Newbie's first 300+km ride and track day

**bosslady** · 20th January 2013, 21:21

Originally Posted by bluninja

Body in line with the bike.....a lot better than leaning the bike over into the corner and leaning the other way

Forearms parallel with the ground.....much easier to move the bars and less likely to lean your weight onto them.
Elbows bent helps to keep things supple and relaxed as opposed to stiff arms making things feel crap and reducing control.

If you haven't read them, both Twist of the Wrist books cover this stuff.

Does it? Hard to see from the front

I've got those books, well the flatty does. First time I opened it I didn't understand what was in it so gave up. Been awhile now though so maybe I'll understand more now. I bloody hate reading though lol

**JimmyC** · 22nd January 2013, 08:09

Originally Posted by bosslady

Gravel! that reminds me I didn't slow down enough for some road works, total gravel, lesson learnt... it's bloody scary hitting it at like 50kmh fark... slowed right down, think the ambulance trailing me was waiting for something to do lol. You're brave... I think gravel confidence is something for me to work towards but maybe later... hah

FWIW I learned more in 20 mins about my bike and balance in general riding around Wellington's south coast (Red Rocks) through sand and loose rocks than I did in hours of riding on the road. It's very confidence inspiring when you get back on tarmac, and you seem more attuned to the little things your bike tells you when cornering, stopping etc etc. The type of the terrain will be largely bike dependent I'm sure but yeah, I think there's a lot to be said for getting in some decent time on loose surfaces.

And congrats on your epic travels btw. I'm not sure I'll be doing anything quite that long on my WR250, purely for comfort reasons!

**Grashopper** · 22nd January 2013, 10:08

Lol, I was the one sticking to one of the line riders at the beginning of each session.

But the coolest thing was when she took my GN around the track with me as pillion. Scary as at the beginning as the ground was coming quite close, but it helped me a lot to relax and get the feeling of how you should lean (and that the bike doesn't go flying out of the corner if you do

) Wish I had photos of that. Don't thing my GN will ever go at such an angle again

**Grashopper** · 22nd January 2013, 10:12

Originally Posted by JimmyC

FWIW I learned more in 20 mins about my bike and balance in general riding around Wellington's south coast (Red Rocks) through sand and loose rocks than I did in hours of riding on the road. It's very confidence inspiring when you get back on tarmac, and you seem more attuned to the little things your bike tells you when cornering, stopping etc etc. The type of the terrain will be largely bike dependent I'm sure but yeah, I think there's a lot to be said for getting in some decent time on loose surfaces.

That's a pretty good idea. Hm, will keep an eye out for a nice gravel road. And then slowly, very slowly try that out.

**Banditbandit** · 22nd January 2013, 10:22

Good one Boss Lady .. you'll be into the 24 hour-1,000 milers soon.

Originally Posted by bosslady

Yes I absolutely do, although I haven't seen more then what any spectator can at Hampton downs so maybe that track is harder, I don't know but Taupo was ok for me.

They are different tracks - Taupo is faster - maybe a bit more flowing - Hampton Downs is a bit more technical .. but of the two I'd say that Hampton Downs is the most fun track I have ridden (and I've ridden five tracks - four in the north and one in the south) .

**f2dz** · 22nd January 2013, 14:31

Sounds like quite the journey.

Did you sort out insurance for on the track? Or were you just rolling without any?

I'm keen to look at having a track day sometime this year but just worried abot not getting insurance for it. I'll only be on my restricted..

**bosslady** · 22nd January 2013, 16:13

Originally Posted by JimmyC

FWIW I learned more in 20 mins about my bike and balance in general riding around Wellington's south coast (Red Rocks) through sand and loose rocks than I did in hours of riding on the road. It's very confidence inspiring when you get back on tarmac, and you seem more attuned to the little things your bike tells you when cornering, stopping etc etc. The type of the terrain will be largely bike dependent I'm sure but yeah, I think there's a lot to be said for getting in some decent time on loose surfaces.

And congrats on your epic travels btw. I'm not sure I'll be doing anything quite that long on my WR250, purely for comfort reasons!

epic? hardly lol. And that sounds good 're. gravel but I think I might wait till I have more confidence else I see my bike getting binned lol.

