My First Motorcycle Track Day

"Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast) 08/31/2016 at 10:24 • Filed to: Lanesplitter, Ducati, Used Bike Reviews, Track Day

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This day had been a long time coming. I’m sure that a lot of you riders out there can relate.

Taking a sportbike to the track sounds like such an easy and obvious thing to do if you own such a machine. When I bought my first sportbike over eight years ago, a 2004 Suzuki GSX-R 600, I figured I’d be at the track within the year. Then life happens, years pass, and you realize that you still haven’t yet realized such a seemingly simple dream.

However, getting out to the track can seem like a daunting undertaking when you start breaking down the prep-work that is required.

The first thing you need to do is find a track. Depending on where you live, this might be in your backyard. Or, if you live in a desert of motorsports that go both left and right such as Kansas City, you might find the closest track is at least 3 hours away.

Getting your bike to the track is also another hurdle to be overcome. Some people will simply ride their bike there, but this can prove to be a bad choice should you end having mechanical troubles - or worse – going down on the track. So, realistically, you’ll need to transport it up there. A truck, or a car with a hitch and a trailer, are your best bets here. Renting a truck or trailer is always an option but it does require some planning.

Next, you must secure all of the riding gear you’ll need. Typically, tracks require a leather racing suit, boots, gauntlet gloves, and a newer SNELL approved helmet. Obviously, these items can cost many dollars. Over the course of my 8 years of not going to the track, I picked these items up and was able to spread out the cost. If you’re lucky, you can rent some of the bigger-ticket items from the track day organizer. This will you save some money on that first time out.

Preparing your bike for the track can also prove to me more involved than it appears on the surface. Typically you’ll need fresh fluids throughout and have newer track-rated tires. You’ll need to tape, remove, and disconnect various items on the bike.

These are just some of the logistical concerns when attempting a track day. This is why it took me so long to finally get out there. When you are on a budget, both financially and time-wise, it is no easy undertaking.

What I can tell you is that it was worth it, and that I will be doing it again soon. Riding sportbikes on the street can be fun, but it pales in comparison to the experience you can have with them out on the track.

nermal > Peter Monshizadeh 08/31/2016 at 10:55

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A few things that you are missing:

1) Long sleeve under-armor or equivalent shirt. This will allow you to slide right out of your suit between sessions and stay cooler. Otherwise you’ll get stuck in there.

2) Rug or carpet. Doesn’t need to be fancy, but it makes putting your suit and boots on and taking them off a lot more comfortable.

3) Suspension setup. At most larger days there will be a vendor there doing suspension setups for ~$40.

3) Pit Bull trailer restraint. They cost less than a set of fork seals installed. Makes securing the bike on the trailer super easy as well.

Peter Monshizadeh > nermal 08/31/2016 at 11:02

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Those are great, thanks for sharing!

Justin Hughes > Peter Monshizadeh 08/31/2016 at 11:49

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Nice! I just did my first motorcycle track day myself last week. It was a little different than you describe because it was specifically a non-sportbike track day , geared more toward improving street skills than cutting lap times.

That’s me on my Honda Pacific Coast 800 (probably the only time one of these has lapped a track at speed!) Basically any bike in good shape can do it. Only glass lights need to be taped, not plastic, but the same rules about mirrors apply (you can’t see them but they’re taped up too). Gear requirements were also more relaxed, though full coverage was still required. I went faster in my Subaru BRZ on this track last year, but that’s not the point. The point is that, like you, I learned a TON about riding and exactly what my bike can do. I’m a far better rider now than I was a week ago.

But you don’t have to take my word for it - take JEM’s:

http://rightwristtwist.com/events/the-new…

JEM > Justin Hughes 08/31/2016 at 12:11

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What Justin said! For anyone reading this and considering these, look into seeing if they have a non sport bike track day around you. You don’t have to have a GSXR/CBR/Panigale etc.. Hell, the slowest group out of the 3 the day we ran was made up half of HD baggers I think and I guarantee you they were having a blast and learning stuff. Hell there was a FUCKING BURGMAN on the track and that guy was getting his lean on like nobody’s business. Here’s me on my Bandit, which was nice to have because at least I had a ton of power to come out of turns:

Peter Monshizadeh > Justin Hughes 08/31/2016 at 12:12

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Oh dang, that’s awesome! I would love to see a big bike like that being hustled around a track. That takes a whole different level of finesse. How did it do at more extreme lean angles?

Justin Hughes > Peter Monshizadeh 08/31/2016 at 12:40

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I don’t think I ever actually scrapped a foot peg, but I did scrape the sole of my boot until I learned to move my feet back on the pegs a bit. As for the cruisers, their lack of lean angle was the main reason why they were the “slow” run group, but that didn’t hold some of them back from riding the hell out of their Harleys! They looked awesome.

BobintheMtns > Peter Monshizadeh 08/31/2016 at 13:10

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Excellent video! Nice job!

Peter Monshizadeh > BobintheMtns 08/31/2016 at 13:35

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Thank you!

MotoMan23 > Peter Monshizadeh 10/17/2016 at 12:59

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You own a 996? Holy crap I have so much respect for you now.