My novice bike journey after 40, starting in Dallas TX.
Discussion
Thought I'd share my story and few pics....
I have always wanted to get into road bikes but never did – I was living in Italy from 2002-2015 and just never got around to getting my license. Life was focused on work, family, kids, other sports etc etc. To cut a long story short, I relocated with the family to Dallas, TX at the end of 2015 and vowed I would get my license and start learning how to ride. First thing I had to do after the move was convert my UK driving license into a US one, which involved multiple guess questions on their highway code, plus a practical. As expected, piece of cake and I now had my Texas auto license – I then started to inquire about the moto test. Couple of calls later and I discover it is a case of a two day course over a weekend with a practical test at the end and you’re done! So, without further a do, I booked up and a couple of weeks later I did the course, passed the test which was again, stupidly easy (one bloke managed to crash on the emergency stop and still passed!) and I was given the green light to purchase whatever bike I wanted. Crazy really but that’s Texas for you.
So, first purchase….the opportunity arose to buy a Ducati Monster S4R for a great price, took the bull by the horns and came home with this beast:
She was absolutely mint, completely stock with 20k miles on the clock, FSH and I took it to the local Ducati dealer to get the suspension and ride height setup. Then the learning began, lovely bike with plenty of power and handled beautifully but the roads here are s
t and figured the only way to learn how to ride was go to a track school. Booked up at the local circuit called Cresson Motorsport Ranch and off I went with some mates for the first time. Apprehensive and excited in equal measure but without doubt the best decision I have made concerning learning. If you haven’t done one already, do it!
Some pics of what I would consider my first day riding the bike:
Loaded up
All in all, a huge learning curve and I was astounded at how capable bikes are. Great tuition, cool little circuit, learned so much and the bug had bitten….HARD! I rode the bike a few times on the road but was put off by the wildely distracted drivers in huge trucks, straight roads and wasn’t getting much of a thrill from riding, so it was time to book up the next track day at a different circuit called Eagles Canyon Raceway:
Cool circuit, not a great surface but by the afternoon sessions was loving it and felt myself improving which is a big motivator for me and part of the fun. Came away from there buzzing and booked up the next track day at Circuit Of The Americas, quite a bit more expensive but by all accounts worth every cent. So day three of learning to ride was booked up in a few months with a load of mates – was a long wait but wow, what a track. Happy days and came away with more confidence and a much greater understanding of how a bike works. If you ever get the opportunity to ride there, take it.
COTA Pics:
A mate of mine in LA invited me there to go and ride Angela's Crest Highway - beautiful winding road through the hills outside LA and my first decent road ride. He let me borrow his 996, which shares the same engine as my monster s4r. Great all day ride but was exhausted by the end of it, pins and needles in my hands and feet which wasn't much fun while weaving through LA rush hour in the way back.
We got chatting and he said next step is to do the California Superbike School, so booked up for a one day course with them at Virginia International Raceway. This school is completely next level and has been the best day’s training I have ever had in any sport I have done. The track is also stunning, like a mini Spa and fell in love with the bike I rode which was an S1000RR, so smooth, filled me with confidence and knew my Ducati was going to have to go. Lovely bike but didn’t want to ride it on the road and didn’t want to bin it on a track, so made the decision to sell to a good home.
This vid goes on a while but gives you an idea of the track, first couple of laps are quite slow, not that thereafter they are quick but a bit more fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIGuBooBz9o
Ducati was sold via ebay to a great guy in Florida and I had some green for the next purchase. I visited a BMW, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Triumph garage but knew I didn’t really want a bike for the road so ended up purchasing this weapon:
It’s a 2009 675, that I bought off a friend who raced and it has had everything sorted on it from brakes, suspension, engine, quick shift, etc etc. I removed the wheels and had new tyres put on it and it was time for the next trackday which was last week:
Amazing day and what a bike, unfortunately low sided on the last session of the day. Took a tighter line on one of the corners and front wheel started tracking one of the seams, front wheel tucked in and I was sliding on my arse, back and elbows. Bike ended up in the grass with minimal damage so all in all got lucky and look at it as a learning experience. Incredible day though and was my first time at going through the corners with my slider on the ground – what a feeling!