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Lol, I was the one sticking to one of the line riders at the beginning of each session.

But the coolest thing was when she took my GN around the track with me as pillion. Scary as at the beginning as the ground was coming quite close, but it helped me a lot to relax and get the feeling of how you should lean (and that the bike doesn't go flying out of the corner if you do

) Wish I had photos of that. Don't thing my GN will ever go at such an angle again

I reckon you did super well and yea stink there's no pics of you on the back of your gn that would've been super sweet!! and I bet you can too get your bike to lean that far again (and NOT fall over!)

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

Good one Boss Lady .. you'll be into the 24 hour-1,000 milers soon.

They are different tracks - Taupo is faster - maybe a bit more flowing - Hampton Downs is a bit more technical .. but of the two I'd say that Hampton Downs is the most fun track I have ridden (and I've ridden five tracks - four in the north and one in the south) .

hmmm ahh well see haha. I don't have any leathers so I couldn't do HD anyways!

Originally Posted by f2dz

Sounds like quite the journey.

Did you sort out insurance for on the track? Or were you just rolling without any?

I'm keen to look at having a track day sometime this year but just worried abot not getting insurance for it. I'll only be on my restricted..

Insurance yea of course. Before I even registered for the track day I contacted my broker (Dave Hewer) lovely chap said no worries he'd endorsed (that the word?) my bike for that particular track day and to have fun! maybe some other companies won't be so understanding though I don't know oh and I'm on my learners.

**FJRider** · 22nd January 2013, 17:04

Originally Posted by Subike

those pics look good girl, you are exercising the first rule of riding, LOOK where you are going.
You look like you have good control over the bike, you angles of attack at the corner look good.
Thats not a series of pic of a noob...rater someone who is listening and doing well

as for looking Fat, no way, look like you would get a few whistles if it was not classed as sexual harassment

+one ... again. The best part is ... it's YOU in the pics DOING it. Not just talking about "thinking you might" do it. Many have NOT done it.

I have heard ... leathers made from skinny cows help you look slim ...

But I doubt if you need them ...

**Corse1** · 23rd January 2013, 14:06

Originally Posted by FJRider

+one ... again. The best part is ... it's YOU in the pics DOING it. Not just talking about "thinking you might" do it. Many have NOT done it.

Have a guy here at work I am trying to get on a track day. No way is that going to happen and hey its not for everyone. Once you start though....................

**FJRider** · 23rd January 2013, 14:10

Originally Posted by Corse1

Have a guy here at work I am trying to get on a track day. No way is that going to happen and hey its not for everyone. Once you start though....................

Show him that pic. Ask him ... If a "Girl" can do it ... what does that make him .... (then meowl)

**unstuck** · 23rd January 2013, 14:13

I have no interest in doing a track day, so does that mean I am a pussy? Or just not interested?

**bosslady** · 23rd January 2013, 14:14

Originally Posted by FJRider

Show him that pic. Ask him ... If a "Girl" can do it ... what does that make him .... (then meowl)

Haha I reckon, girl, gn250, been riding less than 5 weeks (at that point) tell him he's a poof

(just joking!!!). Maybe he thinks track days are more "hard out" than they are in actual fact. They're relaxed, fun, everybody is lovely and supportive you can go as slow (or fast) as you want. Just pick a group that matches your ability level and for a first timer or someone on a slow coach bike like mine, that's probably Group 4. Hell you're not that far from Taupo - no excuse!

**bosslady** · 23rd January 2013, 14:16

Originally Posted by unstuck

I have no interest in doing a track day, so does that mean I am a pussy? Or just not interested?

I believe it mean's you're a pussy, I think, I'm sure someone will chime in

Meowwwww hisSsSsSss. I don't know that it's something I'd do for as long as I ride, but it was fun to do last Friday and I may still do it a couple times more yet.

**unstuck** · 23rd January 2013, 14:18

Originally Posted by bosslady

I believe it mean's you're a pussy, I think, I'm sure someone will chime in

Meowwwww hisSsSsSss. I don't know that it's something I'd do for as long as I ride, but it was fun to do last Friday and I may still do it a couple times more yet.

I think I would rather spend my gas money on a ride up the west coast. Meoooww.