Description

Non-Sportbike Training Days
Course Description

Tuesday July 30, 2024
7:00- 5:00

Palmer , MA

Non-Sportbike Training Days will help the average street rider learn and refine advanced braking, throttle and cornering skills. This course is for all levels of experienced riders with at least 1,000 miles under their belt. This is not for brand new riders. New riders should sign up for a basic rider course with their state motorcycle safety program.

Scholarships are available through the BMW/MOA Foundation. 

Please read the Cancellation Policy.

See the Rider Paid List here to confirm your reservation.

What is a Track Training Day?

These training Days are held on a closed course (racetrack). A closed course allows you to learn in a safe environment and at real-world street speeds (not race speeds). This is NOT Racing!!

Learning on a racetrack allows you to ride freely and concentrate on and advancing your skill level without the typical hazards faced on the street…potholes, sand, tar snakes and Buicks.

This is Group Training

NOTE: This event is structured as a self-directed learning model. Personal instruction is not provided.

• Riding technique information is delivered in the classroom.
• You then apply the lessons on your motorcycle on the track.
• Return to the classroom with questions and to hear the next lesson.

An instructor will not be monitoring your personal progress. That said, our instructors circulate on track and will lead riders they identify as most in need of help.  If an instructor passes you and then “taps his or her tail” they want you to follow them.

If you want some individual help, just ask an instructor. They are ready to follow and lead for a lap or two anyone but only if you ask.

Photos available after the event from Arcy at OTM Pix

What Bikes Qualify?

These Non-Sportbike Training Days are for those who ride Cruisers, Baggers, Tourers, Adventure bikes, and Sport Tourers and other “street” machines.

We prefer to limit sport bikes and recommend attending a “regular” track day with Tony’s Track Days.

Examples of our preferred motorcycles include:

• Cruiser models (Harley, Victory, Star, Baggers, etc.)
• Adventure Bikes (Tigers, Teneres, GSs, Multistrada, etc.)
• Upright Street Standards (MTs, SV650, CB500s, BMW Rs, Speed and Street Triples, etc.)
• Touring Bikes (Gold Wings, Baggers, etc.)
• Sport Touring models (VFRs, FJR, RTs, RSs, etc.)

This course is not intended for supersport bikes.

Is This Day Right For You?

Do you want to learn how to brake and corner with more confidence and have a much better understanding of your bike’s capabilities? Then this is the course for you.

No Track Experience is needed.  If you ride on the street and can corner at typical speed limit, then you are qualified to attend this event.

About 1,000 miles of experience is suggested. The instruction you’ll receive is not about “how to ride” – it’s about “how to ride better”.

What You Will Learn

Classroom sessions are included in the price of your day.

While parking lot courses have their place, riding your bike on a track will let you practice riding skills at real-world speeds – without the normal distractions found on public roads (like cars, sand, cops, etc)

Throughout the day, you will alternate between voluntary classroom sessions and on-track sessions. Benefit from discussions and demonstrations of advanced riding technique that you can then try on the track.

The skills we will be working:

• Vision Techniques
• Braking Techniques
• Shifting Timing and Techniques
• Cornering Precision
• Cornering Line Selection
• Body Positioning

Ken Condon and his experienced staff will conduct classroom training between riding sessions.

Walk the Track

We offer a guided track walk the evening before the event starting at 5:15, weather permitting. Bring your walking shoes for this 2.3 mile stroll. We will preview the track, discuss how to get on and off the track and how to handle particular corners to make the most of your day. This is optional.

Complete the MANDATORY Virtual Rider’s Meeting before the event! Reviewing this information will give you vital information beforehand and will make your morning much more relaxed.

What to Expect

Registration, waiver signing and motorcycle inspection starts at 7:00 AM. Please arrive by 7:30.

Rider’s Meeting starts promptly at 8:15. All riders MUST attend this meeting.

We run Rain or shine!

Garage and Pavilion (Carport) Space

Most people park outside along the edge of the paved access roads. You simply claim a spot where you park between sessions and where you can leave sidecases and other stuff you don’t want to bring on track. We’ve not had any issues with stolen stuff to date.

However, some people want a guarantee of shade and shelter in the event of inclement weather. In this case, Garage and Pavilion (Carport) Spots are available for rent from the track. This is an EXTRA COST,  but can be shared.

If you’re wanting a spot,  click the appropriate link(s) below to reserve these spots directly from Palmer Motorsports Park.  We are not involved in the rentals.

Click to reserve a spot for the day that you will be attending:

July 30 Garage or Carport reservation

We are on track at 9:00 to 5:00 See schedule below.

We divide riders into 3 groups

• A slower NOVICE “CRUISER” Group
• A Medium Speed INTERMEDIATE “TOURER” Group
• A Faster ADVANCED “SPORT TOURING” Group

NOTE:  You will initially be grouped by bike type, but we may move people up or down a group as their riding ability dictates.

Schedule:

• The day starts at 7:00 AM with a quick inspection of your motorcycle.
• At 8:15 we will have a rider’s meeting and classroom to explain the details of riding on a racetrack safely.
• We are on track at 9:00 with a follow the leader session for all groups.
• Ride on the track for 20 minutes every hour with 15 minute Classroom sessions between riding sessions.
• We break for lunch at 12:00. Lunch is included.
• Classroom sessions are held after every on track session until 4:00 PM for each group. The day ends at 5:00.

We provide limited amounts of water, but it is recommended everyone bring fluids to drink throughout the day.

The Palmer track requires renting garage space directly from the track at the Palmer Motorsports website calendar page.

Fuel is available at Palmer.

