July 4th, 2016, 02:02 PM | #1 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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The real benefit of track days
kayso, I don't get to ride recreationally that much. I do commute and I love the track, but those lovely half-day weekend rides are rare.
In fact, today was the first real recreational ride I've had this year, despite six track days. We have some lovely roads here in Connecticut, which unfortunately are often spoiled by traffic. Today, however, I was able to plan, scheme and gap to take advantage of the better twisties, riding a few sections multiple times. Never at knee-dragging pace, of course, but fast enough to practice body position and throttle control for realz. Wow. The time I've put in at the track, and the instruction I've gotten, have REALLY made a difference in how I ride roads I know very well. Big, decreasing radius sweepers that would have gotten my attention a few years ago are now easy despite significantly higher speeds. It was a total blast. If you haven't gone to the track, you really should consider it even if you don't see yourself as a fast rider. it will make you safer, better and able to have way more fun on every ride you take.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
3 out of 3 members found this post helpful. |
July 4th, 2016, 02:51 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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The more controlled and calm you are, the better your chances of not having a single vehicle accident due to riding over your head.
The more open your vision is, the faster you can react to surprises and changes in the road. Conveniently, track days work on both of those skills intimately. Just don't be that guy who goes on insane mode on the roads with his newfound skill. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 4th, 2016, 03:40 PM | #3 |
Fast-Guy wannabe
Name: Jason
Location: Brentwood, Ca
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '13
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your approaching my reason for staying out of the canyons. as you get better you can go twice as fast with even less risk of crashing on your own then before but on the street you are never truly on your own. That coyote, that unexpected gravel, that fart can equipped Honda civic blowing the DY, you never know when a helping hand will come along and help you onto your A$$. I don't have to lecture on this since i know your smart enough to know, i'm just saying for the others who don't know.
enjoy your new found skills and try to not hurt anyone's ego too much as you go by |
6 out of 6 members found this post helpful. |
July 5th, 2016, 09:06 AM | #4 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Me too......except a very different way. Riding hard on the track has pretty much eliminated my desire to ride fast on the road. I tend to go a bit easier, enjoy the view a bit more, and just ride. I know where I will practice my "go fast" skills and its not the local FM or CR. But it is true that the skills you learn at the track can be directly translated to your street riding .
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Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 7th, 2016, 12:36 PM | #5 | |
The Violet Vixen
Name: Yakaru
Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '16
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Quote:
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"most folks racing this bike get it in a competitive state of being with much less invested than you've already put in Saturn." - Alex |
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July 9th, 2016, 10:50 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Misti
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): currently: Yamaha YZF 250 dirt/motard Posts: 787
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Track riding allows you a controlled environment to practice relevant skills without worrying about unknown factors like traffic, animals, gravel, debris on the road etc.. plus there is less risk if you do push yourself and crash as you are wearing ALL the gear and there is an ambulance on site. Plus you are probably there working on specific skills with a riding coach so it makes sense that there are huge benefits to track days I'm a fan
I don't ride on the street much at all anymore. The track is where I learned ALL the relevant skills. What has been the biggest ah-ha moment for you guys while riding on the track? what was your biggest learning moment? Misti
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"Leap and the net will appear!" superbikeschool.com www.motomom.ca |
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July 9th, 2016, 11:14 AM | #7 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paul
Location: Roanoke, VA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
For me, there were so many "ah-ha!" moments, but a couple that really stick out: -delaying turn-in helps with so much, especially with seeing through the all-too-common blind corners, making both hitting the optimal spots easier and avoiding hazards (be they stationary, or oncoming traffic) -getting my knees properly planted on the tank helped me feel so much more connected when leaning. also helped me keep weight off the bars, which had been a cardinal riding sin of mine since I tend to be tense all the time. SUPER glad to have had a good friend to drag me to the track every year , since I can never seem to find the spare $ & time to do it on my own more often
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2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
July 9th, 2016, 01:20 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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Track days give you the chance to be one with the bike. It won't teach you the bike's limits but it will teach you your own limits (safely, hopefully).
After riding on a track there is less need (desire) to ride fast on the street.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 26th, 2016, 01:18 PM | #9 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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So Andrew, how does your upgraded braking skills factor into things? I know... we pushed some of your buttons no so long ago. How have they settled into your everyday riding?
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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July 27th, 2016, 07:12 AM | #10 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ant
Location: Wooster
Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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July 27th, 2016, 07:39 AM | #11 | |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare |
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July 27th, 2016, 08:07 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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Quote:
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 27th, 2016, 08:36 AM | #13 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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__________________________________________________
Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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July 27th, 2016, 08:43 AM | #14 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 27th, 2016, 08:46 AM | #15 | |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Quote:
But yeah... I'm feeling a lot more comfortable with harder braking overall.
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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July 27th, 2016, 08:48 AM | #16 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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To all...
If you have it in you, do NOT stop riding street. Instead find the raw joy in the open road, seeing new places & things and keep meeting interesting, cool people. Share your stories, listen to other's tales and blaze new trails into areas where you may not have gone on your own. Go motocamping, set a new personal mileage record and take plenty of pics to relive the journey another day. Lastly, don't be just another bike in the line. Set an example, be a role model. You have earned above average skills via sweat and hard work. Let those skills speak on your behalf but always stay humble. The sport only grows with good people leading the way, Unregistered is now chosen to inspire others. This is the true benefit of track days.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
4 out of 4 members found this post helpful. |
July 27th, 2016, 09:12 AM | #17 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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^^ this.......so much this
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Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare |
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July 27th, 2016, 09:47 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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Plus on a hot track day in leathers all day I lose 1-2 pounds!
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 27th, 2016, 09:50 PM | #19 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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If you're not having fun then you gotta stop riding
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July 28th, 2016, 05:25 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ant
Location: Wooster
Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.
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I have years of off road riding experience including Motocross and trail riding. I have ridden at MMX 338 the Southwick Mass motocross track and even tried racing with terrible results! I just bought my wife a KX100 with the hope she would love riding on dirt (she likes the track and has ridden Thompson and Palmer) but we just don't have the time. I would love to get back out on the dirt and I agree 100% that it makes you a much better street rider. No better way to get used to the bike moving around while looking for traction! I may just have to sell one of my street bikes and just get a dual sport so I can ride to anyplace I want to ride. I am a bit past the "jumping things" with a bike days but sliding is still fun!
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July 28th, 2016, 06:09 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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Anyone see the Valentino Rossi series the Doctor? His flat track ranch in Italy is incredible, track within a track and multiple layouts.
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July 28th, 2016, 06:10 AM | #22 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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July 28th, 2016, 09:46 PM | #23 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Misti
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): currently: Yamaha YZF 250 dirt/motard Posts: 787
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Quote:
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"Leap and the net will appear!" superbikeschool.com www.motomom.ca |
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
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