Track day or riding school - Ducati.ms

leb1100hyper · Dec 29th, 2011, 12:21 pm

First let me say that I've been riding motorcycles for 47 years (I'm 62) and have raced in the dirt in MX, desert and did B-V in 74. I consider myself a average rider, but I want to get better/safer. After watching "Twist of the wrist II" I realize that I've got a lot to learn so what I'm wondering is if I would be better off going to a "Riding School" or just signing up for a track day. I've done 30+ track days in my Subaru's so I know about the track (Laguna,Sears Point and Thunderhill). I know there are some racers and talented guys out there and I'd appreciate your thoughts.
BTW, I'd pretty much given up on having fun on a bike until I bought a 620 MS a couple of years ago, which I fell in love with, but then made the mistake of test riding a 1100 Hyper Evo, which is what I have now. After getting rid of those mirrors, which make you take your eyes off the road to try and use, it is the perfect bike and I couldn't be happier. Also, if you went to a riding school, would you use the hyper or use one of their track bikes. Keith Code charges about $300 extra to use their bikes.

johnchypermotard · Dec 29th, 2011, 1:45 pm

track days are great, but if you want to get the most bang for your buck in learning more about how to ride your hyper ... suggest you contact doug polen for his one-on-one training.

Doug Polen's 1ON1 Riders School - Contact Us

Paisanoracer · Dec 29th, 2011, 1:51 pm

Short answer: Go with Code's riding school. Everything you'll learn from them has a one to one exchange for the street. The other benefit is that it also makes riding in the track far more enjoyable. He can get you riding fast and safer in a short amount of time. If you can, use your bike. While riding their BMW's can be fun, the more 'seat time' you have with your ride the better.

Drinky · Dec 29th, 2011, 2:15 pm

I'd suggest a riding school/training as well. A track day without instruction is fun, but a trackday with instruction is fun and learns you stuff about your lines, braking points, acceleration points, suspension etc.

HM1100evo · Dec 29th, 2011, 2:23 pm

Looks like the Doug Polen 1 on 1 school may be shut down. Still shows all the info on all the pages like it is still up and running but when you go to the schedule page it says.

"We would like to thank all of our past students and sponsors for all of their support. Due to the economy the school has been shuttered for the foreseeable future."

Anybody know if he is still doing it?

08hyper · Dec 29th, 2011, 2:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

track days are great, but if you want to get the most bang for your buck in learning more about how to ride your hyper ... suggest you contact doug polen for his one-on-one training.

Doug Polen's 1ON1 Riders School - Contact Us

JohnC, I believe that Doug Polen's 1 on 1 riders school IS out of business, that sucks because its was good for the money. Aloha Alex

riva996 · Dec 29th, 2011, 3:01 pm

You might check with Dale Kieffer at RacersedgePerformance.com for 1-on-1.
I took the FastTrack class at Fontana and then 1-1's with Dale. The class was a nice orientation, (never been at that track before) but a waste of time. IMO.
With your driving, riding and track time, I suggest you go with a 1-1 and ride your own bike, or get a dedicated track bike.

Revelstoker · Dec 29th, 2011, 3:26 pm

Both, actually.

I started on the Hyper as well as it appealed to my love of upright riding position and dirt bikes. Everyone kept telling me the Hyper was a great track bike and I should take it out on the track, so I did and am addicted. I rode Sportbike Track Time - Purchase Time for Upcoming Track Days as this org. offered instruction in Novice and riding coaches (CR) that would work 1-on-1 as well, if you ask.

This was a good experience for me as I had never really ridden a sport bike and it allowed me to get comfortable with riding the bike at speed and on a track. After some fits and starts, different bike - I finally moved up to intermediate this year. Different track orgs. along the way but I still try and work with a CR at least once or twice every day I ride.

I also have given thought to doing California Superbike School on my own bike. They come to Barber and since I have ridden Barber 4 days now, I like to think that I could extract more for my $$$ at Code's class because I have some idea of what I am doing right and wrong, where I could use some help, what I would like to do better and I don't need to spend any time (wasting my attention) learning the track.

IMO, short answer, find a track day org that offers instruction and ride with them a few times. Ride a few other tracks and get comfortable on the Hyper. After that, take Code's class and enjoy.

Paisanoracer · Dec 29th, 2011, 8:04 pm

Great point about STT. Their new owner (his name escapes me, old age) has ramped up the services offered to their customers. More one-on-one attention. Racing School with Jason DiSalvo. The old group running the Southern Division of STT were great, however, the new guard are raising the bar, by a mile. No wonder they're considered the premium Track Day organization. BTW: I'm not getting paid to say nice things about them. They really are that good...

johnchypermotard · Dec 30th, 2011, 2:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08hyper

JohnC, I believe that Doug Polen's 1 on 1 riders school IS out of business, that sucks because its was good for the money. Aloha Alex

perhaps it is shut down ... but i bet doug is still doing 1 on 1 instruction/classes @ buttonwillow and other so cal tracks.