Track Days... Moto Guzzi's

[Guest jedione68]

As above, plus I don't see the point of rushing round trying to disappear up my own chuff.  Boring with a capital B.  When I get on a bike, I want to improve my road riding skills (riding on a track won't do that) and go somewhere.

 

mike

71426[/snapback]

Again, the Giant pond between us gets ya off the hook.

 

But, if ya want to ride better on the street and to truely find all

the things our bikes can do to get ya out of a "Oh Crap!!!"

Then you sould look for one of your local track day clubs.

You'll come out ahead on the street.

 

Peace,

Jedi

[Guest jedione68]

Confidence may be improved but that is not an entirely good thing.

 

m

71429[/snapback]

Again, I've got to tell ya there's ALOT more to track

days then "I'm so FAST!"

 

Think about how many times on the street you've almost crashed

or gone off the road cause you (All of us) don't believe or trust your tires

so you go WAY WIDE on your turn and almost "Kiss the Pootch"

 

Or trying to stop for a truck or SHEEP (Nor. Eng.) and theres some sand or

water and you... CRASH.

 

All these things pulse much more become problems you'll solve better

after a couple of track day /schools.

 

"Life is about experence and growing" Can't hurt.

 

And if it was about going fast... well, I'd be on a Sushi rocket.

And BEER taste better after a track day.

 

Jedione---OUT

[Guest jedione68]

I think road riding will be improved. Talking from own experience.

71428[/snapback]

Paul,

Thanks for the back up.

Jedi

[Guest jedione68]

I did a track day at Cadwell with Hopp Rider Training, geared to the kind of skills that are transferable to the road, as well as having a free session for simple enjoyment of the track. Highly recommended. I had my Suzuki at the time, but am intending to book up another one for next year to give the V11 a go. Well worth it I say.

 

Hopp Rider Training

 

If anyone fancies coming with me, we can tie up a suitable date and book together.

71488[/snapback]

Thats what I'm talking about.

And we'll share stories of track days from one side of the pond to the other.

That would be great

 

Jedione

[Guest jedione68]

I have been wanting/intending to go to track day, only thing holding back so far is a good set leathers and apprehensiveness. I will probably do one with Club desmo with an employee from Moto Italiano this coming year. I think they often go to Buttonwillow. Keep us updated on any potential dates.

 

-Hal

71529[/snapback]

Good to hear! Club Desmo a nice gang. Ah little fast though!

But they have different groups and levels.

 

Keep me posted and I'll post dates as they come up.

 

Jedi---out

[Guest jedione68]

Hal,

 

Buy the best gear that you can afford.

 

 

I had purchased a Moto GP Kangaroo suit ($900) to use for track days and during my crash, the suit is damaged pretty badly.  Some of the seams did come apart and it was a blessing that there was no road rash other than on one elbow from the suit moving and the pressure point wearing through the Kangaroo leather (which is suppost to be three times more abrasion resistant than leather).  I am also a firm believer in the speed bump and will not go on the track with out one.

Next time out besides a new suit, I will be wearing more inner padding under the suit to protect the pelvic area. 

 

Anyone want to buy a used suit, just used for 1 1/2 days, broken in well

Also riding boots are another must.  I had the Sidi boots and they had scuffs in spots that I thought were impossible to scuff.  The body can really flex when it is forced to .

 

See you at the track soon,

                                      Mike

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Mike,

Glad your healing up well.

Look forward to seeing you at some of these events and get our little

Ghezzi together.

And have a happy holiday.

 

jedi

[RacerX]

Dates posted for Central/Nor Cal Guzzi riders; http://www.rideredshift.com/

[mike wilson]

Think about how many times on the street you've almost crashed

or gone off the road cause you (All of us) don't believe or trust your tires

so you go WAY WIDE on your turn and almost "Kiss the Pootch"

 

Or trying to stop for a truck or SHEEP (Nor. Eng.) and theres some sand or

water and you... CRASH.

 

All these things pulse much more become problems you'll solve better

after a couple of track day /schools.

 

 

I disagree. Those are all things that you will learn to deal with by training for riding on the road. _All_ of the people I know who are track day enthusiasts (not many, I agree) either do not ride on the road (so their prime motive for track days _is_ to see how fast they can go in a circle) or have had serious accidents where excess speed was a prime factor. To improve your road riding learn road riding skills, not track skills.

 

mike

[jihem]

To improve your road riding learn road riding skills, not track skills.

71571[/snapback]

 

hi

 

you may go on trackdays for several reasons, sure, but one of the benefits will be better confidence in yourself and that surely cannot be bad when riding...

 

one of the aspects you'll learn (more safely on a track than on the open roads) is to resist "survival instincts", these things one tend to do on a bike cos he/she thinks he/she is in danger: corner comes too quickly, bike too leaned over, basic fear, greasy roads, other (mis)users...

 

On a track, you can repeat actions and learn by experience in an environment that is much, much safer than an open road. you can show yourself what leaning angle is ok, or braking later is possible, you can experiment different techniques and aspects of cornering and braking and feel (re)assured on your own possibilities and realize your own limitations and possibilities and discover your limits without too much risk.

 

Self confidence gain from that will see you becoming a much better and assured rider, and if you find yourself in a delicate situation while riding on the open roads, the things learned on the tracks will not be questionned once you need to take a decision quickly, you would have learned it and integrate it while riding the track and that will leave you more attention available for interacting with dangerous situations occuring on the streets.

 

my two euros (after several trackdays and keith code books reading)

[Guest Nogbad]

I disagree.  Those are all things that you will learn to deal with by training for riding on the road.  _All_ of the people I know who are track day enthusiasts (not many, I agree) either do not ride on the road (so their prime motive for track days _is_ to see how fast they can go in a circle) or have had serious accidents where excess speed was a prime factor.  To improve your road riding learn road riding skills, not track skills.

 

mike

71571[/snapback]

 

I'm afraid I disagree with you. My Cadwell day did markedly improve my road riding because I was more confident in my bike's handling, and got to know what it felt like when pushed. Afterwards I didn't go any faster on the road, but was smoother, carried a little more corner speed so used the brakes less, and was a lot happier that there was plenty of reserve grip at my normal "old git" safety concious and legal road pace. In fact, the proof of the pudding was that I did 5 mpg better on the way home so the track day made me more environmentally friendly as well.

 

Familiarity with the handling of your bike is safest learned on track, and you will ride much more confidently within your increased limits of skill on the road after one.

 

A track day isn't about road skills like observation, traffic etc. It's about machine control skills, and you just can't push your personal envelope on the road in the same way you can on a track, and with good tuition, I don't think you are likely to crash. No one crashed on the Hopp day, and they have a very non-headbanging approach to track days if you read their site.

 

IMHO track riding is an invaluable part of acquiring a rounded and complete riding training and experience. I know I am better for it.

[mike wilson]

In fact, the proof of the pudding was that I did 5 mpg better on the way home so the track day made me more environmentally friendly as well.

 

Now _that's_ a bonus! I have great difficulty explaining to people the principle of conservation of momentum in respect to fuel economy. People who are just car drivers (generally) or who have little mechanical knowledge just don't get it at all.

 

mike

[Guzzirider]

Track days are really beneficial to road riders- its not just about going fast its more about improving your riding abilities- for example you brake a hell of a lot harder on the track in general than you do on the road and learning this skill can help you if you need to slam on the anchors quickly on the road.

 

And lets be honest about this - its a hell of a lot of fun thrashing your Guzzi around a nice circuit like Cadwell Park.

 

Guy

[Guest Nogbad]

Now _that's_ a bonus!  I have great difficulty explaining to people the principle of conservation of momentum in respect to fuel economy.  People who are just car drivers (generally) or who have little mechanical knowledge just don't get it at all.

 

mike

71578[/snapback]

 

Most people are dim or ill educated or both. This is the flaw in democracy as a concept.

[Guest Nogbad]

And lets be honest about this - its a hell of a lot of fun thrashing your Guzzi around a nice circuit like Cadwell Park.

 

Guy 

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So, are you coming?

[Guzzirider]

I am up for any Northern / Midlands / Scottish / Welsh track days this year provided they don't clash with my holiday or rallies.

 

My favourite circuit is Angelsey- very Guzzi friendly as it only has a short straight. I love Cadwell and Knockhill too.

 

Don't fancy Donnington (noise restrictions) or Brands (too far for me) but anywhere else I'm game for.

 

Did you have a specific date in mind, Nogbad?

 

 

Guy