Motorcycle Track Days…. We’ve all heard of them, done one – or at least know someone who has! So, what’s the big deal and what are they all about? Well, to put it into a few words – motorcycle track days are without doubt one of the most fun, exciting, and sure-fire ways to enjoy and improve your riding! But we warn you, for some, it’s like a packet of Pringles – once you pop you can’t stop!! They can become very addictive!
By the end of this blog you’ll know what a motorcycle track day is and why it’s one of the most fun things you can do on a bike.
Why track days are great
With the roads getting busier, the road surfaces getting worse and the pure number of hazards we see – we probably spend more time out on a ride avoiding danger than improving our riding skills and exploring what our bikes can do…. and that’s where track days are a winner.
Track days are held on racetracks all over the UK (and the world), from smaller club circuits, right through to the larger racetracks, where we are used to watching BSB (British Superbike), WSBK (World Superbike) and even MotoGP! Albeit the more prestigious the circuit the more expensive the track day. For example, Silverstone, which hosts the UK round of the MotoGP is more expensive than Oulton Park which hosts rounds of the BSB championship.
Riding on a closed circuit allows us to experience our bikes at real world speeds (and higher!), whilst improving our riding in a safe environment (without the potholes, cars, lamp posts and other hazards!). We have a circuit guide for details on a huge range of UK circuits. If you’re in the UK (or looking to travel to) this is your first port of call if you are interested!
Oh, and we forgot to add, there are no speed cameras, so not only is it safer than riding on the road, but you can also go as fast as you like without getting speeding fines or points!
What do I ride at a track day?
You will see a wide variety of bikes at track days. There are a lot of people who are lucky enough to have a bike for the road and a specific bike for track days. These types of bikes are extremely popular now…. “track” bikes will usually have the road bodywork, lighting and ancillaries removed and replaced with a race fairing, to avoid costly repair bills and to make working on the bike easier (some track bikes may also even be ex race bikes, purchased purely for track days). These are now one of the most popular types of bike at a track day – but don’t let that deter you! Track days can be fun whatever you ride – tourers, sports tourers, adventure bikes, we’ve even seen Goldwing’s on track days before now! Some circuits even hold road-legal only bike track days.
Will I gain anything from a track day?
Aside from being a complete blast and enormous fun – track days are the perfect way to hone your riding skills. No matter if you’re a track day novice, or seasoned racer – everybody learns something new when they spend more time on the track! Racetracks are like your favourite piece of road – on steroids! Grippy tarmac, no oncoming traffic, potholes or stray animals – it’s the perfect way to improve your riding skills at a pace that you are happy with. These skills can directly transfer to the public road making you an even better rider.
Riding groups and tuition
If you are looking to do your first track day but worried you might get overwhelmed by others on track, we would recommend a novice only, or road legal bike only track day as a way of easing your way into them (swinging into a paddock full of race bikes, tyres warmers and motorhomes can be daunting and look more like a racing paddock than a track day!), that is until you get the swing of things and you’ve got a couple under your belt.
The days are split into separate groups (unless you are on a novice only day), with groups for novice, intermediate and fast riders, depending on your riding ability and experience etc. and all riders will be expected to sign on, have their riding kit inspected and attend the riders briefing. This is where the organisers will run through the schedule for the day, the different groups, circuit flags and circuit safety.
Some of us may prefer to learn the circuit ourselves, which our UK circuit guide can help with, but all track day organisers will have instructors available on the day if you fancy some 1 to 1 instruction to show you the lines around the circuit. As you progress and your skill levels improve, instructors at track days can be an invaluable resource, helping you with your lines around the circuit, track position, braking points and body positioning etc.
It’s not a race
Obviously, the main aim of a track day is to have fun and improve your riding, but it’s not a race. Depending where you go and who you book with there may be strict rules in place to squash any attempt at racing other people on track. This is done for your safety, it might seem like it saps the fun but this is in place to reduce the likelihood of crashes. If you’re there learning the circuit you don’t want someone who is overconfident try to squeeze down the inside and take you both out and ruin your day.
Over before you know it
Before you know it, you will have just got into the swing of things and that’s it, the day is over! Some people are happy with the experience, but for those of us who the bug bites, your first track day will be the first of many!
To learn more about the circuits all over the UK where you can take part in a track day and to book your own, take a look at the Demon Tweeks UK circuit guides.
Interested?
There are plenty of track day locations all over the UK (and the world!). First thing to do is to find your local track and book for a day which suits you. Lots of track days occur in the week but there are also weekend slots (but these can fill up quickly so don’t delay booking).
Once you’ve booked your track day, you’ll need to get yourself and your bike prepared…
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