Location

Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

Palmer Motorsports Park Track Map- click and print.

PLEASE NOTE: Palmer Motorsports Park enforces exhaust noise restrictions. Any motorcycle that is too loud will be not be allowed on the track. Most aftermarket exhausts are okay, but open pipes with no baffles will likely violate the restrictions. It is your responsibility to bring a motorcycle that will pass the sound meter test. We cannot advise you on whether your particular bike will pass or not. If you have baffles, it probably will.

Lodging

The Palmer Track Website has options for Lodging.

Bike and Riding Gear Requirements

Motorcycle Preparation

Motorcycle preparation can be done in 2 minutes!  Your bike needs:

• to be in excellent roadworthy condition
• have plenty of tire life remaining.
• have no leaking fluids of any kind – including fork tubes
• brake pads need to have plenty of life remaining.
• to have it mirrors either removed or taped over.  
• an “X” made of tape over your headlight… ONLY if it is made of glass (most are plastic).

Brake lights are okay.

Hard luggage cases are okay as long as they are 100% secure

Please remove anything that can be detached easily.

That’s it!

One more thing… Loud exhausts must be baffled! Read the Noise Policy here

Cameras cannot be attached to your helmet, it must be on the bike.  Also, the case needs to be secured to the bike in two places by a tether, or tape, or something extra if the primary retainer fails.  And yes, camera mounts fail and can cause serious injury!

Riding Gear

Riders will be responsible for having full motorcycle gear.  We do NOT provide gear!

It’s better for you to have the best protective gear you can.

The best is full leather coverage and race-spec gloves and boots. But, we understand that this isn’t practical for many street riders.

Second best is full-coverage nylon armored motorcycle jacket and pants, good leather gloves (that overlap with jacket) and sturdy over the ankle boots. Even though this should be considered basic street protection, some still find this to be too much.

So, in an effort to encourage riders to benefit from this training opportunity who are either gear-resistant or without financial means to buy proper gear, we have relaxed the gear requirements.

Below is a comprehensive list of basic requirements.

Remember, this is for YOUR protection in the unlikely event of a fall.

Helmet – Your helmet must be DOT approved and FULL-FACED.  High quality modular helmets will be allowed but must remain in the locked position when on track.

Jacket –  Leather is best, but we allow non-leather riding jackets and pants (cordura type, such as Aerostich) provided they are motorcycle specific and have armor or extra padding in the elbows.  You can purchase inexpensive padding for these areas. Mesh jackets are allowed, as long as the elbows and shoulders are solid nylon.

Back Protector –  While hard back protectors are strongly encouraged, they are not mandatory.  However, please consider buying CE approved armor, rather than the thin foam pads generally included with jackets. You can buy one that has a strap that holds it in place… again for about $60 to $150.  Isn’t your spine worth that much? Google Search for Back Protector (Link)

Pants – Leather is best, but we allow cordura type motorcycle-specific pants (such as Aerostich) that have armor or extra padding in the knees.  “KEVLAR” Jeans with hard armored knee and shin protection are allowed and this makes a great setup for those not wanting to purchase motorcycle riding pants.
Regular Jeans are not allowed.  Chaps are not allowed unless worn over Kevlar jeans.  If you have questions, please Contact Ken.

Gloves – Full-coverage gauntlet gloves MUST leave no exposed skin.  They should overlap the jacket when you are in the riding position. No fingerless gloves.

Racer brand gloves is a sponsor of RITZ

Boots – Sturdy over-the-ankle boots . These do not have to be motorcycle-specific, but must provide sturdy protection and MUST leave no exposed skin by overlapping the pants when you are in the riding position.

Padded Undersuits:  https://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/catalog/

Feel free to send me a link to a product photo- or take a photo of your actual gear (be sure to say that it’s for the “non sportbike” day).

Once you ride with proper gear, you will wonder how you ever rode without it.

Please read the Cancellation Policy BEFORE Registering.

Testimonials

“I want to thank you and your staff for such a great day at Thompson at the non-sport bike track day on May 14. I always wanted to get on a track but never expected to be able to do it on my big touring Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. At 69, I’m getting up there a bit and I was also surprised to find a few even older than me. I had a spectacular day. I moved past some of my personal limits and finally learned what my bike is capable of in corners. I was a bit anxious to begin with but nerves gave way to the excitement of getting better and better as the day went on. The combination of track time and instruction was perfect. 2 days later I’m still having trouble getting the smile off my face. “Thank you for doing what you  all do.”
M.S.

“I did Palmer last year and learned a lot! I plan on doing this every time you have a non sport bike day at Palmer. I have a few other Gold Wing members that might join me in July, so you might have a few of us heavy bikers on the track. What I learned made me a lot better rider and my wife even commented that I handle my bike a lot better also. I have over 80,000 miles on Gold Wings and your class was worth the price. Can’t wait for the next time!”
Bob C.

“I wanted to tell you the best part of my first track day was riding two-up with Ken.  It clicked while doing those few laps and my street riding has improved considerably.  Now I am leaning with the bike instead of just the bike leaning, and it feels so smooth and steady.  No more jitters while cornering.  I am sold on the value of track days!”– Linda C.

LOUD EXHAUST NOTICE! Palmer Motorsports Park enforces a strict noise limit. Read the Noise Policy Here.

Please read the Cancellation Policy.

Other Training Options:

Personal On-Street Training Options

Small Group On-Street Training Options

Advanced Parking Lot Training

The Riding in the Zone, LLC Motorcyclist Training Program is supported by the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP).

Scholarships are available through the BMW/MOA Foundation. 

Many photos are from Arcy Kusari, OTMPIX.com