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Home Motorcycling Motorcycle Events

Track Days

Latest Photos

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2011 IMS - Harley Girls

2011 IMS - Harley Girls

Harley-Davison girls at the 2011 IMS show in San Mateo, California.

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Captain America - 1942 Harley Davidson WLA Liberator

Captain America - 1942 Harley Davidson WLA Liberator

Captain America rides a 1942 Harley Davidson WLA "Liberator" in the Marvel Studios movie being released 7.22.11.

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Fulmer AF-6B Helmet - Flat Black

Fulmer AF-6B Helmet - Flat Black

The Fulmer AF-6B Helmet in flat black. Photo courtesy of Fulmer Helmets. Read the Fulmer AF-6B helmet review for more information.

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1930 Indian motorcycle

Node 2244 is not yet published!

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2011 Ducati Diaval Carbon - Right Rear 3/4

2011 Ducati Diaval Carbon - Right Rear 3/4

2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon in "black carbon".

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2011 Ducati Diaval Carbon - Left Side

2011 Ducati Diaval Carbon - Left Side

2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon.

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2011 Ducati Diaval - Front Left 3/4

2011 Ducati Diaval - Front Left 3/4

2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon.

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2011 Ducati Diaval - Front Left 3/4

2011 Ducati Diaval - Front Left 3/4

2011 Ducati Diavel in Ducati Red.

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4244

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4244

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4240

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4240

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4234

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4234

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4232

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4232

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4226

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4226

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4224

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4224

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4219

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4219

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4217

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4217

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4215

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4215

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4211

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4211

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4209

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4209

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4205

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4205

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4202

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4202

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4201

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4201

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4196

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4196

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2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4194

2010-billetproof-show-antioch-4194

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Street riders hit the track with Buell's Inside Pass

Two street riders take a run at Buell’s Inside Pass Track Day

2009 1125CR (left) & 1125R (right): Mike and Dwight ready to hit the track.
2009 1125CR (left) & 1125R (right): Mike and Dwight ready to hit the track.
What's it like to ride your first motorcycle track day? What kind of challenges will you face as a new track rider?

True confessions

I’m a longtime street rider, since the mid-‘70s when the café racer craze was taking hold in Northern California. I never got into that scene, though: hanging my butt off the bike seemed just too weird at the time. I was more of a pleasure rider but enjoyed pushing my luck by riding fast on my first street bike, a 1975 Honda CB400F.

I confess: I've done one motorcycle track day in my life, at Laguna Seca in the mid-‘90s. I rode my ‘93 Honda VFR750 shod with Metzeler street tires, and the bike handled as well as could be expected given its bulk and my abilities. I spent most of my time alternating between the sheer thrill of being on the track, and momentary fear as I tried to deal with the unfamiliar environment: safety crews, corner markers, braking points, and other riders. I recall nearly running off the track on the corkscrew exit, because I made the mistake of following another rider's line. Note to self: Choose your own line and stick with it, don't lock on to the rider in front of you.

Since that day, I’ve read both Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook and A Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding, as well as Ienatsch’s excellent Sport Riding Techniques. I've tried to apply what I’ve learned from them: attention and traction budgets, turn-in points, cornering techniques, throttle and braking skills, and yes, a modest amount of ‘body English’—applying Ienatsch's guidance on pushing the outside knee up against the tank, sliding from one side to the other around the turns, just to see how it felt—and it felt good. Moving to the inside of the bike during cornering definitely raised my comfort level. Even so, I've not developed a persistent habit of hanging off the bike in turns.

No matter how much street riding I do or how confident I've become, there are things I won't do on the street. As a result, my ability to gain and improve critical sport riding skills is limited unless I can practice in a controlled environment, with input from other experienced riders. Yeah, I can do some of that on the street, but I'm far too aware of my own mortality to push the envelope much.

Over the years I've wanted to return to the track to improve my street skills and raise my confidence level. Work, family, budget, and web site development duties conspired to consume all available resources, so I've not returned. It's been so long since my first and only track day that I might as well be a complete beginner.

So, now you're in on my dirty little secret.

Click here to continue...

2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - 2009 1125CR & 1125R - Chicane

2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - 2009 1125CR & 1125R - Chicane

Follow the leader, 1125CR & 1125R.

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2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - Ken Hill - 2009 1125R

2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - Ken Hill - 2009 1125R

Local racer Ken Hill was shooting video for Buell.

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Faster rider running through turn 9a @ Buell Inside Pass Track Day Infineon

Faster rider running through turn 9a @ Buell Inside Pass Track Day Infineon

A faster rider negotiating turn 9a at the November 17 Buell Inside Pass track day at Infineon Raceway.

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2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - 2009 1125R Exit Turn 1

2008 Buell Inside Pass - Infineon - 2009 1125R Exit Turn 1

Dwight riding a Midnight Black 1125R up the hill towards turn 2.

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Buell 1125RR Racing Superbike
Buell has announced the Race-Use only 1125RR aimed at the AMA American Superbike Class.

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2011 IMS - Harley Girls
Harley-Davison girls at the 2011 IMS show in San Mateo, California.

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2011 IMS - Harley Girls

2011-2012 International Motorcycle Show Schedule

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows kicks off the season this weekend in San Mateo, California November 18th - 20th.

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CargoLoc 84060 Motorcycle/ATV Cargo Net 15 inch by 15 inch by 6 hooks

Must-have gear: Bungee cargo net with adjustable ABS plastic hooks

I've used these on my bikes for years. I keep a couple under the seat, in the storage compartment of the rear cowl.

Most cheap ...

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Captain America - 1942 Harley Davidson WLA Liberator

Captain America Rides A 1942 Harley Davidson WLA Liberator

TWO AMERICAN ICONS REUNITE TO SALUTE THE FORCES OF GOOD Harley-Davidson® and Marvel Studio’s Captain America Join Forces to Defend Freedom

On July 22, Marvel Studios releases ...

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2009 Buell 1125R - Racing Red - Right Front

2009 Buell 1125CR and 1125R - First Impressions

Track day road test impressions of the 2009 Buell 1125CR and 1125R We rode the 2009 Buell 1125R and 1125CR models at the Buell Inside Pass Track Day at Infineon Raceway. Though our main focus was on the track riding sessions (and the track itself), we learned enough about the ...

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Harley-Davidson V-Rod VRXSE - front

Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson

Buddy Stubbs opened his dealership in 1966 after he retired from a motorcycle racing and stunt career - Buddy did stunt work in the the 1973 Movie Electa Glide in Blue.

This is the dealership's third location and the new facility is almost 48,000 square feet, including a motorcycle museum ...

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2008 Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary V-rod

2008 Harley-Davidson - 105th Anniversary Models

To celebrate the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary 14 serialized models featuring an exclusive Anniversary package will be built. Harley-Davidson has been celebrating Anniversaries by building motorcycles with special features as well as throwing big parties for a long time. This Anniversary coincides with the 25th - Silver Anniversary of H.O.G Harley ...

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