General questions about track days

[samspotting]

I'm planning on doing a track season this coming year and have some questions.

1) How much of a hassle is the u-haul trailer? In terms of waiting for it, getting it and returning it? Does it add a lot of time? I'm thinking maybe its better to just get a dedicated trailer.

2) How likely are accidents at the beginner and intermediate groups? I will probably get a dedicated bike for advanced group (if i ever get there), but I ride a Triumph Trident, and not sure how much I want to risk it at the track. It has frame and spoke sliders. Should I just get a prepped ninja 400 dedicated?

 

[budman]

A rental 400 is a good way to start.
With zero track days under your belt the A group is totally unrealistic. Once you get some experience you will know when to move up.

Typically there is less havoc in C group.

Renting a trailer is a PITA, but... whatever it takes.
Good luck.

 

[Tally Whacker]

I know guys that do 10-15 track days a year and rent U-Haul trailers every time. So it is clearly possible.

 

[dylpickle]

Renting a U-haul isnt too bad but it does add some time. If you can find a place that offers after hours drop off thatll be nice because you wont be rushed to get it back, unload, and drop it back off before the end of the day.

If you do end up getting a trailer, get a decent one - I got a stinger folding trailer and it was a POS so I sold it and do the u-haul thing now. Its nice not having to store a trailer too.

C group is usually pretty mellow. I think most of the crashes are usually in B group.

 

[stangmx13]

The group you are in doesn’t really change your risk of crashing. I’ve been to plenty of trackdays where more riders in C had a bad day. It’s not just B or A. If you ride over your head, lack self control, and/or don’t work on your skills, you will probably crash eventually. Focus on riding well and you’ll have a good time.

A track prepped bike is great. Part of that is being a little more comfortable crashing it. But the more fun part is the full track prep - track tires, track brakes, good suspension, way lighter bodywork, etc. it all makes for a bike that can be amazing to ride.

 

[samspotting]

Renting a U-haul isnt too bad but it does add some time. If you can find a place that offers after hours drop off thatll be nice because you wont be rushed to get it back, unload, and drop it back off before the end of the day.

If you do end up getting a trailer, get a decent one - I got a stinger folding trailer and it was a POS so I sold it and do the u-haul thing now. Its nice not having to store a trailer too.

C group is usually pretty mellow. I think most of the crashes are usually in B group.

Thanks all. I think I will go with uhaul and my street bike until intermediate group.

I was actually looking at the stinger. It sucks huh? Do you think a kendon will be better? What made it suck?

 

[berth]

Mind, I've only done trucks, but when I moved a couple of years ago, I hit them up several times and it was mostly painless.

The App works "OK", and can get a lot of the preliminaries out of the way, dunno how it works with trailers.

Overall I was really happy with all of my u-haul experiences.

 

[ThinkFast]

I'm planning on doing a track season this coming year and have some questions.
...

2) How likely are accidents at the beginner and intermediate groups?

Accidents are pretty much unheard of at trackdays. Crashes are pretty common, though.

 

[berth]

Accidents are pretty much unheard of at trackdays. Crashes are pretty common, though.

How common are "not my fault" crashes? How common is someone taken out by somebody else? In theory a lot of that is mitigated by forcing outside passing, but curious the frequency.

 

[ThinkFast]

How common are "not my fault" crashes? How common is someone taken out by somebody else? In theory a lot of that is mitigated by forcing outside passing, but curious the frequency.

Dunno how common they are at trackdays - my guess is pretty seldom due to the passing rules that are set for each run group. By the time you get to the A groups, people know the line and the drill pretty well.

In racing, though, it's a different story. Then everyone knows the drill - and they're all competing. I was taken out on the first lap after the start in T2 at Sears by a guy a couple bikes in front of me who had just highsided and was laying in the middle of the track. The last thing I recall was aiming for the line between him and his bike. And then there were emergency workers opening my helmet visor and waiting for me to regain conciousness.

Turns out I ran over the guy who crashed in front of me and dislocated his shoulder. He later apologized for his bonehead error (he was an experienced racer and knew better than to wad it up in T2 at the start of a race - total newb move).

