Just got my first bike...so I'm off to the ring

[JuanDan1st]

I posted this on the "new bikers" bit but I thought I would put it here as well. So far feedback has been negative so I'm getting nervous!!

Hello all,

About 3 weeks ago I got my first bike - a lovely Gsxr600 SRAD bought from a mate some of you may know (da mofo DOG) and next week we're off to the ring for the easter weekend.

Well I thought I would post this to gauge a bit of feedback from the bike community - what do you think about this - a quality plan for the pursuit of high octane pleasure, or just fucking stupid?

The thing is I'm a complete novice - I mean I have been for a few enjoyable jaunts around and I'm quite confident about riding the thing on roads but I haven't pushed it yet (partially as I don't think its safe to do so on public roads) and I haven't really got any lean on the go yet. I thought the ring would be a good place to learn fast riding as there's no danger of oncoming traffic right?

Anyway, if anyone has any comments / advice / constructive criticism I would be pleased to hear them.

[Itchy]

It sounds like you have made up your mind already and you are just fishing for people to backup your already made up decision.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I wouldn't have thought it was a superb idea given your level of experience, but it's up to you.

I've been riding 2 years and done a trackday as was only just considering going to the ring.

Provided to take it pretty steady you should be ok though.
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[newbymick]

[Shaun]

Remember to post the crash pics here!

[D O G]

You're gonna die pliers.

Just make sure you don't take me out with you.

Nice.

[G]

If you can handle just 'pootling' around the ring, then you should be fine.

Otherwise, I'd echo the above and expect it to end in tears.

If you do decide to do it anyway, I would most definitely be reading up on advanced riding/track riding techniques. However, you need to learn this stuff by doing; understanding what you need to do is only a small part of actually doing it (I'm a great example of this - know a load of technique, but doesn't mean I win races ).

[JuanDan1st]

Yeah pootling round will be fine for me. After seeing other posts and looking at the Ben Lovejoy site riding within your boundaries is a must but I am looking forward to the right at Aremborg and the lefts at Breidscherd for practising cornering technique and lean etc. You're right, I've read twist of the wrist 2 but want to practice some of the pointers.

I would have liked to go after more experience to get the most from it but my mate buggers off to Oz in a couple of weeks so the opportunity was on table as a now or never kind of thing. You know what they say; something like you regret the things you don't do rather than the things you do...hopefully! Anyway cheers for the input and I'll let you know how it goes.

[MarJay]

Don't forget to get the very best travel/bike insurance and take your E111.
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[G]

But then, the question is, why go to the 'ring if you're just going to 'pootle' - for me the temptation would definitely be to try a bit.

While I do rather like Janet Rand's poem on risks, there's plenty of things that I do regret doing, as well as various others that have turned out badly that I don't.

There's plenty of roads and tracks in the UK that you can practice cornering on.

[repsolblade]

Go to you tube and and watch others at the ring, it might change your mind mate.
Local novice track day did it for me and loads of others. Now most of us are in advanced loving every minute.
Enjoy what ever you decide mate

[KevTM]

as said before basically it's not the greatest of ideas going to the ring without much experience, especially riding fast.. and for that i would say that it's definitely not the greatest of places to learn much, the only thing you'll learn is that you need to start from the beginning and not dive into the deep end.

Just pootle around the ring and you'll be fine, i dare say it'll still be a real buzz.

I've been riding bikes for 9 years now, full license for over 3 years and that's me just decided that myself and a friend are going to the ring later this year. I don't get nervous but haven't done a trackday yet but i plan to do a few at Knockhill before i go as i think just jumping straight on the ring will be a bit daunting and i'm sure the nerves might just kick in.. especially if it's a busy day.. there's always going to be people faster than you and you'll need to keep an eye out and be courteous.

[D O G]

Well that was fucking shit.

Got all the way there, only to be confronted with Arctic conditions - several inches of snow on the track, with no bike being let on even after they had cleared it. Not that we would have gone out on a pissing wet track.

Since there was no forecasted break in the weather we sacked it off and came home.

Gay.

[KevTM]

i'm sure a Ring Taxi in an M5 with Sabine driving in the wet would have been a riot though.. if the weathers crap or i can't get on when i go i wont be disappointed as long as i can get a lap in a Ring Taxi.

[D O G]

Yup, a ring taxi ride would be sweet.

They only release the tickets once or twice a year tho, and its first come first served, and they sell out in a matter of hours. You can't just turn up and get a ride I'm afraid.