We're not sure. We're looking at either the July 31-Aug 1 Grattan weekend or the Aug. 14-15 Gingerman. Any opinions on which would be a better track for two noobies? Also, anyone know how to set up a suspension? Or have any suggestions of people who do? I've asked all my local dealers about it and they're clueless. If my bike does need to be tuned a touch, I'd like to have it done. Especially if there's anything that might need to be taken into account with my lower weight.
I'd suggest Grattan over Gingerman for learning. Gingerman is flat and boring and the seams in the pavement freak with alot of people (they shouldn't...but they do...especially noobs). Grattan has tons of elevation change, is extremely technical, and pretty much the whole thing will freak you out. Kinda like tossing you off the end of the dock to teach you swimming....(i'm kidding). 2 out of every 3 people in the paddock at the track can help you set your sag. Don't worry about that. Just get there, throw a rock...and whoever it hits....they'll just have to help you set your sag. Feel free to throw it my way, I won't mind if I'm not shooting pics at the time.
Oh, great! I've never been on Gingerman, but it does look pretty boring. I've been on Grattan. I guess at the end of a motorcycle track day if I'm not doing ok on Grattan, than there's just no hope for me. :lol: Thanks! I'll be sure to register the b/f and I for the track event! Now we just need to go get some pants...
What's wrong with you jig!! knowing is half the battle (name that reference...) the other half is pictures to prove it lol - that and I still have nightmares involving Monte late one night at AB.....need somethign to wash that outa the brain....
:lol: I mean that we don't own riding gear in the form of pants. We usually just ride in jeans. So that's what I meant! Get your mind out of the gutter. :roll:
I'm having a hell of a time finding pants. All the gear for girls is either really cheap or all style and no looks. I've got a <$200 budget for pants right now so I can still afford to take the class. I prefer leather, but will take textile if I have to. All I can find is it either has knee armor and hip PADDING, but no zipper. Or it has knee armor, hip PADDING and only a zipper at your back. I've found a few that are knee and hip armor, but no zipper. How stringent are the gear requirements for the novices? I'm doing my best to meet all 3, but it's really difficult -- especially with the budget constraints. I'm thinking of getting pants with knee armor and hip padding and just sewing on a zipper myself, but I don't know if someone's going to feel up my hips and say, "Oh, no, you don't have hip ARMOR! GTFO!" Or will see there's only a zipper at the back and determine it's not whatever percentage it should be and deny me. I'm only gonna be a novice on my first track day. Seriously, I'm going to be too terrified to get over 50mph, I don't think I'm THAT likely to go down where my life would be saved by having hip armor vs padding or 20% vs. 50-80% zipper. Suggestions? Can I just do my best and be allowed on if I make an attempt to match the points to some degree? I want to go to a track day, but with these requirements and the awful diversity of female gear I may have to wait till NEXT year.
I hate to scare people away from track riding, but decent riding gear is cheaper than your hospital deductible with most medical plans that I know about. Search the WERA boards for used gear, call Rider Discount and see if they can find something for you. I hope you get out there, but not without decent gear.
I understand the need for good gear. Believe me, I've seen the crashes. I'm geared every ride (except pants, I usually am just in jeans). But it's hard to find gear that has more function than looks when you're a chick. Worse off, a very petite one. But can I make ANY compromises on the rules? Is hip padding ok? Can I sew on a full circumfrence zipper myself? Or is that not allowed?
i can see how reading the rules suggests that your hips need armor as opposed to simply padding. i don't know that i've seen many (if any) full race suits that are actually armor in the hips, it's pretty much always padding. you're fine there. the zipper... if you've got the skills make your pants and jacket zip together in the required manner, nobody's going to check who sewed the zipper in. just remember what the point of the rule is when you go about installing a zipper and get a look at someone else's where it's done from the factory to make sure the pants you choose are amenable to the modification. -mark
I'd only suggest this for a stop gap novice day and the basic learning described - borrow a suit from a guy/person you know or is nice and has a spare and will be where you are taking hte class I've actually got a spare you would fit in but I don't think we are going to be in the same place for your track day - I will be up at Road America next weekend wandering around, and Autobahn North in Aug, possibly BHF in Sept but that's about it this year - too much racing hehe