track newbie- need some info

[TAT2D]

I really want to start hitting the track this year, but I've never done it. What do I need besides the obvious....Bike and gear? Any info on novice programs? I've been watching trackday videos, and really want to do this. Looks like a blast!

Thanks,
B

[v8zman]

it is a blast,u can do taste of race during race weekends,20 bucks,all u need is good running bike that doesnt leak

track days are a blast,i plan on doing a couple,i would like to do novice but it doesnt look like im gonna be able to this year

[Spy007]

Taste of racing is nice... but its a bit dangerous. So many people go balls out (even though you arent really supposed to) and dont have the experience to do their braking points properly, passing or anything (i was one of them hehe).

For Track Days:
Your nerves will be all over the place when you get to the track so get their early and prepared! Definately make sure your bike is all prepped ahead of time (blue painters tape for lights and unplug them when you get to the track, no leaks, changed oil, brakes in good shape, tires in good shape and your gear all set and in good shape). Also bring extra fuel, snacks, drinks of choice and that kinda thing.

[Nicegy525]

Sign up for a track day. Usually their website will give you all the info you need. I recommend PSSR for their in depth instruction.

[Nicegy525]

and stay away from Taste of Racing. Its a mad house and if you crash your insurance might not cover it.

[Spy007]

true about the insurance with TOR. Most companies will toss you aside because the title has "racing" in it, which isnt covered usually. Other thing is that if anyone goes down, they stop it all and you are done... no restart.

[bloominr6]

Pay money, get good tires for the track, show up and ride

[TAT2D]

Thanks for the info everyone. A track day with instructors sounds like the logical first step. I'll check into that. And TOR sounds fun, but I'm trying not to talk to my insurance company for a while about bikes, period. Between my accident last year, and jumping up to a bigger bike this year I'm sure they aren't too pleased with me. In fact I know they arent.........They just bumped the bike insurance up to where it's only 40 bucks cheaper than my jeep every six months:eek: OUCH!!!!!

Thanks again,
B

[v8zman]

i cant wait for track days

[lotsamtbottls]

ooooh bobby i want to do a trackday this year too!! we should plan to go to one together!! pop our track cherries at the same time :laughing:

[v8zman]

if only we could all do one at same time,so people have people to talk to while waiting

[Spy007]

this thread just got http://forums.ratedesi.com/images/smilies/threesomesmiley.gif

[v8zman]

i never had any problems in a taste of race

[lotsamtbottls]

if only we could all do one at same time,so people have people to talk to while waiting
that would be cool for sure

[gootmacher]

LOL TOR is lets say exciting to say the least. trackdays are a addiction somewhere along the lines of heroin or crack. you do it once and you want it all the time! trackdays will change the way you ride on the street also, the speeds are way different, you just cant get that on the street. CTT is good for your first one since tyson does a class with video and alot of knowledge of PIR. im sure ill see you guys out there this summer.

[Skipbo]

I myself would recommend OMRRA's Taste of Racing. It's a good first "inital" step. Your financial investment will also not be too substantial either. If you approach it as an introduction and run at a safe reduced pace, you'll do fine!

[TAT2D]

Thanks for all the advice. I can't wait to do this! Gonna be a blast:rad:


B

[Jane Honda]

One of these times this summer, we should plan an OSB track day... Where all of us show up and represent. :thumbup:

[MEP1000]

ooooh bobby i want to do a trackday this year too!! we should plan to go to one together!! pop our track cherries at the same time :laughing:


:naughty: The Mep thinks this sounds like it could be really fun :smilewink:

[MEP1000]

this thread just got http://forums.ratedesi.com/images/smilies/threesomesmiley.gif


:drool: :drool: :rad: :rad: :rad: :rad:

[poisonivyR1]

i'll be representing monday and tuesday:moon: :moon: :twofinger: :hysterical: :hysterical: :lol: :lol:

[TAT2D]

Gawd..... You guys(and girls, especially girls!) could make anything sound dirty...........I knew I felt at home:thumbup:

[lotsamtbottls]

Gawd..... You guys(and girls, especially girls!) could make anything sound dirty...........I knew I felt at home:thumbup:
well bobby, whats the fun if you cant make a dirty joke out of it? :smilewink:

[eezz]

If you think about the money you can spend on gas riding all weekend, you get pretty close to paying for a track day. I know I have thrown a little over $100 in gas on a Saturday & Sunday all day both days.

I highly recommend track days. There is talk in OMRRA about doing away with TOR.

I don't see a 503 extreme track day this year. Probably because of the short PIR season for track repaving. That means Motocorsa will probably be the cheapest, and its the least crowded, however I think CTT has the best instruction. I would recommend one of those for the OSB group since many of you may be newbs to the track. I would be happy to go to one of those if you all decide which date works.

