Track days - best way to get started

[CaptainSlow]

Dakkon said:

tjlazer said:

A cheap way if you're an IAM member is to do one of their skills days. They cost about 150 quid but as these are skill based you can use road kit, one guy turned up to thruxton on his thruxton with lace up hipster riding boots and jeans...no problem! There is technically a speed limit, which of course is fully observed by all throughout, it being about road safety and all The instruction was not bad and they let you do your own thing if you want.

I mentioned this earlier, I did a TVAM one at Castle Combe and there was never any mention of a speed limit.

I'd be surprised if CC let someone go out wearing jeans.

[TurbosSuck]

robinh73 said:

I think that the main thing is to not overthink all this. Personally, I would book a track day, hire a bike with Smallboy and get out and see how you find it. If you feel you need instruction, then seek out an instructor on the day. If you want to hone your skills further, then look at one of the school days. Get yourself the right kit over the winter and then throw yourself in to it next year. Don't be worried about doing it on your own, it is the most friendly of things and you will be surrounded by people willing to help.

Sounds like good advice. I think I'm going to try and do the Hopp rider training for one day as its near to me and good value, and failing that I will be jumping straight in with a hire bike.

In terms of kit, is there anything I should be looking out for? I will be going with full leathers and a back protector, and I will also need a better helmet, boots and gloves. I had a quick look on Sports Bike Shop and reckon I can get it all for just under a grand. Sound reasonable? Is RST Tractech stuff okay?

[robinh73]

TurbosSuck said:

robinh73 said:

I think that the main thing is to not overthink all this. Personally, I would book a track day, hire a bike with Smallboy and get out and see how you find it. If you feel you need instruction, then seek out an instructor on the day. If you want to hone your skills further, then look at one of the school days. Get yourself the right kit over the winter and then throw yourself in to it next year. Don't be worried about doing it on your own, it is the most friendly of things and you will be surrounded by people willing to help.

Sounds like good advice. I think I'm going to try and do the Hopp rider training for one day as its near to me and good value, and failing that I will be jumping straight in with a hire bike.

In terms of kit, is there anything I should be looking out for? I will be going with full leathers and a back protector, and I will also need a better helmet, boots and gloves. I had a quick look on Sports Bike Shop and reckon I can get it all for just under a grand. Sound reasonable? Is RST Tractech stuff okay?

I would say that you will get out on track with all your kit for about a grand. One thing I would invest in is a decent helmet. Not just for the obvious crash protection, but in terms of misting up and general feel on your head. Some heads suit certain helmets. I swear by Shoei as they work for me, but also have superb ventilation. A friend has had a couple of AGVs and the venting on them is worse than useless. He has to have a cable tie fastened to prevent the visor from closing entirely to allow fresh air to clear the visor surface. Not good. Also (and this is just my opinion) but avoid helmets with the flip down internal darkened visor/sunglasses malarkey. I would be waiting for the damn thing to drop down mid corner or something. Have a look at these guys for gear too: https://www.fc-moto.de/en/Motorcycle
RST stuff is fine. I had a pair of their gloves but literally wore them once as the carbon knuckle protector dug into my hand so badly I was losing braking. Again, this is just me, but make sure you try on lots of pairs and see how they feel in an actual riding position when on a bike, not just the overall fit, but when your hand is wrapped around the throttle, is it comfy? Can you do 2 finger braking in them? That sort of stuff.

[Berz]

Speaking of Hopp, the dates for next year have been announced and can be booked from 1st Dec.