When should you hit the track??

[zed]

it's at a race track but it doesn't mean that you have to race.

the instructors will help you by giving you advice and slowing down and letting you follow them around the track.

as with anytime you ride your bike. ride your own ride. don't let anyone push you past what you feel comfortable doing.

[the chi]

What Azoom said! I have heard from many instructors that they prefer riders that havent had a chance to learn many bad habits on the street. As long as you are comfortable on your bike, and you know what you are supposed to be doing to keep that bike up and moving, you are good to go. And I know Jeeps wouldnt put you in harms way. If he thinks you would like it and you want to do it, GO FOR IT!!

While I had ridden for abut a year before my first track day, I never had any clue until I got out there how much more I could learn and do with my bike, and after I did a track day I was 150% more confident in my skills and bike and so much a better rider for it. It taught me skills on my bike that I could carry onto the street to make me safer, wiser and more prepared to handle surprises. And I no longer feel a need to break my neck or push myself on the street, I save my need for pushing the limits to the track.

[Ducati Diva]

Thanks guys!!! I knew I would get good information from all of you. I am excited about learning a new aspect of riding. I by no means think that I am ready to jump out there with the "big boys" but would love to learn from an experienced instructor. Keep the comments comming!

It will be a bit before I am able to hit the track. Being laid off sucks!!!! I will keep you posted when it happens.

[azoomm]

FWIW, you don't ever want to *hit* the track

Check with your local trackday orgs - most offer a volunteer/ride program.

[OreoGaborio]

The track day organization itself has a lot to do with it, as does the rider themselves.

The org that I work for is VERY newbie friendly. We spend a lot of time "catering" to the first-timer, walking them through everything that they're going to do that day, making sure they understand all the rules etc, spending extra time with those that need it, etc.... As long as ALL basic controls (throttle, clutch, brakes, shifting and turning) are feeling "second nature" so that you don't have to conciously think "Okay... where are the front brakes again? Where's the clutch? Where's the shift lever?", and you are able to safely pilot a motorcycle under normal riding conditions, that's typically enough.

As far as MY personal experience, I started riding with that same organization 3 months after I started riding & I only had 5k miles of riding experience.... and that was PLENTY of experience for me. (I even scuffed a puck a few times that day )

[mightyduc998]

if you can get to the store and back without dropping or stalling he bike you should be fine.be aware, "once you go track you NEVER go back" Heh heh...

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by mightyduc998

if you can get to the store and back without dropping or stalling he bike you should be fine.be aware, "once you go track you NEVER go back" Heh heh...

I dunno, duc.... My ex girlfriend was able to do that (though not comfortably) & there was no way in hell was she ready for the track.

But yeah, I get what you're sayin... don't need much other than having the basic riding motorskills down pat.

[pickle.of.doom]

I'm sorry, but if I was at the track and knew that someone in my session had just picked up a bike/taken an msf a few days before, I would want to stay pretty far away from that person.

[Trip]

As soon as you are comfortable on the bike at speed and are able to properly apply brakes/clutch and are comfortable shifting. That's a good time to go.

Basic skills should be a requirement. Learning these on the track is a waste of your time and money and a danger to the rest of the riders learning. If you can't properly brake, you could smack someone good.

[zed]

Originally Posted by pickle.of.doom

I'm sorry, but if I was at the track and knew that someone in my session had just picked up a bike/taken an msf a few days before, I would want to stay pretty far away from that person.

first timers end up in the beginners class anyway, if that's you in your avatar, I don't think they will be in your class.

hell, the last time I went to the track the intermediates were running so fast that I dropped down to the beginners class so I wouldn't be in their way. I was just out for fun and get some confidence back, not to race.