I want to do a track day this summer, but I am wondering if I should just ride more on the streets, get more experience and do a track day next summer.

I have almost 2k miles on my gs, but I lost most of my confidance after I crashed last fall (~700 miles since). Part of me thinks that the confidance wouldn't be as much of an issue if I don't have to worry about cars, road conditions, things in the road and unmarked stop signs. Another part of me things that I should wait until I have more confidance and experience before I do a track day.

How early is too early to do a track day? Are there courses in the midwest that would be good/bad for a first track day? I remember hearing that Road America wouldn't be a good choice for a first track day. At the moment, I am looking at going to Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL on the 16th/17th of July (organized through STT).

as far as what track to do, I cannot say since I live in california, not familiar with either of those tracks.

However for the confidence issue, I say that there isnt really a too early for a track day.  The track setting is completely different than ridding on the street.  as you mentioned you dont worry about cars, traffice, stop signs, crap on the road, etc.  Its you , the bike, and the track.  I would say as long as you get into a beginner session you shouldnt have any problems.  I dont know any details about your crash, but I think that you need to jump back on and try again.  that old saying there are 2 types of riders, those that have gone down, and those that will.  Well since youve done that and now know what to do to avoid it, It makes you a better rider.  

People are going to chim in about how you should or shoudnt do the track day, but ultimately you have to decide.  its such a different way to ride I dont think your confidence on the street (well lack there of as it seems) will affect how you ride track.

Good luck and keep riding

Along this line...  I'd like to do a track day, but I don't know any organizations in South GA that do this.  Really I don't know sqaut about what it takes to do a track day.  Cost?  Does my bike need any safety mods  (it is stock right now)?  Do I have to have full leathers or will textiles work?  etc.  Anything will help, especially if anyone knows particulars about my neck of the woods.

I agree that a track day is a great venue to build confidence.  You also get to push the bike and know its limits better, so you have a more visceral feel for what your options are when you're on the street and something happens.

I did a NESBA day, and it was the most well-organized track day I've done, better than any of the car days I've done.  They have chapters all over the country - http://www.nesba.com/

Quote from: oppy00Along this line...  I'd like to do a track day, but I don't know any organizations in South GA that do this.  Really I don't know sqaut about what it takes to do a track day.  Cost?  Does my bike need any safety mods  (it is stock right now)?  Do I have to have full leathers or will textiles work?  etc.  Anything will help, especially if anyone knows particulars about my neck of the woods.

You are in one of the most populated areas for tracks. Jennings, Barber, Talladega GPR, Road Atlanta, CMP, VIR and Roebling.
Jennings is going to be the closest to you and my favorite so far. Have not been to Barber yet, don't want to get spoiled. Tally is probably the easiest.

//www.NESBA.com, //www.sportbiketracktime.com, //www.cornerspeed.net, //www.jenningsgp.com, //www.edbargyracingschool.com are several good resources to start. Expect the cost to be $100-$200 to sign up for a 1 day session. The beginner class will have control riders and class time. Bike prep will vary with the sponsor of the event. STT is really good about letting stock street bikes on the track with minimal prep. Not sure about textiles.

goat.......If you feel comfortable riding a bike, I think any time is good to do a track day. Remember that the track is not a place to learn how to ride a bike.

Guess I need to plan another track day.

Thanks for the input.  I live less than 20 min. from Roebling, but it is a private track, and they haven't been terribly helpful to me.  Oh, and is it OK to ride to the track for the track day?  I don't any other way to transport my bike.

Most every track is private. The sponsors of the event will rent the track from them. Personally, I would not ride my bike to the track...just in case of crashing.

I would expect the pace at Road America to be really, really fast.

$0.02

I rode my bike to PR, and plan to do so again - but I do have a friend with a two rig who lives two exits down 18.  

Good to have a back-up plan  

I would say that it depends a lot on the organization.  I have ridden with a couple different track day organizers and you want a three or four group format to start in.  Don't do a two group, because aside from a couple people who probably don't know what they are doing, two groups means fast and very fast.  Or at least it did in CA.  


Adam

Quote from: Adam Rtwo groups means fast and very fast.  Or at least it did in CA.  

Aint that the truth! Looking forward to a 2 group day at Buttonwillow in a couple weeks.

Quote from: pantablo

Quote from: Adam Rtwo groups means fast and very fast.  Or at least it did in CA.  

Aint that the truth! Looking forward to a 2 group day at Buttonwillow in a couple weeks.

I did one track day where there was only one group. There were only 20 riders total. On Mothers Day I think. There was only one incident of someone stuffing it into a turn, spooked the rider but she went back out later after she bitched out the guy who did it. Overall it was great since it was basically an open track all day long. The only time it was shut down was for lunch, 3 track school sessions and a female only combined with a 2-up session.