When to first track?

[Random600RR]

 :)Hey ya'll, I've only had my RR for about 2 months now with only about 1000 miles put on it. It is my first bike that I have ever owned. I think taking it to a track would be bad ass but I was wondering if you think I should wait till I have more experience??? I love speed and have already blown down windy back roads and taken off ramps/ clover leafs alot faster then some of my buddies who have been riding for years....
So do you think I should wait? or what?

[Jeff]

GO!  There is absolutely no reason not to!  here's the deal.  YOU are in control of how fast you go and how hard you push it.  Don't get carried away.

Just enjoy the fact that there are no cops to nail you, no blue-hairs to back out of the driveway, no trees, firehydrants or parked cars to hit.

Riding (note, I said RIDING, not racing) on the track is something everyone should experience.  It will change your whole outlook on street riding.  Suddenly there's nothing left to prove...

[Jeremy]

The track is the best thing IMO that you can do to practice your skizillz.  It will help you on the street more than riding on the street will.  Just remember, the RR is a track bike, so it wants to go to it's home.
 

[Random600RR]

My big problem was wondering if I would be able to keep "pace" or if I would just be getting in the way of the other riders. I've stunt BMX and aggressive skated for over 10 years and remember everyone getting pissed when at the skate parks the newbies would constantly "accidentaly" cut you off and were always getting in the way. Now I'm the Newbie!!!  > Ahhhhhh! Haha, i didn't know if the riders would have the same mentality or not.   THANKS

[Hi-Side]

They generally break the groups up so that you shouldn't be in anyone's way. The track is the place to go learn how to do it right, safely, within your own limits.

[Random600RR]

  Kewl, thanks for the info guys.

[Jeff]

Most every track day you go to will have a street, intermediate and expert class.

The street class is usually good for the new rider who then finds that the class is way too slow, so they move up to the intermediate class around lunch time...

Talk to the organizers.  If they do not have things broken up, don't go.  It's not safe (unless it's a small crowd of riders with matched skills).

[Christian]

Jeff and Terry,
What are your feelings on going to the track without sliders? I would love to go to the track but haven't decided on which sliders I want to put on the bike yet and am a little concerned about it. I am guessing there is much less likelyhood of going down on the track versus the street during practice days. Any suggestions? Also curious about if the track requires the bike to be "Track prepped" for just a practice day or do you need to wire all the nuts, etc?

-Chris

[Hi-Side]

I wouldn't worry about the frame sliders and track organizations around here just require decent tires, leathers and helmet.

[hondatech]

I agree with all the other advice, but have one more.  Try to find an group that offers a school along with the open track day. If Team ProMotion does any days near you, I can tell you their ART courses are excellent. It's lot less intimidating to start with some instruction. Plus, you learn lines and have someone to sort of show you the pace. It's a big help. Make sure you're prepared. Don't skimp on gear in a rush to hit the track. And have the proper frame of mind. Just go to have fun. Don't expect to wow anybody with your natural talent. And don't worry so much about slowing people down. Hold your line, and leave plenty of room and the fast guys will safely pass you. You'll find people are very helpful. Many will offer advice without being asked, and at most there are coaches that will happily follow you for a few laps or a full session and give you pointers. They will also go in front of you and signal for you to follow their line, a big help. As fir sliders, I wouldn't worry about them. I didn't run them, and neither did a lot of people there. In fact, I'm still not convinved they do enough good to be worth it.

[Random600RR]

Damn, sounds like loads of fun! I can't wait to try it out!! I'll be sure to look into the class thing too. Sounds like that would help out tremendusly!   Thanks for all the advice guys!

[Jeff]

I am guessing there is much less likelyhood of going down on the track versus the street during practice days.

As Terry mentioned, don't worry about them.  What you say is true to a degree.  That degree is YOU.  Riding on the street has more dangers and chances for an accident than RIDING on the track.  However, on the track one can push limits of man and machine which can (and often time does) result in a crash.

Be careful, have fun and don't worry about it!  Besides, they don't protect you THAT much anyhow.  You'd still rash bodywork, probably touch a case cover, maybe break or damage rearsets/clipons too.   But you'd likely still be able to ride it  

Sliders are good for 0-5mph tip-overs, and good for preventing broken case covers or massive damage on higher speed crashes.

Also curious about if the track requires the bike to be "Track prepped" for just a practice day or do you need to wire all the nuts, etc?

Check with the particular race organization or whoever puts on the school.  Most will require your oil fill and drain bolt be wired, and all glass removed or taped over.  Some require coolant to be replaced with water - waterwetter or evans...

-Chris

[Christian]

Well the track I would most likely go to is called Summit Point http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/ located in West "By God" Virginia! I will look through there website and see if it talks about prepping the bike and what org offers classes up there for people new to the track. I have raced cars for years but never had any bike on the track before.

If I do decide to go for practice days at the track do you have any suggestions for prepping the bike for the track and also in trying to help prevent damage in case of a crash?

Thanks for the help guys.

[Chucky]

If I do decide to go for practice days at the track do you have any suggestions for prepping the bike for the track and also in trying to help prevent damage in case of a crash?

Thanks for the help guys.

The best advice I can give to prevent damage, in case of a crash, is to install frame sliders.  They saved my VTR's side plastic when I lowsided at track school this summer.  I still had to replace the shift lever, clutch lever, and the bar end, but the rest of the bike came away way better than if the slider wasn't there.  If you're getting serious, you may want to think about aftermarket case covers, and rearsets with more replaceable bits, like I've seen from Graves.  

Although the best way to minimise damage is to not crash, so to that end, make sure you've tires that are in good condition, and be sure and warm them up before you start to get aggresive.  

(My lowside was on the third corner of the afternoon session, after about a 2hr lunch break, due to another rider's broken collarbone)

Have fun, it's addicting.

[MARTIAN]

What do you have to wear?Some of you have said leathers 1 or 2 peice? What about boots or can you just wear work boots? thanks for the help