So, yeah, sometimes you crash during a race due to someone else's hairball move. But it's still a crash. If you don't want to crash it's real easy - don't race.

 

[dpwracing]

How common are "not my fault" crashes? How common is someone taken out by somebody else? In theory a lot of that is mitigated by forcing outside passing, but curious the frequency.

It happens, but not super common.

Overall, C group seems to have the fewest crashes in my experience. B tends to have the most, although A is not far behind. Usually people riding over their head, or cold tires.

If you keep your wits about you, chances are good you won't crash. However, crashes happen and you will probably have some too if you are trying to get faster.

 

[Gravisman]

How common are "not my fault" crashes? How common is someone taken out by somebody else? In theory a lot of that is mitigated by forcing outside passing, but curious the frequency.

FWIW most track days that I’ve been to don’t require outside passing, even in beginner groups. In any case, sounds like you’ve got an awesome fun-filled year ahead of you.

 

[budman]

The group you are in doesn’t really change your risk of crashing. I’ve been to plenty of trackdays where more riders in C had a bad day. It’s not just B or A. If you ride over your head, lack self control, and/or don’t work on your skills, you will probably crash eventually. Focus on riding well and you’ll have a good time.

A track prepped bike is great. Part of that is being a little more comfortable crashing it. But the more fun part is the full track prep - track tires, track brakes, good suspension, way lighter bodywork, etc. it all makes for a bike that can be amazing to ride.

Wise words.

It is worth considering https://www.feellikeapro.com/ for your first time out. Drive up casual and get a solid track bike well set up and support. Plus those bikes are great little track weapons.

My first go was on a GPz 550 provided by Keith Code.

Great fucking day.

 

[superhawk]

Im starting my 32nd year of doing trackdays. The only advice i can give is to remember, at my age, you no longer bend , you break

 

[fufo47]

I had a Black Widow hitch carrier that I used to haul my Tuono for over 3 years without a single issue. Looks like it's going to break BUT it holds pretty well. Only sold it because some idiot backed up into me and bent the two arms where you tie down and couldn't find parts. Upgraded to a Kendon single trailer but its a $2k delta in the investment.

As to the groups... go easy, you'll fall no matter what you think...

 

[NATEWA]

1) check CL or Facebook marketplace for a motorcycle trailer. I’ve used the hitch mounted carriers before but only for dirt bikes.

2) rent one of the ninja 400’s. I purchased a track bike recently. If you’re patient, know what you want, and have the cash - you’ll find one.

Good luck

 

[edzx6]

Accidents are pretty much unheard of at trackdays. Crashes are pretty common, though.

I dont know if this is a crash or accident. I know I am still pissed off.

Its been 6 months so I think I am finally ready to share this. On a Sunday at THill East riding in A group, first lap of the day, I am one of the first 8 people out and going around the track and I come over turn 9 and there is a guy who is basically stopped at the top of 9. If you know 9 it is a fully blind left right switchback to a downhill. As soon as I popped up from my knee down left, he is basically parked in the middle of the track. Needless to say, major collision and destroyed Aprilia with 900 miles on it with bike laying in the middle of the track with an entire A group coming over blind 9. The shithead that stopped didn't crash and I watched as he rode away looking behind him wondering what happened.

Apparently, the day before was a 5 mile day and when we met with the provider, the guy said "I haven't ridden this track and didn't know which way it went".

Basically, don't think because you are in A group you wont have idiots riding in A group and it is safer. Don't be one of those guys, try C group and if you are wickedly fast in C and need to go up, hit B and feel it out. If you own B then go to A and be careful, it doesn't mean you will not find the the unicorn in the group.

 

[ThinkFast]

FLAP is great if you don’t want to hassle with prepping your own bike, and you do want a fun, very manageable bike no matter what level you’re riding at. See my recent track day write up on my experience in this forum.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I've only done a three track days and while it is tempting to take my own bike out for a rip, it'd be pretty expensive to find my limits on that machine, not that I tend to ride that hard... I've used Fell Like a Pro and they are great to work with. Ripping around on those little 400s is a blast as well. I'd say they are well worth the money for your first track day, or more depending on how frequently you want to go.