How to get into track riding?

[R6_kid:Me]

Good ideas from DMNTD...

Others will usually post a thread up in the week(s) leading up to the day, so just post in there if you need a hand and people will usually come forward to help you out (assuming you havent been a c00nt)

[Chrislost]

A couple of posts in the 'Accident - Cause and effect' thread have got me thinking about doing some track riding. I've been biking now for about 6 years since the middle age crisis set in. I've never considered getting on the track. It would be cool to be enlightened as to

a) what's involved generally in track riding
b) people's experiences
c) bikes and gear required
d) where are the tracks
e) insurance issues
f) costs

and I'm particularly interested - in light of the aforementioned thread - to hear if people ride less or more on the road as a result of track riding. If this has been canvassed in detail in another thread then someone point me in the right direction.

http://www.motott.co.nz/bookings.html
taupo is much more forgiving then pukekohe.

[DMNTD:Me]

taupo is much more forgiving then pukekohe.

+98746890760576095409870!!!

Oh...and you'll learn far more about riding/your motorcycle at Taupo in my humble opinion than Pukekohe.

[madbikeboy]

+98746890760576095409870!!!

Oh...and you'll learn far more about riding/your motorcycle at Taupo in my humble opinion than Pukekohe.

Taupo is a much more involving track - I've driven a GT3 round Taupo and thought it was cooler than a good kart track - but on a bike it's even better. You're on your side pretty much all the way aside from the back straight, and front straight. Puke is less fun, but faster - if you make a mistake at Puke, the damage is often worse (higher speeds, less run off). The facilities at Taupo are pretty good too, meaning you stay dry on rainy days...

[Cache Wraith]

theres a whole forum and section(s) devoted to the stuff. Surely you're not too daft, blind, ignorant, stoopid to see them?

do a fookin search you lazy moron, then ask ya questions

Hey man, thanks very much for your friendly words and help. Your the sort of guy who doesn't need to be red repped or anything, your words speak for themselves and are plain for everyone to see what sort of guy you are. You have a great day buddy.

To everyone else, thanks people for the advice, I'm going to give track riding a go.

[Swoop]

Good on ya!

Enjoy!

[koba]

Hey man, thanks very much for your friendly words and help. Your the sort of guy who doesn't need to be red repped or anything, your words speak for themselves and are plain for everyone to see what sort of guy you are. You have a great day buddy.

To everyone else, thanks people for the advice, I'm going to give track riding a go.

If you actually want to RACE.
Also check out the vic club website they have a bit on starting out.
Just goodle victoria motorcycle club
Your hyosung (if you want to risk it) can be race in streetstock class and not be totally outclassed.
Streetstock and clubmans are the place to go as a beginner, streetsock being cheap aswell as a good starter class.
A streetstock bike would be under $2000 with much lower running costs than the bigger bikes.

Before commiting to that sorta stuff definatley give track days a go, there was a $40 one at mainfiled a few weeks ago and I think there is another coming up. not the closest to you but have a good read around the site in the racing forum and you should pick up some idea of what your looking at.

[Hoon]

Just try the track out commitment free first. Roll up to any controlled testing day at Pukekohe at 10:30am with your $90.

http://www.pukekohepark.co.nz/motor-racing/13/

You can approach any other biker there and tell them its your first time and they'll gladly help you out. Otherwise there's tonnes of advice here on the forum.

[Cache Wraith]

Just try the track out commitment free first. Roll up to any controlled testing day at Pukekohe at 10:30am with your $90.

http://www.pukekohepark.co.nz/motor-racing/13/

You can approach any other biker there and tell them its your first time and they'll gladly help you out. Otherwise there's tonnes of advice here on the forum.

Thanks Hoon. Will do that...I just better make sure the biker I approach ain't Boomer

[FROSTY:Me]

I disagree with ya hoon. Pukiehole in my opinion aint the place for a new trackdayer. -
My opinion only mind you

[Brett]

Thanks Hoon. Will do that...I just better make sure the biker I approach ain't Boomer

Take grumpy ol' Boomer with a grain of salt, he is actually really a top bloke. Seems he has his girly time at the moment...what can one say...he did start on a Honduh... Boomer is good for a laugh and a regular Track dayer himself.

[boomer]

Hey man, thanks very much for your friendly words and help. Your the sort of guy who doesn't need to be red repped or anything, your words speak for themselves and are plain for everyone to see what sort of guy you are. You have a great day buddy.

To everyone else, thanks people for the advice, I'm going to give track riding a go.

so you can read and obviously have some intelligence. It must be the 'too lazy to look' category for you then!

[Leong]

Just try the track out commitment free first. Roll up to any controlled testing day at Pukekohe at 10:30am with your $90.

http://www.pukekohepark.co.nz/motor-racing/13/

You can approach any other biker there and tell them its your first time and they'll gladly help you out. Otherwise there's tonnes of advice here on the forum.

Agree with trying the track out committment free first, but disagree with Pukekohe Open Days. Don't think Puke track is a good first track, you need to go too quick to enjoy it, and the risks are high. Taupo would be much better and you will enjoy the atmosphere better at a bike only track day like MotoTT, Kiwitrackdays, Frosty's KB, SUzuki or Honda days.... there is so much to choose from. FWIW, I'd advise a HRC rider development day with Aaron Slight - these days are much more tuition oriented than any other trackday on offer in NZ.

Thanks Hoon. Will do that...I just better make sure the biker I approach ain't Boomer

I believe Boomer frequents these days quite often so your chance are high, and you'll find that he's a much better bloke than you thought!

I disagree with ya hoon. Pukiehole in my opinion aint the place for a new trackdayer. -
My opinion only mind you

+1

Take grumpy ol' Boomer with a grain of salt, he is actually really a top bloke. Seems he has his girly time at the moment...what can one say...he did start on a Honduh... Boomer is good for a laugh and a regular Track dayer himself.

+1

[NinjaBoy]

Agree with trying the track out committment free first, but disagree with Pukekohe Open Days. Don't think Puke track is a good first track, you need to go too quick to enjoy it, and the risks are high. Taupo would be much better and you will enjoy the atmosphere better at a bike only track day like MotoTT, Kiwitrackdays, Frosty's KB, SUzuki or Honda days.... there is so much to choose from. FWIW, I'd advise a HRC rider development day with Aaron Slight - these days are much more tuition oriented than any other trackday on offer in NZ.

The difference being that the Pukekohe Open days are Track run test days aimed at people wanting to test their race/track machine. Bikes and Cars are however separated. Organisation is loose and there is no ambulance on site.

Trackdays are privately organised days for bikes only with at least 3-4 speed groups, so you are riding with people of similar ability. Tuition is offered but its patchy and as Leong says HRC (honda riders club) days are the best esp. if Aaron is there. Leong neglects to mention you either need to own Honda to be a member or know someone who is a member who may be able to get you an entry.

However, be warned, once you start they can be addictive. All spare cash, annual leave and every waking moment will be spent hanging out for the next one !

[Leong]

Tuition is offered but its patchy and as Leong says HRC (honda riders club) days are the best esp. if Aaron is there. Leong neglects to mention you either need to own Honda to be a member or know someone who is a member who may be able to get you an entry.

However, be warned, once you start they can be addictive. All spare cash, annual leave and every waking moment will be spent hanging out for the next one !

Most HRC days are open to everyone - No motards and race bikes though which makes it even better for newbies.

Addictive??