I'm interested in track days

[KiwiNinja]

I did my first track day at HD this weekend. I had an absolute blast! I started out in the slow group for the first two laps and had the same issue. I was getting blasted on the straights on my little Ninja but getting held up in the corners. A quick chat with Ash from Superbike School assured me I should go up a group. After that I was still getting blasted by the bigger bikes, but could hit the corners a lot harder. It did mean I got carved up a few times by other riders entering the tighter turns. I was hanging out side and trying to hit the apex right to get maximum exit speed, while others would be closing so rapidly that they would shoot the inside line just as I was turning in. Some apologized... some didn't. It was all good though. I just tried to focus on riding optimum lines and speed will come later.

Next stop Taupo and MotoTT.

Mate. What you said is what it's all about! The speed will naturally come as your technique (i.e. body position, visuals, throttle control etc...) improves. As you get better you'll have these ah-ha moments where something clicks into place and you'll be suddenly keeping up with guys who used to jet passed. All it takes is practice so hopefully we'll see you down there as a regular.

[shonofear]

would also love to get a look at any of the shots taken Matt.
what are they called on the business card ?
do tell us on progress...
and thanks for a great day,

[Rayray401]

hmm, i've been to ART a few times with http://motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rjbotouring.aspx

They're counted as leather right? in other words, would HD not let me in for wearing these?

[KiwiNinja]

hmm, i've been to ART a few times with http://motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rjbotouring.aspx

They're counted as leather right? in other words, would HD not let me in for wearing these?

Mate. They are fine for participating in a Hampton Ride Day.

[Devil]

They're counted as leather right?

They are leather.

[Autech]

I did my first track day at HD this weekend. I had an absolute blast! I started out in the slow group for the first two laps and had the same issue. I was getting blasted on the straights on my little Ninja but getting held up in the corners. A quick chat with Ash from Superbike School assured me I should go up a group. After that I was still getting blasted by the bigger bikes, but could hit the corners a lot harder. It did mean I got carved up a few times by other riders entering the tighter turns. I was hanging out side and trying to hit the apex right to get maximum exit speed, while others would be closing so rapidly that they would shoot the inside line just as I was turning in. Some apologized... some didn't. It was all good though. I just tried to focus on riding optimum lines and speed will come later.

Next stop Taupo and MotoTT.

I found Taupo track 1 rather good as if any bigger bike nipped past you down the front straight, you could then tail them through the mid field and learn a few things. When I went to Taupo it was a open day prior to a club round so majority of the bikers were racers with some experience at that track, so all though I never got a guided lap and black board lesson on the best way to go round, I still found I developed over the day with free tips

[tbs]

I found Taupo track 1 rather good as if any bigger bike nipped past you down the front straight, you could then tail them through the mid field and learn a few things. When I went to Taupo it was a open day prior to a club round so majority of the bikers were racers with some experience at that track, so all though I never got a guided lap and black board lesson on the best way to go round, I still found I developed over the day with free tips

I'm booked for Taupo track 4 on September 23. Should be a good option for the 250. Not quite as good as track 5 for the small bike, as they have left the full straight in, but I might hold my own a bit more on the rest of it. That is also the day my 3 months on my restricted is up and I can book my full test. Hooray! I'll be glad to get two good track days under my belt before getting on a 600.

b.

[kiwifruit]

I'm booked for Taupo track 4 on September 23. Should be a good option for the 250. Not quite as good as track 5 for the small bike, as they have left the full straight in, but I might hold my own a bit more on the rest of it. That is also the day my 3 months on my restricted is up and I can book my full test. Hooray! I'll be glad to get two good track days under my belt before getting on a 600.

b.

Look forward to meeting you :-)

[jam mad]

I just posted a video from my first trackday at Hampton Downs... useful if you want to check out the track before you go. If in doubt, do it ! It was my second bike trackday and I'm already a total addict.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcwroGdbP-0

[FROSTY:Me]

I'm booked for Taupo track 4 on September 23. Should be a good option for the 250. Not quite as good as track 5 for the small bike, as they have left the full straight in, but I might hold my own a bit more on the rest of it. That is also the day my 3 months on my restricted is up and I can book my full test. Hooray! I'll be glad to get two good track days under my belt before getting on a 600.

b.

You will find the full track is actually really good for you. On the smaller track you'll find the "big boys" want to muscle past more on the short straights and corners. Knowing theres a great long straight to blow past you on means they tend to be a bit more patient.
Taupo I feel really suits a smaller more flickable bike so you should have a ball

[shonofear]

im now booked into the Cali super bike school 8th Oct at Hampton Downs, looking fwd to it.
any 1 else going?

[shonofear]

just a heads up that NAC Insurance DOES cover track days :P
was gonna have to change insurer but all goodly now.

[Padmei]

I just posted a video from my first trackday at Hampton Downs... useful if you want to check out the track before you go. If in doubt, do it ! It was my second bike trackday and I'm already a total addict.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcwroGdbP-0

That was an awesome clip. You could see how you really increased your speeds in & out of the corners. I bet you had a smile on your face taking that guy on the inside

I'm thinking of taking my KLX on a track. If I wanted to kinda motard it would normal raod tyres be ok? It is adventurised at the mo but if all I needed was some road tyres that would be a cheap option to have a play.
I'll ask over in the tards section as well.
Also I have an old slow BMW that I'd like to punt around - top speed wouldn't be more than 130km tho - reckon that'd be a problem?

[kiwifruit]

That was an awesome clip. You could see how you really increased your speeds in & out of the corners. I bet you had a smile on your face taking that guy on the inside

I'm thinking of taking my KLX on a track. If I wanted to kinda motard it would normal raod tyres be ok? It is adventurised at the mo but if all I needed was some road tyres that would be a cheap option to have a play.
I'll ask over in the tards section as well.
Also I have an old slow BMW that I'd like to punt around - top speed wouldn't be more than 130km tho - reckon that'd be a problem?

Dual purpose tyres on adventure bikes are fine as long as you ride accordingly. We get a few each trackday.
Nothing wrong with old beemers either.

Couple of examples from the last trackday, a k75 and a ttr250:

From G3_23Sept

From G4_Sept23

Check out the albums, we get all kinds of machines. It's all good.
https://picasaweb.google.com/allanmail

[Devil]

Dual purpose tyres on adventure bikes are fine as long as you ride accordingly. We get a few each trackday.
Nothing wrong with old beemers either.

Yeah what he said. All good at Hampton Downs too. Had everything from old GS's to DR's (650, 400, 250), TTR's, Sherpa's ()