Track days (jerking off in public)

[madbikeboy]

Last Friday happened to be my birthday, and as my boyish good looks fade into the past (where I was bulletproof, and cool, and unconcerned by breaking bones), I look forward to the next stage of life - adult diapers, a walking stick, maybe a zimmer frame, and really big ears (haven't you noticed old folks and the size of their ears?). But before senility hits, I plan to pack as much track time as my bank manager will allow before he hyperventilates.

So, being blessed with the perfect woman, who - get this - talked me into arranging a day off for the MotoTT day last Friday, and some unseasonably good weather forecasted; we packed the truck with toys, pooch, and MadBikeBabe, and rolled to Taupo and Vegas for the weekend.

After dropping MadBikeBabe off at the bach, I trailered scoot to the track, and then spent the day hanging with some really interesting people who wore dead cow.

We had perfect weather, once the morning mist got blown away, the sun came out to play and started to warm the track. After a winter of greasy cold roads, tarmac with grip is a novel surprise. I bought some nice shiny new leather one piece last summer, and hadn't ridden in them, so I turned up looking like a newbie with pristine knee sliders. After a few laps, knee sliders transformed into molten plastic, tires nicely destroyed - I could feel the years slipping away.

The MotoTT events are well run, and strictly controlled (which is good and bad depending on your viewpoint), and in terms of road skills, when you're shelling out for that shiny new sports bike, budget in some time at one or many of these events.

The events are broken into groups;
- newbies and those who don't want to share the racetrack with 900 riders
- 900 riders (aka the intermediates who are too cool to hang with the slowies)
- Ricky Racer and company, squabbling over the track like a Treaty Claim over land, but with less tears and fewer punch ups.

The riding is fun, and bridges the gap between buying a full race bike, and jerking off in public (meaning riding like Rossi on the road). Most people are riding their street bikes, and few of them can afford to see it slide down the road on its side, so they ride with reasonable care and respect.

The only criticism I can level at the MotoTT guys is the speed at which they load photos on their website - I need proof of that leaned over, dragging kneeslider, front wheel gently lifting as my rear tire smokes out of the corner moment that surely happened in real life and not in my imagination...? :Punk:

MBB

PS, KatMan, sorry for not catching up while I was in Taupo, I had a surprise party waiting for me in Vegas that would have quickly turned to lynch mob had I been late.

[Clivoris]

Nice write up man. Here's to growing old disgracefully.

[ajturbo]

great write up!!!

sounds fun...

must
get
the
buell

to one... SOON (as i get back from portugal... if i ever do get back that is)

[yod]

Nice write up man. Here's to growing old disgracefully.

agreed,

and hear, hear

[puddy]

Nice write up! And you're right about the ears. I swear my ears (and the hair that's growing out of them) is the only thing growing on me!

[madbikeboy]

great write up!!!

sounds fun...

must
get
the
buell

to one... SOON (as i get back from portugal... if i ever do get back that is)

bring the RG, it's more fun with less expense.

[R6_kid]

next month, I shall be there... I too need to de-n00b my knee sliders again.

[jrandom]

next month, I shall be there...

Me too.

:yes:

[Chrislost]

next month, I shall be there... I too need to de-n00b my knee sliders again.


Me too.

:yes:

as will eye:Punk::2guns::2guns::2guns:

[discotex]

next month, I shall be there... I too need to de-n00b my knee sliders again.


Me too.

:yes:


as will eye:Punk::2guns::2guns::2guns:

Me four :eek:

[discotex]

Most people are riding their street bikes, and few of them can afford to see it slide down the road on its side, so they ride with reasonable care and respect.


And if you do go for a wee slide (:argh:) you and your bike have a much greater chance of escaping unhurt.

[Number One]

Good post enjoyed that thanks :sunny:

I note with interest that MotoTT days are apparently the only track days my insurer will cover hands down no questions and I am in serious need of some cornering practise on the SV.

BTW - that lady of yours is clearly a keeper :yes:

[jrandom]

And if you do go for a wee slide (:argh:) you and your bike have a much greater chance of escaping unhurt.

This is true.

I need a T-shirt that says "I threw my bike down the track at 120kph and all I got was this scuffed alternator cover."

[DMNTD]

Hell ya should've cruised over and said hi MBB



Good post enjoyed that thanks :sunny:

I note with interest that MotoTT days are apparently the only track days my insurer will cover...
Same here otherwise I wouldn't be risking my latte machine


And if you do go for a wee slide (:argh:) you and your bike have a much greater chance of escaping unhurt.
+1


I swear my ears (and the hair that's growing out of them) is the only thing growing on me!
Take the blue pill brother!