Suit held up well and well worth the $100 I paid off ebay:
The above has taken 18 months and I’m on day 8 of riding and loving it, wish I had started earlier in life and the roads were better here but the track is where it’s at for the moment. So much to learn but biking has opened a whole new experience and that’s what it’s all about. Happy riding one and all.
I have always wanted to get into road bikes but never did – I was living in Italy from 2002-2015 and just never got around to getting my license. Life was focused on work, family, kids, other sports etc etc. To cut a long story short, I relocated with the family to Dallas, TX at the end of 2015 and vowed I would get my license and start learning how to ride. First thing I had to do after the move was convert my UK driving license into a US one, which involved multiple guess questions on their highway code, plus a practical. As expected, piece of cake and I now had my Texas auto license – I then started to inquire about the moto test. Couple of calls later and I discover it is a case of a two day course over a weekend with a practical test at the end and you’re done! So, without further a do, I booked up and a couple of weeks later I did the course, passed the test which was again, stupidly easy (one bloke managed to crash on the emergency stop and still passed!) and I was given the green light to purchase whatever bike I wanted. Crazy really but that’s Texas for you.
So, first purchase….the opportunity arose to buy a Ducati Monster S4R for a great price, took the bull by the horns and came home with this beast:
She was absolutely mint, completely stock with 20k miles on the clock, FSH and I took it to the local Ducati dealer to get the suspension and ride height setup. Then the learning began, lovely bike with plenty of power and handled beautifully but the roads here are s
t and figured the only way to learn how to ride was go to a track school. Booked up at the local circuit called Cresson Motorsport Ranch and off I went with some mates for the first time. Apprehensive and excited in equal measure but without doubt the best decision I have made concerning learning. If you haven’t done one already, do it! Some pics of what I would consider my first day riding the bike:
Loaded up
All in all, a huge learning curve and I was astounded at how capable bikes are. Great tuition, cool little circuit, learned so much and the bug had bitten….HARD! I rode the bike a few times on the road but was put off by the wildely distracted drivers in huge trucks, straight roads and wasn’t getting much of a thrill from riding, so it was time to book up the next track day at a different circuit called Eagles Canyon Raceway:
Cool circuit, not a great surface but by the afternoon sessions was loving it and felt myself improving which is a big motivator for me and part of the fun. Came away from there buzzing and booked up the next track day at Circuit Of The Americas, quite a bit more expensive but by all accounts worth every cent. So day three of learning to ride was booked up in a few months with a load of mates – was a long wait but wow, what a track. Happy days and came away with more confidence and a much greater understanding of how a bike works. If you ever get the opportunity to ride there, take it.
COTA Pics:
A mate of mine in LA invited me there to go and ride Angela's Crest Highway - beautiful winding road through the hills outside LA and my first decent road ride. He let me borrow his 996, which shares the same engine as my monster s4r. Great all day ride but was exhausted by the end of it, pins and needles in my hands and feet which wasn't much fun while weaving through LA rush hour in the way back.
We got chatting and he said next step is to do the California Superbike School, so booked up for a one day course with them at Virginia International Raceway. This school is completely next level and has been the best day’s training I have ever had in any sport I have done. The track is also stunning, like a mini Spa and fell in love with the bike I rode which was an S1000RR, so smooth, filled me with confidence and knew my Ducati was going to have to go. Lovely bike but didn’t want to ride it on the road and didn’t want to bin it on a track, so made the decision to sell to a good home.
This vid goes on a while but gives you an idea of the track, first couple of laps are quite slow, not that thereafter they are quick but a bit more fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIGuBooBz9o
Ducati was sold via ebay to a great guy in Florida and I had some green for the next purchase. I visited a BMW, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Triumph garage but knew I didn’t really want a bike for the road so ended up purchasing this weapon:
It’s a 2009 675, that I bought off a friend who raced and it has had everything sorted on it from brakes, suspension, engine, quick shift, etc etc. I removed the wheels and had new tyres put on it and it was time for the next trackday which was last week:
Amazing day and what a bike, unfortunately low sided on the last session of the day. Took a tighter line on one of the corners and front wheel started tracking one of the seams, front wheel tucked in and I was sliding on my arse, back and elbows. Bike ended up in the grass with minimal damage so all in all got lucky and look at it as a learning experience. Incredible day though and was my first time at going through the corners with my slider on the ground – what a feeling!
Suit held up well and well worth the $100 I paid off ebay:
The above has taken 18 months and I’m on day 8 of riding and loving it, wish I had started earlier in life and the roads were better here but the track is where it’s at for the moment. So much to learn but biking has opened a whole new experience and that’s what it’s all about. Happy riding one and all.
Great wee write up I enjoyed that, welcome.
What's the shock on your 675? How do you find it compared to the BMW on track?
What is that first corner like at the circuit of usa people? Is it as steep as it looks, I really, really would love to try it, I love braking up hill, the amount of speed you can drop in a short time is staggering even for the most limp wristed like myself.
What's the shock on your 675? How do you find it compared to the BMW on track?
What is that first corner like at the circuit of usa people? Is it as steep as it looks, I really, really would love to try it, I love braking up hill, the amount of speed you can drop in a short time is staggering even for the most limp wristed like myself.
Jazoli said:
Great story, out of interest what does it cost to do a trackday at COTA?
I also love the Virginia track, the closest I get to it though is playing it on Forza 7!
Glad you enjoyed the read. COTA is $399 for the day, that includes instruction and approx 7 - 8 sessions (20-30 mins each). I did it through a company called Ridesmart. Good company and they operate the day well. I also love the Virginia track, the closest I get to it though is playing it on Forza 7!
moanthebairns said:
Great wee write up I enjoyed that, welcome.
What's the shock on your 675? How do you find it compared to the BMW on track?
What is that first corner like at the circuit of usa people? Is it as steep as it looks, I really, really would love to try it, I love braking up hill, the amount of speed you can drop in a short time is staggering even for the most limp wristed like myself.
Thanks for the warm welcome. Shock is a Penske - can't remember the model. Front forks have AK20 internals from Traxxion Dynamics. All beautifully setup. The 675 feels far more nimble than the BMW but more skittish at low speed but it feels much sharper than the BMW did, the 675 turns in very quickly and sensational on the brakes due to being that much lighter. The BMW filled me with confidence due to how smooth it is and with all the electronic aids it has. Very different bikes and love both but decided a) the BMW is a lot more money, b) I want a track only bike and c) the local tracks are better suited to a 675. If COTA was the local circuit and money no object I would have bought the bimmer. What's the shock on your 675? How do you find it compared to the BMW on track?
What is that first corner like at the circuit of usa people? Is it as steep as it looks, I really, really would love to try it, I love braking up hill, the amount of speed you can drop in a short time is staggering even for the most limp wristed like myself.
The first corner at COTA took some getting used to, amazing on the brakes and the added gravity really seemed to help scrub speed. What was unique for me, given my inexperience was just how wide the circuit is there, so getting the turn in point right and consistent was tricky but after a couple of sessions really started to dial it in. By the afternoon I didn't really notice the uphill part really, it seemed to flatten out if that makes sense. What caught me out a couple of times is the exit is much narrower than the entry, so it was quite easy to get the exit wrong - a lot of people were running wide. Absolutely loved the track, the surface is so consistent and it feels massive. Superb experience and itching to get back there. Plus Austin is a cracking city for beers and eye candy
RemaL said:
AS others have posted great right up and looks like you have had a great time apart from the low side
Thanks and yes, loving it. Funnily enough came away from the lowside smiling - was good to get an understanding of how it felt to slide and come away unscathed. A learning experience which is always a positive. I may have been thinking differently if my bike hadn't faired so well! Hey, nice write up, must be great having good weather more often than not.
COTA looks a great track, are you far from Laguna? I would love to ride that track but I suspect I never will.
Anyhoo, keep updating when you visit new tracks, it's nice to see stuff that's not the norm on here, keep up the training and learning and you'll never stop smiling.
COTA looks a great track, are you far from Laguna? I would love to ride that track but I suspect I never will.
Anyhoo, keep updating when you visit new tracks, it's nice to see stuff that's not the norm on here, keep up the training and learning and you'll never stop smiling.
Biker's Nemesis said:
Hey, nice write up, must be great having good weather more often than not.
