rider64
Member
Quick review of the Racer5 intro to track program (stages 1-3).
Just completed a three day intro to track program put on by Racer5 at Grand Bend Motorplex, and I can highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in getting a taste of track riding (or just improve their bike handling).
Racer5 provides the instructors, bikes (CBR125) and gear (if you want). You will need to bring a Snell 2010 helmet.
Day 1 is a gentle introduction to the track, the bikes and riding behind the instructor.
Day 2 increases the speed, lean angle and also some overtaking on the straights (if you are light enough)
Day 3 is try to get your knee down day and also emulates track day conditions (mixed groups, overtaking)
There are quite a lot of riders in the course (I think we had about 50), but they are split into groups of 4-6 riders, and only 2 groups are on the track for each session (which lasts about 15 mins).
Overall I think the amount of track time is sufficient (although there was some "classroom" instruction on race procedures on day 2 which took up a lot of time).
You will have about 1/2 hour in between sessions to debrief and re-hydrate.
Lunch was usually about 1 hour (time varied).
What I liked the most is that there is minimum technical jargon and lots of practice. Also learning on a CBR125 makes it much less intimidating (with 12hp) - and hanging off the bike at 90km on the long sweeper will still get your heart pounding (so dont focus on the cc's). Its an ideal learning vehicle, and much harder to kill yourself than on a 600cc or similar. Also these bikes appear to be almost indestructible - believe me, we tried! - and cheap to fix (the mechanic was busy that weekend...). The one downside was that the bikes are pretty beat up, and may not be 100% working condition (broken tachometer, vague gear changes), but it wasnt a big problem.
This is mainly a course for people who have not done track riding before, but there were some people who already had their track bike and they said they still got something out of it.
After doing this program you can apply for a race license and also go to Racer5 track days and rent bikes from them (starting with the 125 of course!).
Great people, great time - I am hooked and looking forward to my first track day.
Just completed a three day intro to track program put on by Racer5 at Grand Bend Motorplex, and I can highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in getting a taste of track riding (or just improve their bike handling).
Racer5 provides the instructors, bikes (CBR125) and gear (if you want). You will need to bring a Snell 2010 helmet.
Day 1 is a gentle introduction to the track, the bikes and riding behind the instructor.
Day 2 increases the speed, lean angle and also some overtaking on the straights (if you are light enough)
Day 3 is try to get your knee down day and also emulates track day conditions (mixed groups, overtaking)
There are quite a lot of riders in the course (I think we had about 50), but they are split into groups of 4-6 riders, and only 2 groups are on the track for each session (which lasts about 15 mins).
Overall I think the amount of track time is sufficient (although there was some "classroom" instruction on race procedures on day 2 which took up a lot of time).
You will have about 1/2 hour in between sessions to debrief and re-hydrate.
Lunch was usually about 1 hour (time varied).
What I liked the most is that there is minimum technical jargon and lots of practice. Also learning on a CBR125 makes it much less intimidating (with 12hp) - and hanging off the bike at 90km on the long sweeper will still get your heart pounding (so dont focus on the cc's). Its an ideal learning vehicle, and much harder to kill yourself than on a 600cc or similar. Also these bikes appear to be almost indestructible - believe me, we tried! - and cheap to fix (the mechanic was busy that weekend...). The one downside was that the bikes are pretty beat up, and may not be 100% working condition (broken tachometer, vague gear changes), but it wasnt a big problem.
This is mainly a course for people who have not done track riding before, but there were some people who already had their track bike and they said they still got something out of it.
After doing this program you can apply for a race license and also go to Racer5 track days and rent bikes from them (starting with the 125 of course!).
Great people, great time - I am hooked and looking forward to my first track day.
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that definitely ruined the consistency to have good lap times, especially when you have restricted passing zones. 
