THRYLLZ
Thrills we thrive on
Thrills we thrive on
Before you feel offended or misunderstand this article, let us clarify something. We ourselves used every excuse in this list of ‘8 excuses why motorcyclists don’t do track days’ before we booked our first track day. Especially excuses #5 and #6.
But let us tell you why all eight of these excuses for why motorcyclists don’t do track days really don’t make any sense. And hopefully, you or a friend will use them less and less as a result. And maybe, just maybe… it will even convince you or that friend to book that very first track day.
We could come up with many more, but we’ve decided to stick with these eight excuses. Here we go! First up: ‘But I don’t ride a sports bike!’
This is the most common, and perhaps the most ridiculous excuse on the entire list. As long as your motorbike has two wheels, brakes adequately and functions properly, you can ride on track. You see all kinds of motorbikes on track days. Not just sports bikes and sporty naked bikes, but also all-road motorbikes, sports touring machines, classic motorbikes and even the occasional cruiser.
Yes, sports bikes and naked bikes are the most suitable bikes if you want to increase your speed on track. But we also know very fast track riders who ride all-road bikes. And especially in the beginners’ group, it doesn’t really matter what kind of bike you ride.
Or ‘I don’t have a leather motorcycle suit!’ Then go get one, mate! Okay, that may not be the most appropriate answer. But investing in good motorcycle clothing is always a good idea, whether you’re riding on track or on public roads.
Want to book your first track day? Most organisations allow non-leather motorcycle clothing in the beginners’ group. So you should already have most of what you need. Only motorcycle leggings, motorcycle hoodies and sneakers are not allowed. But most motorcyclists should already have a suitable outfit. Whether that’s a two-piece leather suit or a full textile motorcycle outfit. So we can dismiss this excuse as well.
I am too. But that doesn’t keep me off the track. Do you know why? Because the consequences of crashing your motorbike on the track are often less serious than if you crash your motorbike on the road. Especially if you’re riding in the beginners’ group on the track.
When someone crashes on the track, it’s often because that rider wants to increase their speed too quickly, before they’ve learned how to handle that speed. This usually results in a “low sider”, which means that the motorbike slides out from under you. This obviously causes sliding damage to both your motorbike and your riding gear. However, this often means that you can continue riding.
It is very rare for two motorcyclists to collide and cause a “multi-motorcycle” accident. The risk of a collision is much greater on the road. Whether that collision is with another motorcyclist, a car, a tree, a wheelie bin, an animal or @%*^ Prius.
Mate, listen up… it makes no sense to risk a huge speeding fine, losing years of insurance and possibly sustaining serious injuries on the road, and then not booking a track day “because it’s too expensive”.
If you drive just 25 km/h over the speed limit, you’ll quickly end up paying more than €250. An average track day costs around €265 if you do it smartly, depending on the organisation and circuit. For that money, you don’t just get the short adrenaline rush you get on the street. No, for that money, you get an adrenaline rush that lasts all day. And you learn something too.
What’s wrong with that? To be honest, I hope you take it easy on your first track day. Experience shows that motorcyclists who start slowly and build up their speed gradually tend to be the faster riders at the end of the day. You’ll find your ideal pace during the day.
And even though you’re riding on a circuit, you’re not there to race. That’s the beauty of circuit days. It’s not about competition. Competition is for race days and race training. Not for your standard track day.
This is a classic on this list of 8 excuses why motorcyclists don’t do track days. This is also the excuse I have used the most. And secretly still think sometimes. Let me be very clear; you are never in the way as long as you ride predictably. This means; learn to ride the correct lines and ride those lines. Be consistent in riding those lines. This way, faster and more experienced circuit riders know exactly where they can safely pass you. Ask an experienced and fast racer and he or she will say the same thing. Being a slow rider is not a problem at all, as long as you ride consistent lines.
Just keep looking ahead. It is the responsibility of the faster rider to pass you safely. So don’t look back. Keep doing your thing and everything will be fine.
And a little reminder: motor racing is not a team sport (we’re not talking about racing here). You’re riding for yourself, not for anyone else. You have just as much right to learn on the track and to do so at your own pace as anyone else.
This is a lazy excuse, if you ask me. Chances are you will be doing your first track day with your own street bike. So you can just ride to the track. If you really don’t want to ride your street bike to the track, you can also rent a motorcycle trailer. Or post a message on social media – track day organisations often have a Facebook page or WhatsApp group for communication – and ask for help. The track riding community is a close-knit group. Other riders are always willing to help.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. I barely slept the night before my first track day. I was so excited, but nervous and scared at the same time. We at THRYLLZ really understand. But believe us when we say that practically every novice track driver is nervous before their (first) track day.
It’s nice if you’ve already clocked up some miles on the road. But even if you find cornering at higher speeds on the road a bit nerve-wracking, you can still do a track day. You can always opt for private training. A certified and experienced instructor will show you what to do, where to ride and how to handle everything. You’re in safe hands.
Also good to know: most organisations allow spectators during their track days. So you can always visit a track day as a spectator to see if it’s something for you. Ask around, gather information from the crew and organisation. Maybe even from some participants, and let it sink in. Or book your first track day and bring your best friend along for moral support.
We understand very well where these “8 excuses why motorcyclists don’t do track days” come from. And why motorcyclists use them. If you ask us, this has mainly to do with the lack of information available about what to expect on your first track day. That’s why we’re writing about it. We want to help you prepare better for your first laps on the track. Because it’s really not that scary. And you can ride on the track too. Even if you use one (or more) of these excuses.
We’re not judging. We have used a few of them ourselves… Until we finally booked our first track days. Suddenly, the excuses disappeared like snow in the sun. I still ride on the track. More and more. And I’m incredibly happy that I put aside those excuses why motorcyclists don’t do track days. I wish I had done it sooner…
