track day

silveradocowboy · May 02, 2006, 10:05:26 AM

Thought I would share my excitement I had yesterday in Cresson.

I met a friend of mine for a track day and had a blast. The track recently expanded from 1.7 to 3.1 miles and this was my first time on the new section. I'm not that fast of a rider but always looking to improve my skills so I enjoy riding this track because it is very technical. Another first for me is that I nervously took the 1000R out for a couple of sessions. Not knowing what tire pressures to run and how it would handle in such settings almost made me keep the bike in. The bike handled quite well considering the 80's suspension technology and was surpriseingly nimble through a section called the rattlesnake which is a right turn followed by a hard left and another right hence the name.

We got some video that I will share later if any one is interested. I am looking forward to hearing from the photographer about some pics because there should be some really good ones. Besides riding the 1000R I rode my regular track bike(600 F4) and a hopped up Ducati 998. The 998 has GP shifting which was difficult to get used to but the power from this bike is amazing almost to the point of being scary, needless to say it was an exciting ride!

MagnaMan · May 02, 2006, 10:54:35 AM

Jeff,

Sounds like you had a great time. I'd love to see the video.

I guess you went to the track through the Lone Star Track Day program. What did you think of their program/organization? That's the program that I went through -- although I am looking into others.

Also what group did you ride in? A, B, or C?

I think the photographer at the Cresson track is the same one that was at TWS. I got the $50 CD that included all of my shots (one rider). In all I got about 30 photos. I've enjoyed them and that' really not a bad price considering all the time he spent, etc. and considering that not everyone will buy a CD.

roboto65 · May 02, 2006, 03:00:56 PM

Love GP shifting heheheh makes it fun when someone else rides your bike hehehehehehhe maybe make my Magna GP hehehehe

MagnaMan · May 02, 2006, 03:49:09 PM

What is GP shifting? I'm assuming it has something to do with MotoGP racing...

roboto65 · May 02, 2006, 03:52:55 PM

I had my CBR GP shifting. What you do is reverse the shift pattern so 1st is up and the rest are down it is easier in the turnsto push down than pull up....

MagnaMan · May 02, 2006, 04:00:18 PM

Oh. I can definitely see that as an advantage in the turns, but the reversed pattern could really mess with your head! I don't know that I could cross back and forth easily between bikes.

I'm wondering when they'll come out with some type of push button shifting on the left handlebar similar to the NASCAR steering wheel mounted setups.

roboto65 · May 02, 2006, 04:08:08 PM

There is a company that make an electric shift for bikes mainly used for drag racing but could be used for whatever I guess lololo...
And yes it is hard to go from one to another but you get used to it heheheh

Curtis_Valk · May 02, 2006, 08:44:16 PM

There is a new sport tourer with the option of push button clutchless shifting. I think it's the '06 Yammy FJR1300, but I might be mistaken.

Curtis

silveradocowboy · May 02, 2006, 09:32:09 PM

Jesse,

Yes I did use the LSTD program and rode in the C group. They are in their 6th year of business and seem to have everything in order and the safety of the riders is at the top of their list. I would like to have more instructor input whether it is good or bad. Only once did I have an instructor give any advice and that was that I was doing great and only needed more track time. Only concern I have is that it looks like they don't move the faster riders up to the faster B group, I have had some guys pass me like I was sitting still and they certainly were not instructors. Other than that I the organization and would recommend them to anyone. I may try Ridesmart later if the opportunity arises. Did you use Ridesmart or someone else?

Hart Photography was there and they already have the pics posted. I plan on getting the event cd also and their are a couple of photos I wouldn't mind getting a large size of. http://tinyurl.com/m45qh or http://tinyurl.com/o7fl7

The GP shifting is not difficult to do if that is all you had to concern yourself about but second nature takes over when I start thinking of the track and other riders and botch a shift, well make that shifts, I sure the engine and my dialogue can be heard on the video. Like Allen said it would be difficult to steal that horse especially if someone was in a hurry.

MagnaMan · May 02, 2006, 10:39:51 PM

Jeff,

Your experience with the instructors at Lone Star Track Day (LSTD) is the opposite of mine. When I road at TWS we had one instructor for every 2 students. I got feedback after every session. They even had video during the breaks so they could give more feedback.

And they moved fast riders out of our group pretty quickly too. There were a couple of guys that zipped past us or passed on the inside of corners, which is not allowed. They were immediately reprimanded and moved out of our group.

I went on February 6th, which was their first track day for the year. (I sure hope they haven't gotten lax as the year has worn on.) I was very impressed with their organization, safety consciousness, and the instruction.

