thinking about track only

[kyles here]

so after yesterdays td at Thill im seriously thinking about quit riding street for a while. this was only my 4th td but it was definately the fastest i have ever rode and i know with more seat time i could only get faster. since ive been to the track riding street isnt as fun anymore. im only 20 but have rode street for 2 years and theres just too many things to worry about...cops, cagers, whats around the next turn, animals, gravel etc. im thiking about making my bike track only and even getting my license this year. i know theres been a lot of you in my siutaion and would just like your :2cents

[Sane_Man]

Originally posted by kyles here
so after yesterdays td at Thill im seriously thinking about quit riding street for a while. this was only my 2nd td but it was definately the fastest i have ever rode and i know with more seat time i could only get faster. since ive been to the track riding street isnt as fun anymore. im only 20 but have rode street for 2 years and theres just too many things to worry about...cops, cagers, whats around the next turn, animals, gravel etc. im thiking about making my bike track only and even getting my license this year. i know theres been a lot of you in my siutaion and would just like your :2cents


Uh-Oh . . .

Sounds like you have a case of Fr0ng-itis. :wow


I've alerted Rossi. :p



:Popcorn :2cents

[kyles here]

wait i mean 4th td not 2nd ppl:laughing

[Port4mance]

You already got the numbers, you might as well start racing. :thumbup

[SPZ510]

Unless you want to be the ultimate backmarker you better get into A group and run towards the front. If you check AFM results/lap times, even the average A group rider is a backmarker. Me included, and I feel very comfortable in A group. So get a TDTP and get some serious seat time and lots of help. Come to A group. If you pass me, consider yourself still along way to go to be midpack!




Before I get flamed, I said "average" A group rider. Yes I know Hill and Earnest are out there so obviously those guys and me, being on the slower side, are spreading the spectrum quite a bit.:laughing

[kyles here]

i was doing a fast b pace so probably after my next td ill move to A. i think next time going to try and work with someone the entire day

[afm199]

Go to the A group when your skill level reaches A level. PTT A groups are very very fast A groups, 2:08 at Thill and below. Don't move up because you think you are fast, ride in the group you are capable of riding in.

[Yody]

If you got the money might as well. I personally like riding on the street because its good recreation for me. After work on a sunny day I love to get on my bike and go for a ride.

However I would love to do more and more trackdays and be able to just relax on the street.

BTW you were definetly moving out there yesterday. Just be careful though, you are pretty damn fast for only 4 trackdays. I personally think that you should start getting some instruction as you have the speed and look smooth but with only a handfull of trackdays under your belt you want to be careful. I kjnow when people tell you that you might be going too fast it sounds like they are haters or jealous but it is for a reason.

[kyles here]

yea next time i do want to try to ride with an instructor the whole day

[SPZ510]

The main reason I discourage going racing with so little track experience is due to the 80+ rider grid for 600SB. It increases the safety hazard and reduces the overrall enjoyment of the race. I know you are having fun out there and feel your going fast, and that's great, but you don't want to be a hazard to yourself and others. Your doing fine with trackdays, so stay with that maybe another season until you can run A group and do more passing than being passed. And just because you might pass NRS someday does'nt mean anything either. I passed, and if you look at my times, I would still be come in 9th or 10th in the Open Production race out of 12 riders.

[kyles here]

so then should i just get more seat time doing td or should i do some schools?

[Yody]

Just be a trackday hard-on :)

BTW post a picture

[kyles here]

i didnt buy them so i cant and you cant right click on them:rant

[afmotorsports]

Originally posted by SPZ510
The main reason I discourage going racing with so little track experience is due to the 80+ rider grid for 600SB.