I'm doing the last 5 at PIR with CTT. When Oregon Raceway opens, CTT will have track days there on weekends. I expect to do a couple of those as well. That could also be a fun road trip/camp/track event.

Hell, that may be a beautiful way of substituting for the annual SBNW. Talk about a kick ass group event. Camping at a track for two track days back to back. The scheduled dates for ORP are 8/19&20, 9/15&16, 10/6&7.

[v8zman]

very well put,i agree with everything and i would like to do oregon raceway trackday too

[SpeedBump]

Hell, that may be a beautiful way of substituting for the annual SBNW. Talk about a kick ass group event. Camping at a track for two track days back to back. The scheduled dates for ORP are 8/19&20, 9/15&16, 10/6&7.
We have a winner!

[v8zman]

that would be friggin awesome

[TAT2D]

That sounds awesome!:thumbup:

[Kelbor]

+1.....What type of additional gear do us newbies need for a track day? Do we need full lenght gloves, jacket that zips to pants, track boots? I am definantely in.

[eezz]

For a track day you need the following:

Bike - If you do not have race plastic, you must tape up all your lights, turn signals, mirrors, etc. (anything that can shatter and leave sharp objects on the ground) Your tires must be in decent shape, if they are excessively worn, you will be a danger to everyone. Your brakes must be in good working order. You can not bring a bike on the track that is leaking fluids. You can not bring a bike on the track which appears to have parts not securely fastened.

You - You must have leathers which zip together at the jacket and pant if you do not have a one piece. You must have a back protector. You must have motorcycle rated boots. You must have full coverage leather gloves. You must have a DOT full coverage helmet with a wind screen both in good condition. (no flip down face cover helmets, one piece only) The chin strap on the helmet must work. All of these things must be in reasonable condition, scratches & scrapes are OK but holes exposing skin to pavement are not. You need to check with the organization running the track day to find out if textile gear is OK. Their insurance will dictate that.

You will be required to pass a tech inspection and they will give you a tech sticker. You will not be allowed on the track without a tech inspection sticker.

If you crash on the track, you will be required to go through tech inspection again (and pass) before you are allowed back on the track.

[ArinSjorensen]

ive never popped my cherry either, it sounds fun does it hurt?

[Spy007]

If i bite on your ear, you shouldnt notice it.... but its fun.

Now... bend over and tell me what your toes look like!


hehe... track days look awesome and I havent gone either yet. Its still a bit out of my price range and danger zone with the bike.

[ArinSjorensen]

i think i just threw up in my mouth

[v8zman]

the track isnt as bad as some people make it out to be,just ride your own ride, dont ride too far over your head and i think u will be fine

[Spy007]

im not worried about crashing, im worried about being without a bike for a while if I do. Wreck a bike and you can almost gurantee that you will be sans bike for atleast a month.

[v8zman]

dont think about stuff like that,and dont wreck,

2 easy solutions

[Spy007]

eh, some time i will.... till then, im a street whore

[tictoc]

im not worried about crashing, im worried about being without a bike for a while if I do. Wreck a bike and you can almost gurantee that you will be sans bike for atleast a month.
Your right riding is to dangerous. You should leave your bike in the garage so you don't wreak it. Just kidding. IMO it does not matter if you are on the street or on the track. If you ride within your abilities then you will be fine. If you are not able to do that then it does not matter were you ride you WILL crash. Again this is just my opinion. Come on out and play, you will learn ALLOT.

[Spy007]

Dont get me wrong, not saying i wont at some point soon. I really want to!

[eezz]

Agree with tictoc. When you go to a track day they have three levels:A, B & C; C being beginners/track newbs. You can get plenty of instruction and it is unlikely that you will crash if you just use the track day to practice what they teach you about body position etc. at a safe pace which will gradually result in increased speeds which are still safe for you because you worked up to it.

By the end of the day, even if you don't notice you are a better rider, your buddies on the street will notice, and a safe pace on the street to you will look like you're hauling ass to them.

[tictoc]

I know, I was not trying to flame you. IMO other than "I can't afford to pay the entry fee" or "I can't get the time off work" there is no good excuse not to come out to the track
Dont get me wrong, not saying i wont at some point soon. I really want to!

[TAT2D]

Agree with tictoc. When you go to a track day they have three levels:A, B & C; C being beginners/track newbs. You can get plenty of instruction and it is unlikely that you will crash if you just use the track day to practice what they teach you about body position etc. at a safe pace which will gradually result in increased speeds which are still safe for you because you worked up to it.

