ThinkFast
Live Long
I didn’t start doing track days until I was in my 40s. After a year of that I decided to go racing with CCS in the Midwest. Bought an SV and had at it. Took a few regional championships my first season, and a 3rd at Daytona nationals that first year. So, yeah, it was fun - high point of my life up to that time, to be honest (still sort of is).
So what did I learn?
1. If you feel the need to do this, then do it.
2. Don’t go to a track day and crash. Crashing sucks. Save it for racing. There’s no excuse for crashing during a track day.
3. Bikes aren’t fast - riders are. If you want to go faster, spend the money on the wing nut that holds the clip-ons. (Love the Troy Corser anecdote - hadn’t heard that one before. I knew Troy - used to ride with his dad. That’s another story).
4. Be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish - during each session; at each track day; and over the course of a season. Or just screw all that and go out and have fun. Your choice.
5. Someone once said that track day riding and racing makes heroin addiction seem like a vague desire for something salty. I’ve never done heroin, but I think they knew what they were talking about.
6. Start small - an SV or less is a great way to go. Better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
So what did I learn?
1. If you feel the need to do this, then do it.
2. Don’t go to a track day and crash. Crashing sucks. Save it for racing. There’s no excuse for crashing during a track day.
3. Bikes aren’t fast - riders are. If you want to go faster, spend the money on the wing nut that holds the clip-ons. (Love the Troy Corser anecdote - hadn’t heard that one before. I knew Troy - used to ride with his dad. That’s another story).
4. Be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish - during each session; at each track day; and over the course of a season. Or just screw all that and go out and have fun. Your choice.
5. Someone once said that track day riding and racing makes heroin addiction seem like a vague desire for something salty. I’ve never done heroin, but I think they knew what they were talking about.
6. Start small - an SV or less is a great way to go. Better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
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