Hi guys, I've seen a similar thread, but I have a few questions. I'm not as such a good rider as I would like, who is? I'm looking at a trackday to improve skills and just to enjoy. Are there any track days coming up at tracks that are suitable for first timers? I won't be bringing my own bike so I'd need a rental, what are people's experiences with the rental companies? And finally if there is tution available I'd be all over that. I've seen the Ducati track day thread also, but I'd prefer to stay out of the way of 1299's and V4's and stick with the slow blokes. Cheers fellas!
Google trackday companies, then you should be able to visit their websites which should detail what services i.e. Bike hire, tuition are on offer at your preferred venue I guess, you are in the sticks a bit so bit of travel involved, Mallory is pretty straightforward for a beginner but 230 miles north of you, you'll be fine on any track in the slow group or a novice trackday like I want to do.
Personally I find it the other way round, the Ducati Track Days are far more relaxed, particularly in the novice group. If you book yourself on a No Limits day then be prepared for a quicker pace. The Silverstone DTD will be a great intro, nice flowing track with loads of space.
I'm not to fussy with travelling, I end up all over the south for work. Brands hatch, castle Combe and Silverstone are all doable. I'm after people's first experiences, what mistakes not to make. Oh ideal, I'm all for a quicker pace in the future, but jumping in the deep end could be expensive. I'll look into it!
Ring no limits or focused events both companies have hire bikes you can use and both have good instructors who will ride with you all day. As mentioned the track doesn't really matter at entry level , Mallory is a good starter as it's easy to learn but Silverstone is a great track to ride , just big.
As far as rental, I have used Smallboy Trackbikes. Very reasonable rates, and they look after absolutely everything (tyre changes/refueling/tyre warmers). You just get on and ride. This is me on their GSXR-750 at Donnington in Sept.
+1 for smallboy track rentals. I know Matt pretty well, and he's by far the most comprehensive of the bike hire companies. All you need to do is turn up with your kit, and they'll be your pit crew for the day fueling the bike up, changing wheels if it rains and putting on warmers. Matt only hires his bikes through No Limits and MSVT's own days, whereas Focussed have their own bikes you can hire, but you don't get any of the support. No Limits and focussed have instructors, but they're not great to be honest, and you don't get them all day - They're more for a single session and will show you the lines around the track, but not focus on the things that you'll probably need as someone new to track riding - Body Position, when to brake and when to roll off etc You're better off looking at one of Silverstone's own days as they have a dedicated team of instructors per group, and if you wanted structured instruction and the hire of one of their R1's, you can book into the Masterclass days they run. That's full on one on one instruction all day, and you'll get BSB riders as your instructors too Silverstone's own days tend to be smaller groups too, so you'll get more space on track
I'll keep small boy in mind, seem like the sort of thing im after! I was looking at the Silverstone own events and they look good, its good to hear that they have good instruction. What you mentioned there is the sort of thing I want to focus on, rather than track layouts and stuff like that. Seems to me like I'll have a bash at Silverstone first, maybe one of the masterclass ones, although I'm not sure I could handle an R1 yet!
I don't like Brands, your always either held up or being overtaken or both at the same time. Bedford is a good first track. Loads of run off, perfectly flat and nice and big so you can get spread out a bit.
Something no-one else has suggested yet, you could try either a CSS level 1/2 day at Brands or Silverstone or the Haslam school at Donnington. Good introduction for a road rider to the track. Andy
I was going to say the same thing. You sound like you would really benefit from the structured learning approach of the California Superbike School. They are very much focused on teaching road riders to ride faster in a safe and non stressful environment. You can hire a Panigale 959 or Supersport from them as well. I usually recommend the Haslam school as I did that when I first passed my licence but you sound like you'd benefit from more focus on all the drills on things like braking and throttle use, etc that CSS do.
Silverstone days are really well run, and the instructors are a good bunch. I'm pretty sure they have a new fleet this year, which includes the new R6 too
Yeah I've just watched some MCN videos on CSS, they seem like the sort of thing I'd like. More training on the road, then move to more track action.
Don't make the common mistaken assumption that track riding is somehow more advanced and heroic than the road. It tests you more in terms of movement of bike and body but that is the exact reason why it is perfect for absolute beginners. I would 100% recommend that all complete novices get to the track as soon as they have got their licence.
This 100% Roads have inconsistent corners and surfaces for learning to ride faster on. At the circuit, you’ll hit the same corners over and over again and practice improvements repeatedly Becoming a better track rider will always make a better (safer) road rider, but not the other way around
I spent far too long considering if having a go was going to be an expensive mistake. No Limits are now the standard for track days, MSV do their own days which generally are a little quieter IMO and nearly everyone does novice only days. My advice is to just get stuck in, ride the track like a fast road and get some tuition. Take your time and just build up your speed as your confidence builds. Most of enjoy it, relax and have fun
Some really good advice here ..... 1. Smallboys, excellent outfit, you can't go wrong. 2. At this level the No Limits instructors are very well able to help. 3. Check the NL calender or call them, they often run dedicated Novice days so that could be a good start, either way the novice group isn't a scary place. 4. Circuits, Brands Hatch is easy to learn, Castle Combe would be ok, Mallory and Cadwell you might find a tad 'tight', Rockingham has a good selection of corners and used to be home of the California Superbike School, I'd avoid Silverstone until you are quicker as its just too big / wide / flat for spinning round at novice group speed, I hated it when I first started trackdays and now that I'm a bit quicker it makes sense ..... 5. Doing CSS would be a good shout as will equip you with the fundementals. 6. DO NOT do any of the above if you have a remotely addictive personality as I will not be held responsible when your wife leaves you, you go broke and the bank repossesses your house, but not your bike as thats now a non V5 ex race bike that they know nothing about.
The only thing I'd disagree on that would be that Silverstone is possibly the perfect place for a first trackday, as although it's a fast circuit, the wideness and the amount of tarmac run off, that they have to have for F1, makes it super safe as there's loads of overtaking spaces, and any corner you feel you've gone too fast into, you can simply over run onto the tarmac and rejoin the track. Most other tracks have curbs then grass or gravel They also run their own days there with free instruction, and the pace tends to be a lot more gentle and the groups smaller than many other organisers trackdays as they're less well known