Getting started with track days

[ToyQuest]

I'm interested in getting started with track days. As such, I'm looking for recommendations on good programs that are safety oriented. So far, the following has been recommended to me by my local Cycle Gear shop.

- Team Pro Motion

- CornerSpeed

- NESBA

In pretty much that order. I wanted to get a wider view on the subject. Any thoughts or recommendations? A little more background information to aid the with recommendations:

- I'm within 1.5 hours of VIR so that will be my primary playground.

- I've purchased a mint "01 SV650S to use as a dedicated starter track bike. Got it stripped and all prep up. No way am I taking the FJR out. Can't buy the tupperware for what I have in the SV .

- I have over 30 years of mixed dirt/motorcross/street riding. Never any road course track riding or any formula training (other than MSF)

- No racing desires. Just looking to improve my technical riding skills in a controlled environment.

Thanks in advance...

 

[FJR-Don]

Well it looks like your doing your home work... That SV makes a great track bike :bike: not sure if it will be a track only bike but make sure it has fresh track tires on it, nothing better then nice sticky tires.

Just take it slow and learn.. Track days are lots of fun and I tried to do 5-6 a year and remember nobody wins track day.

 

[Auburn]

Any of the riding schools are a great way to get acquainted with the track. Even though they are race based, they are good to get your mind wrapped aaround riding on the track, because you will encouter those that are racing, but using the track day as a test and tune. So you will understand what they are doing and why, so you don't become an obstical or get upset if someone pass closer than you think they should. You will also know what to do when they do.

The schools als give great advice for braking techniques and what lines to ride and why.

Enjoy, the SV is a great starter bike, not too hard on tires, not too fast on the straights, but allow you to have very good corner speeds.

 

[Bugnatr]

Best thing to do is contact the local clubs you listed and see what they offer for first timers. My FJR survived Reg Pridmore's Class at Infineon but she's a bit porky for the track.

Your sv will be fun!

 

[pmeysemb]

I did my first track day on the FJR and that got me hooked on track days. Bought a used race bike ('02 SV) and ended up doing 14 more track days the next two summers. All of my events were with NESBA, except one with TrackAddix. I can recommend NESBA whole-heartily. They are a great organization and the coaches are excellent. I honestly think I am a better street rider from the things I picked up on the track.

Good luck, ride safe, and "no one wins a track day!"

By the way, it can be done with the FJR - just a bit slower!

Same corner at Road America ... about 12 track days later... (number 333 and then 43)

 

[CAJW]

I'm sure that there are many great rider training schools out there, but I can personally attest that Keith Code's Superbike School provides a great rider education for a one day course. I've taken 3 of the 4 levels and really enjoyed the class on my CBR600F4i (took level 3 on my Supermoto) and came away with a new perspective on cornering and body positioning. It also showed me that polishing one's skills is best done on the track which allows you to really hang it out. They offer classes at VIR so you're in luck and whether on your bike or theirs, you'll have a blast!

Superbike School

 

[Bike Effects]

Absolutely the most fun I have ever had! Track days are great fun and a good way to get the desire to do stupid things on the street out of the way. I have done 2 at Infineon, 2 at Thunderhill (Norcal) and one at Laguna Seca. Have a great time.

 

[ToyQuest]

Thanks guys for the pointers. I'll have to keep my eye on the SuperBike school for when it rolls around to VIR next year as I just missed thieir 2011 date.

 

[eg23232]

Pick up a copy of Roadracing World magazine. They have loads of trackday listings in the calendar section.

Don't confuse a track day with a "school". Most track days don't offer structured classes/instruction. You go in your respective group, A,B, or C and go out for your session. You can ask for help from the marshals and they'll follow you around and help you out. Unless they see something really wrong, they generally won't bother you and let you ride. If you don't ask for help you probably won't get it unless you do something wrong. Track days are also way cheaper than riding/track schools.

Invest in a pop-up awning and chair that's big enough to lounge in with your leathers on. I also pack an inverter and a fan I can make vertical to air out my helmet. I have a small folding plastic table so I don't have to put gear on the ground. Air pump, tire gauge, shield cleaner, cooler with beverages also.

 

[mferriter]

Any suggestions on displacement? I'm thinking about picking up a used Ninja 250 and was wondering if that would just be embarassing on the track. I can get a 500 for about the same price, but not sure if they're much faster.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Funny this came up now. I'm going to my first track-day on my FJR on September 10th. I know two of the instructors and it should be a total blast. I'll let you guys know.

 

[Bungie]

Any suggestions on displacement? I'm thinking about picking up a used Ninja 250 and was wondering if that would just be embarassing on the track. I can get a 500 for about the same price, but not sure if they're much faster.

I bought a 94 2-fitty Ninja for bombing around town. Wasn't sure if I was gonna like it or not. Long story short, I still have it, and I just bought a brand new CBR250R. The Ninja is for sale. I'd *LOVE* to get the CBR on a paved Super Moto track, something tight as all hell. That thing is absolutely psychic in the corners. Not so much (same for the Ninja) on the straights.

You know, when I bought my FJR, everybody said I'd lose my license on it. They were wrong, I'm gonna lose my license of the 250! You never want to scrub off any speed because the damn things are so sluggish it's hard to get it back!

