OhioFJR1300
Well-known member
I finally got the time and money to try a track day. Sports Bike Track Time held a novice (first time on a track) day at the Mid-Ohio track this past Wed. I signed up with 2 of my riding buddies (who are far better riders than me) . We trailered the bikes to the track and went thru the tech inspection. Not a big deal, just tape up all lights and mirrors, paying the most attention to making sure no brake lights show thru the tape. We were split into 2 large groups, those that thought of themselves as "advanced" and those that did not. I was wearing my Aerostich one piece suit and even though I was standing in the "not advanced " side of the room and my buddies were on the "advanced" side, the instructor said to me "how long have you had that suit?" I said "five years" and he replied " anyone that has an Aeronstich suit for 5 years should be in the "advanced group." so I moved over to that group. They ended up splitting each group into smaller 3, 4 or 5 rider groups, each having our own instructor, so it ended up being me and my 2 buddies with our own instructor. I was thinking that I'm going to get killed trying to keep up with these guys or at best, not learn much. As it turned out, we would sit in a classroom for 15-20 minutes and then ride on the track for 20- 25 minutes, then we could take a rest break while the non Advanced group was on the track , then we would repeat the rotation. This went on all day, from 8AM until 5PM , I logged 108 miles on the track :yahoo: . The instructor was great :clapping: and started us off slowly, leading us around the track so we could learn the lines. Then we progressed to learning how to shift our body weight and lean the bike, then how to upshift without using the clutch, and proper entry and exit of the turns. To make a long story short...... the last 2 times we were on the track, we were able to go at our own pace with passing being restricted to 6 foot distance and on the outside only. I ended up taking the lead ahead of my buddies both times, thinking that any minute they would come flying past me 
but the FJR proved to be a good ride and I must have learned a few things as my buddies were not able to keep up with me or pass me. I ended up passing several "real" sports bikes and I know I was hitting over 110 MPH in the short straight a ways, and taking the turns at over 60 MPH scraping pegs and sparks flying all the way. I has a blast B) ! The instructor told us that we were kicking some serious butt and he had told some of the other instructors about the FJR and 2 Suzuki Bandits that were setting quite a good pace. At any rate, I sure feel more confident in the turns now and my buddies were surprised that I was actually able to keep them at bay
but the FJR proved to be a good ride and I must have learned a few things as my buddies were not able to keep up with me or pass me. I ended up passing several "real" sports bikes and I know I was hitting over 110 MPH in the short straight a ways, and taking the turns at over 60 MPH scraping pegs and sparks flying all the way. I has a blast B) ! The instructor told us that we were kicking some serious butt and he had told some of the other instructors about the FJR and 2 Suzuki Bandits that were setting quite a good pace. At any rate, I sure feel more confident in the turns now and my buddies were surprised that I was actually able to keep them at bay
Last edited by a moderator:
