Track riding vs street riding?

[Misti]

What is the track able to teach us about riding that we can't, or don't learn on the street?

[adouglas]

What you and your bike are actually capable of.

That you have a LOT to learn. And always will.

Humility and respect for the art of riding and, just as important, physics.

How your bike behaves at speeds you cannot achieve safely on public roads (and yeah, it's very different).

That what felt fast on the street... isn't.

That your brakes can make you go

The importance of consistency, smoothness, precision, vision and planning.

That any monkey can twist a throttle, but it takes real skill to go fast in the corners.

That being a perpetual student brings great advantages.

Edit/add: That your bike is smarter than you are, and it's wise to get the hell out of the way and let it do its thing.

[Triple Jim]

Everything Captain Obvious said is true. The biggest thing I noticed about riding on a track was I could learn more about cornering in one afternoon than in a year of street riding. Years ago, there were occasional times when I'd be on a public road and enter a turn faster than I was comfortable with, and I'd stiffen up and try to brake, and be scared the whole time. After a little track practice, that just doesn't happen any more. If a turn is a little tighter than I expected, I just think "wheeeee" and go around it.

[Ghostt]

What they said.

The only thing I'd like to add is keep the track riding shenanigans on the track, the street is no place for it, way too many variables on the street to be safe, not only for yourself, but others as well

Link to original page on YouTube.

And of course the basic rule of riding

Link to original page on YouTube.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by adouglas

What your bike (and you) are actually capable of.

I agree with the "you are capable of" but I doubt you''ll learn the limits of the bike! Although, you will think you have.

[Ducati999]

The #1 thing I learned riding the track is just how much more dangerous the street really is and that you are truly crazy or not thinking if you are riding "track speed" on the street! My first day at the track was spent trying to get my brain to allow me to relax my "head on a swivel" and focus on riding rather than looking out for all the hazards!

[cbinker]

i learned my limits on the track, so that if, when there is an oh **** moment, i can react accordingly.

[Bk834]

I know personally that I've learned more about how to survive during everyday riding, on the street, than what I have at the track. I definately get to push myself and the bikes limits more at the track though, since I have the confidence of knowing that if I go down there and slide, it's not gonna be into a stationary object by the side of the road, like a mailbox or road sign pole, or into another car.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Bk834

I know personally that I've learned more about how to survive during everyday riding, on the street, than what I have at the track.

Definitely. The track helps you learn riding skills that would take many years to learn on public roads, but it doesn't help you learn the survival skills you need in that environment. I guess we need a track that has machines that randomly put foam rubber cars, dogs, and other obstacles in our path. Or maybe car shaped balloons would be better.

[Bk834]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Definitely. The track helps you learn riding skills that would take many years to learn on public roads, but it doesn't help you learn the survival skills you need in that environment. I guess we need a track that has machines that randomly put foam rubber cars, dogs, and other obstacles in our path. Or maybe car shaped balloons would be better.

That would be a good course for many people to take if it was possible. I've already had a couple deer run out in front of me since I've been riding. It's unvoidable in the country areas around here. I've hit large deer in trucks, and had large deer hit me in the side, and it was a hell of an impact every time...I can only imagine what that would be like on a bike. I don't think you'd be walking away.

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by Bk834

That would be a good course for many people to take if it was possible. I've already had a couple deer run out in front of me since I've been riding. It's unvoidable in the country areas around here. I've hit large deer in trucks, and had large deer hit me in the side, and it was a hell of an impact every time...I can only imagine what that would be like on a bike. I don't think you'd be walking away.

depends on your physical condition, walking away from hitting or getting hit by deer is common, sometimes people don't even go down.

[Triple Jim]

It mainly depends on how direct a hit you make with the deer.

[snot]

My first track day was during my 3rd season riding. I learned how not to crash.
How to hold the bars, how to corner, how to let the bike do the work, correct input...And so on. I also crashed on the track, and I learned even more that day.
Looking back those are the skills I use every time I ride on the street.

[CC Cowboy]

The difference in track ridimg and street riding is mainly offence and defence. On the track you want to go as fast as you can and stop as hard as you can while negotiating turns (offence). Street riding is defence. You want to negotiate everything that is trying to kill you (bad roads, bad drivers, mother nature and all her animals). While track riding will definitely help your street riding, street riding doesn't do anything to make you better on a track.

[Misti]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Everything Captain Obvious said is true. The biggest thing I noticed about riding on a track was I could learn more about cornering in one afternoon than in a year of street riding. Years ago, there were occasional times when I'd be on a public road and enter a turn faster than I was comfortable with, and I'd stiffen up and try to brake, and be scared the whole time. After a little track practice, that just doesn't happen any more. If a turn is a little tighter than I expected, I just think "wheeeee" and go around it.

