Willow Springs, Streets or the big track?

[1000lbs]

Which track would you recommend for the 2nd time out on a track?

Looking to get out asap after my last track school and Motoyard is running a double day at Willow Springs on Memorial day 5/30.  So this will be my second time out and I'm debating which track to sign up for.  From what I gather the Streets course is more technical and the big track is faster.  I'll be on the Tiger again and really enjoyed Chuckwalla.  

What say ye?

[miles]

Streets.  Without a doubt.


The big track will make you wet yourself if it's your second time on a track.

[miles]

[kevin_stevens]

I don't know - I find the big track more reassuring as it's wider (like Chuckwalla), with fewer turns - 9 notionally, but 7 isn't a turn for bikes, so 8, if that makes sense.    It's faster, but there's lots of time to set up for each and think about what you're going to do.  Streets is busier.

KeS

[1000lbs]

Well, you two pretty much confirmed my impressions from looking at the track maps.  You both bring up good points.  

I like the idea of the wider track with fewer turns to remember on the big track.

Then again, from the looks of miles' video I think I'd be more than just touching 4th like I did on Chuckwalla  . Thanks for getting the speedo in there, I'll get some depends if I go there.

I guess I'm off to youtube to watch some laps on each. I won't be booking the day until I confirm there are no previous "yeah sure" plans I commited to with the wife for the three day weekend.

[kevin_stevens]

Nobody says you *have* to go that fast.  It's actually nice to sit in turn 8 at 100mph or so (very slow).  You have plenty of time to get used to the speed, adjust your positioning, etc. etc.  Turns 2 and 8 are very good practice corners.

I did Streets at Superbike School a couple of weeks ago, and I've been to both several times.  Streets definitely gives you more to work on more quickly, but by the same token you can blow turns a lot more easily than you can at the big track.  Of the two, I'd definitely pick Buttonwillow.  

KeS

[miles]

Buttonwillow would be a challenging second track day.  It takes about half you first visit just to remember the turns, never mind getting the lines right.


And yeah, you don't have to go fast at the Big Track, but why would you want to go to a track to go slow?

[kevin_stevens]

Buttonwillow would be a challenging second track day.  It takes about half you first visit just to remember the turns, never mind getting the lines right.

And yeah, you don't have to go fast at the Big Track, but why would you want to go to a track to go slow?

I think Buttonwillow was actually my first track day on a motorcycle, come to think of it.

Why go slow?  Work on stuff, get comfortable on the bike - hey Miles, not everybody is used to snapping a bike over at 100mph!!    "Slow" is just as relative as "fast" is, right?

[miles]

I think Buttonwillow was actually my first track day on a motorcycle, come to think of it.

How long did it take you to feel as if you understood the track?

[kevin_stevens]

How long did it take you to feel as if you understood the track?

A couple of sessions.  But I've got a lot more experience reading tracks than riding them, so grain of salt there.  I don't think Buttonwillow is any harder to remember than Streets, though.

KeS

[miles]

A couple of sessions.  But I've got a lot more experience reading tracks than riding them, so grain of salt there.  I don't think Buttonwillow is any harder to remember than Streets, though.

KeS

It has twice as many turns.

[DogBoy]

Buttonwillow seems to have a zillion turns but its really just a few turns connected buy a bunch of kinks. Makes it a lot easier to learn the track.

1000lbs., it doesn't really matter where you do your second track day. Try as many new tracks as possible.

[1000lbs]

Alright, I booked the Streets of Willow for Memorial day.  After watching some videos, the streets better resembles CVR and I thought I'd have a better shot at applying what I learned at CVR.  I liked the idea of sampling the speeds of the big track, but that just gives me a reason to go back.  Thanks for the input all.

[9lives]

You'll love Streets of Willow I just rode it last Monday with TrackXperience. We'll be going to Chuckwalla on 5/27 with Trackdaz be curious to see how the two tracks compare.

[miles]

Chuckwalla is faster and smoother than Streets.  It has much better flow.  Streets is bumpier and the turns are more demanding.  

[9lives]

Chuckwalla is faster and smoother than Streets.  It has much better flow.  Streets is bumpier and the turns are more demanding.  

What's a good competitive A group lap time on a 600 for Chuckwalla?

[miles]

What's a good competitive A group lap time on a 600 for Chuckwalla?

I have no idea.

[9lives]

What's a good competitive A group lap time on a 600 for Chuckwalla?

Well I did a little checking and it looks like a 2:00 flat is a good competitive A group time on a 600. Be interesting to see how close I can get to that.

[kevin_stevens]

What's a good competitive A group lap time on a 600 for Chuckwalla?

Track days aren't intended to be competitive.    

KeS