Looking forward to Thursday, off to Hampton Downs for a track based training day. Done a couple there before and really enjoyed them. They use the club circuit so you nick 4th gear just once and then only very briefly. The track is fairly short.
For a bit of variety they use the track in both directions, interesting how different it is to ride each way.
I'll let you know how I get on, hoping for some fine weather.
Sounds interesting, I've considered such things but money prevents me currently.
Probably the best situation to test your confidence and commitment level Col.
Everyone in the same direction and no cars pulling out on you.
Test your emergency brake techniques as well.
Oh and don't forget to have fun 🤩
Had a good day on Thursday. Started off with the road over the Kaimai's being closed due to a serious accident half an hour earlier. Funny story, I thought they were packing up the "Road Closed" sign and barriers as two cars in front of me climbed over the kerb and carried on up the road. I did the same, after a minute or two I noticed the cars i was following had not one but two aerials on.....oops. I asked how long the road was likely to be closed for. Quite a while was the answer. Luckily they were too busy to be bothered with me i did a u-turn and was gone quick smart.
Went via Waihi to Hampton Downs and arrived over an hour late. Lots of road works made the journey even slower. Left home at 6.30 got there at 10.00 !!
There were about 20 bikes, so two groups. A fast group and a medium group. I elected to be in the medium group. A wise choice as the fast group got a dressing down for being three wide going into the right hander at the end of the straight. Training day at the track....."it's not a race day lads" was the instruction.
We had some front and rear braking technique instruction, I had done that before on previous courses but was good to have a refresher.
The groups had half a dozen laps behind the instructors. Then a couple of ten minute sessions before we had lunch. After lunch we went in the reverse direction. How different the track is in reverse. The sweeper that opened up became a corner that really tightened up, time for our rear trail braking to come to the fore.
We had a good number of sessions in both directions. The only drama was a young fella on a 400 Ninja low sided. He was ok, ego bruised.
The old 1400 was fun to ride but a bit of a lump to slow down. I was riding the entire circuit in 3rd gear. I did try grabbing 4th but it unsettled the bike too much changing down under brakes. The rear was locking easily so I didn't want to encourage it. Probably done with track days there as I don't think it's really big enough, though i did find it quite intense.
I decided that I'd give up the last session as I was keen to get home before it got dark. Start to finish i did 446km for the day and arrived home just on dusk, extremely tired but having had a great day. The instructors were great and the day was well organized. If you haven't done a track day make sure to give it a go.
:cheers:
Great report Col, sounds like you got your money's worth 👍
Pity about the delay.
When I ride MtGlorious near me I find third gear the most suitable other than the back to back hairpins. It gives a very flexible rev range, almost automatic feel because the big lump pulls from low down and up to 8-9k.
I'll bet the next day that you felt a few muscles you'd forgotten about 🤨
For the last 2 days I've had muscle aches. Thighs and arms especially.
Went for a 200km ride with management today, just to remind myself I'm still feeling delicate.... pleased I don't ride veterans moto-x like some of my mates, I wouldn't cope.
Haha!
Excellent raport Kiwi!
I've also just completed my first trackday on Autodrom Słomczyn (https://autodromslomczyn.pl/plan-obiektu/) (excuse the Polish Language please, I am struggling as well)!
And I have to say, that I was ecstatic after the first session!
I loved getting to lean, finally, on this bike, and for the first time EVER on a motorcycle!
Obviously, this wouldn't be the track-day "go-getter" motorcycle, but it was a hella fun experience riding it!
I can also confirm the thigh muscle pain, and hands pain.
In my case, I need to trust myself and the bike to lean more with my body and counter steer less!
Cheers lads!
Pleased you enjoyed it :cheers:
Quote from: imweirdimnotsocial21 on Sunday, 07 June 2026, 11:35 PMHaha!
Excellent raport Kiwi!
I've also just completed my first trackday on Autodrom Słomczyn (https://autodromslomczyn.pl/plan-obiektu/) (excuse the Polish Language please, I am struggling as well)!
And I have to say, that I was ecstatic after the first session!
I loved getting to lean, finally, on this bike, and for the first time EVER on a motorcycle!
Obviously, this wouldn't be the track-day "go-getter" motorcycle, but it was a hella fun experience riding it!
I can also confirm the thigh muscle pain, and hands pain.
In my case, I need to trust myself and the bike to lean more with my body and counter steer less!
Cheers lads!
Looks like an awesome layout.
Do they get WSBK or MotoGP ?
Trackdays are a lot of fun.
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 11 June 2026, 07:52 PMQuote from: imweirdimnotsocial21 on Sunday, 07 June 2026, 11:35 PMHaha!
Excellent raport Kiwi!
I've also just completed my first trackday on Autodrom Słomczyn (https://autodromslomczyn.pl/plan-obiektu/) (excuse the Polish Language please, I am struggling as well)!
And I have to say, that I was ecstatic after the first session!
I loved getting to lean, finally, on this bike, and for the first time EVER on a motorcycle!
Obviously, this wouldn't be the track-day "go-getter" motorcycle, but it was a hella fun experience riding it!
I can also confirm the thigh muscle pain, and hands pain.
In my case, I need to trust myself and the bike to lean more with my body and counter steer less!
Cheers lads!
Looks like an awesome layout.
Do they get WSBK or MotoGP ?
Trackdays are a lot of fun.
Thanks mate!
No way they get any of that.
The track is tiny and too slow.
All they get are some ambitious and excited riders that want to overcome their fears and tame their bikes.
:)
I'll soon post a thread about brakes by the way in the respective forum bucket. Want to see if what I am experiencing is similar to yours.
My ma
Excellent Mr Fruit,
I think we should all take heed of what you said and did.
Congratulations.
I was out yesterday. Apart from old injuries it was fantastic. Just fun with mates.
Hey everyone!
More track days from Słomczyn in Poland, running the Battlax S22 tires!
Su confidence inspiring!
Improved my PB from 59s last time (first time on the track ever), to 54s while doing only 4/6 sessions due to rain.