Track Days for Complete Noobs

**magicmonkey** · 14th December 2009, 13:50

Basically, I want to do a track day; I think I'd learn a lot. The problem is that I'm a complete noob on a GN!

It seems that a lot of experienced riders believe that track days are a good thing; and I'm inclined to think they're probably right, however, is it possible to turn up at a track day on a GN and have a fun and educational day without getting in everyone's way and generally making a tit of yourself?

I'm guessing the answer is 'no' as I'm bound to be going around at half speed and pissing off people who came there to avoid traffic (a perfectly understandable annoyance in my book!) So, what exists for today's common or garden noob wanting to stretch his legs a bit whilst not wasting a track day for a large number of people?

**huff3r** · 14th December 2009, 13:55

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Basically, I want to do a track day; I think I'd learn a lot. The problem is that I'm a complete noob on a GN!

It seems that a lot of experienced riders believe that track days are a good thing; and I'm inclined to think they're probably right, however, is it possible to turn up at a track day on a GN and have a fun and educational day without getting in everyone's way and generally making a tit of yourself?

I'm guessing the answer is 'no' as I'm bound to be going around at half speed and pissing off people who came there to avoid traffic (a perfectly understandable annoyance in my book!) So, what exists for today's common or garden noob wanting to stretch his legs a bit whilst not wasting a track day for a large number of people?

Some track-days do allow you to hire bikes, so you could get on something more designed for a track...

Personally i'm not inclined to ever take my GN on a track, it seems a rather pointless excercise... but the next bike will see some track time

**The Stranger:Me** · 14th December 2009, 14:01

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Basically, I want to do a track day; I think I'd learn a lot. The problem is that I'm a complete noob on a GN!

It seems that a lot of experienced riders believe that track days are a good thing; and I'm inclined to think they're probably right, however, is it possible to turn up at a track day on a GN and have a fun and educational day without getting in everyone's way and generally making a tit of yourself?

I'm guessing the answer is 'no' as I'm bound to be going around at half speed and pissing off people who came there to avoid traffic (a perfectly understandable annoyance in my book!) So, what exists for today's common or garden noob wanting to stretch his legs a bit whilst not wasting a track day for a large number of people?

Last open day at Puke there was a noob on a ninja 250. He didn't bother anyone. There was a guy on a CBR 600 escorting him around. With a bit of thought and the right day (ie no nobs on the track) it's not a problem.

That said, I think it was cruelty (and could well have been dangerous) to not have his mirrors taped as he spent half the time focusing on mirrors and screwing up lines to get out of the way of others.

**Quasievil** · 14th December 2009, 14:01

Dude, just go in the lowest speed group and dont worry about it, its not as serious as alot of trackday junkies make out, anyone can ride in circles even on a GN

**magicmonkey** · 14th December 2009, 15:00

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Dude, just go in the lowest speed group and dont worry about it, its not as serious as alot of trackday junkies make out, anyone can ride in circles even on a GN

heh, I get the feeling it's pretty serious to some of them!

**magicmonkey** · 14th December 2009, 15:02

Originally Posted by huff3r

Some track-days do allow you to hire bikes, so you could get on something more designed for a track...

Do you happen to know which ones?

Originally Posted by huff3r

Personally i'm not inclined to ever take my GN on a track, it seems a rather pointless excercise... but the next bike will see some track time

I'd prefer to learn stuff on my bike, just because that's what I'll be riding. Having said that, I'm sure I could still have some fun on a different bike and transfer the skills; I'm not anywhere near pushing the traction limits of the bike yet so it shouldn't bee too big a leap to make...

**Devil** · 14th December 2009, 15:11

Hampton Downs Ride Days will let you hire a GSXR600 but only if you're licenced for it on the road.

There's no problem with having you in the slow group. Thats what its there for. Bite the bullet and do it. You'll be fine on the GN.

**The Stranger:Me** · 14th December 2009, 15:15

Originally Posted by Devil

Hampton Downs Ride Days will let you hire a GSXR600 but only if you're licenced for it on the road.

Any idea what the story is with insurance, or not, on the hire bikes?

**Devil** · 14th December 2009, 15:16

Basic package gives you a $4.5k excess. Pay more drops that to $1k.
Sorry, dont have costs on me.

**magicmonkey** · 14th December 2009, 15:19

Originally Posted by Devil

Basic package gives you a $4.5k excess. Pay more drops that to $1k.
Sorry, dont have costs on me.

wow, sounds like it'd be cheaper for me to crash my own bike than ride theirs!

Looks like I might just have to take one on the head and pop down to the next track day I can afford

**Devil** · 14th December 2009, 15:20

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

wow, sounds like it'd be cheaper for me to crash my own bike than ride theirs!

Looks like I might just have to take one on the head and pop down to the next track day I can afford

hah, thats right!

**ckai** · 14th December 2009, 15:29

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Do you happen to know which ones?

I'd prefer to learn stuff on my bike, just because that's what I'll be riding. Having said that, I'm sure I could still have some fun on a different bike and transfer the skills; I'm not anywhere near pushing the traction limits of the bike yet so it shouldn't bee too big a leap to make...

I agree with you, take the ginny and learn on that. You'll learn how far it can actually lean and all sorts. Gixxer will make you wanna go nuts meaning you may step out of that 80% of you ability zone that you wanna stay within to learn.

So far there is only one track day that I have heard/ridden/seen which will make you learn for both yourself and your bike and that the Hamilton Motorcycle Club one that's just been. There maybe others but I'm yet to see.

The problem is you'll have to wait another year until the next one although it is well worth it. Personally if you really wanna learn this is the only way to go. Of course if you can get on a normal track day with an actual teacher then it'll be the just as good if not better. You definitely need someone giving you the pointers to really improve. You improve just by being on a track in most cases but tuition is invaluable. And if you're by yourself you have to refrain from going above your 75-80% ability mark and entering survival mode.

**kiwifruit** · 14th December 2009, 15:37

You'll be fine and you won't be the only one on a small capacity machine. See you at a trackday soon!

**magicmonkey** · 14th December 2009, 16:39

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

You'll be fine and you won't be the only one on a small capacity machine. See you at a trackday soon!

ah, and a motott link in your sig

Just had a peek through their site, looks a lot less intimidating than some of the other ones I've seen!

**The Stranger:Me** · 14th December 2009, 17:29

Originally Posted by ckai

So far there is only one track day that I have heard/ridden/seen which will make you learn for both yourself and your bike and that the Hamilton Motorcycle Club one that's just been. There maybe others but I'm yet to see.

The problem is you'll have to wait another year until the next one although it is well worth it.

So, just for the sake of clarification, how many different trackdays have you attended?
What did you think of the AMCC run ART day at Puke?