All things considered, the track may be just as dangerous as the street

[gradus]

Less likely to die during a track day.  

[Kneescrubber]

My point is that riding hard on the track is not a great deal safer than riding by yourself and the deer up in the mountains.

So I take it you had an episode with a deer up in the mountains? I've had multiple encounters in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado.... It will definitely get your heart pumping.  

A great deal safer? I don't ride my motorcycles because they're safe. I ride my motorcycles because they let me escape the very idea of safety. Among other things.

[The Shepherd]

I feel much safer on the track.

From what I've seen, the first session and last sessions see the most crashes. The first session I go out to shake off the cobwebs. The next sessions I try and work on my lines and getting faster. I don't get to the last session and go balls out, that's a recipe for disaster.

Since I'm not racing for points, money or trophies, I don't ride to the very ragged edge. I'd rather go home tired, happy and in one piece.

[sprk_sprd]

I have a way to settle this argument with which all parties may agree:  It's generally safer to crash on a track than it is on the street.    

[coho]

I have a way to settle this argument with which all parties may agree:  It's generally safer to crash on a track than it is on the street.    

Amen.  QFT.

[CMS_Sprint]

I think that track days have "toned down" my street riding a ton. I no longer seek the lean angles and speeds that I used to on the street as I now know that it's stupid to try and do so anywhere but the track. My personal thoughts are that at a track day most of the limitations are your own (speed, aggression level, lean angle) where as on the street there's a whole other area that you can't control (cagers, road conditions, dogs/deer) etc. Given that reality, I leave a ton more in reserve on the street, when there's more out of my control. At least then that I've got some wiggle room when things get "interesting". I don't think I'll ever stop riding on the street as I love the open road touring and exploring, but that being said I don't confuse the street with a race track anymore.

[cruisin]

hmmmm, all I can add is compare the damage to body and bike if you hit or get hit by a car at 70mph compared to lowsiding at 100mph. with one it is almost 100% death and the other; many have walked away from.

[TwoWhldTerror]

Riding on the street is as dangerous as you let it be. Risk management plays an important role, the more you manage the safer you are. If you weave in and out of traffic...don't signal...aren't alert to your surroundings, eventually you'll be "that guy" taking a ride to the hospital. Yes there are factors beyond our control in a street environment but if you're using your head, thinking about your escape scenario's and riding with-in your abilities you should have a long enjoyable riding career.

Well, well spoken. In my circle of riding friends I have lost one to disease, one to a t-bone accident on the street, and two, yes two, at the track.

Just anecdotal experience nothing more, but I do know that *I* have crashed at the track but have not yet done so (nor plan to if I can help it) on the street.

[rgbeard]

I think that track days have "toned down" my street riding a ton. I no longer seek the lean angles and speeds that I used to on the street as I now know that it's stupid to try and do so anywhere but the track. My personal thoughts are that at a track day most of the limitations are your own (speed, aggression level, lean angle) where as on the street there's a whole other area that you can't control (cagers, road conditions, dogs/deer) etc. Given that reality, I leave a ton more in reserve on the street, when there's more out of my control. At least then that I've got some wiggle room when things get "interesting". I don't think I'll ever stop riding on the street as I love the open road touring and exploring, but that being said I don't confuse the street with a race track anymore.

+1  

Track days have toned down my street riding.  I thank my friends that got me to my first trackday, and I appreciate what the sessions do for my riding.

[hovmaven]

i've done both.  the variable at the track is the rider who "has to win track day."  He/she can ruin your world in an instant. . ..  

[Kneescrubber]

i've done both.  the variable at the track is the rider who "has to win track day."  He/she can ruin your world in an instant. . ..  

        No doubt.

The left turning Hyundai driven by a housekeeper who is employed by a lawyer but can't read English because she's from El Salvador while I'm traveling thru the intersection at 45 mph can ruin your day as well. BTDT

Lucky to be alive from that one.  

[hovmaven]

ouch.  stay safe.  

[Kneescrubber]

ouch.  stay safe.  

All good. 8 years ago. Cool scars.    Resulted in the VFR   although I was considering trading the K bike in for an ST4  

[hovmaven]

i traded the vfr for a gsa.  

[scottzilla]

I have a way to settle this argument with which all parties may agree:  It's generally safer to crash on a track than it is on the street.    

Are you more likely to crash on the track?

