Zalusky riding school ??

[Elk]

Jessica is easy to work with on date transfers and especially this early.

Indeed.  She promptly switched me to June 5. 

Now for the snow to stop.  There is a lot out there already and it is really coming down.

[mikey]

I just signed up for May 15, level 1 (first time on track on a bike).  

Any suggestions for a complete track beginner?  

Question: For taping up lights, bring along a roll of blue painter's tape?

This is going to be fun!

Yes enjoy yourself and be gradual with your expectations and improvements. Oh and plz don't drag race down the straights if your gonna go turtle pace in the turns. Track riding is very addicting, so start saving your money!

[Elk]

Yes enjoy yourself and be gradual with your expectations and improvements. Oh and plz don't drag race down the straights if your gonna go turtle pace in the turns. Track riding is very addicting, so start saving your money!

Fortunately it is dirt cheap to track a motorcycle in comparison to a car.

Part of my track introduction lecture for car drivers is to allow faster drivers to pass in the straights.  It is frustrating when a slow driver in a powerful car guns it down the straights and will not let others pass.  Good reminder.

With cars we keep our mirrors.  Thus we know if someone is sitting on our tail in the corners.  With bikes do you look back at the beginning of the straight to know if someone is on top of you so you know not to zip down the straight?  I would hate to be that ass everyone complains about.

[beedawg]

With cars we keep our mirrors.  Thus we know if someone is sitting on our tail in the corners.  With bikes do you look back at the beginning of the straight to know if someone is on top of you so you know not to zip down the straight?

Focusing all your attention ahead is encouraged.  Looking behind is discouraged.

There will always be people on liter bikes who ride relatively slowly through the corners and hold up the guys on 600s.  Sometimes the guys on 600s follow them for a few turns and then outbrake them into a turn.

I've been the slow guy who gets passed going into the turn, and I've been the guy who gets stuck behind the liter bike in the corners.  It's all part of the deal.  Fortunately, most people are considerate enough of other riders not to cause them to crash.

[Joel S]

where do i find information on a dress code ??
i ware boots, full face, jacket, gloves.  What about pants, are jeans OK or do i need something else. Is it strict about jackets and gloves ??
i have over the wrist bone, but not gauntlet gloves (except for my tpg cold weather ones)

Talked to a local dealer, they told me everyone crashes and full zips might work for tech.
I don't have riding pants, and the crashing was a concern to me.   still haven't finalized my dates yet, but looking at 2 including my super newbie first time. Sure don't want to plan on crashing. I'm old, know pavement hurts, and last but not least, i cant keep up with girls. does knowing this help keep me upright ??

Otherwise i can get feedback from some of the great riders here on the board on some rides. Just thought there might be more attention during the "school" days.

thanks much for the time,
Joel

[beedawg]

where do i find information on a dress code ??

http://zaluskyridingschool.com/ars_prep.htm

Rider Requirements - Protect Yourself

1) Medical insurance, you may need to provide proof.
2) Damage free DOT or SNELL full-face helmet with face shield.
3) Riding boots that fully cover the ankle.
4) Gauntlet style gloves with full wrist coverage.
5) Must be at least 18 years of age; mature riders ages 16-17 may participate upon approval.
6) One or two piece leathers, Ballistic nylon suits, or a textile/leather or similar type of riding jacket with at least jeans in good condition are acceptable (full leathers are preferred); back protectors are recommended.**
**Advanced riders must have one or two piece leathers.

[Aprilian]

Talked to a local dealer, they told me everyone crashes and full zips might work for tech.
I don't have riding pants, and the crashing was a concern to me.   Sure don't want to plan on crashing. I'm old, know pavement hurts, and last but not least, i cant keep up with girls. does knowing this help keep me upright ??

Joel,  people do crash at DCTC but they also crash on the street.   I wrote an article on crashing for ZARS, but the new web site doesn't have the newsletters yet.   You will be fine if 1) you don't start the day with your speed that you ended the last DCTC day, 2) you work on being smooth (not being fast!), 3) you keep your ego in check (don't get sucked into "If they can go that fast, I should be able to"), 4) don't ride over the bike's capabilities or your capabilities. Most riders who crash get plenty of warning, but ignore it.   We work to watch for people who are on the edge and try to help them before it gets expensive and painful, and 5) be careful during first session of the day, first session after lunch and the last session of the day (people are tired and want to put in the best laps of the day).

