I haven't been on a track for more than 10 years now. Gulp! There are no tracks in Switzerland, and since I bought a house I have never had enough money for repairing my bike if I bin it. But.. if I had the cash and a track handy, I'd be there all the time. I remember taking the 916 on the road to fill up in the middle of a track day. It seemed all wrong. The 916 seemed to make no sense on the road at all after the track. You can't use all the handling, or all the motor. Riding on the road is a vaguely frustrating compromise after the track. On the other hand, going places is fun.
gotta be track for using a bike how it was intended, and road ride every day to keep my skills up, twating about with my pals and general showing off.
I've done four or five track days in the last couple of years, but after the last two on my 999s I am addicted to the track thing. I love riding bikes anytime whether it's the occasional commute, or a week in France (coming up soon ) but if I had to choose between the two, I would give up road-riding altogether and just get my fix on track a couple of times a month.
Having previously raced I've done the whole track thing it holds no real appeal for me anymore. In fact the last time I was on the tack it was the Ducatisti Pembrey day in 09(?) on my 748SP. I'm a road plodder now. I make progress when I feel like it, but just enjoy being out on two wheels!
That's exactly how I feel. Ex-racer (not very good at it but did enjoy it), same last track day at Pembrey in 09, and I hated it. I loved racing but just bimbling round on track days feels horribly wrong now and I don't think I'll ever do another again. I actually enjoy riding on the road. It's all about the company for me now and being out with mates. I take it steady, I want to live a while longer yet.
Both, I love a day out on the bike. But the track is really where I enjoy riding the most. You just can't ride anywhere near the bikes potential on the road and if you try, you're always risking your life, other peoples lives and your license. But I really like a nice bimble around the countryside with mates. The two things are totally different, different skills, different attitude. I know a lot of people think a track day would be dangerous but in reality, it's quite safe if you ride within your limits. It's not racing, it's riding around the same piece of smooth tarmac again and again with no obstacles (other than other people going in the same direction). Get the Donny track day booke El T, W M Snell's have a place going spare.
The best thing about track (in my opinion and discipline) is that when you have an off, you just lay there until the buzzing noise has stopped; and then you get up and walk off..... ....very unusual to get run over by other competitors.... Not sure about solo though.....seen loads of riders brought down by one rider who got it wrong. AL
I've only done 4 track days, 4 different tracks, 3 different bikes. I'm REALLY Looking forward to my next one and doing a track for the 2nd time (Pembrey, 6th & 7th July) but on a different bike again, this time on my 900SS. I still love going out for a bimble on a Sunday morning, Commuting occasionally and riding & touring in UK & France. I Certainly wouldn't give up road riding but I LOVE trackdays, I was nearly 50 when I did my first one and will never make the fast group but hope to be doing them for another decade at least :biggrin: Oh, and after riding on the road for over 35yrs, a couple of trackdays has certainly improved my riding skills. Maybe because I don't ride near the limit on the road, but I'd recommend it to anyone as way of finding out more about what your bike can actually do without killing yourself or others
