South Carolina?

[magge52]

I hope everyone is enjoy Mother's Day with your families. The sun is out with temps around 80f. A great day for a ride. 

I wanted to clarify my earlier comments about track days. They were not intended to portray them as amateur race days and the picture was supposed to be for a chuckle and not as an example. My apologies if it didn't come off that way. Actually the organization I mentioned (and primarily use) is just the opposite. They are a track day school and classified as such with many insurance companies which means they will cover accidents that occur. Typically riders are divided into 3 groups based on track day experience. The A group are the very experienced riders, many have racing experience. The B group are typically those with previous track experience but not racing. The C group are riders with little or no track experience. Movement between groups happens regularly, in both directions, as the day progresses.

These are controlled events with 20 minute track sessions per group followed by a class session. The classes are very interactive with instructions on track safety, smooth throttle and braking control, seat positioning, apex points for turn entrance and exit, looking ahead and through corners, etc. and what's on the lunch menu. All the stuff you also read in the books mentioned. There are rules controlling passing zones on the track based on the group, and strict no passing on the inside for all groups. Lap timers are not allowed as well. Speed is entirely up to the rider but should be fast enough to avoid creating a hazardous situation. The more control you have the more your speed will increase, safely. You are encouraged to 'walk before you run' and most beginners find that to be the case on their first track day.

It's an ideal way to learn yours and the bike's limits. It's amazing what bikes can do when you can concentrate on your riding technique rather than flashing blue lights or animals darting into your path or road hazards/debris. You become much more in-tuned with how your bike behaves and how to control it. Your skills expand very quickly and carry over directly to the street. I first started doing track days when I bought my current Duc in 1999 and I can honestly say my track skills have saved my bacon and prevented pucker moments on more than one occasion. I hope to get the FJ on the track but it's all stock so suspension and brake mods are definitely needed before that happens.

Cheers,

[Pat Conlon]

Very, very true George. Good post.

Track school (for me) is all about practicing maintaining proper control, in all situations.

On the street, I ride my FJ to only 50% of her true potential. She is a better motorcycle than I am a rider.

Track school helps with that....but still, the street is the street, and things can go wrong very quickly...

Did I ever tell you the story about the 4 ft long pine cone?

[andyb]

Love the road trip stories!

Dunno if I want to know about Pat's fetishes though.... 

[fintip]

Love the road trip stories!

Dunno if I want to know about Pat's fetishes though....  sarcastic

bwahaha.

Glad you enjoyed them.

Nailed it Magge, that's exactly why I would want to do some track days.