It was the best of times, it was the also best of times, it was the age of Matt riding on the track. So I bought my R3 earlier this year in July. It’s my first motorcycle, and I finally got around to buying it at the age of 35 because the timing worked out, and because I discovered track days were a thing. Also my wife let me. That helps. At any rate I managed to get in 3 track days this year and I’d like to share a wee bit of each of them. I’ll try and keep the text brief and all, but if you want to comment on things or ask questions…please do! I like help. There will be a link to a video as well, if you want to poke at my slowness. My bike at this time is entirely stock aside form a fender eliminator that I got cheap. I have relocated the clip-ons to underneath the top triple clamp, but that’s really it.
First up, on September 10th, I went to Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI for a day hosted by Midwest Track Days. Road America is less than an hour from my house and I had been here earlier in the year for an Indy race before I bought my bike. Super long, awesome track. Unfortunately, it was raining. So my first time on the track was also my first time riding in the rain. I’m not ashamed to admit when I went out for the first session (after waiting and debating) I was all kinds of scared. Made it through, though, and spent the rest of the day riding in mixed conditions. It did dry out for a bit so I got some fun time, and once a CR found me and gave me a talking to about riding with others (I was trying to give them space, so wasn’t riding predictably. Bad Matt!), things improved. That same CR would later look for me on track and show me lines and give me more coaching afterward. It was very helpful, so thanks, unknown CR guy! Unfortunately not really any pics, so here:
Pit at Road America, you see a Ninja 300 in race trim and an R6, along with my R3. Notice the wet at the bottom of pic!
First up, on September 10th, I went to Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI for a day hosted by Midwest Track Days. Road America is less than an hour from my house and I had been here earlier in the year for an Indy race before I bought my bike. Super long, awesome track. Unfortunately, it was raining. So my first time on the track was also my first time riding in the rain. I’m not ashamed to admit when I went out for the first session (after waiting and debating) I was all kinds of scared. Made it through, though, and spent the rest of the day riding in mixed conditions. It did dry out for a bit so I got some fun time, and once a CR found me and gave me a talking to about riding with others (I was trying to give them space, so wasn’t riding predictably. Bad Matt!), things improved. That same CR would later look for me on track and show me lines and give me more coaching afterward. It was very helpful, so thanks, unknown CR guy! Unfortunately not really any pics, so here:
Pit at Road America, you see a Ninja 300 in race trim and an R6, along with my R3. Notice the wet at the bottom of pic!