By the end of the day, even if you don't notice you are a better rider, your buddies on the street will notice, and a safe pace on the street to you will look like you're hauling ass to them.



DING! DING! DING! We hava a winnah! That is exactly the reason I want to go to the track this year.
Plus no speeding tickets:rad:

[pigwings]

One of these times this summer, we should plan an OSB track day... Where all of us show up and represent. :thumbup:

We could probably rent the Spokane track on a weekday.

http://www.spokaneracewaypark.com/

Did that once with a group from a local shop. Long way to go, tho, but a lot of no-pressure fun.

[TOM-CAT]

We could probably rent the Spokane track on a weekday.

http://www.spokaneracewaypark.com/

Did that once with a group from a local shop. Long way to go, tho, but a lot of no-pressure fun.

I would be so down, but that front straight looks redickly long:thinking:

[importsdigest]

im also a fairly new rider. i dont know where i could locate a single track available for sport bikes. i would love to check out track days with instructors.

[Asphalt Surfer]

im also a fairly new rider. i dont know where i could locate a single track available for sport bikes. i would love to check out track days with instructors.
:thinking::thinking::thinking:
http://www.oregonsportbike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146

[importsdigest]

thanx, i didnt realize PIR had motorcycle events til just now. what about novice events or even that "track days" with instructors. do you know where that type of event might be. are any of the events i see at PIR in this category?

[importsdigest]

ok, i just found barf and superbikeschool.com so i think im headed in the right direction now

[Asphalt Surfer]

ok, i just found barf and superbikeschool.com so i think im headed in the right direction now
Here Eric try this:

http://www.jasonmerritt.com/webcal.gif

Shows all of the motorcycle (road) track events at Pacific Raceway, Miller Motorsports, PIR, Spokane, T-Hill, Reno and Oregon Raceway.

Blue, Purple and Yellow would be what you would be looking for with instruction. Unfortunately it's missing Moto Corsa but you can call them for their dates at PIR.

Courtesy of Topheavy

["b"]

One of these times this summer, we should plan an OSB track day... Where all of us show up and represent. :thumbup:
great Idea.. Id be up for this.. oh wait I dont have a bike yet.. hopefully soon

[Spy007]

You could always hold the black flag out for when V8 loses some fur!

[importsdigest]

thanx, that was very helpful. i'll go look into those tracks.

[knowmad]

thanx, that was very helpful. i'll go look into those tracks.

That calendar leaves out the Motocorsa trackdays. The next one is Monday April 30th. I'm a part of the instructor squad and our goal is to make riders more confident with their machines so they're safer on the track or street. On April 2nd, we trained 9 riders. I along with a local legend spent most of our time with 4 riders that were a bit more experienced and quicker. We vastly improved 3 of those riders with classroom and 1-on-1 instruction. Positive feedback and encouragement are the hallmarks of our teaching methods. Check out the rest of the schedule at www.motocorsa.com (http://www.motocorsa.com). Come on out and play. I guarantee if you take the time, check your ego at the door and participate fully, you'll finish the day a better rider.

Good luck. Anyone can PM with additional questions.

[gootmacher]

i might have to have you tow me around a session or two Rornape if you have the time open. i want to work on getting into the 14s.

[knowmad]

You are too advanced for our C group. We're helping with a lot of initial track experience and teaching the basics. At 16's, you're approaching an A group pace and I know you'd be able to find an OMRRA plate to drag you around on our trackdays. I'll be busy parade lapping most of the day.

[Spy007]

gonna have to save up for one of them days... heard motocorsa has the better lunches! :-)

[knowmad]

They do a nice job on lunch. Last time as Lasagna and Caesar salad, cookies and soft drinks. Not a bad spread for a track meal. They provided free coffee in the morning too (new). We also had complimentary chair massages (new) last go-round and I believe they may be back for the next date.

[v8zman]

me and a few friends will be doing a track day middle of may i believe if anyone wants to join

not sure exact date yet but it will happen

[Spy007]

lemmie know V8 :-)
May 9 is my bday... maybe i can swing it hehe


Oh hey Rorn, those chair massages.... its not YOU doin them is it? lol

[knowmad]

No way. They bring in professionals with coupons ($50 for a full hour!) for future visits at their center. This petite gal was wringing monkey fists out of my lower back that hadn't been dealt with in years. I think I'm in love.

[knowmad]

Monday April 30th (motorcycles)
Monday May 14th (motorcycles)
Monday June 25th (motorcycles)
Monday August 20th (motorcycles)

Here are the remaining Motocorsa dates. Click my sig line for add'l details.

[v8zman]

that monday may 14th looks good