough yet. Do what it takes, make it into a vacation with your wife. It will be one of the best times of your life. YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!!!!
Whew... end rant. But seriously if I can help anyone get out ther on the track for some fun, give me a holler, I am not an expert but have about 7 trackdays and a race under my belt and will be able to get you pointed in the right direction. Also, I live near www.beaverun.com and can help out with anybody close!
See ya at the track!
