So my GSXR750 SRAD is now closing in on being road worthy and passing its MOT after 7/8 years sitting idle. My plan is to get some road miles on it under my belt before taking it over to Snetterton for a track day. I used to love track days but my mate stopped riding due to bad knees and the last time I did one was probably 9 years ago. Well I was 51 years old back then and can't recall feeling at all out of place as regards my age. However, although I'm actually in better shape now and over 60lbs lighter and can still ride a bike reasonably quickly I am suddenly worried that at 60 years of age I'm way too old to be doing this. I worry it will be full of kids or at the very least much younger people and as I will be attending on my own it all now feels a little daunting. So to those of you on the forum who attend track days am I being a bit paranoid or not?
You said you still ride quickly and so won't get in too many peoples way. You may be surprised how many younger ones get in your way, more likely with crap lines thru corners.
Anyway it's for your enjoyment, f@#k everyone else.
If you want to do it, try it again, then decide if you want to do more. :wheelie:
Will let you know afterThursday....... track day at Hampton Downs. :boogie2:
Only 61 myself. :cheers:
@Big Phil You've done it before so you can do it again! Don't repeat this thought at 70 wishing you had done it whenyou were only 60 :onya:
If i lived nearer i'd come, if only to give you moral support :smile2: Obviously post covid and warmer weather :8:
Hi ya.
My mate has been doing track days for about 5 years. He's now over 60! I went up to Snetterton with him to watch. He has taken to it big time and even has tyre warmers for his track bike!
I believe the format is you decide which group you want to ride in depending on your experience level. It seems to be very well organised. They do 20 minutes slots alternating between the 3 levels (Novice, quick and quicker still)!
I reckon, looking around the paddock, most riders were, shall we say, on the mature end of the age scale :whistling:. Lets face it, we're the only one with disposable income!!
Regards
Chip
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 06 December 2020, 02:39 PM
Will let you know afterThursday....... track day at Hampton Downs. :boogie2:
Only 61 myself. :cheers:
[/quote cool be good to hear what you thought. I'm being coaxed into a Central Districts one by a couple of mates.(been a while for me)
I'll start off the back of the fast group and see where from there.
Just gotta keep the red mist at bay.lol
Thanks for the all the positive comments Guy's makes me feel much better again. Think I just had a wobble with the missis taking the piss out of me for being 60 and vulnerable 😂
By the way Chip as your aware your only a short distance from me. I was wondering if you know of any local biker groups who do ride outs and meetings? Can't seem to find much if anything on the internet.
Hi Phil.
I'm a member of the Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists Group myself and also a member of an informal forum on Facebook called "The Suffolk Crew" who have a lively forum and organise ride outs, charity runs etc. They are good for a laugh. They help with marshalling other rideouts too.
I struggle with electronic stuff, but basically if you find The Suffolk Crew facebook page, there is a joining application form. Its free by the way. In a day or so you have access to comment etc.
There is also the Triangle motorcycle club (who are behind the organisation of the Copdock Bike show which is planned to be early September 2012) who also do runs etc. They tend to be based around older British Bikes.
I know there are other clubs about too.
I believe the Stonham Barns bike nights are planned to start in April too.
Hope this helps a little?
Chip
Thanks ever so much Chip 🤗
@Roo Yep l'm a back of the grid boy. Have found in the first sessions some are too keen for my liking. New bike, new leathers, helmet and gloves.....keep clear !!
After a couple of sessions you can usually work out where you fit it.
Where would you go, Manfield or Taupo.
Are you going to Wanganui for the Street Races ?
Quote from: Alan Moreton on Monday, 07 December 2020, 07:55 AM
Lets face it, we're the only one with disposable income!!
Speak for yourself.
Wish I did, I'd love to do track days.
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 08 December 2020, 04:20 PM
@Roo
Yep l'm a back of the grid boy. Have found in the first sessions some are too keen for my liking. New bike, new leathers, helmet and gloves.....keep clear !!
After a couple of sessions you can usually work out where you fit it.
Where would you go, Manfield or Taupo.
Are you going to Wanganui for the Street Races ?
Manfeild bud ! done a million laps of that place, racing and then with job training Policemen for 11yrs. Some very funny stories with them !
Family lob here so I do Boxing day breakfast !!!! (was great in the old days when it was televised.)
Might pop up to Manfeild for rd. two of Suzuki series which is about the 19th Dec ?????? I don't know anyone racing nowdays. Its only 40 mins away from here....(only if its fine tho )
Round 2 on 13th Dec
@Roo https://www.manfeild.co.nz/Events/553/Suzuki-Series-R2
I used to do track days when I owned an TL1000S then Aprilia Mille then a GSXR1000. I took the GSX1400 to QR once and wore the footpegs off :whistling: :whistling:
The last few Trackdays I've attended have been on the Monday after WSBK at Phillip Island run by Steve Broughy. First one was Suzuki GSXR600's, now they rent out BMW S1000RR's (a whole lot quicker) in race trim, speedo is covered. With traction control and ABS it makes you feel like a real racer. It's a whole lot of fun and run very professionally. You can race your mates if you're in the same grouping :devil:, it's not cheap but with disposable income it just makes sense when you've travelled all that way to watch WSBK. :onya: :onya:
Well I'm afraid l won't be doing the Track Day tomorrow as rough running issue has returned.
Spewing..... :furious:
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 09 December 2020, 08:51 PM
Well I'm afraid l won't be doing the Track Day tomorrow as rough running issue has returned.
Spewing..... :furious:
That's a shame Col :thumbs_down:
Speak for yourself.
Wish I did, I'd love to do track days.
[/quote]
So do one.
I know it's not cheap but those cams are feeling wasted and unappreciated.
Just bite the bullet and do it.
I promise you won't regret it.
You WILL regret not doing it when you finally do and realise you'll never be as quick as you would've been if you had started when Teufel said you should.
$210 + $75 for all the gear is not a lot when you consider it saves you from making the biggest mistake ever.
It'll save you from doing stupid shit like buying indicators.
Indicators, FFS??
DO IT
DO IT
DO IT
YES what Teufel said :hat: :hat: :hat:
Some good news :boogie: ....... Pro Rider Motor Cycle Training who run the Track Day I was supposed to be a part of have given me the opportunity to join another of their track days.
They didn't have to but a great and generous gesture on their part. :cheers:
DO IT?
Oh I'd love it. I really would.
Hey, Just a heads up for those in the U.K. who are looking at doing a track day next year. I was looking through the available dates for the new year and came across a new regulation. Apparently from January 1st 2021 it will be compulsory to have a brake lever protector fitted to your bike or you will not be allowed on track😳
There are loads available on eBay for a tenner that come as a set that include both brake and clutch lever protectors.
Brake lever protector? Is that some some dodgy competitor can't tap your brakes as they ride past... :lol:
Quote from: VladTepes on Tuesday, 15 December 2020, 08:33 AM
Brake lever protector? Is that some some dodgy competitor can't tap your brakes as they ride past... :lol:
Exactly for that or if you happen to catch the back of the bike in front whilst passing
@VladTepes
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Friday, 11 December 2020, 09:54 AM
Some good news :boogie: ....... Pro Rider Motor Cycle Training who run the Track Day I was supposed to be a part of have given me the opportunity to join another of their track days.
They didn't have to but a great and generous gesture on their part. :cheers:
A mate just sent an E mail. Saturday the 9th Jan Manfeild Track day, organised by Central Districts club.
$80 ......... always the cheapest, which suits me ! Only thing to fuck it up will be weather, but its been pretty good lately(Summer has started finally ?).
Happy New Year Roo. Yes that is cheap.
Last time l was at Manfield they had a World Superbike race there. Probably about 86/87. Would have cost nearly that to get in.
Thursday is my track day at Hampton Downs. Just prior to Xmas l didn't make the one l had booked as the bike played up. It hasn't played up since. Fingers crossed 'SHE' behaves.
Will give her a shine up and check over tomorrow :smitten:
Enjoy your day out Col. :onya:
At last.
Brilliant.
Look forward to hearing how it goes.
I am planning on taking my 1400 to Lakeside on Tuesday, weather permitting.
I'll be riding my old trackie in the morning but I can't wait to try out my "new" rear sets on the 1400.
They are Metisse, no less.
Anyone else remember the brothers Metisse from the sixties?
Getting really itchy as I haven't been to the track since LAST YEAR, FFS!
Teufel, should be a nice sticky track after all our rain. Enjoy.
How did it go Col? Got a report for us?
@Kiwifruit
I'd be interested to hear feedback on the engine characteristics of the 1400 on the track.
I did a track day on my 1978 GS1000 back in the day and discovered some engine characteristics not evident on the road. In particular there was a distinct kick at about 7500 rpm on the short back straight at Amaroo Park.
Headed off to Hampton Downs at 6.15am yesterday without a cloud in the sky. Its 150kms from home to the track. Just over half way there and I can see a rainbow in the distance......damn, that's rain. So I get wet, ten minutes later its sunny and I dry out again. We had showers on and off all day but fortunately it was warm and the track dried out in 15 mins. The Club Circuit was us for the day, the GP Track was being used tor the NZ Grand Prix on Sunday so a lot of activity there getting that sorted .
Think there were about twelve of us plus two instructors.
It was suggested we drop our tyre pressures. Many will know I have Michelin PR5 boots on which I dropped to 30lbs front and rear. We did 5 look laps behind the instructor and I thought this is not good, the bike was heavy and slow to turn in. As some temperature got into the tyres they got better and better.
After that we started off doing some brake drills and learning to brake from 80, 90, then 100kph to stopped applying first the rear brake then two staging the front brake as fast as you can say 1,2,3. Rear brake momentarily first settles the rear end into the track, 1st stage front brake compresses the slack in the front end, second stage makes the contact patch bigger. and you can really haul on the brake, but only allowed to use two fingers, four fingers can turn the throttle. I could hear the front tyre tearing at the track. The podgy 14 don't stop too bad.
!5 minute break, we were all told to have a drink of water. Then we did 8 laps and had to trail our rear brake while weaving through 8-10 cones placed on the front straight. We were told to focus on the gaps not the cones.
Had an hour for lunch, nice little cafe at the track, then back into it. This time easing off the front brake but trailing the rear brake around some of the tighter corners on the track. Easy on left handers near impossible on rights. you cant get your foot on the brake. Apparently MotoGP bikes have a thumb operated rear brake on the bars. We rode the track both ways, going anti clockwise there is a decreasing radius left hand sweeper. Trailing the rear brake really pulled the bike in tight on exit. I have often trailed my rear brake around roundabouts and tight turns around town often thinking I shouldn't be doing this, but it worked for me, now I feel ok doing it as it does keep the head of the bike tucked in. Another break and a drink, bit of feedback from the instructors and tips about shifting your body weight, getting to the inside of the bike a bit and setting up for the turns. Then back out, this time accelerating out of the corners with a bit of rear brake applied, slowly easing it off as you exit the turn. This smoothes out the exit and controls the power delivery while keeping the bike settled.
Back to the pits, by now i'm sweating like a pig, since arriving I have shed the thermal liners in my jacket and pants, long johns are long gone and I'm down to a Tee shirt and jocks under my textiles with every vent open. (in the jacket not my jocks) We have had a few showers on and off all day but its got hot so then the sun comes out the track steams and in 15 minutes its dry.
Its time to put into practice what we have been working on. I found I couldn't hustle and think about everything we had learned so I slowed to a pace that was comfortable and tried to be smooth. Before long I started to feel comfortable and put in some laps I was pretty happy with. Tipping in later than you think you should makes a wider radius turn, slowing to get a good line on a double apex is quite a buzz once you get it sorted. I finished up dragging both the left and right foot pegs, don't think I have ever even come close before, I don't ride like that on the road anyway, actually spooked me the first time, didn't think I was that far over.
The bike never missed a beat all day, have to say it handled like a dream and was complimented on its condition and the stonk it had coming out of a couple of the tighter turns by a fella riding a GSXR750.....but once he was gone he was gone. Other than the instructors I reckon the quickest thing was a Triumph 675, scruffy lookin dude but a nice guy and he rode good. Yours truly had to go and apologize to a fella on a Harley that I gave a good close haircut to, I felt quite bad as it was totally my mistake. I went to pass him on the outside when I should have gone under him and then out braked him. He accepted my apology with good grace. Found out later he was an ex cop....ooops !!