Relax, enjoy yourself and ask questions.  Either Brent or I will probably work with you your first day at DCTC.

And don't worry, a ton of us are not as fast as Denise (or Jessica on a 450!)

[Elk]

Come along with me!

I don't plan on crashing and you will be faster. 

[Joel S]

sounds great, jessica called yesterday and we spoke a few minutes and it also helped a great deal.
Back on schedule for the two days to start.
Thanks again

[Elk]

Excellent!

[Joel S]

in for the 5/15 and 6/5. thanks for the help people.
how strict are they on gloves and the wrist ?? i have some AS that cover the wrist bone so they are higher on the outside, think http://www.alpinestars.com/Octane_SMoto_Glove/pd/c/141/np/141/p/356706.html  will these do ??
should find something safer but at the time my jacket was funny. i also have first gear tgp tundra gloves, but they would get hot as heck in the warmer months.
(should have some nice boots by then, if i can make up my mind between the cobra and vertigo)

thanks again,
Joel
(first post with new nic, old one was from auto racing and felt like a putz with you go fast guys

[beedawg]

in for the 5/15 and 6/5. thanks for the help people.
how strict are they on gloves and the wrist ?? i have some AS that cover the wrist bone so they are higher on the outside, think http://www.alpinestars.com/Octane_SMoto_Glove/pd/c/141/np/141/p/356706.html  will these do ??

I think you should buy a pair of gauntlet gloves for DCTC.  You might get by with the Alpinestar gloves, but why take that chance?

I usually look here first when I need gloves:
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/gloves

Brent

[Greg]

hey guys, some of you know me and my riding. i am looking to improve my skills and kicking around zalusky to help with that. I know several of you are familiar with the school, instructors, things like that. i have taken the basic safety when i got my endorsement, but nothing else yet.

Please, anything would be great. Posts here or pm's are good either way.
Thanks much for the time,
Joel
red 09 c14

Joel,
I’d like to offer these thoughts (as you are asking for opinions).
Let me first say, I hate talking about myself. I rarely do (as my Facebook friends can attest) yet I do love riding in group settings.

As a rider who has the rather dubious honor of riding with a LOT of people over the last 10 years (I’d go so far as to say I’m probably one of a dozen or so riders that’s ridden in the most “open forum” rides in the last 10 years), I’ve seen a lot of accidents.

As I’ve alluded to in other posts, so much of motorcycle riding is counter-intuitive and needs to be learned with repetition and practice. As I’ve also mentioned in other threads (Footnote #1) , cornering on the street is a completely different animal than it is on the track.
I know that track instruction does not teach a rider to follow a single tire track but to apex a corner.  If you were to ride a 300 miles day in Wisconsin & Minnesota twisties while cornering the way they teach on the track, you will increase your level of risk and increase your chances of crashing. I’ve seen it happen a lot. Track instruction assumes the riding is done in the more controlled environment of the track. The street has gravel, animals, cars, people and many other dangers.

I know that almost all riders (at least the ones I’ve spoken with) feel it’s a net gain to their motorcycling knowledge base to experience a track day, so I encourage you to try it if it’s something that interests you. But having said that, it’s also vital that said riders also have the knowledge and self control to keep track specific skills ON THE TRACK, as they can  lead to disastrous consequences on the street.

And I could be completely wrong about everything I've said above. Your mileage may vary. 

Respectfully,
Greg


Footnote #1
http://mn-msta.com/index.php/topic,359.0.html

[vince]

WHAT you mean I can't use the whole road when I go into a corner any more. OK then I will just ride the Goldwing from now on.

[Jared]

WHAT you mean I can't use the whole road when I go into a corner any more. OK then I will just ride the Goldwing from now on.

LOL.  Pretty sure that you can flog that thing pretty good too.

JP