 

[Bike Effects]

Any suggestions on displacement? I'm thinking about picking up a used Ninja 250 and was wondering if that would just be embarassing on the track. I can get a 500 for about the same price, but not sure if they're much faster.

Let the equality of the suspension and brakes be your guide and not so much the motor.

 

[MotorToad]

I'm interested in getting started with track days. As such, I'm looking for recommendations on good programs that are safety oriented. So far, the following has been recommended to me by my local Cycle Gear shop.

- Team Pro Motion

- CornerSpeed

- NESBA

In pretty much that order. I wanted to get a wider view on the subject. Any thoughts or recommendations? A little more background information to aid the with recommendations:

- I'm within 1.5 hours of VIR so that will be my primary playground.

- I've purchased a mint "01 SV650S to use as a dedicated starter track bike. Got it stripped and all prep up. No way am I taking the FJR out. Can't buy the tupperware for what I have in the SV .

- I have over 30 years of mixed dirt/motorcross/street riding. Never any road course track riding or any formula training (other than MSF)

- No racing desires. Just looking to improve my technical riding skills in a controlled environment.

Thanks in advance...

I think what you're looking for is Reg Pridmore's CLASS school. No east coast date in 2011, but they did VIR in July. I worked at Barber from '04-'07 and I've seen just about everything for track days and CLASS was the only one I can remember that was more street oriented. NESBA and STT have instructors control riders, but they don't have any agenda for improving your skills like a school would. Even if you take a "race" school you can still learn technique and not worry as much about racecraft.

 

[FJRBluesman]

You're doing great!

A few things I recommend:

1) Don’t take your favorite bike to the track, like an FJR, your favorite Duc, your daily rider. The reason being, if you crash it, you’re bummed and screwed ($$). A main bike for transportation would be gone or your favorite bike would be trashed. Insurance usually will NOT cover a track day crash.

2) Make sure you have good rubber and brakes on the bike. Newer rubber is best. At speed you’ll toast the tires quickly. They’ll get many heat cycles and they’ll be crap for the street. They’ll have a glazed (blue, red, or gold) colorish hue to them and they’ll be too hard (no grip), unless you can heat them up again. No go on the street unless at track speeds.

3) Always ride within your limit, not what you think you should do. Improvement will come with more track days.

4) Hopefully they have one instructor per 2-3 riders. Grab this person and ask him/her to follow you etc, and give you pointers. Do this all day. Usually the first track day they have instructors, after that you’re on your own unless you pay extra. Take full advantage of having a great instructor for the day to help you.

5) Have a great time!!

I loved my track days and wish I had a track bike. $$ and too busy currently prevents that right now. I used to do at least two track days per year for many years. Love it!!

 

[oldryder]

Lots of good advice. heres an important tip:

If you use track tires MAKE SURE you find out the correct inflation temperatures and give them time to warm up. race tires are hard and slippery until they've had time to warm up. fully warmed up tires are in the neighborhood of 175 degrees and are very tacky!

 

[ToyQuest]

Update… I've completed 4 tracks days since my original post.

The first 2 days were with Team Pro Motion (TPM) at VIR. First day was on the shorter/slower Patriot course followed by the second day on the North course. I found the instruction in the ART Level 1 class good. Nothing fancy, basics on track lines, throttle/brake control and finally body position. I basically made "friends" early on with a couple of the instructors. The entire two days was loaded with individual instruction with me following for a while and then the instructor following me and providing feedback. I progressed quickly with their oversight. Starting out on the lower speed Patriot course was goodness as it allowed me to focus on the basics at a much lower speed. The second day on the North course was muchd ifferent. A whole new set of challenges but the instructors were always there to help out.

I did quickly learn that the SV650 front suspension was woefully soft. A problem that I have since corrected with stiffer springs and RaceTech gold emulators (all installed and dyno-ed by Rick over at Cogent Dynamics. He did my FJR cartridge fork and Olhins shock upgrades earlier this year)

This past weekend, I spent two days down at CMP in Kershaw, SC with US Desmo. It was a completely different track, different rider profile and this time without the all the instructor help. I was able to successful progress with my skills development based on my learning at VIR. The US Desmo guys are a great group with a very diverse set of riders (and some really nice bikes J).

In hindsight, starting out with TPM instruction got me started out on the right foot. The SV650 did great (once the suspension issue was addressed). I do give up top speed compared to newer higher HP bikes but I'm ok with that for now because I'm focused on building the basic techniques and corner speed.

I'll be looking to attend some more formal training like Corner Speed early next year. Thanks for all of the advice. It has been spot on. I'm hooked.

 

[CAJW]

Funny this came up now. I'm going to my first track-day on my FJR on September 10th. I know two of the instructors and it should be a total blast. I'll let you guys know.

Well.............. <_< At least ToyQuest gave us an unsolicited update.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Funny this came up now. I'm going to my first track-day on my FJR on September 10th. I know two of the instructors and it should be a total blast. I'll let you guys know.

Well.............. <_< At least ToyQuest gave us an unsolicited update.

Um...I'm a loser and ended up not going. Life keeps interfering with my fun.