OP
@stinkyjones avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
 
Ossessionato
@stinkyjones avatar
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
I am going to start and end this post with the same thought: If you have the opportunity to take part in a track day on a road course, do not pass up the opportunity.

I have done a lot of interesting and fun things in my life, but taking my F650 out on the track was near the top of the list in terms of fun. Riding near the limits of your abilities is a thrilling experience--being able to expand your abilities over the course of the day is priceless.

My local Vespa (and now Triumph) dealer, Motoworks Chicago put on their 7th annual track day at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI on Monday, August 16th. I rode down the night before (3 hour ride) and had dinner with 20 or so of the folks who were participating.

There were approximately 50 riders for the day. The majority of the bikes were BMWs, with lots of Triumphs and vintage Japanese bikes (and one GTS300). We met early at the track--everything needed to be taped up (lights, mirrors, gauges, speedo), then on to inspection and a rider's meeting. Sunday night, we were told that we'd do 2 groups of 25, riding 30 minutes of each hour. On monday, it was decided that we would do 3 groups, with each group doing a 20 minute session each hour. The groups were Intermediate, Novice 1 (some track time), and Novice 2 (no track time). I was initially disappointed with the reduced time, but once I got a couple of sessions under my belt, I was happy, as riding hard takes a lot out of the tank.

Here's what I learned:
1. Enter a corner too hot, and you ruin the corner. Scrub speed off during entry, then hammer down.

2. Taking corners fast and low is 10x more fun than going fast.

3. Place your weight on the balls of your feet--this allows you to shift your weight more efficiently.

4. DO NOT look at anything other than where you are going. Look through the turn. Looking at the ground below you will cause the bike to waver and upright.

5. Only worry about what is in front of you. Look where you are going. Do not look behind or to the side. This will cause the bike to become unsettled.

6. Shift your weight to the side of the bike that is on the inside of the turn. If there are two lefts coming up, stay on the left side of the bike until both turns are completed.

7. Be respectful of others. Pass only when it is safe. Do not pass on the inside of a corner.

8. You don't need a powerful bike to have fun at the track. The best riders are smart, not fast.

Thanks again to the staff of Motoworks Chicago for an incredible day. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but this has gone on long enough for one post. I'll close with this:

If you have the opportunity to take part in a track day on a road course, do not pass up the opportunity.

--Scott
All taped up and ready to go first thing in the morning.
All taped up and ready to go first thing in the morning.
Waiting to get on the track for the first session of the day
Waiting to get on the track for the first session of the day
Novice group queue--waiting to hit the track for the first session.  I'm the third from the rear.
Novice group queue--waiting to hit the track for the first session. I'm the third from the rear.
Morning track session.  Rocking the Corazzo Ventata.
Morning track session. Rocking the Corazzo Ventata.
Late morning/early afternoon session.  How can I tell?  I had sense enough to remove my mirrors completely after the first couple of sessions instead of just taping them up.
Late morning/early afternoon session. How can I tell? I had sense enough to remove my mirrors completely after the first couple of sessions instead of just taping them up.
I'm at the far right exiting turn 10 (behind the instructor in the yellow).  One of the best riders in the group was the woman out front on the red G650GS--and she's only been riding a few months.
I'm at the far right exiting turn 10 (behind the instructor in the yellow). One of the best riders in the group was the woman out front on the red G650GS--and she's only been riding a few months.
Waiting to get back on the track. The guy behind me has a faster bike but a smaller brain--nearly took me out trying to pass me on the inside of a corner, which was not an allowed move.
Waiting to get back on the track. The guy behind me has a faster bike but a smaller brain--nearly took me out trying to pass me on the inside of a corner, which was not an allowed move.
Last session of the day.  The red G650GS and I were the only two bikes on the track for the last session.  Pure bliss.
Last session of the day. The red G650GS and I were the only two bikes on the track for the last session. Pure bliss.
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22937
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22937
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
nice report. Thanks for sharing.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 45150
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 45150
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Good post, I endorse every comment in it.
@oopsclunkthud avatar
UTC

Banned
3:5
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Posts: 9078
Location: San Francisco
 
Banned
@oopsclunkthud avatar
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9078
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Re: What I learned at track day.
stinkyjones wrote:
7. Be respectful of others. Pass only when it is safe. Do not pass on the inside of a corner.
Oops! inside of a corner is my favorite place to pass. Apex late and wait for the other rider to go in too hot. When he goes wide, pass on the inside.

