Well over a year ago I jotted down some track day thoughts... This is not meant to be a complete list of ideas, perhaps it was merely a rant... I posted it on various sites and it was received very well... Please feel free to flame, add, delete, comment or not - whatever. It was a cathartic experience... Thanks! Track Day Thoughts: 1.Don't ride a bike you are unwilling to have damaged a.If you can't afford to walk away from it, don't put it on the track b.If you make payments on it, you can't afford it c.If it is a street bike and you have insurance (and you should), make it full coverage, most policies cover 'non-race' track day events (obviously you should verify this with your carrier) 2.Your current bike is most likely far more than you can safely handle 3.A used, track prepped, mid-sized bike (like an SV 650) is a great track machine that will actually allow you improve faster than something that is too powerful for you 4.Prepare for damage: frame sliders, bar-end sliders, fork sliders, a few stickers 5.The Intermediate Group is the most dangerous. The range of skills is wide and most people, although fine with a stable environment, have problems dealing with unexpected situations that will and do occur 6.Expect the unexpected. Don't assume that because you have been following a slower rider for several turns that they will hold their line when they get passed 7.Street vs. track experience really are NOT as interchangeable as you would expect 8.Buy the more track-oriented tires 9.Expect to buy tires... often 10. Buying a different bike every 2 or 3 years never allows you to really get to know it and you will not improve as quickly as if you stuck with the same bike for a longer period of time 11.Buy used track plastic; it is cheap, readily available & you have little emotional attachment to it 12.Keep spares handy: a.Brake/clutch levers b.Foot pegs c.Clip-on bars d.Helmet e.Face shield f.Gloves 13.Other people are actually not so fast... you are just really slow a.Don't rely on engine displacement to make you faster, you could actually end up with slower overall lap times and be more likely to crash 14.Know what you want to accomplish during each track session - plan your ride and ride your plan a.Simply going fast is not a plan b.Looking to pass people is not a plan c.Looking to not get passed is not a plan 15.If your goal is to simply get your knee down, you will most likely be a danger to yourself and those around you... focus on track riding fundamentals. If you really want to look the part, buy used knee sliders 16.You, or those around you WILL over-react with the following: a.Chopping the throttle off b.Snapping the throttle on c.Death-grip braking d.Rushing the end of the straights 17.Judging proper corner speed takes time, practice and patience... you are most likely not carrying enough corner speed 18.Conditions where you should drop down into the slower group (if even for just the day or part of the day): a.The bike is unfamiliar to you b.The displacement is unfamiliar to you c.The engine configuration is unfamiliar to you (switching between an I4 and a V-Twin is a HUGH change) d.You have made significant performance/suspension modifications e.You don't feel well or are not 100% there physically, mentally or emotionally f. The particular track is unfamiliar to you 19.Conditions where you should move up into the faster group: a.More than one of the Control Riders tells you to move up to the faster group b.If you believe you need to ASK to be moved up, you are not ready 20.Talk to more experienced riders about the overall track layout, riding lines, gear selection and anything else you can think of 21.Bring plenty of water, food, shade, gas, maintenance supplies, etc Peace-out Cub Scouts!
Good list, #13 is my favorite Somewhere in there should also be - Don't forget to have fun! Here is my list: http://media.putfile.com/Rules66 Misko
Hey, I didn't know that "Stickboy" was you. You were my track coach on the last session at Grattan Saturday. Now I know who the Krispy Kreme donut guy is!!! :lol: :lol: (Where doe's it all go???)
Hey, I didn't know that "Stickboy" was you. You were my track coach on the last session at Grattan Saturday. Now I know who the Krispy Kreme donut guy is!!! :lol: :lol: (Where doe's it all go???)
I have another one to add for moving down just for part of the day. I did this one just recently, but didn't move down. If it's your first time on a track in the rain. :shock: :shock: It's like learning all over again. I ABSOLUTELY HATE RAIN!!!! , but I would really like to get alot better in it. That's a good goal for now. :wink:
That would be covered under #18 e. You don?t feel well or are not 100% there physically, mentally or emotionally People unfamiliar with rain are usually affected both mentally and emotionally... same can be said for extremely hot/humid and cold conditions... In my best Dirty Harry impersonation "a man's got to know his limitations".
Yeah, Yeah I know. Some of us hard heads learn the hard way... :roll: As long as it's dry out I will stick in I group for now. I might have someone show me around a little in the rain if such an event occurs again though. Good thing is that I'm willing to ride in it so I will figure it out.
Yep, that was my skinny @$$ out front of you at grattan... Krispy Kremes are the ONLY way to go Dont worry though.. the leathers just hide the weight.. i am really 220lbs :wink: Sorry to hear about your fall at Mid O. I only rode a few laps on monday. Never even started the bike on Tues, being on slicks and all.
Um... Where can I get me some of these "Magic Leathers" that you speak of? Do they have a "Rides Much Better" version as well?
Well over a year ago I jotted down some track day thoughts... This is not meant to be a complete list of ideas, perhaps it was merely a rant... I posted it on various sites and it was received very well... Please feel free to flame, add, delete, comment or not - whatever. It was a cathartic experience... Thanks! Track Day Thoughts: 1.Don?t ride a bike you are unwilling to have damaged: a.If you can?t afford to walk away from it, don?t put it on the track b.If you make payments on it, you can?t afford it DISAGREE - Sometimes I choose to use other peoples money because I can make a better return using my own elsewhere. Most "good" insurance companies will cover a N or I group tp over...... once. Details of which you cover below. c.If it is a street bike and you have insurance (and you should), make it full coverage ? most policies cover ?non-race? track day events (obviously you should verify this with your carrier) AMEN!!! 2.Your current bike is most likely far more than you can safely handle 3.A used, track prepped, mid-sized bike (like an SV 650) is a great track machine that will actually allow you improve faster than something that is too powerful for you. If only EVERYONE would wake up and realize the truth in these words... Liter bikes really have NO PLACE in the hands of riders with less than three - four solid years of experience and then still are far more than most can handle. 4.Prepare for damage ? frame sliders, bar-end sliders, fork sliders, a few stickers 5.The Intermediate Group is the most dangerous. The range of skills is wide and most people, although fine with a stable environment, have problems dealing with unexpected situations that will and do occur 6.Expect the unexpected. Don?t assume that because you have been following a slower rider for several turns that they will hold their line when they get passed 7.Street vs. track experience really are NOT as interchangeable as you would expect 8.Buy the more track-oriented tires 9.Expect to buy tires ? often If you THINK you need tires.. then you DO need tires!!! 10. Buying a different bike every 2 or 3 years never allows you to really get to know it and you will not improve as quickly as if you stuck with the same bike for a longer period of time 11.Buy used track plastic; it is cheap, readily available & you have little emotional attachment to it Or buy somethnig like HotBoddies (less than $500 for a set) and use a color available at Ace Hardware .. 12.Keep spares handy: Or habg out with friends who do!!! a.Brake/clutch levers b.Foot pegs c.Clip-on bars d.Helmet e.Face shield f.Gloves 13.Other people are actually not so fast ? you are just really slow a.Don?t rely on engine displacement to make you faster, you could actually end up with slower overall lap times and be more likely to crash May I hear an AMEN from the congregation!! 14.Know what you want to accomplish during each track session - plan your ride and ride your plan ... Great Track Experience Will Result!! a.Simply going fast is not a plan .. CRASH! b.Looking to pass people is not a plan ... CRASH c.Looking to not get passed is not a plan .. CRASH 15.If your goal is to simply get your knee down, you will most likely be a danger to yourself and those around you ? focus on track riding fundamentals. If you really want to look the part ? buy used knee sliders 16.You, or those around you WILL over-react with the following: a.Chopping the throttle off b.Snapping the throttle on c.Death-grip braking d.Rushing the end of the straights 17.Judging proper corner speed takes time, practice and patience ? you are most likely not carrying enough corner speed 18.Conditions where you should drop down into the slower group (if even for just the day or part of the day): a.The bike is unfamiliar to you b.The displacement is unfamiliar to you c.The engine configuration is unfamiliar to you (switching between an I4 and a V-Twin is a HUGH change) d.You have made significant performance/suspension modifications e.You don?t feel well or are not 100% there physically, mentally or emotionally f. The particular track is unfamiliar to you 19.Conditions where you should move up into the faster group: a.More than one of the Control Riders tells you to move up to the faster group b.If you believe you need to ASK to be moved up, you are not ready 20.Talk to more experienced riders about the overall track layout, riding lines, gear selection and anything else you can think of 21.Bring plenty of water, food, shade, gas, maintenance supplies, etc Peace-out Cub Scouts![/quote]
Maybe we should add in there that certain riders (Misko) should watch thier sugar intake prior to going out on the track and prior to posting. For me I think that #13 should be #1.
Well, if it makes you feel better I have the same syndrome. I look very skinny too.....Well, until I take off my shirt and everyone see's a skeletor with quite the beer belly. :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: It's ok though. My excuse is that I'm trying to add a couple of pounds so I'm right at my stock suspension weight setting. :roll: :lol:
I had one thought my first time on track, which I can remember to this day, Be smooth (i.e. no sudden movements).