Tips For First Time At The Track??

[syntax13]

Hi everyone
I just registered here at the forums and after not finding much through google I thought I'd go ahead and ask my question here.

I have a fair amount of experience riding dirtbikes offroad, and recently got a KTM SXF 250 with the plans of using it for offroad and at the track.

Seeing as how I have this AWESOME brand new race bike, although I'm a pretty decent rider offroad, I don't want to go to the track and look like a total chump with my expensive bike and do bad on track since I've never done it before.

If anyone could offer some tips/reminders for the track I'd really appreciate it...tips on jumping, cornering, berms, ettiquette, ANYTHING at all that would be great.

Thanks

-Tyler

 

[Okiewan]

Check out the riding techniques forum here on DRN.
You've asked a VERY loaded question that would take a long time to answer :)
Everything you could posibly want to know about riding is in that forum.

Bottom line?

Take it easy
Hold your line when faster riders come around.
Pull off at designated places.
Don't cut the track to play on one jump (assuming there are others are on the track).
Don't crash.

 

[ellandoh]

dont worry about what you look like to others on any bike new or old. concentrate on gaining experience and having fun

 

[syntax13]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll check out that forum section - but one question. I understand what a line basically is, but how do I make sure I'm holding my line...I don't quite understand how you keep a certain line.

 

[Wraith]

I understand what a line basically is, but how do I make sure I'm holding my line...I don't quite understand how you keep a certain line.

As long as your going over any obstacle (whop-de-doos, jumps, corners) and not going in a side to side manner your not going to put yourself or a faster rider who might be trying to get around you in harms way as long as you are holding a straight line. Don't push yourself at the track because you show up with a brand new bike, concentrate on the fundamentals such as proper body positioning on the bike, standing when you need to, throttle control, clutch, etc, etc. If you do these things over and over the speed will come, it might not be as quick as you like, but it will come.

 

[mx547]

Don't cut the track to play on one jump (assuming there are others are on the track).

hmmm, i used to do that alot. not so much to play but to practice on sections where i was weak, rather than just running laps.

 

[Okiewan]

Another way to explain holding a line: just don't attempt to change your position on the track to "move out of someone's way". Let them decide how to get around you, and don't "change lanes" on them once they come up behind you :)

Jay, where I was going with that was; as long as there arent a ton of people there spining laps, you have experience on tracks, where and when it's safe, etc. My comment was directed more at the kids that find the biggest jump on the track and do it over and over, all day. Eventually, they are going to cut someone off. They aren't there working on sections, just that one jump.

Best example of that was at Buffalo Rock in Illinois (Wardy actually built that track); large jump, kids just lining up, vitually on the track... one takes off, decides to roll it, rider out there doing laps lands on him. It was freakin ugly. Sure that could have happened either way, but the kids got so caught-up in doing that one jump that they got really sloppy about watching for other riders. Had the kid not just pulled on the track, the rider would have known he was there.

 

[mx547]

understood, all good points.