But with your experience I would not be as impressed.

Was Stephen Porter the lead instructor? I happen to know him. In fact he talked me into trying a track day in the first place. I hope you left the appropriate feedback at the end of the day. I'll be sure to bring this up to Stephen the next time I see him.

I may try Ridesmart as well. They basically have all the same key features as LSTD, such as rider limit, two ambulances, gear requirements, etc. But they cost about $60 less, and most of their sessions are on actual weekends. I understand this usually commands a premium price, but they are still lower.

Also you can look at the web site for the particular track and their calendar will usually have all the riding schools listed. This way you can frequent the track near you more often and try out other schools at the same time.

Hopefully we'll be able to make the same track some time soon. Right now all my extra moto $$ is going toward stuff for Mootmag.

silveradocowboy · May 05, 2006, 05:55:16 PM

Quote from: MagnaMan
I went on February 6th, which was their first track day for the year. (I sure hope they haven't gotten lax as the year has worn on.) I was very impressed with their organization, safety consciousness, and the instruction.
But with your experience I would not be as impressed.

Was Stephen Porter the lead instructor? I happen to know him. In fact he talked me into trying a track day in the first place. I hope you left the appropriate feedback at the end of the day. I'll be sure to bring this up to Stephen the next time I see him.

Hopefully we'll be able to make the same track some time soon. Right now all my extra moto $$ is going toward stuff for Mootmag.

***As much as they stress safety I doubt they have eased up but they may have not have actually seen the guys makeing the inside passes or have thought they were that fast. It boils down to being a judgement call and since they have a lot more experience than I do I will respect their actions. Like the saying goes.... Ride your own ride. As far as my experience goes I have been riding for 31 years but have only done 4 or 5 track days. One thing I always keep in mind is to respect the people I am riding with by being as safe as possible and not endangering them.

***Ronnie Hay was the lead instructor at Cresson. I have met Stephen but I doubt he remembers me, he is a very good instructor. If I could get some 1 on 1 instruction with him I know I could be a lot better rider. I have watched him run the track and it amazes me at how smooth and fast he is.

***My next track was looking to be at MSR-Houston on June 26th but they have changed their schedule and made it the 24th so I'm not sure if I can make it now. It would be nice to finally meet you and do some riding together.

Gloveberg · May 06, 2006, 04:25:14 PM

Where's the video?

silveradocowboy · May 06, 2006, 08:26:54 PM

Quote from: GlovebergWhere's the video?

It's in the works, we had to order a cable to get it from the camcorder to the computer. Fortunately I can plug it in to the TV and watch it for now.

MagnaMan · May 06, 2006, 09:24:02 PM

Quote from: silveradocowboy***As much as they stress safety I doubt they have eased up but they may have not have actually seen the guys makeing the inside passes or have thought they were that fast. It boils down to being a judgement call and since they have a lot more experience than I do I will respect their actions. Like the saying goes.... Ride your own ride. As far as my experience goes I have been riding for 31 years but have only done 4 or 5 track days. One thing I always keep in mind is to respect the people I am riding with by being as safe as possible and not endangering them.

***Ronnie Hay was the lead instructor at Cresson. I have met Stephen but I doubt he remembers me, he is a very good instructor. If I could get some 1 on 1 instruction with him I know I could be a lot better rider. I have watched him run the track and it amazes me at how smooth and fast he is.

***My next track was looking to be at MSR-Houston on June 26th but they have changed their schedule and made it the 24th so I'm not sure if I can make it now. It would be nice to finally meet you and do some riding together.

Jeff, I found out that Stephen moved to Oregon. I haven't talked to him since the end of February and they haven't updated their site. I never really saw Stephen ride because he was usually following us, but I did hear he was very good, especially for someone who just started riding when he was in college... probably about 12 or 14 years.

The MSR-Houston track looks very impressive and I've been wanting to go there, since it is in my back yard. I see the track day is through the Longhorn School. Have you used them before? It would be great to meet you one day at the track. I'm not sure if I can make the June event, because of cash outlay for MOOTMag and a few other things. Plus I'm not too keen on wearing my full cruiser leathers in June... even with vents.

Keep me posted as that even gets closer, though. And if you wind up going I'll see what I can do.

Shortround · May 08, 2006, 02:59:18 AM

For those looking for an electric push button shift look at KlikTronic. They make controls for the disabled. This is for shifting motorcycles. Taken from Wing World a magazine for Gold Wing Road Riders Association. They have given them high remarks for a long time.

See it in action at: www.adaptivemoyorcycling.com
stump@cannon.net
715-442-2069 SUMMER

track day

Shortround