I have had a 2011 blade from new and now done 5000 miles starting to feel confident on the bike but not cocky, and am itching to use the power and corner safely. I live in Wiltshire where would be the best place to get some experience doing this and how do I start? I am also 54 years 5' 7" and 16 stone (with other age related issues) so am not built like a racer. Will riding on the track slow me down on the road? as I seem unable to have any self-control I just want to ride as hard as I can, with no regard for my own safety, (I am no complete nutter) I respect towns schools etc. and don’t wheelie everywhere. Regards, Rob.
If you want to dip a toe in the water, and get a bit of "education" at the same time, I would recommend a "Rider Performance Day", which they also seem to call "Motorcycle Safety Day", at Castle Combe. see here I went on this a couple of years back, went roughly like this: - couple of hours in classroom, examining common mistakes (and some real-world outcomes). As part of this got to meet Talan Skeels-Piggins (great name!!!) who talked very candidly about how his own lack of formal tuition lead to the basic mistake that cost him the use of his legs!!! (and how he now runs a disabled riders group) - role-playing at being an accident investigator of a real motorcycle crash (basically reinforce the lessons learnt above) - an hour of trying some slow-speed manouvers in the car park - rest of the afternoon hooning round the racetrack, with plenty of instructors on-hand to follow and get advice off All for £99 as it is run and subsidised by the Somerset Road Safety people.
well not sure but castle combe is closest ? check Track Days and Driving Experiences Gift Vouchers | Trackdays.co.uk they have maps etc. i live close to oulton park so i use no limits or msv for my trackdays. easiest thing, first couple of track days just turn up on your bike,others will argue this but go in the novice group for at least two trackdays,listen carefully to instructors learn track etiqute flags/pit lanes etc lower your tyre pressures ( usually someone there fitting tyres etc get them to drop pressures and they will put them back up for your journey home ). you dont need tyre warmers /wets etc, just have a go relax,remember to breathe and have FUN. doesnt matter about age ( the firebloke aka silver fox is similair age n hes kin quick ) am of a portly disposition and on a 750 and im reasonable quick, just as long as your comfortable on a bike and dont forget u need ideally one piece leathers or two piece that zip at least 3/4 around waist. take a roll of duck tape tape lights up, remove number plate and fold your mirrors in, also take plenty of water even in shitty weather u will sweat ,keep hydrated. as to wether you slow down on the road ?! i usually find that after a trackday theres no point in going fast on the road anymore !! that said what ive found out is that you end up riding better and smoother on the road so i feel like im going slower but according to others im going quite quick !! but i always slow to any posted speed limits except one hope this helps and this is just my 10pence worth most of all JUST DO IT ive said this before but it IS the best fun you can have with your clothes on ;-)
Just rung Castle Combe and the next one (Motorcycle Safety Days) will be next year, bit of a shame but I will look out for it.
I have fitted, came from Honda from new (Honda part number) a Akrapovic Exhaust, after reading about these track days Castle Combe list my bike as too noisy to be allowed to take part on any track day, if i read it correctly even with the standard exhaust?
If you can go to Cadwell have a look at Hopp Rider Training. Did a day with them last year and found it very useful.
They can be a bit strict, according to the official rules, but at the same time all of the officials think the rules suck! They let my mate on with his Ducati 1098S even though it is on their "banned" list. If you are local enough, you can pop along anytime they are doing a trackday and they will happily noise test your bike and let you know how loud it is.