[Hotbrakes]

The track requires a great deal more constant risk assessment than the street (unless you're in town).  Exercising your risk management skills is the only way to get better, both street and track.  Ride the track like you're on an awesome road and maintain at least a 10% safety margin and the overall inherent risk is much less than being on the street.  

If a particular trackday is becoming a scary experience with heavy traffic, wannabe MotoGP champions, or a pace that is too fast, SAY SOMETHING!  Pull in, pit in for clear track, tell the organizer why you're not having fun.  Enter at your own calculated risk.  A weekend day will likely be packed and have no shortage of "hot shots".  If this isn't your cup of tea, sign up for a weekday event.  A trackday is supposed to be a safe, enjoyable experience where everyone learns.  It takes everyone working together to make that happen.

Racing is the same.  Risk management is key.  If you're starting in the midst of 30 bikes from the middle row, MANAGE THE RISK!  You will not win the race by charging into turn 1.  Be predictable in your actions and aware of what's going on around you.  It may take a lap or two for the madness to settle down so just cruise.  You've got at least 5 more laps to ride at pace, the faster rider will get by.  

I love riding the street.  I love riding the track.  But the track is merely a tool to becoming a safer rider.

[Silverbird]

I call it even... if you are riding fast enough to break traction and using every inch of the racetrack, you are taking a lot of risks, period. Way more than you do on a Sunday stroll.

Now that being said, if you are rider is good enough to do that with a motorcycle on the track, it places them in a far less likely position to crash in the first place. Now compare that to the newbie mid-life crisis dipshits on a brand new cruiser target fixating on everything in site, accounting for the majority of riders that do crash.  Careless squids account for the other half of that majority.  

I say you'll crash more on the track without getting hurt of crash less on the street with the probablity of getting hurt. Pick your poison, but the mentality that you are safer on the track while riding as fast as you can just isn't true IMO.
 

[Liquidsilver]

the track is merely a tool to becoming a safer rider.

 
Definitely not why I go to the track... but I guess it can happen.  

[hovmaven]

Another variable at the track is the unforseen mechanical -- rushing to get out of pit lane, not tightening a bolt, etc. . . resulting in a crash in an unexpected area -- with disastorous results.  Tracks are "safe" when you crash where the designers think you should.  Hitting a wall or tower in a 150 plus mph get off because you forgot to tighten your axle/pinch bolts is pretty much game over.

And my experience is that a lot more folks do stuff on their track bikes on their own more often then do corresponding street riders.

 

[madmanmarz]

I've been riding 3 years with my bikes as primary/only transportation. I lowsided a few times my first couple months due to rain, touching the brakes in the grass after object fixation, etc. 4 months in, I hit the track. I had a big crash on the brakes (pushing hard, overinflated tires, inexperience). Bruised and beaten, somewhat trashed bike but no real injuries. I fixed the bike and I now felt 5 times more confident on the street than before. I then bought a sportbike.

Over the next year or so I did another trackday or two well within my comfort zone - no problems. Purchased a few upgrades geared towards sport-touring. I also had two minor lowsides on the street. One time it was cold out, the other wet and both times I was a little eager on the throttle on a nice safe corner late at night with no traffic.

For the next year and a half, I did a couple more trackdays and started getting quicker. Focused a lot of my little upgrades on track stuff. My street abilities have psychic powers to detect danger zones and have not gone down for a nice while. My first Intermediate trackday was mostly wet. I dragged knee confidently on the dry sessions and mostly rode in my comfort zone. On my second Intermediate trackday (first at a different track), I have a cold/worn tire lowside on the 4th corner of my first session. I was getting on the gas a little too hard a little too early as usual. Bike is fine. Shoulder is hurt but I finish the trackday at a comfortable Intermediate pace. I find I am able to control and predict slides even better here and there.

My point is this - EVERYONE should do at least one novice trackday. Your skills will improve so much, it's ridiculous. The risk you take on the track for one day is nothing compared to the years of street riding you will do without knowing your own/your bike's limits. It will save your ass one day, trust me.

Yes, crashes on the track are more likely, but when you crash, the chances of you getting run over, paralyzed, hit an object, etc are MINIMAL. On the street, any crash at speed could very likely be your LAST. This last trackday had a bunch of lowsides, but every time, riders were conscious and avoided the other riders by a mile.

I think balancing trackdays with street riding is very important. If you don't wanna risk going down at the track, don't push harder than you're comfortable and do them sparingly and you will be just fine.

Remember, trackdays aren't racedays, they're practice days.