:wtf Would you care to point out when/where you have EVER seen 80+ riders on a grid??? (hint: the rulebook would never allow a grid that size and the most riders the AFM starts at one time is 65... and even that hasn't happened in years afaik)

It's great to get tracktime under your belt before going racing, but let's not exaggerate how "scary" roadracing really is. And for us "old timers" who started racing before trackdays even existed... we somehow managed to survive even when the Saturday New Racer School was our first 1-2 hours EVER on a racetrack and the next day we were tossed in at the deep end, with all the fastest riders in the club.

Have fun doing trackdays and when/if you feel like coming out to the races, there is a novice-friendly Clubman race on Saturday afternoon so you can try out roadracing and see if it's for you. :thumbup

Major kudos to "kyles here" for being smart enough to realize he shouldn't ride like a lunatic on public roads and he's safer at the track if he's going to ride hard. I can't say that all of us were that smart at the age of 20... :shhh

[Yody]

Since you are going to be buying the pictures anyway here you go;
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5655/mf1a1178cr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5241/mf1a2366wr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[kyles here]

wtf how did you do that? are you like napolean dynamtie? computer hacking skills

[Yody]

What Mr. I'm so fast on my fourth trackday can't figure out how to click and drag a picture? Lol!

[kyles here]

shut up mr 14 :p

[ZXR400SP]

I started racing after my second trackday, more would have been better. :)

I also gave up riding on the street and sold my streetbike last year too, as I didn't enjoy it compared to my time on the track.

[Yody]

Originally posted by kyles here
shut up mr 14 :p

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=198793
:x :laughing

[SPZ510]

Originally posted by afmotorsports
:wtf Would you care to point out when/where you have EVER seen 80+ riders on a grid??? (hint: the rulebook would never allow a grid that size and the most riders the AFM starts at one time is 65... and even that hasn't happened in years afaik)

It's great to get tracktime under your belt before going racing, but let's not exaggerate how "scary" roadracing really is. And for us "old timers" who started racing before trackdays even existed... we somehow managed to survive even when the Saturday New Racer School was our first 1-2 hours EVER on a racetrack and the next day we were tossed in at the deep end, with all the fastest riders in the club.

Have fun doing trackdays and when/if you feel like coming out to the races, there is a novice-friendly Clubman race on Saturday afternoon so you can try out roadracing and see if it's for you. :thumbup

Major kudos to "kyles here" for being smart enough to realize he shouldn't ride like a lunatic on public roads and he's safer at the track if he's going to ride hard. I can't say that all of us were that smart at the age of 20... :shhh

Was'nt there 83 riders on the grid just this last race at BW. Did'nt they have to start with two grids? I was'nt there but did hear about it from someone who was. Either way, how many crashes is too much in that class? I realize the more members in AFM the more money they take in but at what point do we start qualifying these people? Personally I think that the NRS is way to easy to pass and given my speed I should have never been given the green light. I mean please, back then I was running a 2:17 at Thill on a R1 and the midpack lap at that time was a 2:06 for open production. To me that should'nt happen, that's too much of a difference in lap time. Now about Kyles.....I think he needs to figure out what he's running and see how it compares to AFM records and how far he is away from a midpack pace and go from there. I'm not saying he should'nt go track only I'm just saying he should think twice about competing until he can compete. As far as track only?:applause

[rumblephish]

there's a lot of good advice in this thread fo ra newbie track day goer.

my 2 cents....


Get a few more track days under your belt. What someone said about moving to "A" group because you've gained the skill, not just the speed is the best advice here, bar none. just cause you're fast doesn't mean you're "A" group matierial (especially with PTT). After looking at your pic's, you definately have good body position and good angle, but there's a lot more to it than that. Having said that, some riders are just blessed with good skill and others have to work at it. Maybe you should spend the rest of this season working up to the "A" group. Only worry about lap times when you're ready to race. If you start pushing to shave that extra second or two off your lap times you'll only be setting yourself up for a nice little crash. And trust me... crashing sucks. :)

[rumblephish]

oh, and BTW...


a big +1 from me as far as being a "track only" rider.