COTA looks a great track, are you far from Laguna? I would love to ride that track but I suspect I never will.
Anyhoo, keep updating when you visit new tracks, it's nice to see stuff that's not the norm on here, keep up the training and learning and you'll never stop smiling.
It is great being able to plan trackdays with a high chance of decent weather. June, July, August are very hot in TX but just about doable. Will keep you all posted on the different tracks, Laguna is on my list as is Barber - I am based between Dallas and Forth Worth but it's not a long flight to LA. COTA looks a great track, are you far from Laguna? I would love to ride that track but I suspect I never will.
Anyhoo, keep updating when you visit new tracks, it's nice to see stuff that's not the norm on here, keep up the training and learning and you'll never stop smiling.
Thanks for the words of encouragement - really keen to do another california superbike school, very impressive setup.
Donbot said:
I like how the pics go from almost no lean and slowly progressing to knee-down heroics. An exciting way to learn to ride. Nice write up.
It was interesting going back to the first pics when I decided to write the post. At the time I thought I was doing well!! Definitely the way to learn as the progress has been significant each time I have been out. There's no way I could have got this far riding a week on the road, not around here anyway - no corners! Great pics - I'm jealous - look at that weather!
I'm curious - what's so bad about the roads? That road in the pic with the two Ducs looks lovely. Is it that the surfaces aren't grippy? I've friends who live down in the Malaga region of Spain and I've never ridden a bike there but the roads look great and they're really smooth, but evidently they aren't so good for cornering heroics as they have no grip. Or is it the drivers?
I'm curious - what's so bad about the roads? That road in the pic with the two Ducs looks lovely. Is it that the surfaces aren't grippy? I've friends who live down in the Malaga region of Spain and I've never ridden a bike there but the roads look great and they're really smooth, but evidently they aren't so good for cornering heroics as they have no grip. Or is it the drivers?
Dog Star said:
Great pics - I'm jealous - look at that weather!
I'm curious - what's so bad about the roads? That road in the pic with the two Ducs looks lovely. Is it that the surfaces aren't grippy? I've friends who live down in the Malaga region of Spain and I've never ridden a bike there but the roads look great and they're really smooth, but evidently they aren't so good for cornering heroics as they have no grip. Or is it the drivers?
Roads around Dallas are poor - straight, pot holes, debris such as delaminated truck tyres/ tires (road gators as they are affectionately referred to). The road with Ducs is Angela's Crest Highway NE of LA - stunning road through the hills. Nowt wrong with that one! I'm curious - what's so bad about the roads? That road in the pic with the two Ducs looks lovely. Is it that the surfaces aren't grippy? I've friends who live down in the Malaga region of Spain and I've never ridden a bike there but the roads look great and they're really smooth, but evidently they aren't so good for cornering heroics as they have no grip. Or is it the drivers?
Drivers also not used to bikers in Dallas, illegal to lane to lane split in TX on a bike.
Great write up, I notice that as your lean angles have become more aggressive the visor has gone from clear to dark. Last year I drove a hire car in the hills above Malibu and I agree they're much more fun than Dallas or other big cities.
Sometimes I wish I did more track days rather than mostly road riding - witness my old Multistrada is now a project on here for another member. As you've discovered crashing can be a learning experience so keep your pecker up and the updates coming.
Sometimes I wish I did more track days rather than mostly road riding - witness my old Multistrada is now a project on here for another member. As you've discovered crashing can be a learning experience so keep your pecker up and the updates coming.
mywifeshusband said:
Great write up, I notice that as your lean angles have become more aggressive the visor has gone from clear to dark. Last year I drove a hire car in the hills above Malibu and I agree they're much more fun than Dallas or other big cities.
Sometimes I wish I did more track days rather than mostly road riding - witness my old Multistrada is now a project on here for another member. As you've discovered crashing can be a learning experience so keep your pecker up and the updates coming.
Very observant! When I started biking I only had the clear visor - soon realised that sunglasses plus helmet were not a good option on the track. Sometimes I wish I did more track days rather than mostly road riding - witness my old Multistrada is now a project on here for another member. As you've discovered crashing can be a learning experience so keep your pecker up and the updates coming.
Pecker is up!
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