bigdolma
Master chef for Kebobs & Hummus extraordinaire
hope not
Track Day At Wfo-5
- Thread starter Warchild
- Start date
Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
Kasey
Well-known member
I'd be interested in a CLASS session rather than ripping around a track without any instruction.
My 2 cents worth.
Kasey
My 2 cents worth.
Kasey
devanator
Well-known member
Awhile back I voted that I would be interested in doing the track day. But that being said, I also should say I have no experience in doing a track day. So just a few questions are if I do make the rally and have a chance at this is....
Are they going to have experienced track personel their to help a person learn what it is like to be at a track and let you try a fews runs?
Am I going to be completely out of my realm and shouldn't try to do it? (Leave it for the big boys)
Are the things learned going to benefit a person in just everyday riding skills? (Or does it serve a practical side other than just having fun)
Devenator
Are they going to have experienced track personel their to help a person learn what it is like to be at a track and let you try a fews runs?
Am I going to be completely out of my realm and shouldn't try to do it? (Leave it for the big boys)
Are the things learned going to benefit a person in just everyday riding skills? (Or does it serve a practical side other than just having fun)
Devenator
Warchild
Benevolent Dictator
All of this is still in work, folks... When the Track Day Coordinator has the final info, he'll let fly with it! 
GalaxyBlue
Well-known member
OH HELL YEAH!!
The only problem some people might have, Is that they need a back protecter, Full face helmet, Leathers or textile pants and jacket.
That is a few things i remember from my visit to Hallett Raceway near Tulsa OK.
I wish i rode the track instead of watching! But i WILL be ready for fernley!
Adam
The only problem some people might have, Is that they need a back protecter, Full face helmet, Leathers or textile pants and jacket.
That is a few things i remember from my visit to Hallett Raceway near Tulsa OK.
I wish i rode the track instead of watching! But i WILL be ready for fernley!
Adam
throttlejockeyTJ
throttlejockeyTJ
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2005
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 1
I RR MC in the 70's, Formula Cars threw the 80's. I am interested, but to have fun! I am not really interested in going 'balls to the wall'.
Pro's learn race tracks real fast. Amatures take longer to learn smooth lines & braking points. Some get on a track and want to 'drive it like it was stolen'. It does help to follow like ducks from someone whom knows the track. I have control over what I do. What concerns me more is being taken out by someones elses mis-judgement. That happens too often. I think there should be seperate skill groups, and rules for passing in the straits and not in the corners or 'S' es (at least in the more unskilled classes.
That being said I more favor the school idea. One can always learn. I took the Lee Parks 'Total Control' in Augest to have someone judge what I was doing right, and where I could improve.
Pro's learn race tracks real fast. Amatures take longer to learn smooth lines & braking points. Some get on a track and want to 'drive it like it was stolen'. It does help to follow like ducks from someone whom knows the track. I have control over what I do. What concerns me more is being taken out by someones elses mis-judgement. That happens too often. I think there should be seperate skill groups, and rules for passing in the straits and not in the corners or 'S' es (at least in the more unskilled classes.
That being said I more favor the school idea. One can always learn. I took the Lee Parks 'Total Control' in Augest to have someone judge what I was doing right, and where I could improve.
Last edited by a moderator:
FJR_pig
Bud Light Real Man of Genius
I have some pretty decent track experience up here at PIR in Portland. The one consistent thing I see is bikes breaking down because they're not accustomed to being driven so hard under track conditions. Something to keep in mind - everyone is different so maybe this wouldn't be a shock to your bike's system. It'd be a bummer to create a serious problem away from home.
Also, no track will let you on without full face helmet, leathers or some type of full riding suit and tires that are 80%+. Guarantee.
Go with the class if intent on doing this. You'd be amazed at what an instructor can do to tweek even the best rider's skills on a track.
Also, no track will let you on without full face helmet, leathers or some type of full riding suit and tires that are 80%+. Guarantee.
Go with the class if intent on doing this. You'd be amazed at what an instructor can do to tweek even the best rider's skills on a track.
throttlejockeyTJ
throttlejockeyTJ
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2005
- Messages
- 586
- Reaction score
- 1
What I said in my above post and...
Most tracks have between 9 & 14 turns (yes exceptions). The picture of that track (without trying to count) looks like close to 30 turns. There are elevation changes but the view shows the track is surrounded by desert sage. That many turns with all with sage back drop, one is going to have to be a exceptional quick learner with a good quality rhythm memory to really go fast in a short amount of time on that track. What I mean is that looks like a tough track to pick up breaking points (lots of them) on without making any (wrong gear) errors. The last thing any one wants is a track full of Sete 'kitty litter' Gibernau's making a big dust cloud.
Laguna Seca was mentioned by someone (as a possibility for a school) , but Infenion Raceway (Sears Point) is about 180 miles closer to Reno.
Article on Track Riding
https://www.foreven.com/trackdod/NoviceGuide/
Most tracks have between 9 & 14 turns (yes exceptions). The picture of that track (without trying to count) looks like close to 30 turns. There are elevation changes but the view shows the track is surrounded by desert sage. That many turns with all with sage back drop, one is going to have to be a exceptional quick learner with a good quality rhythm memory to really go fast in a short amount of time on that track. What I mean is that looks like a tough track to pick up breaking points (lots of them) on without making any (wrong gear) errors. The last thing any one wants is a track full of Sete 'kitty litter' Gibernau's making a big dust cloud.
Laguna Seca was mentioned by someone (as a possibility for a school) , but Infenion Raceway (Sears Point) is about 180 miles closer to Reno.
Article on Track Riding
https://www.foreven.com/trackdod/NoviceGuide/
Last edited by a moderator:
Ric in Sac
Well-known member
I'm interested if I don't have to go out and buy leathers just to ride around the track. I just want a place where I can go fast, but not full race fast, so I can see what the FJR can do without the need for speeding tickets.
Highlander can lead us through and show us the lines - that guy is SMOOOOOOOTTHH! :clap:
Highlander can lead us through and show us the lines - that guy is SMOOOOOOOTTHH! :clap:
weekend rider
Well-known member
Fernely's race track is only about 5 years old and I have raced my dirt bike there in the Desert. So if you are worried about going to fast just head for the open desert lots of room to slow down out there. Oh yea, for got to mention nothing but rocks under the sand and rough as hell there.
Deffinetly interested but do not want to destroy my bike trying to learn something that can be learned on a bike that they could provide or maybe the race track could provide or a school from that area.
weekend rider
Deffinetly interested but do not want to destroy my bike trying to learn something that can be learned on a bike that they could provide or maybe the race track could provide or a school from that area.
weekend rider
I'm definitely in. Most of the track days I've attended required 'either' full leathers (one or two piece if they zip together) or a Cordura or Ballistics riding suit. It would probably be a good idea to check ahead with the track if you plan too attend. WC will probably get this info once he's discussed details with the track admin.
The FJR would be easy to tape up, but they may also require some safety wiring. Usually this is only the drain plugs, which on the FJ would mean two. Easy enough to do if you have the pliers, a cordless drill and an hour or so of time.
Even w/o this being a school, you can still learn allot about the bike and riding it at speed. Just build up your speed gradually and get a feel for the bike and track. After a few laps of cruising around (give the tires a few laps to warm anyway) you will know enough of the track to know where or if there are any sections to pay particular attention to. Track days are fun because they are no pressure, non competitve events, though there is usually a few guys who inevitably dice with each other. Even w/o instruction, you can learn how to better handle the bike and excecute some nice braking and cornering technique. Some of the best riding instruction I've had came from some local racers and fast guys who were at track days with me. Find someone who's smooth and fast and have them follow you around and give input. Then go follow them. It's a kick in the azz.
The point is, even if we don't coordinate a track school, I would still highly recommend you guys attending. It's fun and educational at the same time. The track days I've attended also had 3 levels of riders (A, B, and C) and we could probably set this up similarly. This would allow the first time track attendees the opportunity to go out and ride at their own pace (C riders) w/o fear or pressure of the fast guys buzzing by them at speed. B riders are usually the fast street riders or C riders ready to move up and ride with the faster guys, while the A riders are typically racers and really fast street riders. (I've learned quite allot riding with the A guys. Yeah most of them dropped me after about 1/2 a lap, but I learned where the fast lines were, braking points, smoothness and track position) For us, having just two groups may be enough to cover our capabilities seeing that we will all be on the same bike.
Come on guys, let's give WC the go-ahead and put this thing on. Ride at your own pace, learn and have fun. You will never regret it.
The FJR would be easy to tape up, but they may also require some safety wiring. Usually this is only the drain plugs, which on the FJ would mean two. Easy enough to do if you have the pliers, a cordless drill and an hour or so of time.
Even w/o this being a school, you can still learn allot about the bike and riding it at speed. Just build up your speed gradually and get a feel for the bike and track. After a few laps of cruising around (give the tires a few laps to warm anyway) you will know enough of the track to know where or if there are any sections to pay particular attention to. Track days are fun because they are no pressure, non competitve events, though there is usually a few guys who inevitably dice with each other. Even w/o instruction, you can learn how to better handle the bike and excecute some nice braking and cornering technique. Some of the best riding instruction I've had came from some local racers and fast guys who were at track days with me. Find someone who's smooth and fast and have them follow you around and give input. Then go follow them. It's a kick in the azz.
The point is, even if we don't coordinate a track school, I would still highly recommend you guys attending. It's fun and educational at the same time. The track days I've attended also had 3 levels of riders (A, B, and C) and we could probably set this up similarly. This would allow the first time track attendees the opportunity to go out and ride at their own pace (C riders) w/o fear or pressure of the fast guys buzzing by them at speed. B riders are usually the fast street riders or C riders ready to move up and ride with the faster guys, while the A riders are typically racers and really fast street riders. (I've learned quite allot riding with the A guys. Yeah most of them dropped me after about 1/2 a lap, but I learned where the fast lines were, braking points, smoothness and track position) For us, having just two groups may be enough to cover our capabilities seeing that we will all be on the same bike.
Come on guys, let's give WC the go-ahead and put this thing on. Ride at your own pace, learn and have fun. You will never regret it.
Similar threads