I quit riding street after my 3rd trackday and haven't looked back since. Find a trackday provider your comfortable with (may I recommend ZoomZoom :teeth ) or ride a few of them.

having said that, riding track is an expensive proposition. Save your pennies or do what I did. Take the money you would pay for insurance on your bike and purchase a ticket pak with it. It really hasn't cost me much more to become a track whore.


except for tires


and brakes


and parts



and gas



and an EZ-up, trailer, stands, ect.....




:teeth

[afm199]

Originally posted by SPZ510
Was'nt there 83 riders on the grid just this last race at BW. Did'nt they have to start with two grids? I was'nt there but did hear about it from someone who was.

exactly (I wasn't there but heard a rumor)

http://www.afmracing.org/downloads/results/2007/bw-0307.html

[kyles here]

Originally posted by rumblephish
Find a trackday provider your comfortable with (may I recommend ZoomZoom :teeth ) or ride a few of them.


ive done 2 with them but ptt fits my schedule better right now since i have sundays and mondays off

[SPZ510]

Originally posted by afm199
exactly (I wasn't there but heard a rumor)

http://www.afmracing.org/downloads/results/2007/bw-0307.html


Ok, so 53.
You don't think that's an over crowded grid? You can nit pick facts but the fact that there have been multiple grids for the same race remain. And this is something I have seen first hand. I also heard there were some big wrecks down there, is that also false??? Did 600SB start with multiple grids?
Kyles......go for it. Your ready. Just pin it from the get go and try to pass everyone in the first turn! It's so easy a caveman can do it!:laughing

[CykoKlr]

You can start racing anytime you want. That's what Clubman is for. If you don't make the times to compete on Sunday you wont.

I started racing before I moved up to the A group at track days. I dropped my times faster than ever once I started racing too. In the 600 classes there is always someone to race with too whether your in the back or the middle. I started at the back of the grid and ended the year in the middle. That was more than I thought would happen. My times also dropped way more than I expected at Thill.

One more thing to think about. Just one race at 6-8 laps was more exausting then two trackdays in a row is.

[afm199]

Originally posted by SPZ510
Ok, so 53.
You don't think that's an over crowded grid? You can nit pick facts but the fact that there have been multiple grids for the same race remain. And this is something I have seen first hand. I also heard there were some big wrecks down there, is that also false??? Did 600SB start with multiple grids?
Kyles......go for it. Your ready. Just pin it from the get go and try to pass everyone in the first turn! It's so easy a caveman can do it!:laughing

Are you an AFM member? The AFM website has all the info. That way you can tell the truth instead of rumors

http://www.afmracing.org/webforums/viewtopic.php?t=2757

There were 15? crashes sunday with no ambulance transports. I have been to trackdays with that many crashes and an AIR EVAC.

Yes large fields with start with two WAVES, not grids. Learn your terminology. There are also waves in mixed races.

If you want to race in a 30 bike class, then basically convince the club to vote on that and also double fees. Why do you think there are 55 bike grids?


If you want to know what happened go to the AFM forum and read about it, don't listen to rumors.

[Yody]

Why does everyone in the AFM argue with each other? lol

[afm199]

Originally posted by yody
Why does everyone in the AFM argue with each other? lol

What else is there to do if there is no racing?

[SPZ510]

Originally posted by yody
Why does everyone in the AFM argue with each other? lol

It's not arguing, it's a friendly discussion.
I'm not parking it in the corners, I'm squaring them off.
I did'nt crash, it was a spectacular track exit.
Back when I raced there was no "waves" as you call it, in the same class. And how did you get this discussion off on this tangent anyways. Terminology???? Who care what you call it, if you know what I'm talking about. That's like me seeing you in person and calling out your screen name and you not recognizing your own name.:laughing
Things have changed quite a bit since I was there, but the fact that much slower guys are out there with faster guys is still something to worry about. I can remember getting clipped in T10 at Sears Point by, I think, Michael Ernest on one of my first races. Back then they had a Formula EZ class for all the first year riders. That's where I should have stayed, instead of trying to keep up with the AFM top 10. Which at that time I thought I could! Talk about stupid! So I'm just trying to give this guy some advise based on what I went through. ;)

