I could never, EVER give up the street! Just 2 weeks ago I took a solo trip to the Gap and back (300 miles one way). I crave the peace and relaxation I get from that type of riding. That was on my street bike/R6. Something else I've been getting into more recently is off road DS riding. I did one in May and the views were absolutely incredible - climbing up mountain hills and single track trails to reach the top of the mountain. I'm going again next month! Next year I am discussing a similar trip out west. Of course, the track still has its special place! And my race bike is hungry for more!
Each and everytime I've ridden on the street, it felt as if I was tasked to make it from point A to point B without getting hit by a car, animal, or other objects... aka not dying The only time I have fun on the streets is with my little crf70 around the neighborhood. So this year alone I've probably ridden about 3 or 4 times total on the street. It kinda blows because I miss that feeling of excitement each time I knew a group ride or something was going to happen.
As a novice, I needed to just ride my track bike around so I felt natural to it. But after just 3 track days, I almost got busted for doing 86 on the interstate. I was only jumping around a group so I could make my exit, the cop from my town let me go, and just said take it easy. I dunno, except for keeping familiar to my track bike, I'll just flat spot the tires. I have a vintage bike for the road anyway.
I still ride street. I commute 80 miles daily, as long as it is not too cold. Becoming reacquainted with the track has not ruined the syreet, but it has changed it. I won't ride sport bikes on the street anymore. It is just BORING. I still require the alone time, enjoy doing maintenance, etc. I will never give up the street.
Been riding less and less on the street. After getting knocked over by a hit and run driver changing lanes in 2014, street has lost all interests.
I don't have a sportbike for the street, but there's no way I will ever give up my adventure motorcycle. Granted, I've only done 4 track days in 2015, so once I start doing more STT events in 2016, I might change my mind?
Getting a sportbike at age 53 was exciting (I had only ridden a Honda Passport back in college ~30 years ago). But after riding the track now for a full season, my perspective has changed. It was initially very exciting to ride on the street and, balancing that against the perceived risk, I felt positive about riding on the street. But, after riding on the track now for ~15 trackdays, the reward I feel from riding on the street has dropped to nearly nil and I have witnessed too many distracted drivers. I am confident that no matter how good my skills, there is a car or truck grill out there with my name on it. Conversely, the reward I get from riding on the track has continued to increase with each trackday, and my perception of the risk at the track has gone down with every trackday. So, this is a long winded way of saying that I have ceased riding a motorcycle on the streets and am now a dedicated track junkie. One thing I should add is that if I were not an avid cyclist (bicycle) my perspective might e different. But, for those that enjoy the ride and the peace/meditative qualities of riding a motorcycle, I get that from (bi)cycling. It is way more dangerous to ride a bicycle on the streets but I live near the country and drive out away from most traffic and ride for hours. That suffices for my need for 2-wheeled riding on the streets.
Living in Tennessee I could never give up some of the beautiful places available here. In a cage your watching a movie, on a bike your in the movie.
After getting "I'm addicted to the track day bug" I find myself not riding the street as much as I used too but still hit the mountain roads when I get a chance.
I really haven't ridden on the street since May of last year. Had a lady pull out in front of me in Cincinnati after a week long trip through the mountains. Lets just say it was a very long ride home to the Lansing area. I do miss it occasionally. Will probably hit the street next year.
I'm still riding on the street after picking up track days 3-4 years ago. It never fails that some yahoo will pull out in front of me though almost every ride. I live in east Tennessee with a lot of nice twisty roads nearby so it's easy to go out a get some thrills. But I can imagine the days when I will give up the street and just pick up several track days during the year.