| Author | Message | ||
     Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Thinking about hanging it up for track days. Dont know exactly what it is but the lust has been worn off for some time now. Maybe its a sign of simply getting older & having different goals or needs? Maybe its the fact that on the street I dont push myself & actually am rather conservative...well most of the time anyways Been trying to figure out exactly what im trying to achieve or gain from track days & im not really coming up with any convincing arguments to continue. I certainly dont ride on the street like I do on the track, my bike is 500 times more capable than I or any of us will ever be & its not like I have any plans to take over Rossi's place. And it doesnt have anything to do with my little lowside last week either. Hell the bike's not even damaged & I dont have a scratch on me. The last few track days I have actually gotten bored after 3-4 sessions & am ready to call it a day. Personally I think its just new priorities taking over. Would rather spend some time riding in my area or hanging out with my wife instead of going round & round the same small track dozens of times for no real reason other than to waste expensive gas. Not looking for any guidance or justification one way or the other, just been thinking about it for some time now & have finally come to a conclusion. Doesnt mean I wont attend any track days ever again, but I do think for the time being until I start getting that burning urge...if it ever happens...that I am done for now. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Sometimes your interests just change!!!! Live it to the fullest and enjoy....your only here once. | ||
| Dsergison |
you idiot, it's that soulless yamaha. sucked the life right out of you. get yourself a "proper" bike and start living again.  | ||
| Dbird29 |
Maybe you've learned everything you need to know about track days. Get out and enjoy your new digs, I'm sure your wife will enjoy it more than watching you go roundy round. DBird | ||
| Ingemar |
Just don't let it be a first step towards not wanting to ride at all. Remember you don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stop riding. I planned to get my c-license (required for racing over here) next year and will do as many track days as I can. Why? Not in the first place to learn (although that is an important factor) but mainly just for the fun of it. I can imagine after a few years that I don't find it as enjoyable as I do now and will quit. No big deal. | ||
| Uwgriz |
If you're not into them, you're just not into them. I did notice you knocked off early at the last two I was at. You still planning on going to the gap? | ||
| Dsergison |
it't the bourdon of the soulless yamaha I'm telling you. see, even the Yamaha advertisments say straight out "if you don't win, it's your own fault" What kind of evil •••• is that? Who can have any fun just knowing they have the fastest most capable track bike on the track and not win? Now, Me for example..... flogging my X1 with 1/2 the hp, (if lucky) etc..... and comforted by the fact that all those guys smoking by me are on faster bikes but dang it I'm doing my best and my bike simply must be holding me back! See, you instantly go from a Looser with a fast bike -----to----- a Hero who somehow managed to come in mid-pack with 1/2 the horsepower (and twice the soul). LOL! | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Sounds to me like you need a sport tourer.  When the loop you ride is over 500 miles it never gets boring. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Purhaps you should sell the Yamaha for this...  | ||
| Outrider |
Dyna...Sounds like you are following the same path many of us have already been down. Nothing bad about it. Not to mention, you do live on the fringe of the best riding roads in Wisconsin. Much better than almost anything we have in SE Wisconsin. Welcome to male menopause (read: the thinking years).  | ||
| Dago |
Everyone gets distracted when they get new digs. Give it some time. Perhaps you went too far to one extreme by buying the fastest thing out there and taking it to the track too much? I too have a tendency to carry things so far I get easily burned out. That's how I got into bikes. Cars on tracks were getting old. Maybe a different style of riding (like sport touring as suggested above), or concentrating on a different hobby all together for a while is what you need to get your lust back. Don't sell the Yami. I'm willing to bet you'd regret not having that freak in the garage. | ||
| Johncr250 |
I feel the same way Dyna. Track Days are great for learning and exploring the limits of your bike. Once you`ve mastered that, riding around in circles on a track gets alittle boring to me. Maybe i do one or two a year now. Besides i`d rather be on the street pulling monster wheelies and acting like a hooligan. | ||
| Glitch |
I've been distracted of late as well. I've been riding for over 30 years, so I don't see myself giving up on riding. I don't know if it has to do with the events of last Fall, and or the crap I've seen happen in the mountains lately, or the fact that lately there have been those that seem to want to suck the fun out of everything. Dyna, as long as you've not lost your love for riding, I see no sickness. | ||
| Henrik |
Don't worry Dyna. It comes and goes in waves. A few years ago I'd do 10 - 12 track days a year. Now I'll squeeze in 2 - 4 (not that I don't need the practice, as I'm still slow as molasses). For me, I think it was partly frustration with my lacking progress. I prefer to be perfect at things before I even start (yeah, there's a surprise right there  ). My track buddies have progressed further and much quicker than I, which added to the frustration. These days, when I do track days I try to make a plan or "curriculum" for what I need to practice, how and when. That helps keep me focused and keeps me from getting sucked in and just go "round'n round." The drills from Code's school, as well as reading related books have helped me with ideas for what I need to be working on. And funny thing - when I slow down and focus on the exercises, lap timer usually shows lower lap times than when I try to push and really hang it out ... I should know by now ... you'd think  Just an idea. Henrik (Message edited by Henrik on June 02, 2005) | ||
| Craigster |
Hey Dyna, Welcome to the dark side. I remember a few short months ago when someone asked why he didn't see a lot of Buell folks at track days (I don't remember who started the thread, but if I'm not mistaken I think you were on it). I think gave my own reasoning for not attending as: Actual racing is better, and track day instructors around here are mostly local yahoos. Better to just show up for open practice and have the track mostly to yourself for half a day. Someday I may go road racing again. Hell I might decide to go kart racing, or build (or buy) a good 7 second bike to compete in Top Bike. I dunno. Right now my son is more important, as well as my wife. I'm just glad to take blast through the surrounding area on my Buell every now and then. Enjoy riding near your area and hanging out with the family. Doesn't mean you can't have balls out street ride everynow and then or go back to a track day. You've just figured out what you want to do for now. Enjoy it for what it's worth. Cheers | ||
| Dale |
I rode only four sessions because I know that is a lot of track riding in one day. After that it becomes to tiring. That is when you start to hurt yourself. Also old tires on an R1 would take the fun out of track days. Want some soul try a K1200S. | ||
| Daves |
Jeez John250, you must be really fast if you have mastered your bikes limits! | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
I would love to be able to say I have mastered my bikes limits but I am a realist & know that will never happen & im ok with that. I wont ever give up riding street bikes...been doing it way too long...but I think im just going to stick with the street & have been toning down the crazy stuff as well. I have 2 grandsons that I want to continue to visit with, my wife to be with etc. It may sound stupid but look what happened to Vincent Hackovic on the track, that could easily be any of us with a simple screw up & its not worth it. Besides I may have bought a boat this afternoon...will find out for sure saturday morning. Plenty of great rivers around here & I want take my family tubing & just have a good time. Thats what its all about anyways. | ||
| Daves |
So Kandie and I can come boat in the summer and then snowmobile in the winter? You gotta do what's right for you. I will miss you at the track, always fun to ride with you. Street or track. Did you decide to come up for the races on Sunday? | ||
| Hans |
Dyna, how right you are. Nothing will give you more fun than a smooth ride on a good bike, with its low RPMs, to your boat, just to have a look if all is well and to fiddle somewhat around there, preparing next boat trip. You will never miss the R1 that badly: I promise. Keep the X1 of course. Hans  | ||
| Rocketman |
Sounds like you've had a reality check Greg and that sounds like it's for the better. I agree about the R1 being soul less. For me if you're not pushing a superbike as hard as you dare then you're not really exploiting it - therefore you're not enjoying what it can really do nor therefore can it make you entirely happy. I've never been a race track riding fan. I love going fast on the open road. Nope I'm not an idiot. I know the throttle works both ways and I have a responsibility to others too which I take extremely seriously when out riding - but for me the street is where it's at and no two rides are ever the same. When my S1W went tits up I found myself at a loose end for a while. I'd take the TVR for early hours of the morning thrashes into the Yorkshire countryside to feed my addiction. Eventually that little Suzuki RGV250 came my way a couple of summers back and two wheeled fun returned. I liked that little bike a lot too but the 916 purchase had to be funded from somewhere right. And there it was in a nutshell. The answer to all my 150mph prayers. I'd found a bike that felt alive. Felt like it had a soul. It vibrates and shakes and is uncomfortable until you get comfy but once you're on it the only reason you want to get off it is to stare longingly at it. End of the day a Buell and a Ducati might be leagues apart but then again maybe not and it is within those confines I find there are crossovers that blend both marques into satisfying my two wheeled needs. Best of both worlds I'd call it. For therapy I recommend you go test ride thoroughly a Ducati. Keep a Buell as your numero uno ride - the Ducati as that wild red head you play with as your bit on the side. One thing's for sure though. You'll never know unless you try it. Get rid of that R1 whatever you do and start enjoying your riding. Rocket | ||
| Spike |
Interesting. I keep hearing of more and more riders who give up riding on the street and start riding only on track. It just seems a bit different to hear someone decide to go the other way for a change. I think the important thing to remember is that these are just motorcycles. No matter how much we love them, they're just machines and this is just another hobby/sport/etc. Motorcycling is supposed to be fun. If any part of it stops being fun, we're free to stop doing it. I think too many of us get caught up in riding for the sake of riding and continue to do it even after we don't enjoy it anymore. Many of us end up trying to prove something even if only to ourselves. We end up chasing some mileage goal or some personal skill level goal or some ideal of how the bike should look. We need to keep in mind that we can't "win" at motorcycling. We're just doing this do have a good time. I think you said it best yourself. The lust has worn off, so you've decided to hang it up. Nothing wrong with that at all. I'd even say it's admirable. Mike Luddy, Jr. '04 XB12R | ||
| Outrider |
Dyna...Boats are absolutely fantastic for family fun as are a lot of other activities that will leave the kids with lasting memories of the good times. Unfortunately, the bigger the family, the more motorcycling becomes a selfish thing. Great for a solo or two up escape, but someone is always left behind. Lots of great river action around you. I have a cousin in Baraboo that has a few boats and we go fishing a few times a year. I don't know if accurate charts exist for the rivers, but if they do get one as hopefully it will show all the submerged rocks and sandbars that can ruin your motor's lower end. If the charts don't exist either make friends with a local that knows the waters or follow their zig zag pattern and make notes like you were determining braking points and turn markers on the track. In essence, the channels are not well marked. If you are looking for a great selection of fishing equipment, let me know as I have a ton of it in new condition. I just got out of fishing for a few years and it is senseless to let the stuff go to waste. Additionally, I have a 6' sailing dinghy, also in new condition, that has been taking up space in the garage since my dad bought it. Is quite stable and would be great for the kids or one (possibly two) adults on a lake or pond. Heck, I even have a roof rack for it. Email me if you are interested in either the fishing equipment, the sailboat or both. | ||
| M2guy |
"Unfortunately, the bigger the family, the more motorcycling becomes a selfish thing. Great for a solo or two up escape, but someone is always left behind. " Come on now, Bikes have passenger seats, just plan the family accordingly, Dad & daughter on 1 bike, Mom and daughter on the other! Everyones happy! Oh yeah, boating rocks! My family spend many summer weekends on the boat! | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Many of us end up trying to prove something even if only to ourselves. We end up chasing some mileage goal or some personal skill level goal or some ideal of how the bike should look. We need to keep in mind that we can't "win" at motorcycling. We're just doing this do have a good time. Well stated! Bill...not into fishing at all...I get way too bored with it. Rocketman..nope not getting rid of the Rfun...having a major blast just rocking around the roads & the curves. Anyone who thinks a modern litre bike is souless simply hasnt wrung one out hard enough. Boats are absolutely fantastic for family fun as are a lot of other activities that will leave the kids with lasting memories of the good times. Unfortunately, the bigger the family, the more motorcycling becomes a selfish thing. Great for a solo or two up escape, but someone is always left behind. Bill, yep & with the Wis & Baraboo rivers right here we can have a ton of fun all summer. I cant wait to take the grandkids out tubing. I go tomorrow to talk to a guy about a boat I checked out yesterday. Nothing big or fancy, just a little 16' open bow that will seat 6 easily. Can always upgrade in a year or 3. | ||
| Outrider |
Bill...not into fishing at all...I get way too bored with it. Same here. The only time I get into fishing is when I am stressed to the Max and even riding won't help. LOL Sounds like a great starter boat. Not to mention, even my cousin who has navigated those rivers for over 30 years still hits a rock or a sand bar every now and then. No sense learning the river on a brand new does all, eh? Incidentally, Jim has been fantasizing about the Mercury outboard that has a shallow draft jet rather than a prop. That's what the DNR uses along those rivers and they save on a lot of damage. Missed you at the Homecoming today. Was the usual parking lot fiasco but the folks were a lot of fun. Wish I had the time to attend the weekend festivities. Heck, I met so many interesting people that I just might join BRAG again. | ||
| Outrider |
M2Guy...You have a very valid point. One just needs to remember to keep it down to two kids with a wife that wants to ride her own bike. Man, my life has never gone that smooth. LMAO The inverse is, do what Newfie does and get the family into offroading with bikes and ATV's. Now that sounds like a weekend in Heaven to me! | ||
| M2guy |
There's only one problem with all that....$$$$$ I've had to purchase my wife a 883 hugger, and a kawasaki prarie 360 for the dirt. Man, the toys i could've had for my self The kids like it all. I supose they'll be needing there own toys in couple years....ouch! A family that plays together stays together! wouldn't have it any other way.  Time to take the little boat out. Have a great weekend everyone!! | ||
| Outrider |
M2guy...Actually, the cost of the toys is nothing compared to the cost of enlarging your garage. LOL | ||
| Easyflier |
Greg, I may have missed it but what were the details on your lowside? Did it happen at the track or on the street? I had planned to do more track days this year but it's not in the budget since my wife can no longer work. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see all you guys again before this riding season ends. BTW, was up in Lodi last Thursday and really enjoyed seeing that part of Wisconsin. Would like to go for a ride up there some weekend, maybe I can start planning for that around August or September. |