Awesome. I think this is a really good point and something that everyone else has agreed with. You can learn a lot on the track that then applies to street riding. The track IS the place to learn how to corner properly and then you can apply those skills on the street. Like you said, then you know how to cope if something out of the ordinary happens. It's still amazing to me that so many people haven't been on the track!!

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Definitely. The track helps you learn riding skills that would take many years to learn on public roads, but it doesn't help you learn the survival skills you need in that environment. I guess we need a track that has machines that randomly put foam rubber cars, dogs, and other obstacles in our path. Or maybe car shaped balloons would be better.

That would be awesome! Balloon cars that float out in front of you to help you practice! Or we could probably come up with virtual cars somehow! That really is the unknown of the street. Cars, pedestrians, deer, dogs, oil, gravel.....then of course all the dangers of the things you could end up hitting if you did go down.

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

It mainly depends on how direct a hit you make with the deer.

A friend of mine cut a deer right in half The police went to the hospital and issued him a ticket for speeding after they measured the distance the two halves landed....he was covered with deer guts and poo.....so gross but he was ok.

Better to go fast on the track and not slice animals in two.

[Mechanikrazy]

For me, the track teaches the "emergency reserve." In case of an emergency, or if I happen to overcook a decreasing radius turn, it gives me a rough baseline on how far the bike can still lean/go.

[MrAtom]

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

You might try looking for a supermoto track day in your area. Here I can get on that little track for $40 for the whole day. I'm sure they wouldn't have any problem with a Ninja 250.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

Beg, borrow, and steal (not literally) everything you can to get to your first day. Borrow gear, bum a spot under a friend's tent in the pits, have a friend or two help you prep your bike the few weeks ahead of time so there's no surprises, and go as cheap as you can.


Otherwise, there's tons of controlled learning to do on the street at a safe pace that won't put you in unnecessary danger. But that's been covered in other threads.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

How much is your life worth? What you learn could save your life!

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

In between station parking, train fare, subway fare and any given activity, every time I go into NYC it seems to cost me a hundred bucks if I do anything at all except wander around.

The last time I wanted to go to a concert the tix would have cost me $200 each. I passed on that one.

A nice dinner for me and my wife? $125 plus.

Sure the track costs more than these things, but the point is that in the grand scheme of things it's not INSANELY expensive.

You don't need to be rich to afford the track. It's a matter of diverting money from other stuff you're doing now, for a little while.

It. is. worth. every. penny.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Man this thread makes me wish I could afford track.

If you didn't live in Cali you'd have the money to go to the track once a month. The cost of living in Cali is "very high".

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Otherwise, there's tons of controlled learning to do on the street at a safe pace that won't put you in unnecessary danger. But that's been covered in other threads.

There are a few decent spots I've found. I've also learned to not tell anyone about them, because I told one guy about my favorite spot, and plenty of people started racing there, then the cops showed up and it's no longer a nice spot.

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

How much is your life worth? What you learn could save your life!

Originally Posted by adouglas

In between station parking, train fare, subway fare and any given activity, every time I go into NYC it seems to cost me a hundred bucks if I do anything at all except wander around.

The last time I wanted to go to a concert the tix would have cost me $200 each. I passed on that one.

A nice dinner for me and my wife? $125 plus.

Sure the track costs more than these things, but the point is that in the grand scheme of things it's not INSANELY expensive.

You don't need to be rich to afford the track. It's a matter of diverting money from other stuff you're doing now, for a little while.

It. is. worth. every. penny.

I don't think you fellas understand how much a college boy like me has to count his pesos. I eat a lot of dried beans and take the ninjette, even in really unfavorable conditions, to save on $ (I'm aware of the arguments on both sides of car v bike in terms of $, but in my particular circumstances, the ninjette is cheaper). The car's there just to keep me alive on the days where it's raining at a 90 degree angle to the ground. It's only insured for a couple thousand miles a year.

I should be transferring to a 4-year soon enough, so I'll likely be able to within the foreseeable future.

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

If you didn't live in Cali you'd have the money to go to the track once a month. The cost of living in Cali is "very high".

I'm north enough that it's basically like living in Oregon. If I lived in the city, that'd be true, but it's not.

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

You might try looking for a supermoto track day in your area. Here I can get on that little track for $40 for the whole day. I'm sure they wouldn't have any problem with a Ninja 250.

I tried calling a local sumo club but they weren't okay with it.

["A"]

Track is where you learn how far you can push the bike.. with less chance of crashing into things.. or people.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I tried calling a local sumo club but they weren't okay with it.

Sorry to hear that. At Virginia International Raceway where I go, they'll pretty much let anyone ride anything on practice days. We informally take turns running small bikes, big ones, and go-karts.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I eat a lot of dried beans

Trying soaking beans and then cooking them. I hear they taste better then.

Should you save enough to do a track day please don't ride in front of me!

[Misti]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

How much is your life worth? What you learn could save your life!

Good point. I understand that some people truly can't afford to take their bike to the track but most that I know that balk at the price of riding school and track days are the ones that put new pipes and blingy parts on their bikes in order to make them look cool or go faster. They are the ones that complain about the price of a riding school but seem to be the ones that need it the most. Yes, a riding school can literally save your life and track days are a safer (Than the street) venue to practice your riding skills.

Do you guys have examples of something you learned on the street that may have saved your life on the road?

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Trying soaking beans and then cooking them. I hear they taste better then.

Should you save enough to do a track day please don't ride in front of me!

A pressure cooker is my favorite way, and they can be had for cheap at yard sales or a thrift store. Also, the metabolism adjusts after a while. I never get sick of 'em

Originally Posted by Misti

Good point. I understand that some people truly can't afford to take their bike to the track but most that I know that balk at the price of riding school and track days are the ones that put new pipes and blingy parts on their bikes in order to make them look cool or go faster. They are the ones that complain about the price of a riding school but seem to be the ones that need it the most. Yes, a riding school can literally save your life and track days are a safer (Than the street) venue to practice your riding skills.

Hey now, these fellas are the reason a crashed R6 can be had for cheap. So they're good for something, at least.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

A pressure cooker is my favorite way, and they can be had for cheap at yard sales or a thrift store. Also, the metabolism adjusts after a while. I never get sick of 'em

I have beans down to a hard science...

1. cheap crock pot
2. 1lb white beans
3. 1 bowl
4. 1 tbs of salt
5. 1 hunk of cottage ham
6. 1 med size white onion
7. LESS IS MORE!

Directions
Thaw and dice cottage ham into cubes no bigger than your thumbnail, set aside
Slice onion into semi thick slices and then dice up about the same size as your cottage ham pieces
Put in crock pot to cook down (about an hour)
While ham and onions are cooking down, soak beans in water in the bowl
Just before putting the beans in with the ham and onions, GRIP about half of the beans in your hand and crush the outer shell off them and pick them out. (this is the part that doesn't taste very good but gives the beans body and firmness) So only do about half of them
Add beans to crock pot and cover with water about half an inch over the beans + salt
Forget for 2h then stir
Forget for 1h then stir again
Forget for 1h then eat

The secret is LESS IS MORE!!! Beans are a late dish, ie... they don't get their full flavor until almost done.

Good luck and enjoy!

[MrAtom]

This last time, I got some leftover turkey and threw it in the pot with the bone still on. It made an amazing broth. I've got some left over. I'mma go get me some of that.

/threadjack over

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

This last time, I got some leftover turkey and threw it in the pot with the bone still on. It made an amazing broth. I've got some left over. I'mma go get me some of that.

/threadjack over

/threadjack renewed for one post

Hey cool... you're a real cook!

That's called "stock" and is a cooking staple. If you add salt it becomes "broth." (Next time you're grocery shopping, take a look at labels in the soup aisle.)

Meat-based stock made right is very healthy... almost no fat, lots of protein. Use it to make rice, soup... anything where you'd use water, you can use stock.

I make stock all the time... when we're too lazy to cook for real, we get a rotisserie chicken from the market, strip all the meat off, and make stock out of the carcass and skin.

Tips for next time:

Throw the carcass in a pot, including skin and fat. Cover it with water, add some herbs and an onion if you like (no salt!), cover and simmer for at least three hours... how long isn't important, but keep everything covered with water.

Strain out the skin and bones. The liquid that's left will have a lot of fat in it.

(Bonus tip: Keep your garbage stink- and bug-free by throwing the carcass in a big freezer bag and storing it in the freezer until trash day.)

Let the pot cool off, then put it in the refrigerator overnight. The fat floating on top will have solidified. Skim the solidified fat off and get rid of it (give it to the dog, whatever).

Freeze/use the stock. I like to portion it out in 2-cup containers, which is the right amount for making rice.

[MrAtom]

I copypasta'd both yours and csmith's info in a text document Thanks!