What Track Level To Start At?

[markcr]

Hi,

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 13. I'm now 43. :-) Most of my riding has been motocross and enduro off-road pleasure riding. I've had a street bike on and off for the past 6 years and am very comfortable on them. My last few bikes were Harley V-Twins but a week ago I picked up a 2005 Yamaha FZ6. After riding it for a week, I'm hooked on its stealthy sound and knife-edge cornering abilities, not to mention the outragous pull as soon as the motor climbs past 7k. No Harley I've ever ridden has that kind of accelleration. I'd love to get it out on a track. My question is where to start? My first inclanation is to start with a Novice track day lesson and see how it goes. However, if they are going to teach stuff like, "this is the clutch, this is the throttle", I'd need a more advanced curriculum. Just looking for input from others who may have started out from where I am. Thanks a bunch!

Mark

[DaveToo]

Yep, Keigwin or ZoomZoom Novice school, or maybe Reg Pridmore's CLASS school. CLASS is more "street oriented".

They'll teach you how to use your front brake :) If you've been riding only dirt and cruisers, you probably won't know how important and good the front brake is on a sportbike.

They'll teach you proper sport-riding body position. They'll teach you how to use your eyes at high speeds. They'll teach you how to creep up to maximum traction with throttle and brakes. If you're lucky and it's raining that day, you'll teach yourself to be smooth as silk on the throttle and brakes.

Also search this forum for riding books. Nick Ienatch's "Sport Riding Techniques" is good, as is Lee Parks' "Total Control". Reg Pridmore's book is also good, if a little heavy on the race anecdotes.

[christofu]

Come to a Zoom Zoom Novice School.

The Novice School is NOT for motorcycle novices, it's for TRACK novices. To even attend the novice school you need to be an experienced street motorcyclist (and sounds like you qualify), have excellent (street level) control over your bike and be willing to take your riding to the next level.

We have a firm rule: all first time track riders must start in the Novice School. That's not because we doubt anyone's riding ability, it's because 90% of people find their first track event an eye opening experience. The people whom we "force" into the Novice School almost universally agree at the end of the day that it was the right choice.

Besides, if you sign for the Novice School and then you AND your instructor agree that you really should be in the B group, then we'll switch you over.

Just be aware that to ride in the B group you need to know the track, be able to ride smoothly and predictably on a correct line and be able to do those things at a reasonably quick pace.

[paroxysm]

I did the ZZ Novice school after 2-3 times on the track, and I wish I would've started there. Great instruction and some very good on course training.

[markcr]

Hey thanks for all the great advice. I've signed up for a Novice Zoom Zoom track day (June 15th to be exact) at Thunderhill! I can't wait. Now I have to start looking into getting my bike and me converted for the track. Anyone know if you can use 2-piece leathers or does it need to be 1-piece? I'm 5'11" and weigh 165 lbs and wondering what the used market is like for leathers. After a quick web search I found new ones to be pretty expensive. Not that they aren't worth it, I just don't have an extra 500 bucks laying around right now. I guess that will have to change if I'm gonig to start riding on the track! <grin>

Again, thanks for the honest replies.
Mark

Also, I picked up "Total Control" and will start educating myself before I roll onto the track for the first time.

[christofu]

Hey Mark,

Congratulations on your decision to become a better rider!

2 piece leathers are OK, but we STRONGLY prefer that they zip all the way around (i.e. not just 12" at the back). We're not sticklers about that in the Novice School but by the time you graduate to the Intermediate group you'll need either one piece leathers or leathers at zip all the way around.

Hope that helps!

