I did once, around 4-1/4 hours in the rain and that is the easy part. Then you will have to ride 4-1/2 hours back after the trackday and it is NOT fun......LOL

It is not the best option, that's for sure. Your calculation of crash rate is just nonsense, you can do whatever you want but the risk is obviously there.

 

Wow 4 hours is crazy! I could not do that, luckily I'm only about 2 hours away which I think is pretty reasonable.

Yea, the crash % is a complete guess.. I guess I've been doing far too much scenario analysis at work, it's making me think security valuation applies to RL

 

AAA Plus costs $79 a year and you get four 100 mile tows a year for free. That's my way home from the offroad park if I destroy my Jeep.

 

Brilliant! Now that I think about it,my insurance policy might have roadside assistance - that includes towing me thinks..

As for tools, I've never had any problem borrowing sockets and wrenches from people. Everybody is very friendly at my local track :shrug: Also a tank bag can fit most of the essentials

 

No thanks, i'll trailer it every time.

Where do you carry your tools and spare parts?

I wouldn't pay that much for a track day and have something little break and ruin the entire day.

 

Get a trailer for your track bike and tow you spare parts and tools with the bike.

 

What track will you be going to and what day? I have been seeing a lot of interest lately about going to trackdays on this forum. You may want to start a thread with a lot of time with who and what day you are running with and maybe you can find someone to split the cost with you.

I have seen some guys do that and they don't look all that happy leaving the track after a long day of riding. Also if the day is hot like it was last time I was at NMJP its down right crazy to ride back home after heat like that.

 

Be careful using any tow service associated with your insurance. IIRC, Consumer Reports once ran an article warning folks that some insurance companies treat ANY claim as if you had an accident and adjust rates accordingly . That can make a simple tow pretty expensive. I like AAA+ and the American Motorcycle Association simply because they aren't associated with my insurance.

 

Yup, learn about that from my agent. For AAA make sure you got the package that includes motorcycle.

Most insurance I have dealt with were only one way. You would still have to ride it at least one direction (most likely back home because you would have a hard time convincing them to tow it to the track).

I think he meant if after he crash it at the track, but the issue is most insurance towing had mileage limit or simply tow you to the nearest dealer.

 

Also they may rat you out and screw you up with insurance if they get wise that you dumped the bike on a track. Alot of insurance companies will not cover you and there will be no $$$$ for you.

 

In your comparison: no tolls for bikes?

I would try it once, but only if I knew a buddy would be there, just in case.

 

Most insurance I have dealt with were only one way. You would still have to ride it at least one direction (most likely back home because you would have a hard time convincing them to tow it to the track).

 

Have you tried AAA rv. 100 mile tow of you bike. 4 tows a year. Approx $120 a year for membership

 

Good point. I wonder how the insurace company would handle a street bike wrecking and possibly getting totaled on the track?

They wouldn't cover it, I'm pretty sure that's an exemption on just about any car/bike policy. But even ignoring a free insurance tow and paying a tow truck driver out of pocket, still makes sense financially (on average at least).

Just because people are polite and don't mind sharing, doesn't mean you should expect it to always be that way. Don't be 'that guy'.

I wouldn't expect to borrow any spare parts or anything, and like I said I would bring all the 'essentials' - sockets, wrenches, etc... in a tank bag. But if I need a specific tool I couldn't bring I don't think most people would mind lending it.

What track will you be going to and what day? I have been seeing a lot of interest lately about going to trackdays on this forum. You may want to start a thread with a lot of time with who and what day you are running with and maybe you can find someone to split the cost with you.

I have seen some guys do that and they don't look all that happy leaving the track after a long day of riding. Also if the day is hot like it was last time I was at NMJP its down right crazy to ride back home after heat like that.

I go to NJMP and in the past I have done exactly what you said - split the cost with some buddies. But there are hassles involved in not only setting it up but actually doing it. The driver has to pick up multiple bikes all over the place, it just takes a long time to do. You would probably have to leave the night before for this and then you add motel (hate camping) costs to the overall expenses.

 

Here are a few more possibilities:

Call a friend with a trailer to arrange availabiliy for an emergency return haul. At the end of the day, you let them know if they are needed before you return. You pay them a little just for being available, more if you need them to come get you.

Ride to the track, but arrange for the friend with the trailer to haul the bikes back. Ride home from his house. The same thing could be done with the trip out - why should he have to pick up bikes at multiple locations? If he has room, drop the supplies off a day or so early, and ride the bike to his house.

Assuming this is your street bike, hopefully you aren't pushing so hard on the track that you are planning to crash it. Ride within your limits, even if you don't have to ride it home.

 

Alright it's decided then. I'm riding my bike to the next track day and if I survive the ordeal I'll tell you guys all about it. So anybody know when the next track day at NJMP is?

 

I don't have a trailer either. Luckily, my track is only 2 hours away.

 

I used to live 120miles away from NJMP (in Brooklyn) and I rode my bike to the track on multiple occasions.

However I would always ride in the night before and stay in a hotel.

Yes, having to ride 120miles home after a trackday was very tiring, but having to load up the bikes in to the rented minivan, tie them down, etc didn't seem any bettter.

I would recommend having something planned in the event of the crash, like a buddy who can rent a minivan and come get you, etc

 

What car do you have? I saw a CMRA guy that would take the backseat out of his Volvo sedan and load his bike in the backseat!

A new Beetle pulled a small enclosed trailer behind it. A Genesis pulled a double rail trailer. I imagine you could find a small folding single rail trailer fairly cheap... wouldn't take up much space for storage.

Then there's always this option. http://www.factoryramps.com/products/motorcycle/frame.html

 

Towed mine on a cheap trailer with a bike rail from Ohio back to NY, 10 hours driving no problem.

 

I've done this before. It was dumb.

I had my brother follow me in one of my cars with tools, spares, gas, food, etc. Honestly, if I didn't have him following, I wouldn't have done it.

What you didn't consider was the time required to track prep the bike before/after the day. If you're riding there, you need to do that onsite. Even if you're only taping, I'd rather have this done the night before, be rested, and ready to focus on my track work. Minimize distractions.

I've also wrecked at the track. I was 6+ hours from home and luckily had my truck with me. I was sore as hell and lucky in general to be alive (bike was totaled). I would NOT want to arrange for a tow truck for the bike, a rental car/taxi for me, etc. You're trying to save $60 on a Uhaul rental and you'll end up spending hundreds more. For what it's worth, you owe it to yourself to call some local tow companies and get an estimate FOR A BIKE back to your house. You might be shocked at the numbers they feed back to you.

I won't even touch on how mentally and physically exhausted you'll be on the ride home and how that could impair your ability to avert danger. There is a reason most track day junkies are either A. rich guys or B. self-impoverished. This sport takes dedication and spits out the indecisive...

 

I would consider a used trailer in a bag. I got mine's almost new for $600. IMO, the hassle is not worth it.

Also, I wish I lived 120 miles from the track. I wouldn't even get a hotel, I would just go early. Of course, I loved staying at the track BSing with other riders and the staff. I am camped at my last two days. I am never paying for hotel unless I am going with a bunch of people. Otherwise, I am camping. Hotels add to the total cost and it's not cheap when you look at the big picture.

If you don't want to trailer then ride to the track and arrange a JUST IN CASE ride back home.

You can also post here and see who else is going on the day your need a hand. I would have no problem letting you use my tools or stands or whatever you need that I have in my car.

 

Track from my house is only about 25 min. But i dont race i only watch