[discotex]

I need a T-shirt that says "I threw my bike down the track at 120kph and all I got was this scuffed alternator cover."

:lol: new KB shirt design?

Crash knobs, on order for the next one.

[madbikeboy]

next month, I shall be there... I too need to de-n00b my knee sliders again.

Ha! Me too.

[madbikeboy]

Good post enjoyed that thanks :sunny:

I note with interest that MotoTT days are apparently the only track days my insurer will cover hands down no questions and I am in serious need of some cornering practise on the SV.

BTW - that lady of yours is clearly a keeper :yes:

Well, I'm in the dogbox tonight, so swings and roundabouts... :) Well, you should get your trusty steed up to Taupo and come play.

[jrandom]

Well, I'm in the dogbox tonight, so swings and roundabouts... :)

Which group did you ride in on Friday?

[madbikeboy]

Which group did you ride in on Friday?

The novice... I got some advice a few years ago to ride with the novices, which I of course promptly ignored. But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock). The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on (self preservation gene kicking in here).

The novice group has about 20 riders at most, so you get more race room which equals more fun.

I think I just added some photo's - here is a little photo of me engaging in a little knitting while carefully balancing a Devonshire tea and debating the merit of Bach versus Mozart...

[Motardman]

The novice... I got some advice a few years ago to ride with the novices, which I of course promptly ignored. But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock). The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on (self preservation gene kicking in here).

The novice group has about 20 riders at most, so you get more race room which equals more fun.

I think I just added some photo's - here is a little photo of me engaging in a little knitting while carefully balancing a Devonshire tea and debating the merit of Bach versus Mozart...

Good pics matey!! We always used to call the intermediates the 'axe murderers' in the UK....lol

As long as you're pretty quick the advanced group is good as on the whole they tend to know their lines and track etiquette better than most.....

[OutForADuck]

I'll second the MotoTT days as well run, safe and excellent fun/training ground :jerry:

Haven't been for a while and I am well due once I can afford it!!! my last visit I timed the three groups and there were riders doing pretty much the same fast times in all three groups. But there were no off's in teh fast group or slow group but a few in the middle.

Great write up BTW... roll on income an summer I have a new toy to try out :Punk:

[madbikeboy]

Good pics matey!! We always used to call the intermediates the 'axe murderers' in the UK....lol

As long as you're pretty quick the advanced group is good as on the whole they tend to know their lines and track etiquette better than most.....

Yeah, the issue with the fast group for me isn't the fast guys, it's the slow old guy that I am trying to hold the wheel of the fast guys, but with less skill and brains... LOL!

[jrandom]

But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock).

Agreed there; it's impossible to ride smoothly in the 'medium' group.


The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on...

I personally prefer to be out with riders who are going 5-10 seconds a lap faster than me than to be out with riders going 20 seconds slower. YMMV, etc. Try the fast group next time, you might be surprised.

:niceone:

[madbikeboy]

Agreed there; it's impossible to ride smoothly in the 'medium' group.



I personally prefer to be out with riders who are going 5-10 seconds a lap faster than me than to be out with riders going 20 seconds slower. YMMV, etc. Try the fast group next time, you might be surprised.

:niceone:

I'll ride the fasts, but I'll put race fairings back on scoot. And agreed about the smoothly in the medium group, it's stop start, harder to keep the tires warm (especially at Taupo in september).

I need a 4wd to tow the bike trailer with, the grudge purchase (cage) that I have isn't man enough.

[DMNTD]

Yeah, the issue with the fast group for me isn't the fast guys, it's the slow old guy that I am trying to hold the wheel of the fast guys, but with less skill and brains... LOL!

Group 2 in my opinion is the "cleanest" and safest if you know how to peddle your bike ok.
Generally less "bunching" into corners and riders know how to react and adjust if required.
I am by no means "fast" but have learnt a fair bit riding with those that are a level "above" me when it comes to track riding.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I am by no means "fast" but have learnt a fair bit riding with those that are a level "above" me when it comes to track riding.

Aww shucks bro, ya making me blush! :love::love:

[DMNTD]

Aww shucks bro, ya making me blush! :love::love:


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[BIGBOSSMAN]

:banana::banana::clap::banana::banana: