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Newbie Guide To Going To The Track

2K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  cruzinZ 
#1 ·
Well of course I don't have the guide...I'm the newbie. You all that have been doing track days and courses have to make the guide for us. :eatpop

Basically I was interested in going to a track for the first time. I've looked them up online but they never seem to have any information about motorcycles. Basically I just want to know the procedure, meaning everything from preparing your bike to how to book a day at the track.

I'm looking for some answers to the following questions.

Is it possible to go to a track for the first time to just ride around it?
Do you have to book a day to ride there?
Can you just go there and ride the track for 30 minutes? An hour?
Are you alone on the track?
If there are others, do you have to ride a certain speed?
What gear is required?
Can you go there with any bike?
Are track courses required or essential to learning to ride a track?
Are there other people on the track with you while you are riding?
How much will one day at the track run you (about)?

Just a whole bunch of questions that I have. I haven't been riding for long but I plan to hit the track next spring/summer so I want to be as prepared as possible. Please run through these questions and more....preferably a guide. A guide meaning every step you would take or tell a person who has no idea about track days/riding.

Hope I don't sound to dumb with all these questions...
 
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#2 ·
Below are some links to some track day providers a d their info. Even if these providers are not in you area, the ones that are, are going to be more of the same info.

NESBA
Typical track day schedule / basic info - NESBA : Typical Day
Riders guide (What gear you need / tech bike info) - http://www.nesba.com/info/downloads/manual.pdf

STT
Typical track day schedule / basic info - Sportbike Track Time - Get on the right track !! Toll Free #888-390-4020
Track Day Policies & Procedures & Requirements - Sportbike Track Time - Get on the right track !! 419-822-0350

Jason
 
#3 ·
One more note - my first track day was taking the race license class. I found that class to be the best instruction to date compared to any pure track day only. If Learning Curves is in your area, try them out.

Jason
 
#5 ·
I believe STT offers a try the track option which is free and you get to ride a few times during the other riders break for lunch. You may want to look into that.
I don't know about STT, but NESBA does for sure.

NESBA said:
FREE Trial Sessions - NESBA knows that riding on the track can be an intimidating endeavor, so we allow you to try it for FREE. If you don't like it, it doesn't cost you a thing!
 
#6 ·
Is it possible to go to a track for the first time to just ride around it?
Yes, you can. Just go and ride at a slow pace speed. But it's not much fun.

Do you have to book a day to ride there?
Yes, look at the above post.

Can you just go there and ride the track for 30 minutes? An hour?
They will normally have different groups. Like Novice, intermediate, and advanced. So you wont be stuck in with the fast guys. So you'll be on the track for 20 minutes every hour. But it isn't always that way.

Are you alone on the track?
You can, but it'll cost you a LOT of money. Like thousands. But no. You'll be on the track with other.

If there are others, do you have to ride a certain speed?
The speed you are most comfy in. Don't move to let faster people pass you. Let them figure it out.

What gear is required?
Full face helmet, 1 or 2 peice race leathers, gloves which protect about the wrist, and boots that above the ankle. Most track day organizations HIGH recommand a back protector, some make it mandatory.


Can you go there with any bike?
I'm taking it as your wanting to know if you can take any bike to the track? Yes, but it has to be reliable, and NO LEAKING FLUIDS!

Are track courses required or essential to learning to ride a track?
Most places, yes. They want to you learn the flags, what the rules are and the basics.

Are there other people on the track with you while you are riding?
Already asked this question (Look up a couple qestions)

How much will one day at the track run you (about)?
It depends where you go. Because it's just not the track day that cost. It's getting there, and back. A track day itself is anywhere between $85-200. If not more.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the help. I'm really interested in doing that free lap during the lunch break. How do I know if the NJ Motorsports place around here has that? Best idea is to call them? I just have to get leather pants, gauntlet gloves, and maybe a back protector and I will be ready.

BTW this thread calls for a sticky!
 
#8 ·
Also, the pants, and jacket have to zip togather. A 360 zipper. Call them up probably would be the best way...



Now the info fee is $4000 casino Cash. I would like it by 8:00am tomorrow (central time).

Thanks :)

:twofinger
 
#9 ·
I really would like to do it this year but doesn't seem like I will be able to get around to it. My MotoGP Apex Leather jacket doesnt have a 360 zipper (I dont think...) and I'd have to get new gloves. Until then I can prepare my bike, gear, and gather information.

I read that pdf for the NESBA and it seems they offer some type of free training or tutorial to ride the track. Anyone know anything specifically about the NJ Motorsports track? Do I have to inform them that I will be riding the track during the lunch break or do I just show up that track day and get on the track with a whole bunch of others. I feel sort-of dumb calling them tomorrow asking them all these questions so I'm trying to narrow it down to a few questions that go unanswered here.

So basically if I wanted to do a track day in the near future I'd have to:

1. Have the proper gear
2. Make sure my bike is in proper condition
3. Take a course and/or ride around the track during lunch period
4. Call the track and schedule a day..pay the entry price
5. Drive or transport my bike to the track
6. Tape up headlight and rear brake light

Am I missing any type of preparation step?
 
#13 ·
its not as hard as you think to get started on the track...i did back to back trackdays...two weekends in a row. my first time...

i signed up for c group. had a brand new back tire, and a new front tire. make sure your tires are good.
unplug your lights...taillight for sure. some places let you run with your headlights on
full gear...they dont check you though really..depends on the organizer. one guy was in the hot pits with jeans on!!! hahahahha he got told...

YOU CANT RUN WITH ANTIFREEZE OR ANYTHING GLYCOL!

water and watter wetter...


when you get on the track, its pretty intimidating. first session is pretty much sighting laps, and just check the track out. second session is when it starts to get intense and the pace picks up. this is when you'll find out what group you belong in.

second trackday i signed up for b group

just remember...its not a race...you will pass people, but you will get passed alot too.

and i like to showoff my track pictures so here :D


this is after i highsided...
 
#17 ·
all great advice on this thread. i just did my first track day on the 8th of August with TPM at Pocono (FUSA). I took the Art Basic class because it was required for first timers on the track and it helps! I've read a lot of books about picking lines and what not but it wasn't until i went to the track and saw someone show me examples then going out on the track and doing so did i start to understand.

there are multiple organizations that you can run with depending on when you want to go. i'm also not sure which track you are closer to NJMP or Pocono. I'm right in the middle of both, approx 2 hours away from each track but you may be closer to one depending on your location in jersey. where are you if you don't mind me asking.

you can pick up a suit for relatively cheap ($299 Chicane). You mentioned you wanted to go next spring/summer, if i were you i'd be checking out Motorcyclecloseouts.com pretty seriously to try and snag up some good deals on the gear you need to get out there.

my first track day cost me about $350 (just for things to ride the track, not including food and what not). $249 was for the art basic class and track fees and the other $100 was for gas in my father's huge pick up truck that guzzles gas and a couple gallons on gas for my bike. Again, i don't know how far you are from Millville, as it may end up being much cheaper for you to go there. Like i said i'm about 2 hours (100 Miles) from Pocono and Millville.
 
#18 ·
i don't have a guide, but i'll try to answer your questions as best i can based on my personal experience (which is fairly limited). unless otherwise noted, all of my comments pertain specifically to NESBA trackdays (NESBA : Northeast Sports Bike Association). here goes:
Is it possible to go to a track for the first time to just ride around it?
well, not really. you can sign up for a track day in the "intro" group, which will get you the first two 20 minute sessions for free, but you ride with the beginner group. you don't have to prep the bike at all, but you must wear full leathers and stuff like the rest of us.
Do you have to book a day to ride there?
just sign up for the track day. some tracks have, like, thursday night test and tunes or whatever. cost is minimal (i've seen them for around $60) but rules vary as far as bike prep.
Can you just go there and ride the track for 30 minutes? An hour?
all the ones i've been to are 20 minute sessions with an hour lunch break at noon.
Are you alone on the track?
nope. usually, there's between 5-25 other riders out there with "control riders" (think instructor). they let us go about 5 or 6 at a time to spread us out on the track and have us line up based on the pace we expect to run (fastest out front) to limit passing.
If there are others, do you have to ride a certain speed?
you ride at the pace you're comfortable with. if a "CR" sees you riding above your limits, they will give you the slow down signal.
What gear is required?
full leathers (or textile suit) can be 1 or 2 piece, but 2 piece must have a full circumference zipper. riding boots, gauntlet style gloves, DOT or snell rated helmet. a back protector is highly recommended, but not required.
Can you go there with any bike?
as far as i know, yes. i saw a you-tube vid of a dude on a goldwing at a track day.
Are track courses required or essential to learning to ride a track?
i knew nothing of track riding before i participated in my first track day. any info you can get would certainly be helpful, tho.
Are there other people on the track with you while you are riding?
yup, but you already asked this one.
How much will one day at the track run you (about)?
my last track day cost $145 to enter. also consider gas to get there, meals, extra fuel for the bike, most tracks offer on-site camping for a small fee or you can stay at a hotel...
Hope I don't sound to dumb with all these questions...
your questions aren't dumb, but (like me) you're over thinking it a little. get some gear, join a club (i like NESBA), sign up for a track day and get out there. the sooner you do, the happier you'll be. my first time out i made a list of things i thought might be helpful to take (i've since lost it). i made it when i had no idea what to expect. i've never got to the track and wished i would have brought something extra. you'll also be surprised to find out how helpful the veteran track day people are. in my experience, the will totally go out of their way to help the newbies have a good time...


s3aturnr
 
#20 ·
I just joined NESBA and signed up for a track day in September, will probably go with a friend that has done one trackday already, and maybe a guy at work that used to race pretty heavy, and is getting back into it.

NESBA mention needing a number plate on the bike, and I supplied a number on my registration form. Do they send me one or do I make it out of cardboard? And, I ride a naked SV650, so....where the heck do I mount a plate, over the headlight?

Tomorrow I'll be hitting MC-Closeouts (so cool to have their retail store in my town!) to get leather pants to complete my 2-piece, or I might splurge and get one of those Teknic suits if they have one in my size and color choice.

It's going to be a long 5 weeks waiting for the day to come around!
 
#22 ·
Also remember that not all track club organizers are equal. In souther California we have about 6-7 different groups that put on track days. Some are really well organized and others are not. Find out who provides good instruction and a safe environment. You don't want the track day organizer, who is supposed to be policing the event, blowing through the C group passing people on the inside line mid corner.

Get some good gear and start off slow. Dont push yourself to the limit unless you have the cash to replace your bike. Take your time and the speed will come later.
 
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