Feel Like a Pro or similar services worth the premium for a first-time track day?

[flynnstigator]

I'm thinking of signing up for a track day before the weather turns cold, and I'm wondering if Feel Like a Pro or a similar company is worth the extra ~$300-400 compared to just buying the track day, attending the beginners meeting, and riding in the slow group? How much training and coaching do they provide vs going it alone?

I tend to be a naturally cautious rider and I've never needed to try and lick the asphalt to get a thrill on 2 wheels, so my odds of crashing are pretty low for a first-timer. However, I'm willing to pay the extra money if it will take significant amounts of headache and / or risk out of the equation.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Mostly they provide the bike

 

[N4teTheGreat]

They provide the bike, a place to pit, snacks, gas, etc. You just show up, gear up and ride.

The biggest benefit is if you wreck the bike, you pay a set insurance fee and walk away as opposed to wrecking your bike and having to figure out how to fix it up. Minor crashes won't ruin your day. It was nice peace of mind for me when I did it.

 

[R3DS!X]

It's a very cool setup. You just show up and they provide you with the bike and everything and you get to just leave once you're done. No setting up anything or packing things up. It's dope.

 

[NorCal Factory]

Ask them why they are worth it. They are often all booked and have many repeat customers.

A great way to start out the track experiment with a group all pitted together. They often ride together as well which is fun since everyone is on the same bike

 

[richbobby]

Hey Justin!

yeah, like has been said, they don't provide coaching. The trackday provider will have instructors available for first time riders and handle the "on track" side of the day. Z2 does a great job with first time riders, and FLAP runs with them pretty regularly.

my housemate did FLAP for his first day and had a blast. A lot less to worry about. Another thing to note, the FLAP fee does not cover track time, i.e. you still have to sign up for the track day with the provider.

hit me up if you decide to go (pm me if you don't have my cell)

 

[Starpower]

IMHO, I would use your daily ride for your 1st track day. You will be very conservative on your 1st outing and not likely crash. There is a lot to be said to getting the skills on your bike, the way your bike handles, accelerates, brakes and turns. I believe that knowing the limits on your daily ride is priceless. Once you have a handle on that check out the super fun FLAP bikes and experience!

 

[seadog]

Another thing to consider is that you don't have to figure out how to get your bike to the track. I saw a guy ride his bike to the track, crash on his first session and sit around the rest of the day waiting for the guy with a trailer to get his bike home.

Also regardless of how conservative you ride, sometimes you can be taken out by another rider. Haven't seen it in beginner (C, B-) groups but it happens.

You'll probably have a blast and end up getting a track bike anyway.

 

[R3DS!X]

Haven't seen it in beginner (C, B-) groups but it happens.

Oh I have. First time the two guys were pretty cool about it. The guy admitted fault and offered to help with the damages.

The other one was this cocky kid that took out this other guy and the other guy was pissed and the cocky kid? He was riding his friends bike that session opcorn

 

[BigRich]

FLAP is great, especially for Laguna...

 

[KazMan]

I would whole-heartedly recommend using a service like Feel Like a Pro.

If you decide to do a track day there are many logistics that become apparent:
-Transportation to/from track
-Tires and Tire Warmers if you get talked into warmers, you need power which could mean a generator.
-Fuel Ride the bike to pumps or buy a fuel jug
-Gear
-Spare parts (bars, pegs, levers, etc)
-Food / Hydration will need to bring a cooler
-Shade If you can't get under a canopy with someone else, you will need to/should purchase at minimum a 10x10 pop-up canopy.
-Folding Chair(s)
-Table It is nice to put your things (helmet/gloves) on a table instead of the ground, especially when it's hot. Also can make eating a bit easier.
-Stands if you feel you need to take side stand off for ground clearance. If you go this route, it's work to put your bike on/off stands.

With a service like FLAP, you throw your gear bag in the car, perhaps any special snacks or hydration you may want, and drive to the track. After a great day on track, you pack your gear, throw the bag in the car and leave.
The freedom from all the other logistics, quite possibly could make the first time more enjoyable and leave your brain open to taking in what the classes or instructors are providing at said track day provider as FLAP or other service will usually take care of fuel, tire pressures, placing bike on stands, shade, tables, chairs, etc.

If you don't go this route, I would highly recommend finding someone who is open to mentoring you on the first day so that you can get the lay of the land and logistics sorted instead of learning as you go in between sessions.

And if you happen to crash, you don't have to look at your bike in the rear view mirror sitting in the bed or the trailer and see the pictures on social media when you get home :laughing I partly kid about this, but many of us have had our moment in the limelight on the way home.

Just my thoughts as a former customer of FLAP.

 

[ThinkFast]

I did my first ever track day on my Harley Dynaglide, complete with wide bars, saddle bags and forward controls. Had a blast.

Most of the trackday providers offer some light coaching via their control riders. Just ask when you register and they can tell you about it (or they usually mention it on their website).

FLAP is great, as others have already pointed out. I just did my first day with them a couple weeks ago and had a great experience with them. Very professional; very well run; great set up and amenities; highly recommend for anyone wanting an "arrive and ride" experience.

Given what you've said about your conservative approach to riding, you might find that signing up for a track-based riding course would be a good investment for you. I don't have a recent list of who offers these. In the past there were offerings like Reg Pridmore and Mystery School. These were aimed at non-racers and focused on learning riding skills in a controlled environment. They include classroom instruction, on-track instructors and individual attention during lapping sessions, and even video critiquing.

Here's a list from 2009. Might be a good start, anyways: https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rider/motorcycle-riding-schools-and-racing-organizations/

 

[ThinkFast]

Actually, not Mystery school - that's dirt school. CLASS is Reg Pridmore's school. check out their website - lots of info there on what that's all about. I've never taken it - but friends have and they thought it was great.

 

[Frame Maker]

IMHO, I would use your daily ride for your 1st track day. You will be very conservative on your 1st outing and not likely crash. There is a lot to be said to getting the skills on your bike, the way your bike handles, accelerates, brakes and turns. I believe that knowing the limits on your daily ride is priceless. Once you have a handle on that check out the super fun FLAP bikes and experience!

This is a very good point. A very long time ago I attended California Superbike School. I was very excited for my first track experience. Unfortunately I found riding a bike that was not mine to be a completely foreign experience and never felt like I really got a good taste for going fast. A month later I was back at the same track on my own bike (which was smaller and should have been much slower) and immediately I was riding at least 5 seconds/lap faster just by being on a bike I was familiar with.

So I would take into account the similarities and differences between what you normally ride and the bikes provided.

 

[NoTraffic]

This is a very good point. A very long time ago I attended California Superbike School. I was very excited for my first track experience. Unfortunately I found riding a bike that was not mine to be a completely foreign experience and never felt like I really got a good taste for going fast. A month later I was back at the same track on my own bike (which was smaller and should have been much slower) and immediately I was riding at least 5 seconds/lap faster just by being on a bike I was familiar with.

So I would take into account the similarities and differences between what you normally ride and the bikes provided.

Yep, I would say being on your own bike takes a lot of jitters out of the equation as well. Knowing how your bike handles is an advantage and an even greater benefit when you're back on the street after doing a trackday.