[EC70]

Chris you could at least help out your sponsor http://www.helimot.com/index.shtml

And Markcr by telling him what great suits they make and rent and have saved a few people in the day including me.
So I'll do it for you go to Helimot in San jose and they will take care of you.
:thumbup

[DaveToo]

Originally posted by EC70
Chris you could at least help out your sponsor http://www.helimot.com/index.shtml

And Markcr by telling him what great suits they make and rent and have saved a few people in the day including me.
So I'll do it for you go to Helimot in San jose and they will take care of you.
:thumbup


I already covered that in markcr's other thread :)

[markcr]

Yes, Chris was VERY helpful and encouraging regarding leathers and track day in general. He pointed me to Helimot. I did check out the website and unfortunately San Jose is a LONG way away from where I live. I'm up in the North bay. Trying on leathers would be difficult. However, I'm not ruling them out. I'm 5'11", 165 lbs., 40" chest, 32" waist, 32" inseam. If we can figure out how to get me a pair of leathers to try on, as well as pricing, I'm open to trying them.

I appreciate the role that sponsors play in the promotion and support of our sport and with that in mind I'll be sure to order some stuff from Helimot (via website) to insure that their sponsorship is mutually benefitial (as it should be). Thanks!!!

Mark Crowley

[EC70]

I'm just giving Chris a hard time, he is very good at what he does :laughing, what do you do again Chris?:toothless . But seriously it may be worth the trip, I live a little ways away from Helimot also, but you can call ahead give them you measurements and I'm sure they can put aside a suit for you. They really care about the customer I can say that from experience and I'm sure many others can add to this also.
If your looking to spend money it may as well be on your body, it may come in handy someday. :teeth

[DirtyD]

Originally posted by markcr
I just don't have an extra 500 bucks laying around right now.

Is the 500 bucks an addition to the 1500 bucks that you do have? Or are you saying that 500 bucks will buy leathers? Because it will... but not good ones. If you are planning on doing a bunch of track riding, save your pennies and spend the 1500 to 2000 dollars on a nice suit.

[F4iChic]

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=163710

maybe ducky's leathers will fit?

[EC70]

Originally posted by DirtyD
Is the 500 bucks an addition to the 1500 bucks that you do have? Or are you saying that 500 bucks will buy leathers? Because it will... but not good ones. If you are planning on doing a bunch of track riding, save your pennies and spend the 1500 to 2000 dollars on a nice suit.


+1

[christofu]

Originally posted by EC70
I'm just giving Chris a hard time, he is very good at what he does :laughing, what do you do again Chris?:toothless . But seriously it may be worth the trip, I live a little ways away from Helimot also, but you can call ahead give them you measurements and I'm sure they can put aside a suit for you. They really care about the customer I can say that from experience and I'm sure many others can add to this also.
If your looking to spend money it may as well be on your body, it may come in handy someday. :teeth

Ah, yes, in the other thread I mentioned Helimot but I looked at markcr's location -- Windsor -- and thought that perhaps San Jose would be a bit of a trek for him.

By the way, my Helimot suit is supremely comfortable. Easily the best suit I've ever owned. When I came off the bike at 100mph at Buttonwillow I ended up with a bruised knee and a lightly scuffed suit!

[christofu]

Originally posted by EC70
I'm just giving Chris a hard time,

I can't decide whether it's you or the Viagra, but anything that gives an old man like me a hard time has to be OK.

what do you do again Chris?:toothless .

Oh, is that the time?

[eeeeek]

Originally posted by markcr
I'm 5'11", 165 lbs., 40" chest, 32" waist, 32" inseam. If we can figure out how to get me a pair of leathers to try on, as well as pricing, I'm open to trying them.

Hmmmm....I'm 5'11", 160 lbs, 40" chest, 32" waist and 32" inseam. If you can make it down to the AFM races at Sears Point this weekend, you can try on my spare set of leathers. If they work, you can borrow them for the track day on the 15th (I'll be there bright and early).

[afm199]

ditto
40 vanson

[markcr]

WOW!!! Awesome! Yes, I can make it down to Sears Point this weekend. It's less than an hour from my house. What day(s) will you be there and how can we hook up? It would be a great way for me to see an AFM raceday first hand. Thanks for the offer. Very cool people here at BARF.

[markcr]

BTW, the real reason I signed up for a track day has nothing to do with becoming a better rider. I just want a cool picture taken for my avatar. :-)

[eeeeek]

I'll be there Saturday and Sunday, pitted in Garage #2. Drop by and introduce yourself.

[markcr]

Will do. Thanks!