[Yody]

I think Frong......er I mean Kyle should stick with the trackdays for a little bit more:twofinger, but whats funny is that opinions on racing are about as diverse as opinions on race tires. You hear something different everytime you talk to someone

[sparky80]

I'm just glad that I wasn't up there with my bike. We've have to fight over the #24 number... I've been running that on EVERYTHING i own for the last 10 years.

I'm faster... so I win... :D

[Razor]

Hey, does anyone want to actually answer the poor guy's question?

He mentioned giving up the street and riding track only. The whole racing thing is a potential, but his main question was whether to give up the STREET.

I gave up riding the street 8 months ago to basically only ride on the track about once a month. For the most part, riding on the track is enough, but I do miss riding on the street once in a while. Especially when the weather turns nice (like now), and you see all the motorcyclists come out.

[SPZ510]

Yes, the question was answered, and congradulated for making a wise desision. He will be better off for it. I can't wait to meet him out there and do a few laps with him and know that there is a young guy out there willing to learn. I hope to see him on a podium someday!!!

[Hoologan]

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5241/mf1a2366wr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Fuckin' A, looking good bro!:applause

[Dar25]

Steet riding is still fun for occasional social group rides and some scenic cruising on a comfier bike. :laughing

Nice pics btw!

[kyles here]

i think ill just do td this year and get more experience under my belt

[norcalzx10r]

OK, enough talk. Let's start signing up for more TD's :teeth
PTT 16APR?

[Yody]

Originally posted by norcalzx7r
OK, enough talk. Let's start signing up for more TD's :teeth
PTT 16APR?
Infineon april 26th :teeth

[kyles here]

Originally posted by yody
Since you are going to be buying the pictures anyway here you go;
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5655/mf1a1178cr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/5241/mf1a2366wr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

i found pics of a td from last year, same turns:laughing



last year
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/kylesr6/10.jpg

last year
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/kylesr6/25.jpg

[jimmyt89]

nice pics Kyle...which I could have gone. Good thing I didn't becuase I now have more bills than expected.

[norcalzx10r]

Railing baby.... looking and going gooood:applause
When's the next TD?

[uraniaclio]

First and last time someone told me I was fast was when I was in the pit with ice packs all over my body after blowing t-1 at T-hill my 3rd day there. I had passed something like 10 bikes the lap before and feeling great. And then I binned the very next turn. One of the guys I passed stopped and asked, "What happened? You were going so fast." In hindsight it was a crash waiting to happen. Didnt really know what I was doing.

I looked at your pics and u do look very good. But it's good to be patient. Try one of the schools. I did Keigwin's novice last year and doing intermediate this year along with another 10-11 track days. You mgiht even be fine in one of the club racer schools which I was too chicken to try. Also, I've noticed that Infineon groups tend to be better than T-Hill groups on average. I've done 2 at Infineon and 4 at t-Hill and riders are better at Infineon. Some of the B+ guys were riding in B- at Infineon and they were talking about how fast the B+ group was.


Regarding riding track only, do it if you can afford it. I dont dig the street so much either but I need seat time any which way I can get and 12 track days just isnt enough for me. I decided to chill and just tool around rather than riding the twisties as if I were on a track.

I think we pitted next to each other last year. You look really good. Keep it up.

EDIT: Also, find someone to split the cost with. Stuff like gas, towing, lodging, food can add up.

[kyles here]

Originally posted by norcalzx7r
Railing baby.... looking and going gooood:applause
When's the next TD?
im thinking the 16th, you down?

[Hoologan]

Originally posted by kyles here
im thinking the 16th, you down?

Bow chicka bow now, you can show me around Thill.