[K9inAZ]

Well, I was looking at some old trackday pictures and it really got me thinking, about trackdays and street riding.

The last year, I've really got into trackdays. I counted it up and came up with that I did 13 trackdays last year. I get done with one trackday and can't wait for the next one. Heck, I'm signed up for the next two trackdays already! When I buy anything at all, I see it as how many trackdays did that just cost me.

A few things that I have noticed is I've really back down the speed, on the roads and don't get as much enjoyment pushing it on the streets. I still love riding the twisties, but just not as hard. I still put about 8,000 miles a year the the blade.

I get so much more enjoyment on the track. The feeling you get when you nail a corner for the first time, after trying to find a line that works for you. Working on your body positioning, because you know you can do better. Dropping 1 second off you lap time from the last session. Passing a guy that was faster than you. I could go on and on about this addiction that I have.

I just thought I would share my thoughts on the subject. Thanks for listening!

Here's some phots for comparison. The first photo is from my first trackday I ever did and the second photo is from yesterday!

This is a great thread! You definately sound addicted. The next thing we'll hear...."I'm going racing!" LOL.

I started about a year and a half ago I believe, and since then, have been to at least 12-13 track days, and just started racing last month. So far, I've been on about 6 different tracks, and like Grattan the best.

Looking at your pictures, you've come along nicely. I love to watch friends as they make improvements, and get all stoked.

I'll be doing a bunch of track time this year with racing, and jumping on board my friends new track day org. (Takeit2thetrack.net) as a control rider.

What you got planned for the end of the month? Check out my track event thread

[Baketech]

Not for me...I can quit whenever I want...

[Red Rider]

"Hello everyone, I'm Rick and I'm a trackoholic."

Welcome to the group!

[oldfogey]

I think anything that creates enough excitement to produce endorphins can be addictive. The human brain just loves those (morphine equivalent?) natural chemicals.

Aside: that's why I've never understood some drug addictions, when the body, treated properly, provides you with the same effects.

http://www.healingsprings.com/ENDORPHINS.htm

[mr_rua]

Dood, I'm so addicted to the track that I'm buying 2 bikes. One to be track only and the other a more comfortable bike to ride around on the street. That way I don't have take stuff off and put them on when converting to track to street and vice versa!

[Heavy-Dee]

I'm hooked. I was speaking to my financial advisor the other day about claiming a race team as a business so that I could deduct some motorcycle and track expenses.

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

I'm hooked. I was speaking to my financial advisor the other day about claiming a race team as a business so that I could deduct some motorcycle and track expenses.

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by Baketech

Not for me...I can quit whenever I want...

You are also full of **** if you believe that!!!

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by oldfogey

I think anything that creates enough excitement to produce endorphins can be addictive. The human brain just loves those (morphine equivalent?) natural chemicals.

Aside: that's why I've never understood some drug addictions, when the body, treated properly, provides you with the same effects.

I was young and stupid once (I never inhaled though) and trust me when I say there is no rush like:

• The first time I dragged a knee at turn 3 @ Grattan
• The first time a good dude on a fast bike blew by me on the straight at Grattan when I was doing 200 Kms/hr
• The first time I saw 240 Kms indicated, again at Grattan

I don't care what any one says, there is no drug that can produce this high.

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

hey, just b/c it is loosing money doesn't mean it's not legit.

[ConqSoft]

Originally Posted by K9inAZ

Is it me or are trackdays addicting?

It's you.

[bwhip]

Utterly, completely, overwhelimingly addicting. I think about them every single day of the year. Too bad the closest track is about six hours away, otherwise I'd really be spending some serious coin. I can't wait until spring!

[evl_twn]

Originally Posted by mr_rua

Dood, I'm so addicted to the track that I'm buying 2 bikes. One to be track only and the other a more comfortable bike to ride around on the street. That way I don't have take stuff off and put them on when converting to track to street and vice versa!

I hate to admit this on this site, but I wouldn't even own my blade if it weren't for the trackday addiction. I started going to trackdays about a year and a half ago, taking the RC30. After several events, it was showing signs of needing improvements (engine and suspension), and then it still would have been a 15 year old bike. I decided to get something current for trackday and occasional street use, so the choice was naturally the blade for me (Honda quality). I've had the blade at two trackdays now, and including the street riding I've got about 2300 miles on it already. I've gone through the OEM BT014's that it came with (which actually aren't that bad on the track), and now I've got a set of Diablo Corsa mounted up and ready for this spring. I will say that it was a MAJOR shock going out on the track for the first time on the CBR. I ran off in the grass entering turn 1 at Blackhawk because like a dumbass I was braking at my usual point on the track without realizing that I was carrying an additional 30mph at the end of the straight!

But like K9 said, I also feel I've made significant improvements in my riding abilities on the track since getting the addiction. The only bad thing is I waited until last year to get an XT timer, when I had the RC30 on the track the last time at MAM. I'd really like to compare my first lap times with what I'm doing now! Below are two pics from Putnam, one is my first trackday, and the other is my last.

[Trackho]

Nhaaaa....its just you

Wait till you start buying trackdays and tires in bulk

[luvtolean]

Someone a while back had a sig about racing motorcycles makes a heroin addiction look tame.

Trackho and I talked about this and seem to notice lots of racers have "addictive" personalities.

I'm working on a Master's and refuse to own a track/racebike. It's too distracting for me.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

I hate to admit this on this site, but I wouldn't even own my blade if it weren't for the trackday addiction. TRIMMED

Great Post....

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I'm working on a Master's and refuse to own a track/racebike. It's too distracting for me.

Ladies & gentlemen, here is one freekin smart and committed dude!!

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

Ladies & gentlemen, here is one freekin smart and committed dude!!

Yes, I think we can all agree that he should be committed....

[luvtolean]

[oldfogey]

Originally Posted by Trackho

Nhaaaa....its just you

Wait till you start buying trackdays and tires in bulk

If I translate that as wine tastings and cases of wine, I can understand it.

Oops

[Baketech]

California, Frenchy or Aussie....?

[oldfogey]

Tonight, Bake, it is a tasting of French wines of the Midi.

As for the "cellar", it's a good mixture of Australia, New Zealand, California, France, Spain and Italy. Not too many Californians, they are still expensive for the good ones thanks to that West Coast IT bubble and private equity millionaire money. I also know very little about the good ones for the same reason.

But, hey, this is a bike thread and in terms of track addiction I'm just