How track riding makes you safer on the road

Not every motorcycle rider has ambitions to ride their machine on the racetrack, but the truth is that circuits offer a relatively safe environment for riders to explore their capabilities and that of their bikes, in a controlled environment and without risking their licence. It’s just not about the speed though…

Not all about the speed

The racetrack should be looked at as a rider’s favourite twisty ribbon of tarmac, but without oncoming traffic, gravel, potholes or other distractions. It’s an environment that allows riders to practice and hone their skills, and is more forgiving on inevitable small mistakes.

For riders wanting real-world practice to go with the theories detailed in the clips, motoDNA’s Digital Academy provides a platform for riders to practice their riding skills at their own pace and convenience. It’s like having a virtual coach, and being a data driven program, allows participants to compare their skills and progress against thousands of other riders.

Grip

Spending time at the racetrack will help riders better understand grip. A big contributor to rider trauma on the road is their ‘survival reaction’, and this is primarily caused by the rider’s lack of understanding of their limits and the limits of their machine.

More precisely, the rider doesn’t sufficiently understand the grip that is available from their tyres – this often causes the rider to overreact and panic to a small problem such as mid corner gravel or a car cutting the corner. This results in a bigger problem that could have been avoided if they understood the available grip.

Cornering

Another benefit of track riding is improving cornering – for motorcyclists, most problems on the roads happen in corners. On the track, riders can practice their cornering skills at real-world speeds without the obstacles or distractions found on public roads.

Because the same corners are repeated over and over, a rider’s skills can develop faster and with more consistency.

Vision

Most road riders’ vision is poor. An experienced rider will have learned to look well ahead up the road at the furthest point that they want to go, also known as the vanishing point. Doing this allows the rider to identify potential risks at a distance. In comparison, the inexperienced or poorly trained rider will normally be fixated on the road only a few metres in front.

Good vision is tied into many aspects of riding, such as peripheral performance and situational awareness, so it really is key to good defensive riding. It’s also linked to a rider’s balance and reaction speed – all up, having good vision is a super powerful skill!

Trail braking

The next benefit of track riding is trail braking. Having the skill to brake hard and deep in a corner – if you need to – can save a rider’s life on the road. Situations such as an oncoming car on your side of the white line in a bend, or if the corner tightens more than anticipated, can commonly occur. The stats are full of inexperienced riders who panic, stand the bike up and run off the road.

Riders who have the intuitive skill to trust their tyre have a better chance to remain in control and avoid the hazards.

Ensuring the motorcycle is properly maintained and equipped with quality braking components such as those offered within the Bendix Moto range is also important.

Bendix Moto brake pads have been engineered with safety and performance in mind and with its Ultimate+ and Street Road Track model lines, Bendix has most motorcycle types – cruisers, commuter, sports, trail and tourers – covered, with options to suit many Japanese, European, American and Chinese bike brands.

The ‘Fang’

Another great thing about spending time at a race track is being able to blow off steam. When you have a good ‘fang’ on the track, you’re more likely to chill and ride more defensively on the road. What’s the point of putting yourself and your licence at risk on the road when you can go as fast as you like on the track.

Track days – whether on bitumen or dirt – are a heap of fun especially if you group up with a few mates. They’re experiences you can enjoy together and can also introduce a bit of friendly competition to your riding.

For those who have never ridden on a track before don’t worry, track riding is not as intimidating as you might think. Most tracks have a novice or induction group, so your abilities will be matched with those of the broader group. Please note though, that track day training is normally rudimentary, so seek out some training from a good school prior, you’ll have more fun with less risk.

And of course, remember to switch back to driving defensively when you get back out on public roads.

For riders looking to ensure their improving skill sets are complemented with high-quality braking components, Bendix Moto includes a brake pad selector to match the rider with the correct pads for their bike and riding style. It’s just another way that Bendix helps the motorcycle community to stay safe and ride with confidence.