All in all I had a great day, I learned a lot, the ole 14 is not the fastest but it is by no means a slouch we got around pretty tidy and didnt disgrace ourselves in amongst some nice modern bikes.
Popped in and saw Dad on the way , from his place its an hour home. Got home there after suffering cramp for the last half hour of the journey absolutely shattered.
Top day out, can't wait to have another go. Just got to plaster the fridge door with a load more gold stickers :onya:
Awesome mate!
Sounds like you had a cracking day Col. Still waiting for our lockdown to finish and weather to improve before I can book my track day at Snetterton which is about 70km from my home.
Did get the bikes out today though as we had a sunny day so took them both for a little run. Only 10 minutes on each enough to warm them up and realise how much I miss riding as well as everything else in this current time.
Kiwifruit sounds like you had a great day.
I found many years ago applying rear break on exit tucks the bike in and gives better drive out of corners.
@Kiwifruit good to read your track day experience, :onya:
Brilliant Col :clapping: :clapping:
Nice little stable Phil :onya:
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Friday, 22 January 2021, 09:27 PM
Headed off to Hampton Downs at 6.15am yesterday without a cloud in the sky. Its 150kms from home to the track. Just over half way there and I can see a rainbow in the distance......damn, that's rain. So I get wet, ten minutes later its sunny and I dry out again. We had showers on and off all day but fortunately it was warm and the track dried out in 15 mins. The Club Circuit was us for the day, the GP Track was being used tor the NZ Grand Prix on Sunday so a lot of activity there getting that sorted .
Think there were about twelve of us plus two instructors.
It was suggested we drop our tyre pressures. Many will know I have Michelin PR5 boots on which I dropped to 30lbs front and rear. We did 5 look laps behind the instructor and I thought this is not good, the bike was heavy and slow to turn in. As some temperature got into the tyres they got better and better.
After that we started off doing some brake drills and learning to brake from 80, 90, then 100kph to stopped applying first the rear brake then two staging the front brake as fast as you can say 1,2,3. Rear brake momentarily first settles the rear end into the track, 1st stage front brake compresses the slack in the front end, second stage makes the contact patch bigger. and you can really haul on the brake, but only allowed to use two fingers, four fingers can turn the throttle. I could hear the front tyre tearing at the track. The podgy 14 don't stop too bad.
!5 minute break, we were all told to have a drink of water. Then we did 8 laps and had to trail our rear brake while weaving through 8-10 cones placed on the front straight. We were told to focus on the gaps not the cones.
Had an hour for lunch, nice little cafe at the track, then back into it. This time easing off the front brake but trailing the rear brake around some of the tighter corners on the track. Easy on left handers near impossible on rights. you cant get your foot on the brake. Apparently MotoGP bikes have a thumb operated rear brake on the bars. We rode the track both ways, going anti clockwise there is a decreasing radius left hand sweeper. Trailing the rear brake really pulled the bike in tight on exit. I have often trailed my rear brake around roundabouts and tight turns around town often thinking I shouldn't be doing this, but it worked for me, now I feel ok doing it as it does keep the head of the bike tucked in. Another break and a drink, bit of feedback from the instructors and tips about shifting your body weight, getting to the inside of the bike a bit and setting up for the turns. Then back out, this time accelerating out of the corners with a bit of rear brake applied, slowly easing it off as you exit the turn. This smoothes out the exit and controls the power delivery while keeping the bike settled.
Back to the pits, by now i'm sweating like a pig, since arriving I have shed the thermal liners in my jacket and pants, long johns are long gone and I'm down to a Tee shirt and jocks under my textiles with every vent open. (in the jacket not my jocks) We have had a few showers on and off all day but its got hot so then the sun comes out the track steams and in 15 minutes its dry.
Its time to put into practice what we have been working on. I found I couldn't hustle and think about everything we had learned so I slowed to a pace that was comfortable and tried to be smooth. Before long I started to feel comfortable and put in some laps I was pretty happy with. Tipping in later than you think you should makes a wider radius turn, slowing to get a good line on a double apex is quite a buzz once you get it sorted. I finished up dragging both the left and right foot pegs, don't think I have ever even come close before, I don't ride like that on the road anyway, actually spooked me the first time, didn't think I was that far over.
