Forums > Motorcycle Discussion > My first track day..OH MY GOD!

Rob, I'm glad you finally saw what VIR and track in general is all about (in person and not from TV).  You'll still need to come and experience it with me in a car someday, but the bike is definitely fun.  Everyone starts out thinking it's difficult, but it will get easier if you do it more and more - just like any sport, practice makes perfect.  I always enjoy having a complete newbie as a track student because they make so much progress during the course of a weekend and the smiles are as big as can be.  I'm betting your experience is similar.  It's easier in a car because you can mess up an apex and usually not get into too much trouble, and nobody's body hits the ground in a car, plus your instructor can talk to you directly and give you the input you need at the proper time rather than 10 minutes after the session.

 I look forward to debriefing with you about your VIR day tomorrow if you have time, and who knows, maybe one day I will try it on a bike.  This fall you should plan to come out with me and try the car.

Enjoy your sleep - you earned it.  I never tire as much after any other sport as I seem to do after a track day. 

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Brian **** '08 Blue F800ST

Sounds like a great day Rob. I bet you learned a lot today. Fortunately, I'm slow and I know it. But I need to get out there at least once. Good on ya mate.

Jack 

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

I think we all suck when we start. Most of us still suck later....

It depends on your perspective, and who you want to be better than.

One thing to point out is that Valentino Rossi was asked in an interview a few years ago if he rode on the street.  His answer was NO.

What you find when you develop skills at the track is that everyday riding becomes either really boring, or really dangerous, depending on how well you can leave the track mentality at the track.

There's no oncoming traffic, no falling trees, no deer, and no cagers who ignore your presence at the track.  Truly a blissful opportunity to test and develop skills.

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Die Entropie des Motorrads wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546

Robo

You set a task

You did it 

You lived to talk about it

Ergo, you do not suck my friend

Congratulations and admiration

Bob 

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"Go out, things happen. Stay at home, they don't" .....................Ted Simon

Rmcclung said:

Robo

Congratulations and admiration

Bob 

+1.  What Bob said!  You're definitely no wuss!  You are the man! 

But....

the question is do you now feel better prepared (and able) to make that mad dash to the exit... or that rapid fire throttle twist to about 130+ mph.... when the Trooper is slowing down, lights on, and ready to give chase to write you that speeding ticket.  That's what I want to know....

.....  "I'm just askin'"     Did you get your money's worth!

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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."

Good show, man.

Track riding is an art form.  A place few venture.

Speed expands the passage of time, doesn't it.  Twenty minutes at those speeds, wrestling those brutal flowing forces, is a long, long time.

Toe-to-toe with injury and death, blanching and turning from the fear, nothing between your skin and bones and the flying pavement, yet gulping the adrenaline buzz, engine screaming, wind tearing, so very vibrantly real and alive breathing-in each slow, slow tick of time.

And that low whisper in one's ear away from the track, always there, can't turn it off, compelling, one word over and over and over, asking, pleading, demanding, offering despair and pain and hope and joy all rolled into one repeating whispered word:  "faster" . . . "faster" . . . "faster" . . .

I'm just saying . . .

You know . . . 

C

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

Csteinman said:

I'm just saying . . .

You know . . . 

C

Thanks for the support guys.  And yes, this time, I do know!  It is addictive...and scary.  And men like Rossi, Biaggi, Roberts, Surtees, any of the greats, are great at a level that is hard to comprehend.

Just a taste of the thrill was overwhelming.

Nut: I'm seeing if my cornering will improve to that 'run away' level!  How fast is radio?

Track school - oh yeah... intense fun!!

Congratulations on taking the plunge and the plunge that leads to... addiction!!

The most fun you can have with.... oh... nevermind....

So, when are you signed up for your second class?

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"Rossi, Biaggi, Roberts, Surtees, any of the greats" 

Gods live, and they walk amongst us.

C

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

Redstreak2 said:

So, when are you signed up for your second class?

I will go back, but I need a bike.  $359 to rent is too much if you are going to do it.  I'm considering a CBR 600 now.  Bike first, day 2 to follow....

Robo

Roborider said:

I was in the beginner group of course and still these guys were very fast. 

Hey Rob... that's just all good man. You didn't suck pal... you just started discovering

how fast and controlled you can be. Big lesson among many from the track... it's not how fast

you go... it's how you go fast.  

How about posting a couple of pics of you with that s%#t eating grin all over your face.

PS: Sorry for the late response Rob... glad to hear you did well in your encounter with the tree.

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The older i get the faster i was.

Terry's back!!!!!

Thanks guy and good to hear from you.

Robo

[/quote]

I will go back, but I need a bike.  $359 to rent is too much if you are going to do it.  I'm considering a CBR 600 now.  Bike first, day 2 to follow....

Robo

[/quote]

Dude, thats awesome you got out there!! 

A CBR 600 is a perfect bike for the track...light weight, nimble, plenty of power...theres plenty of great deals out there right now...

I haven't done a track day in a while but I've gotten the itch to throw my GS on a track...

Who did you go thru? I think the closest track to me is Barbers...

This was with Team Promotion:

http://www.teampromotion.com/tpm.php

They have various track days around the country and you can enter as a 'guest' if you don't want to join.  It was around $250 for the track day (8 20 min. sessions) and they divide into Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced groups.  The basic classroom added a bit more to the cost but you only have to take it once, maybe not at all if you have ridden track before.

I'd say it was a good deal but I'm looking for a bit more hands on instruction.  I need more help as I don't learn physical skills easily.  I think I still have my training wheels in the attic!

Robo