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Think you are fast????

budman

budman

General Menace
Staff member
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Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Location
Menlo Park, Ca.
Moto(s)
Keep me rocking life
Name
Budman
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AMA Life Member #203453
First.. as a new rider the street is not where you prove it... this is where you prove it.
Z2 Trackdays
Pacific Track Time
Carters at the Track
Fun Track Dayz
TrackDaz

Think you are REALLY FAST...??
Then here is where you prove it. AFM

Getting a motorcycle can stir your soul. When you find speed stirs it more because it is as easy as twisting the throttle you need to get your brain in the game. What is not easy for most beginners is knowing the right place to really twist it as safely as possible. The places above are the answer.

In the Bay Area we have wonderful roads that twist and turn and provide dopamine to your brain and makes you feel awesome when you feel the two wheel flow. I have been loving that flow for more than 50 years.

The problem is that these roads have lots of hazards that are not always in your direct line of sight or thought unless you have been doing this for a long long time and are still alive to talk about it and even then.... Shit can happen.

Driveways, road debris, blind turns, bicycles, cages doing their thing and dumb things, wildlife and more all add up to making the streets a very dangerous place to find out if you are really fast or to just chase thrills.

Add in the factor that you are a nuisance to the residents both in terms of noise and danger. Sometimes them having to be involved in saving your ass when you fall down you might as well throw all respect out the window.

Motorcyclist have been branded as bad boys by society for a long time and whether you know it or not YOU represent ALL of us.

Shit can happen when you are just riding chill, but when you throw in aggression that may or may not be matched with skill and the unknown of situations the chance you might not make it home from the ride are increased dramatically.

Seasoned sport touring riders know that there are places you can enjoy a better flow and the joy of riding, but those places are not heavily populated like the Bay Area twisties are and the dangers are diminished because of that. Risk is still there of course, but it takes time to learn where those are and why they are not as dangerous.

Riding a motorcycle is risky period.

TRACKDAYS allow you to experience the performance of your motorcycle in a mostly controlled environment with medical aid onsite and once you experience that environment you will KNOW how crazy our mountain roads really are. The amount of your concentration to navigate those compared to a race track is immense!

PLUS.. they will enhance your skillset greatly!!
PLUS.. You will have a blast!!!!!!!!

We are lucky to have access to a lot of tracks and really good trackday providers.
It takes some money, but not crazy money and the price of a ticket is near or more than signing up.

There is a good chance falling off at a racetrack will not bring serious injury.
* No cars
* Everyone going the same direction
* Flaggers to warn you about dangerous conditions
* An Ambulance and EMT's waiting should you need help

There is a good chance that falling off on the street will bring serious injury... or kill you.
* Collisions
* Run off that includes trees, cliffs, ditches, boulders etc.
* Emergency response times that are very extended
* No flagger to warn you of an oil spill, deer or stalled car etc.

I know well that railing on a bike is a huge fun and being in control of one at speed really makes you feel good. The goal is always to make it home. Using your brain is the best way to make that happen. You are the 1Rider than can help you do that.
 
And there are folks like me.

Who are not fast.

Who don't really go fast.

Who don't really say "boy, I'm not going fast enough".

Somehow I managed to get into riding without the "go fast, take chances" gene.

So, anecdotally, with a sample of 1, its "ok" to "not be fast".

I like my chicken strips with BBQ sauce.
 
This was inspired by the Town Hall meeting and seeing the angst that the locals are feeling.
Also, as a 40 year veteran of riding in the area I know things have changed substantially and really hope that the local "hot shoes" take it to the track and ultimately I would love to see some go racing. My time in the AFM is treasured as some of the best times in my life.

There is nothing like the feeling of being a racer and once you do go racing railing on the street on roads like 84, 35 and 9 seems a bit silly or stupid.
 
Regarding being FAST... "This idea that there might be something that hurts you, something terrible that's just out of range. But when you know not to get too close to the fire, you can play in its light. And that light is bright" FortNine
 
I’m neither fast nor slow. The more variables, the chiller I ride. Crashing sucks and I aim to be like water through rocks with the cars.

All that said, I love track days!!!! They’ve made me a safer rider on the street. If you think about it, a track day is about the cost of a performance award. 🥇
 
I certainly hope that we can help in some way. One thing to consider is that being a student is a voluntary position. People will only learn when they are open to it, when they want to. I hope that the message will be accepted by those riders that need it. I fear that many will only react after receiving a performance award.
 
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