my first track day

Random13 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 May 2013 Karma :

Hi all,

I am doing my first bike track day. Can you please let me know what I should expect ?

I read on lyden hill website that I should have a full leather gear . My jacket and trouser are both leather 360 zip around.
my boots are spada
and gloves pretty cheap ones on ebay (£30).

Would I be allowed in considering I don't have leather boots and gloves ?

In terms of riding improvements etc, are they any good ?
I am thinking of doing the california school but it is £400 so thought I do few track days and try to get some of the concepts before doing that .

so overall appreciate your comment on track days and what i should expect .

I will be a novice, so would I be sent out with novice ? it wouldn't be racing , would it ? rather crusing .

many thanks

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Not racing, but there will be people pushing their bikes more than they have done previously.

When are you doing it at Lydden Hill? I'm not too far away and need to stretch my bikes legs. Laughing

Random13 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 May 2013 Karma :

14th April probably.

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

Personally I wouldn't go out there with textile gloves and I don't think they would let you. However, some track day operators are more lax than others. Loads of race style boots aren't leather so wouldn't worry about that.

This may be received with calls of "Just get out there and MTFU" but why don't you look at a novice only track day for your first one? MSV run them at Brands, £135 for the day. Supposed to be smaller numbers in groups, instructors there, cones to help you find the lines... etc.
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garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Very good way to improve machine control and really makes you appreciate the skill of fast riders.

Gloves and boots must be leather.

Also, you could do 3 trackdays for the cost of CSS - Just buy "A twist of the wrist II" and read/apply that.

Infact, pm me your email address and I'll PDF a copy to you.

Random13 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 May 2013 Karma :

thanks very much garth, I have a pdf copy of it Smile

Also seen the youtube video

I have a restricted license and the only place I can go it lyden hill.
The restriction is taken off in May so can do a novice only course then at brands hatch .

would there be instructors on site to help you on normal track days ?

in terms of bags and stuff, where do you put them ?

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Pretty sure non-msv tracks are fine on 33bhp, so you should be ok at a few.

If you're riding to the circuit just leave bags with someone that has a van. Most people are friendly enough.

I've not done a trackday at Lydden, I believe they self run. Most normal trackdays have instructors.

What bike are you on and how are your tyres?

Random13 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 May 2013 Karma :

tyres are dunlop and bike sv650

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Would be better for you to read the Trackday faq in the Racing and Trackdays forum:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=57514
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Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

You should expect to have a lot of fun. Albeit not too much fun; you're riding an SV650.

You're going out on a surface you KNOW has been checked, and is intended for going fast on. You can push your bike further than you ever have on the corners - and brake as heavy as you like.

It's pretty awesome.
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Llama-Farmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :

Looking at doing my first track day this year or next.

Mostly for the fun of it, the thrill of going fast, improving, learning to push the limits further.

But also i don't know in myself what my bike is actually capable of. I want to get the confidence to KNOW that my bike and I can take a corner like that at 50mph if I suddenly find myself misjudging a bend on the road.

So the second thing for me with track day would be machine control and improving as a road rider. (Also why I want to do some off road biking too, learn about controlling the bike in low grip situations)

What are your boots and gloves? Any pictures, you might be able to get away with them, you might have to use some others so would be an idea to at least borrow some if you don't want to buy any until you know if yours are suitable or not.

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Pol Anorl · Banned Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Karma :

-Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Karma :

Llama-Farmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :

-Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Karma :

This is the main reason i've avoided it so far - I did even look into track insurance for me and bike - considering the cost, as you say serious personal injury is probably less likely than road riding unless you go at it like a lunatic, so I wouldn't feel the need to go for that personally [was costly though].

Track day bike insurance made the entire plan unaffordable for me as it stands - not sure if its an age thing or just generally its considered high risk/damage costs compared to road insurance, but I certainly won't be insuring a track bike anytime remotely soon Laughing

Left me with no options besides taking a gamble. As each year goes by i'm more and more tempted to risk it but i'd be royally screwed if I totalled my bike somehow Neutral

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

As I said Matt, if you are down this way and fancy Lydden/Brands, you are welcome to take the Thundercat.

I'll probably give the Blackbird a go round... Laughing

Llama-Farmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :

Pol Anorl · Banned Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Karma :

Pol Anorl · Banned Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Karma :

trackday this Saturday, will be there on the divvy so get down there bellends.
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Crash it, you buy it.

But no seriously, I can have it "ready to race" in a few hours Thumbs Up

Pol Anorl · Banned Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Karma :

how much do you want for it lol?

took the divvy in the end, was badassss
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CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :