Why do track day virgins stay that way?

**SVboy** · 13th November 2011, 17:03

Originally Posted by Premature Accelerato

I'm totally addicted to trackdays now, should have started 30 years ago. Got my brother in to it and now we have brought an old gixxer to thrash around. Doesnt matter if we bin it, second hand parts are reasonably cheap. It has improved my riding skills and has taken away the idiotic urge to behave like a cretin on the road.

So agree with all this quote...................apart from that last bit sometimes

**saltydog** · 14th November 2011, 12:20

Originally Posted by Genie

I'm still virginal due to the fact that duct taping my children and leaving them home alone for a couple of days is illegal and I have to feed them so my money is spent.

This one takes the cake but yeah all of you are right with what you are saying.....perhaps its just that initional step?!
I was there 2 weeks ago (moto TT) when the wirlybird came and picked up the girl with the broken pelvis (10m! highside), it was a bit disconcerning for sure, but par for the course I guess. At least the ambo's were right here.

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th November 2011, 13:17

One reason barely touched on is that some guys like to be legends in their own world. Usually a group of freinds who aren't silly enough to ride on the road at silly speeds. The hero is worried that if they rode with people who are genuinely fast where there are no excuses they will be found out as really not being that fast at all. --Er well anyways that was my reason anyways.

Then way back in 1984 on a XJ650 I did my first laps of a track and found out just how slow I really was. ---Hmm 25 years later and raced trackdayed etc and still I'm as slow as a wet week

**Deano** · 24th November 2011, 13:31

Yep. I can think of a few road warriors that are only fast on one piece of road.

And I know some peeps that don't race and would do exceptionally well. A lot better than many club racers.....easily.

I didn't go to a track day until I was about 30 y/o. Wished I had known about them sooner. Nowadays I would rather give up road riding than racing if I had to choose.

**avgas** · 24th November 2011, 15:23

Originally Posted by CAMSec

....different strokes for different blokes....I have friends who couldn't give a stuff about the sport, yet know they could probably outride a lot of club-riders...and racers who wont even contemplate going near a street race...think we're crazy....yet piss all over you on a track....thems the ways peoples is...

Pretty much what he said.
To me there is something simple about jumping on the bike and going for a blat. Rather than checking everything 10 times and taking it to a track.

Done a few track days and found them not really to my liking. Felt kinda weird actually. To be riding around and around and not really going anywhere, always stopping at the same place. Most tracks are quite small also, with very little "road feel". No trees or walls to crash into - kinda feels like playing xbox.

Perhaps that is part of the answer. Do you go for a ride to a destination/changes in road/changes in scenery, or do you not mind if you stop in exactly the same place, passing the exactly same thing every time? Each time trying to go faster.

I would love to get back into hillclimbs etc where things are a 1-shot situation and the scenery is less track like. But then it comes down to budget and my lack of ability to get me, bike and my clothing up to spec.

Easier to just have things as they are, and when I want jump on the bike and go for a ride.
Out of interest I found with cars I enjoyed street racing and normal driving on open road in comparison to drags and circuit stuff I did. Wasn't the change in competition - was more the environment. Seemed riskier on the road.

**caspernz** · 24th November 2011, 16:04

Trackdays aren't for everyone. It's that simple. You can try and analyze the bejeesus out of it why some folks go and some don't, but it's about as sophisticated as the Ford vs Holden debate.

Me? Yep done quite a few trackdays. Truth be told it bores me to tears. For me biking is about setting out on a fine day, no agenda, go wherever I want at a relaxed pace, stop where I want, for as long as I want, take a few pics or have a yarn with a fellow biker....that's about it.

Each to their own. I mean, why do some guys love their Harleys and others prefer a sportsbike?

**Deano** · 24th November 2011, 16:18

Originally Posted by avgas

I would love to get back into hillclimbs etc where things are a 1-shot situation and the scenery is less track like. But then it comes down to budget and my lack of ability to get me, bike and my clothing up to spec.
.

I think I've mentioned it to you before but www.cliffhanger.org.nz have an excellent hillclimb.

**tigertim20** · 24th November 2011, 16:46

Originally Posted by saltydog

It just seems the mates that have never been to one just will never get there. "na fuck that", or "na its just not my scene" but yet will do insane speeds and corners on the road. If anything I'm sure a track day makes us more aware of all the added dangers while on the road....but "na fuck that" is always the answer. Do they need more ball or are they afraid of being 'owned'?
Oh well, more spaces for me.

for most of them, its fear of the unknown, and fear that, theyll get to the track, and look like an idiot.
I consider myself a fast road rider, but the track just isnt the same thing at all, you have to re-learn a bunch of things you do differently on the road.

Some of those who can ride fast on the road think 'im fast on the road, so id be fast on the track, its no different', but fail to realise how wrong that assumption is.
put simply, they think they know better.

**martybabe** · 24th November 2011, 16:51

I like the thought of pushing my bike and riding skills to the limit but the thought of throwing my pride and joy down the tarmac fills me with dread. On the road I ride cautiously and as safe as possible but given free reign to go mental, I think I would, there's a pent up wannabe racer in all of us I think and I can't risk trashing my bike or old body riding beyond my limits.

Now a track day with bike included might be more atractive

**Blinkwing** · 24th November 2011, 17:41

Can't afford it, plus don't exactly have the proper bike/gear for trackdays.

**Kickaha** · 24th November 2011, 18:01

Originally Posted by Blinkwing

Can't afford it, plus don't exactly have the proper bike/gear for trackdays.

Any bike is a "proper" bike for track days

**Hellzie** · 24th November 2011, 18:30

I'm going to pop my cherry on the 11th at Pukekohe. Super excited!

**DrunkenMistake** · 24th November 2011, 18:49

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Because they can't get insurance for their bike on the track.
Because they can't get the day off work for track days.
Because they enjoying riding to a destination rather than round and round and round the same corners.
Because they don't have the appropriate gear.
Because they don't want to stand around for 3/4 of the day waiting to ride.

Pretty much nailed all my reasons, Ill get there one day though haha

**Mom** · 24th November 2011, 19:17

Originally Posted by saltydog

Do they need more ball or are they afraid of being 'owned'?

Convince me I should change my mind. The above comment reinforces one of the reasons I wont do a trackday, I have many.

Fill your boots...

Oh, for the record, I dont do do insane speeds and corners on the road, so I am really keen to hear your thoughts on why I should take you on, on the track.