Motorcycle Track Day was interesting, fun and exhausting

jhynesrockmtn · 08-12-2009, 08:12 PM

I did my first and last for awhile track day on my 93 VFR. It was a "performance school" which I assumed would be a cross between our local PCA drivers skills day and a DE. I certainly learned things that will translate to better street riding but it was primarily oriented to riding faster and smoother on the track.

Don't get me wrong, I had a blast after I got a bit comfortable and it helped to know the track from a car seat. It was interesting though how different this was from a club run (PCA, BMW, Audi, etc.) track day.

No previous experience necessary other than you can ride a motorcycle.
You don't have to take their school, could just sign up for the track day.
Only a few of the corners were manned.
There were incidents in every session, no serious injuries thankfully.
You self select into your group. There were 3. The 100 or noob level was where I was along with most of the school students.
Yes, I'm sure if you're riding like an idiot, the on track instructors would pull you off but it felt much looser in terms of bringing people along. You don't need an instructor sign off to move up nor do they keep track of your experience.
No mirrors and all lights including brake have to be taped up. No idea what's going on behind you.
Passing almost everywhere allowed.
The line is much looser than a "school" line.

Again, fun learning experience and I have a ton of respect for those pulling on the leathers and doing 160 down the straight. I felt exposed in my Joe Rocket mesh jacket and bottoms. I wouldn't do it again without a heavy duty one piece or 2 piece leather suit with knee pucks and proper boots. I rode in my Red Wing heavy duty construction boots.

One of the instructors holds the course record at the track and gave our last chalk talk, very cool guy. It was interesting talking to the instructors about the differences between moto track days/racing and car track days/racing.

I did benefit from knowing the track and was told by multiple instructors my lines were very good. I was often faster through the turns than guys who would then pass me again on the straights. The bike performed well. One of the tire vendors came over to me and said "you're very brave bringing that bike out here, you can't get plastics for that thing anymore". About all I could say was that I'm going to try very hard not to lay this thing down.

Hanging my butt off the seat and leaning on those turns it physically tough and mentally intimidating but I definitely got faster and smoother as the day went on until the last session when my brain went to mush. I pulled in a couple of laps early when I was loosing track of what gear I was in

jhynesrockmtn · 08-12-2009, 08:21 PM

Sorry, could a moderator please move this to off topic or delete it. I can't seem to figure out how to do either one.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Pics?

What kind of bike did you say that was?

jhynesrockmtn · 08-13-2009, 09:57 AM

My bike is a 93 Honda VFR750, mostly stock. I didn't take any pics, hoping someone at the track was shooting and will post some up on shutterfly or something.

My bike:

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I did benefit from knowing the track and was told by multiple instructors my lines were very good. I was often faster through the turns than guys who would then pass me again on the straights.

I found this to cut both ways. When I did a track day at Streets, I knew the course well so the line was not a problem (though bike and car line are different for some turns). It bit me in the butt though when I was heading down the back straight thinking, "hey, I can carry a lot of speed in the car through this section" only to get to the next turn and say, "uh oh." I then turned my road bike into a dual sport

holtjv · 08-13-2009, 10:50 AM

The track day (track modeled after Streets) I go to is much more structured and it's really difficult to get moved up into the advanced group. And leathers, gauntlet gloves, and over ankle boots are mandatory and inspected before you can ride. You do anything odd and you'll be pulled off and advised or talked to.

There's usually no more than 1 incident per track day of 14 sessions. Maybe that's why?

And you're right--it is really exhausting, esp for a person over 40. Quads feel like you've run a marathon the next 2 days.