I just signed up for my first track day.

I can hardly wait. Any of my AZ bike riders that have been to the track have any pointers?

 

never been to track, so want to do it... maybe when the weather starts to change little bit.

 

Which track?

 

sounds like fun

 

Texas World Speedway

 

From what I here it is a blast. I'll take pics and post a few here. It ain't until September 4th but...

 

TWS is an awesome tack-i've driven it many times. It is a fairly easy track that is not too overly technical. never done it on a bike though, so can't comment there. Good luck!

 

TWS is a great track. It's not the most forgiving track, but it's a good place to start. Very defined line and braking zones. Just be careful when you drop into turn 1 off the straight as you come off the banking. There's a little "push" if you will.

 

Cool. Post the pics.

 

That's the one turn that to this day makes me squirm a little. By the end of the straight I am at about 140, scrubbing speed hard, and praying like a little girl that I will make it through the transition from oval to infield.

 

Just go to The Driver's Edge and see for yourself.

Must be nice to get up to 140 before braking into that corner. I could only get the S2K up to 120-ish before dropping in. The TSX was actually just under that. It was great around the track...but that was the first one. The new one isn't going to see a track day. HCDs are enough once I do the first oil change.

 

Some of the other Viper guys are getting a lot faster than that, but I don't have that big of balls yet

 

...or the suspension, or the brakes, or the tires...

 

Suspension and tires are on the way

Brakes, who needs brakes??

 

Cool, Thanks.

 

Definately.

 

knight rider how did you track day go? I plan on doing atleast one next year. Hopefully going to be buying a 'track bike' in the next couple months, cus I'ld feel paranoid riding my R1 on the track.

Did you prep the bike yourself? If so how long did it take?

 

Haven't been yet. Sept. 4th. When I do go I'll prep my own bike. I don't imagine it will take no longer than 30 minutes.

BTW the R1 is an awesome bike. Don't be skeered

 

oh nice...bet you are getting pretty excited huh. yea I've heard mixed reviews in regards to bike prep, especially with the material you use for headlights and stuff like that. I'll check back to see how it all went for ya.

Yeah its very capable and I toss it around in twisties like a 600 , but it would break my heart to see it go down. Might jus price out a 2nd set of plastics for comparision to getting another bike.

 

Finally pictures from track day

 

The short story:

First two sessions I was scared to death

After that I was blazin'

Listened closely to what the instructors were telling me

blazin' some more

I seen A LOT of wrecks. None of my crew (thank God)

Test my new Dunlop Qualifiers (and scraped my pegs)

Will go back at least twice a year

Highly recommended

IF YOU HAVE A SPORTBIKE THIS IS THE MOST FUN YOU WILL HAVE ON IT

 

I do about 8-10 track days a year on my Gixxer 1000. Here is my advice...

1. Start slow and build speed throughout the day. Every session where you get a little faster, you deposit money in your confidence account. If you crash, it's like spending it all at one time.
2. Leave your ego at home. You won't need it. If somebody faster goes by, watch what they are doing while riding your pace. See if you can learn anything, don't get mad and try to pass them.
3. Snack throughout the day, don't eat a big lunch. You don't want to hit the track when all your blood goes to your stomach. You'll find it hard to concentrate.

Enjoy!

Don

 

Eventhough you're a little late. I can verify that that is spot on advice.

8-10 times a year

Oh, you forgot... Drink water.

 

Oh, I almost forgot. Prep.

Prep took longer than I expected. I wound up pulling 2 fuses, removing my front blinkers and taping the lenses, taping the headlights, tail lights, removing the license plate and mirrors.

Afterwards:
Getting the painters tape off of the light lenses were not bad at all. Getting the number sticker off of the side of my bike required Meguires paint cleaner. But she's all good now

 

Nice pics!!! Thanks for posting them. Looks like an incredible day.

...love that old Honda cafe racer...looks like a cb350.

 

Nice pics!


<----------- Wish I had a bike.

 

^^ Pansy :wink:

 

knight rider - nice to hear that you had a good time. In the next couple months I will be purchasing my track/street bike (more track since my 1 will be used on the street). And I will be out there in the spring. Oh I've heard nothing but good about the qualifers, but my next set will be super corsa, its like flypaper when warmed up.

 

Cool. Just be careful out there. What kind of track bike you lookin' at getting?

 

any of the honda cbr 600 f2-f4i....sv650....or find a 1st gen yammi r6 .....btw did the track you go to require back protectors?

 

No, just full leathers. However, you would want a spine guard for the track.

 

yeah I am lookin at a couple brand of back protectors in addition to better gloves....crazy how easy it is to drop money when it comes to bikes

 

Sorry to be late. I just get a little passionate about running these beasts on the track where they belong.

From my old Army days, drinking water is par for the course.

Don

 

That is no lie.

I justify it by calling it my 'hobbie'

 

That is understandable. And you are right. These things are breed on the track. I always say it is a waste of a sportbike to just ride it on the street. At least run the back roads. I'm not a big fan of that sausage feast know as bike night either. Bikes are to be riden, not showcased.

 

See I I kinda consider myself a mixed rider. I've yet to do track days but plan on doing them next year. I do a few group rides to great twisty roads. in addition to solo rides thru some nice backroads. And at the same time I like going to bike nights to see and converse with other riders.

The bike's full potential isnt really experienced till you track it, however I enjoy my bike where ever I ride.

 

A couple more pictures (me in action)

 

nice pics...they got me really wanting to hit up a track.

Have you ridden on the street since your track day? If so has it changed your street riding style alot?

 

Yeah. I ride my bike almost everyday. The track has not changed the way I ride in the street. Two different riding styles.

For example:
I don't attempt to get low in a turn in the street. I get low enough to make my turn/corner

I use both brakes simutaneously on the street. On the track it was front brake all the time

Of course there are many more differences, but, yeah, it is just different riding styles between the two