How long before a track day?

[lt720]

Hello BARF!

I finally got my m1 license and have my heart set on tracking my bike (use to track my m3!). Obviously going to get comfortable in a parking lot/street for awhile but how long did you guys wait before your first track day?!

 

[budman]

I think you don’t have to wait long. Basic good moto control and a little common sense can provide an enlightening experience.

If you can hold an solid line and not do crazy shit the track will be a huge benefit.

 

[sckego]

I'd say a thousand miles or so, including a decent amount of time in at least mild twisties. Be able to keep up with normal speed of traffic on say 9 or 84. I'm all for getting out to the track as soon as possible, but I've seen people out there who weren't getting more than 5* off vertical, literally CRAWLING through turns... Like they would have been severly holding up traffic on any curvy road. They definitely could have used more street experience before heading out to the racetrack.

 

[motomania2007]

Go to a ZoomZoom (Z2) trackday and take their Roadrider 2.0 as it is intended to get you ready for a trackday.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I went when I had roughly 1,000 miles.

I saw that you posted about going to American supercamp. I'd go there before hitting a track day. That's just my two cents.

However, if you can do both then you should.

 

[Honey Badger]

The Road Rider class is a great way to: a) hone your basic riding skills and b) gauge if you're ready for a track day next. Plus, it's cheaper than a track day and doesn't have the same gear/bike requirements of a track day.

Before that, agreed that basic skills and being able to (generally) go the posted and suggested speed limits on clean, twisty roads is about right.

Doing it sooner rather than later can help save you from spending the better part of a couple years just breaking bad habits (speaking from experience....)

 

[FXCLM5]

Track is not for everyone, I brought a buddy along, made him get full gear, did his first track day and that was it.

He had like 30k under his belt already too.

 

[jmhamilton68]

Check out Z2’s road rider and then their novice group. Lots of classroom instruction and a lot of instructors to work with you on track.

 

[Starpower]

All suggestions stated are good for experience and Honey Badger gave perhaps the best advice -

"Doing it sooner rather than later can help save you from spending the better part of a couple years just breaking bad habits (speaking from experience....)"

 

[Butch]

Ah, the wisdom of the BARF.
The track will give you a new perspective of the street. It could very well save your life.

So yeah, as soon as the training wheels are off.

 

[Thantos]

Go to a ZoomZoom (Z2) trackday and take their Roadrider 2.0 as it is intended to get you ready for a trackday.

This. Do the RoadRider 2.0 with Z2 and you'll be set.

Edit: Do it now, it'll save your ass on the street too.

 

[DirtyD]

If you've done track days in your M3 then you already know the track. So once your bike control skills are up to par, you should be very comfortable on the track. Basically if you're comfortable with pushing the front a little and sliding the rear tire on a dirt bike, and wheelies and jumping is no big deal, you're ready for some road course track events. You'll still have a steep learning curve but you should at least be safe.

 

[lt720]

Thanks all! Can’t wait to get through the learning curve

 

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks all! Can’t wait to get through the learning curve

Lemme know when you think YOU are ready.... if we are there you are welcome to pit/hang with us. There are C-groups and B- groups for a reason. We are happy to help you get your track-legs. If I didn’t have help, I wouldn’t have gone ever, and at this point, this IS what I love.

Go sooner rather than later.
Learn to ignore the BS.
You will be fine, and will be a better street rider because of it.
Lemme know...I’ll help where I can.