Ducati Monster Forum

I couldn't find an appropriate thread to put this, so made one.

Anyway, I took a few photos of people on the track day yesterday (12 June).  With one exception, I have no idea of who I've photographed.

The photos are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzy_j/sets/72157624260946850/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzy_j/sets/72157624260946850/).  They're mostly taken on turn 2, but also some from the back of the skid pan.

So if you know people who were riding at EC yesterday, please pass the link along.  They're free to use the photos for whatever they like, except for profit.  The photos are on flickr at full res - just click on the photo, then click the little "all sizes" icon above the photo to download the various ones.

Hope that's useful to people - it was sure fun to do.

Thanks again for sharing these, Suzyj.  There's some good looking bikes amongst that lot!  [drool]

It was very fortunate to get that one snapped of me - that would have been taken in the 2nd session, and would have been the very first lap.  I only made 1.5 laps that session - got half way around the 2nd lap and the sidestand switch decided that the stand was down, so told the motor that the safest thing to do was to shut off.  Right in the middle of Turn 6, leading in to Turn 7.  [bang]  I managed to coax it back into submission enough to limp back to the pits, where I fixed it properly.  [moto]

There are a few snaps of the guy on the new BMW 1000RR. He's wearing full Ducati leathers. I don't know his name, but got chatting to him for a while at the track - it was his 2nd trackday on this bike.  I'd like to try one - I know that this may sound sacrilegious, but if I had to park a non-Ducati in my garage, this one looks mighty tempting!

Nice pics SuzyJ! I'm still scrubbin mine, but these two tell a little story:

696 Sneaking up on an 848 at T2
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/4693388694_2cd13a93d4.jpg)


848 rider going WTF! as tiny naked bike flies past (check his eyes out here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigeaux/4692754789/#sizes/o/))
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1299/4692754789_fe871c0a2c_b.jpg)

696 Tracker action, check these out as well:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4693381326_22a5acf7a5.jpg) (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4692750335_d7290e4b58.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4693379512_bc7ba5b3f6.jpg) (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1275/4692748661_374bcdd457.jpg)

thanks for sharing the pics!  some nice cornering  - interesting to see the different lines!  [thumbsup]

Your in luck Spot, Pigmy might be selling his (just after he gives me a spin).

Hey Suzyj, great shots, did you try using a longer shutter speed to try and get some bluring of the background?




                                              Mmick

 [roll] Yes, I did.  They're the ones that didn't make it to flickr, as there was, ahem, some blurring of the foreground as well.

nice pics suzy... is this spotcom stalking an RC8??

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4691966479_093bba9b26.jpg)

I do believe it is.

Hey, anyone know where I can get a couple of these cool stickers?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4693381326_22a5acf7a5.jpg)

That would be from the guy above. Ozducati.

i have many sizes, just let me know which ones you want and where to send them :)

Damn inspiring.

Havnt done track yet. Seems a little intimidating, especially with some of those gorgeous "weapons" out there. Plus the no doubt need for the $$$ to setup and (no doubt) fix after offs.

One day....

Not so intimidating, just treat it as a day out on the bike, no need to $$$ (apart from the cost of the day), just have fun and is usually much safer than the road.. plenty of run off, everyone going the same direction, and lots of like minded people... if you take it easy and enjoy it all is good...

I totally agree, we just trailered our bikes there rode & went home a great day out, fast and safe !!

That's why I'm doing the superbike school first - gets me over the track intimidation thing.

The guys there on the weekend that I spoke to were without exception really nice though.

great option suzy, can't say enough good things about the CSS, is worth every cent... and as you say, there's always a good bunch of guys n gals out there, and plenty of likeminded ducatisti

Something I have been toying with for sometime.

Do u think it be worth doing any of the stay upright (or equivalent) courses 1st? Ive done the HART hadling dynamics. To be honest it was a bit easy (was given as a voucher - but I did get a few things out of it) But thats about it. Oh and I ride everyday in sydney city traffic. But thats more a life course that dont accredit to anything but nerves of steal! [laugh]

Stay Upright is more road focussed, but the CSS teaches skills you will use everywhere and the way they put the course together really helps with a lot of the basics starting from lvl 1.

The Track day itself does wonders too. And lots of fun. They have a short instructional clinic for the newbies. It did the world of good for me. Although, that said, it may not be for everyone ??
I did the HART course before the track day, but learnt more at the track.
Good luck.  [thumbsup]

thanks All. Just looked into the seperbike courses. looks a goer as a taster, probably do him later in the year when the funds are there.
Also sorry to jack the thread. me me me me me me. Haha.

Thread jacks welcome Justo.

Hey - my 2c worth: if you've been toying with the idea of doing a track day, but don't know what to expect - well, that was me, 2 years ago.

I thought about doing some rider training first, like superbike schools, etc., but then thought that I'd just book myself into the slowest group at the track, and treat it like a normal brisk ride.

In the end, I reckon that was the perfect thing to do.  You'll come across all sorts of different skill levels in the slowest group - from people who've just bought new 1198s and have never done a track day, to those who've got classic bikes and just want to take them for a blat.

The pace is not that fast. 

Also, they have a first-timer's program.  This gives you two laps behind one of the superbike school instructors. The instructor will point out the various flag points around the track, and will also show you the preferred lines.  Relax - he's going fairly slowly, and you won't have trouble keeping up!   On the second lap around the instructor will up the pace just a little bit to give you a feel for the lines and braking points.  Again - if you can ride at the speedlimit on our Aussie highways, I'd think you'll have no problems keeping up.

Then, during the day (you get 6 x 20 minute sessions), you can book into their cornering school.  This takes place in an unused section of carpark.  For this school they'll teach you a few tips about tipping into corners, body position, etc.  All slow easy stuff - 1st gear only.  Don't discount the usefulness of this - even if you've been riding for a while, it's worthwhile.

So, rather than making it a big deal in your mind and thinking that you HAVE to do a superbike school or some other course first - my recommendation would be to just book yourself in, and have a great day!  Oh, and take a camera, because there's always plenty of exotica parked in the pits.  [thumbsup]

Cheers Spotcom. Your experience/advice makes it sound alot less daunting.
Its now on the hitlist of things to do before 2011.

Justo

I was out there on Monday, this thread reminded me to look at the JPM site.

I agree Spot.. It gets the adrenalin pumping but as long as your in the correct group for your riding its an absolute blast. I am totally hooked, the funny thing is I dont even feel like road riding now  :-\

Yeah I know someone else like that too.
I do like both but getting to the track is sometimes a pain, riding there and back isn't fun
and towing is difficult.

Steve sounds like other Vince is on the way [roll] [moto]

Funny you mention that, Vince was kind enough to come out with me for a few laps [popcorn], spent a couple of laps behind me then jumped in front showing some better lines  8) . It was a real eye opener ( not sure I am ready to jump ripple strips and cut across the grass yet though  [moto]). Thanks Vince  [thumbsup]