The bike never missed a beat all day, have to say it handled like a dream and was complimented on its condition and the stonk it had coming out of a couple of the tighter turns by a fella riding a GSXR750.....but once he was gone he was gone. Other than the instructors I reckon the quickest thing was a Triumph 675, scruffy lookin dude but a nice guy and he rode good. Yours truly had to go and apologize to a fella on a Harley that I gave a good close haircut to, I felt quite bad as it was totally my mistake. I went to pass him on the outside when I should have gone under him and then out braked him. He accepted my apology with good grace. Found out later he was an ex cop....ooops !!
All in all I had a great day, I learned a lot, the ole 14 is not the fastest but it is by no means a slouch we got around pretty tidy and didnt disgrace ourselves in amongst some nice modern bikes.
Popped in and saw Dad on the way , from his place its an hour home. Got home there after suffering cramp for the last half hour of the journey absolutely shattered.
Top day out, can't wait to have another go. Just got to plaster the fridge door with a load more gold stickers :onya:
Great report Col. It sounds like you certainly got your moneysworth it'll be interesting to see how you adapt it to your roadcraft. :onya: :onya: :onya: :wheelie:
Yes Kingi, the instructors parting comment was "we hope we have taught you things to be safer, not how to crash faster" a point well made.
Brilliant descripton of your day Col. 👍Glad you enjoyed
Well done Kiwifruit, thanks for sharing, sounds like a great day.
Just thought I'd like to try to persuade anyone considering the track.
I promise, it's fun.
The above pic is from a couple of years ago, but it's my favourite.
This one is from last Tuesday.
And one more
Teuful, great pics. Well done you👍
Great pics Teufel. You got slicks on her?
Yes Kiwifruit, I do run slicks at the track. Do you?
No don't have slicks, Michelin Road 5's, read an article that said the shoulder compound on the Road 5 was the same as the compound of the Power 5.
I'll bet you scared some of the young blokes on their pocket rockets
@Teufel :stir: :stir: :stir: :onya: :onya: :onya:
Can be a strange reaction you get from some when you front on a 1400. Especially one fitted with pannier and top box brackets.
Ones l keep a wary eye out for are the middle aged fellas with brand new leathers, helmet and boots riding brand spanking new sports bikes. Been at a track day when a bloke left his brand new Ducati on the ground in the middle of some esses and another guy destroyed a near new R1 at the end of the front straight. Same day one of the surprises for me was a bloke on a 600 who had his missus on the back, she held on to a handle mounted like a tank ring, he could ride.
You should never judge a book by can by its cover.
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 02 February 2021, 04:27 AM
Can be a strange reaction you get from some when you front on a 1400. Especially one fitted with pannier and top box brackets.
Ones l keep a wary eye out for are the middle aged fellas with brand new leathers, helmet and boots riding brand spanking new sports bikes. Been at a track day when a bloke left his brand new Ducati on the ground in the middle of some esses and another guy destroyed a near new R1 at the end of the front straight. Same day one of the surprises for me was a bloke on a 600 who had his missus on the back, she held on to a handle mounted like a tank ring, he could ride.
You should never judge a book by can by its cover.
Never trust those with "all the gear and no idea !! " :bugga:
GSXKing said,
I'll bet you scared some of the young blokes on their pocket rockets
I rode in the fast group for the first time on the 1400.
I managed to pass a couple, but it's still a bit lonely, so I went down to the B group to mix it up with the "slow" guys.
Now THAT was fun.
To anyone else reading this:
Have a crack!
It's fun, I promise
The racers don't like it when an old bloke on a 14 pulls away.
Great piccy Snapey👍
Thats an impressive angle you`ve got the old girl working at there Snapey :onya:
Would have been hitting the hero Knobs on the footpegs at that angle :onya: :onya: :onya:
Quote from: GSXKING on Friday, 05 February 2021, 06:13 PM
Would have been hitting the hero Knobs on the footpegs at that angle :onya: :onya: :onya:
They don't last long so I just take them out.
Mate up north, 100 corners up the range in 10 ks, fitted titanium nobs to his just for the light show. Sure was impressive at night.