Modern sportsbikes offer such incredible performance that they beg to be taken on track. Even quite ‘ordinary’ motorcycles have extraordinary abilities. Finding out what you and your bike are capable of is what a track day is all about.
If you’re a track day novice, only book with an outfit known for its high professional standards. Ensure they know you are a novice so they put you in the correct riding group.
The best idea of all, no matter what your standard of riding, is to sign up with a track riding school. You won’t just learn more, you’ll enjoy the experience like you’d never believe.
For track riding you’ll need a one piece leather suit with armour (or a two piece that zips together around the entire waist). Knee sliders are useful but not essential.
Track riding demands top-spec race boots. These will have full internal and external armour, multiple fastenings and replaceable toe sliders.
Gloves for track riding need to fulfill two contradictory objectives. They should offer delicate feel and sensitivity, but offer maximum impact and abrasion resistance. Look for hard plastic or carbon fibre protectors on every knuckle, webbing between the outer two fingers, scaphoid-protecting sliders on the heel of the hand, a long protective cuff, and a double fastening system to prevent them coming off.
Wear a separate approved standard back protector and consider a chest protector too.
You’ll spend a long time hanging around in the pit lane at a track day. Be sure to wear a hat and sunnies with plenty of sunscreen. On colder, wetter days, take a warm, waterproof jacket to slip over your leathers.