I should do a track day.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 45150
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 45150
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
About time I did a few more! They are great fun, albeit very exhausting!
@belkwinith avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Honda CTX 700 DN Automatic Motorcycle
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Posts: 5122
Location: Naperville, Illinois
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@belkwinith avatar
Honda CTX 700 DN Automatic Motorcycle
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Posts: 5122
Location: Naperville, Illinois
UTC quote
Saw the invite and info on the Motorworks web site the other week. I was going to recommend it to my BF but that would be like pouring gasoline on a fire!

What was the average age of those who attended and can you comment on some of the bikes and their performance?

Thanks!
OP
@stinkyjones avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
 
Ossessionato
@stinkyjones avatar
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
oopsclunkthud wrote:
stinkyjones wrote:
7. Be respectful of others. Pass only when it is safe. Do not pass on the inside of a corner.
Oops! inside of a corner is my favorite place to pass. Apex late and wait for the other rider to go in too hot. When he goes wide, pass on the inside.

I should do a track day.
That's fine, unless it is specifically prohibited by the rules of the day, which it was. There were safe zones to pass, and passes were required to be made on the outside with a 6 ft. buffer. Remember--no mirrors--so you don't expect chuckleheads to be passing on the inside if they tell you not to do it.

From what I understand, this is pretty much standard operating procedure for all but seasoned track riders.

And yes, you should do a track day. It will make you feel like a kid again (and make you walk funny for a few days).
OP
@stinkyjones avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
 
Ossessionato
@stinkyjones avatar
2009 GTV 244, 2005 BMW F652 CS, 2001 ET4 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2379
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
Belkwinith wrote:
Saw the invite and info on the Motorworks web site the other week. I was going to recommend it to my BF but that would be like pouring gasoline on a fire!

What was the average age of those who attended and can you comment on some of the bikes and their performance?
The majority of the bikes were BMWs, and most of those were some form of 1200--there was heavy representation from the local BMW club, including the president on his early 90's GS airhead. It amazed me to see these folks on giant K12LTs diving into corners like they were on crotch rockets. Some pretty impressive skills out there.

There were also quite a few vintage Japanese bikes of varying cc's, several bonnies, and some race-specific bikes in the intermediate group. Heck, there was even someone out there on a newer Shadow.

Regarding performance, it was all about skills--how efficiently you take corners. The track has limited straightaways, so top-end speed doesn't factor into it very much. There was a guy on a small 70s Honda with what looked like bicycle tires who consistently ate my lunch because he was flawless through the turns.

The age varied from 20s to 60s, with the majority probably being at the upper side (40s/50s).

The key to this whole thing was the staff--these folks love to do what they do and it shows. The MW staff had a blast, and thus, everyone else did as well. It was a well-planned event, and they even hired a stellar photographer to document the event--the pictures were taken by Yve Assad from thefastandthedirty.com.

To sum up, it was a mix of everything--all ages, all types of bikes, everyone had a blast.
@burgerbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
SYM HD200, Vespa GT200
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Posts: 1674
Location: San Jose, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@burgerbob avatar
SYM HD200, Vespa GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1674
Location: San Jose, CA
UTC quote
I totally endorse the OP's comments on taking on a track day, it's the most fun you'll probably have on a bike and will have you going back for more! Here's a link to a great organization for those who live in MN:
http://www.ridingcourse.com/ It's one of the things I miss since living there.

Cheers,

Bob
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@mark3eric avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
VESPA GTS250,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 74
Location: fareham, Hants
 
Enthusiast
@mark3eric avatar
VESPA GTS250,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 74
Location: fareham, Hants
UTC quote
Several years ago i was invited to Brands Hatch as a guest of the Ducati owners club. Oh, and i had a standard Fazer 600 complete with Givi wing rack.

It was totally awesome. Not many 'Duke's got the better of my trusty steed, although my pegs and exhaust took some scrapes in the bends (especially druids). My mate who followed me said it was like watching a firework display.

The fastest consistant bike of the day was actually a big BMW GS.

So, if you get a chance then go for it, it really is the best 'legal' buzz on two wheels.

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