Jamie01

I have an SV650, which is notorious for its bargain bin suspension. I did the usual low-cost upgrade, consisting of drilling out the damper rod holes, putting in emulators, stiffer springs for my weight, and heavier fork oil. In the back, I swapped out the stock shock for a GSXR1000 shock (not quite like putting in an Ohlins, but a great $35 upgrade). This was the minimum mod needed to make the SV650 handle acceptably, and a fun wrenching project. It was a tremendous improvement, but I'm sure that top-line components would make things even better.

I've been to a couple track days in addition to one day with CSS, and don't need any convincing about the fun, knowledge, and camaraderie to be found there. But the logistics are tough. You need a tow vehicle, a hitch on that vehicle, and a trailer. You can rent a trailer from U Haul, but a hitch and trailer wiring will set you back a couple hundred $$. I've actually ridden to track days, which was OK because I knew I was meeting people there who I could pit with and would have all the tools, chairs, cooler of drinks and food, etc. But if a crash had ended my day, I would have had no way to get the bike back home.

There are several track day organizations that run at NJMP about 2.5 hours from NYC, and also at New York Safety Track, located near Oneonta, about 4 hours from NYC. I've ridden NJMP a few times with Absolute Cycle Experience and like them. Like was mentioned, other groups running there include NESBA and Team Pro-Motion. I expect these track day organizations will be at the Bike Show next month at the Javits Center, so it's a good place to get info. Ryders Alley is a motorcycle-only garage on Ryders Alley in lower Manhattan owned and operated by Demian Neufeld. It's a great facility since your parking fee also includes use of his very well appointed tool selection, you'll get reasonably priced transport to track days, and you'll meet a great riding community.

CSS isn't a track day, it's a school. Not that you should take excessive risks even at a track day, but at the school they really stress that improving as a rider requires that you stay well within your comfort zone so you can focus on the specific skill you're trying to develop and not be distracted by fear or nerves. Crashes do occur at CSS, but very rarely compared to a typical track day. You also have the option of using their bike, which takes that concern out of the equation. And those S1000rrs are really amazing.

Supporting yourself on the tank would involve your adductor muscles more than your quadriceps, so soreness on the inside of your thigh is in the right place, but you may be too tense. It shouldn't be that hard. Do you have tank grips on your bike? That could make it easier to lock in and relax.

OK, this was funny. I learned the hard way what a bad idea it is to initiate turn in when you're still decelerating rapidly and the front tire is loaded, especially on a wet track. The hard way being a broken collarbone. In my case I had a panic reaction and rushed my turn in much earlier than I needed to.

Anyone interested in carpooling to the Friday May 24 event and splitting the travel costs? I'm using a CSS bike so nothing to trailer. I'm undecided/open about going down the night before or just hitting the road early in the morning. Thanks!

Even with the security deposit I think I'd be nervous on an unfamiliar bike, especially one as beautiful as an S1000RR. I'm sure the plastics on one side of that bike cost more to replace than my bike is worth. If I'm going to toss a bike down the track I want it to be mine. I'm doing a single day in May with my own bike, and I can easily imagine that I'll leave with a taste for more. But I'd still have to figure out how to pay for 2-day camp. I guess I can stop contributing to my kids' college funds for a few months (j.k)

May 24 will be my first CSS too, but I'll be bringing my own bike. Can't wait! I've done a handful of track days, and far too much straight line commuting to work over the past several years. I agree this forum is a great resource. The level of thoughtfulness and detailed observation and explanation is far beyond what you typically find on a riding site.

I think Stewal has the right idea. If you have to make a panic maneuver, it's because you failed to anticipate the potential scenario that was unfolding. Granted, in a truly chaotic situation like urban India, this may be nearly impossible, but you are far better off focusing on anticipating and avoiding, since once you're in a tight situation your options may be very limited. I live and ride in NYC, which is a crazy traffic environment by North American standards, although I concede it's nothing like the subcontinent even though that's where most of our taxi drivers come from. From decades of experience, beginning as a kid on a bicycle, I've somehow developed a good knack for this kind of thing. I would say I need to make a sudden stop or turn to avoid a collision maybe two or three times a year at most, riding over 20,000 km/year, I always look as far ahead as possible, and try to position myself so I never have to rely on the other road users seeing me and yielding to me.

This is a very compelling point. Not worth trying to squeeze a couple hundred extra miles out of a tire if it distracts me from focusing on what I'm there to do. Time to go shopping! Thanks everyone for your responses.

Hi, all. I'm planning to be at NJMP in September, and I'm concerned about the condition of my tires. Although they're less than two years from their manufacture date, and there's still a ways to go before I hit the wear bars, too much commuting and not enough twisties and track has left me with a squared off rear tire. When I do lean into a turn it seems OK and I don't hesitate to use these on the street. Sometimes I think I can feel when I go over the edge of the squared off part, but I could just be imagining that. Ordinarily I would wait a while and try to catch a good end-of-season sale before replacing them, but if this is likely to be an impediment at superbike school, I will see if I can replace them beforehand. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks!