Complete n00b - Trackday Questions!

Hi all,

Currently even just on a normal paced / fast rideout, I'm not the most confident of riders in the corners. Don't get me wrong I enjoy them and love riding just I always feel as though my bike could do alot better than my own capability!

I'm looking to get a Daytona 675 at some point during the summer,

But now I'm debating whether to just keep my current bike and try a trackday on it. If I really enjoy it (most likely) I am then thinking of buying an older bike purely for track fun, and having a daytona for road riding.. or is this all getting a bit too much lol.

I'm from Bucks, near to High Wycombe. So south. Wondering if anyone could reccomend any decent tracks local to me? All I have heard is Brands Hatch but even that is a bit of a trek. (If I'm riding there and trackday'ing it, to then ride home I'd be shattered hahaha.

Cheers,
Tom

 

We aren't blessed with tracks mate tbh.
Silverstone is close and a great track for beginners

 

Depends what you currently ride?

I had an SV prior to the Daytona and thought I was at the limits on some rides. Did a track day on it and oh how wrong I was!

Doing a track day will help you learn so much about your current bike that might make you want to stick with it.

When I did my first track day on the SV I learnt a lot. Enough to make it more enjoyable on a weekend bimble or blast.

However I always felt something lacking which showed up the SV on the straights. It didn't have the grunt and felt slow on the straights. Corners were immense.

Eventually I ended up deciding I wanted to do more track days (beware this is a common affliction) and decided to get a Daytona.

More than enough for the roads and definitely enough for my skills on a track.

Done 2 days on the Daytona and learnt a lot from it. Still lots to learn!!!

I will give a bit of caution/advice, if your bike is your main or only form of transport carefully consider what you will do if you bin it on track. Can you repair it quickly and can you get around if not. The second part is, whilst many people do ride to and from trackdays, I would highly recommend a van if you can. If anything happens and you crash you likely won't be able to get home yourself let alone the bike.

Also, having a van means you can take any extra stuff you may need, food and drink, fuel, even a chair!

I have a couple of mate that I go with so we all split the costs of the van and fuel etc also means we have 3 drivers that can get us home, again thinking of the worst.

Worry mongering aside, the Daytona will be good for both road and track, unless you can afford to keep both that is

 

Oh and also, Rockingham is where I have been going, that is a trek from way down south, but found it a good track to start on!

 

Nice one, thanks!

Silverstone is right next to Buckingham, which is where I ride to pretty much every ride for the A413 from Aylesbury.. love that road.

I'll try and find out some more information - Is the beginner class for actual beginners? Like I'm going to be really, really bad lol. Do I just rock up once booked and go from there?

 

No limits are pretty good, they have 3 groups, the novice group is for newbies and those less experienced.

They also have instructors there that you can ask for help and advice.

The other alternative you have is to do a track day school. Can't ever remember his name but there is an ex racer who does one at Donnington I think?

Or there is something on this forum which is aimed at first timers, Black and White I think it is.

 

Thanks Pyro, ah yes, Rockingham is 2 hours away from me.

I currently ride a Honda Hornet (CB600) 07' new shape. It certainly pulls my arms off at 60-77* Mph officer.

Luckily my bike is not my form of transport, it's purely there for fun and sunny weekends for me.

I doubt I will be able to get a van (insurance & 22) as I already have a car and have nearly got 2 cars as I want another haha. I could certainly look into getting a bike trailer and dedicated track bike though, that way I won't need to worry about tax etc.

I wouldn't want to bin a new shiny Daytona if I do get one!

 

Sweet, cheers. Oh yes I have seen that oh what's the name! I remember seeing it on CB500's if I remember correctly!

Interesting I'll find Black and White then ! Thanks mate.

 

Thinking positive.: https://www.675.cc/675/threads/forum-trackday-2016-cadwell-park-monday-13th-june.28995/
Perfect opportunity.?

 

Yea just book a track day mate day mate and you will never look back

 

^^ what he said. Enjoy it. Be selective on the advice you follow too, there's lots of Valentino Rossis out there who will give you advice. Do what works for you

 

Oh apart from this, don't slow right down on the exit of the last corner on to the straight

 

Hi Mate, Like you i have never been on track. I am thinking of doing this Skill day at Brands Hatch.
http://www.msvtrackdays.com/bike/calendar/2016/april/20-bh-kfrs.aspx
From what i have read it doesn't sound like a full track day. You go out with IAM observers in the morning and in the afternoon you get two 20 mins sessions on the track. And its cheap as well for only £44.

 

I have a street triple for the road and Daytona for the track - I've been riding 10 years but am nowhere near being a fast rider. Interestingly I had a go on a street triple on track last year and was noticeably quicker and more confident than on the Daytona. This year's challenge is to conquer the Daytona

 

Just get a day booked and go try it. Most people have done their first Trackday on their road bike. Id' suggest rockingham as a good track for a first timer but I'm prob biased as its 8 miles from me . It's plenty wide enough. I didn't do silverstone until after I'd done quite a few trackdays and I felt quite daunting to me but as you know no different it may be ok for you. Good luck hopefully see you out there

 

Some great advice so far.

I'm sounding like a broken record these days but as you are a complete beginner I'd recommend the Black and White Novice Trackdays at Cadwell Park. Yes a bit of a hike for you but you will learn so much in a great environment with great people including me
Some people find just rocking up at their first trackday quite an intimidating experience. We do it all in a nice relaxed atmosphere. And you get free cake too. A couple of the lads have done days with Black and White. We must be doing something right, they're coming back this year
Paul, the Boss (@Sideshow Pob ) is on here. Feel free to give him a shout and he'll take you through what's involved. Tell him I sent you.

Of course you could just rock up at a track for your first time. There's nothing wrong with that. You'll be fine in the novice group and make sure to use the instructors, that's what they're there for. Either way you'll have a blast.

 

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies - really helpful!

Appreciate that Bob. Is there a way I could use a hire bike for that course as google says for me it's 152 miles, 3 hours 17 minutes to Cadwell.

Sounds really good though, perfect for someone like me!

If not I'll look at some similar courses on some more local tracks.

Cheers all.
Tom

 

Hi Tommy, yes Paul does have a couple of hire bikes. There's a CBR600RR and GSX-R750.
Honestly, just give him a call for a chat, he'll answer all your questions.

The CBR goes very well

 

Is wheelying up the mountain part of the B&W course TDB, or just an extra tuition offering from you.?