Man this still feels like a bit of a fever dream. Got the opportunity to go and take the M1K around Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin for BMW's DoubleR Fest. Such a cool track and facility, and having access all around it was too cool.

Toprak and several of the race teams were there. Sunday Toprak took a stock Alpha bike and beat the MotoAmerica lap record. He asked that morning if he could have half the Advanced guys session to try and break it. He left for the airport to fly overseas to race this weekend just after. Dude is an animal. My mind isn't able to comprehend how he does what he does on a bike. It's unbelievable. Just wild to be around it all.

Absolute bucket list item to ride this track and I can say I've done it! Hope to do it again next year now, had a blast. For anyone interested, you don't have to have a BMW to attend, just get a spot next time they open registration.

quote:

Originally posted by Andyb:
Man this still feels like a bit of a fever dream. Got the opportunity to go and take the M1K around Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin for BMW's DoubleR Fest. Such a cool track and facility, and having access all around it was too cool....

Way to go, what fun you must have had!

Just looking at the aggressive riding position has my knees aching though.

<---Is jealous.

^^^My one hip would start to ache on hard acceleration. I've never figured out why and I don't think I was pinching the bike.

Very cool. On my list of tracks to turn a few laps on.
Probably not nearly as fun my Fiesta ST. Maybe one of the [car] driving experience schools there. Not sure I have the skills to turn a hot lap on 2 wheels.

Looks like you had a good time :-)

I love riding but have never done a track day

Nice!

Talk about opening the adrenaline valve.

Great pics also.

Cheers~

40 years ago I would have saddled right up. Now, I will pass. How much does it cost to ride it?

Thanks fellas, it's a trip on a track like that. The roughest part for me is the adrenaline crash when everyone breaks for lunch. Nap time

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Looks like you had a good time :-)

I love riding but have never done a track day

Highly recommend it! You'll learn more about yourself and the bike in a day than you will in a year riding on the street. It's humbling when you start (it's hilarious really, everyone thinks they are a better rider than they actually are when they start, myself included) but your skill envelope will absolutely increase even the first time out. Very much worth it. Not only is it beneficial, it's fun as well so really a win win.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
40 years ago I would have saddled right up. Now, I will pass. How much does it cost to ride it?

Really depends on the organization/track. This one was free for me thanks to BMW and my dealer footing the bill. I try and make friends everywhere I go with this stuff. I never expect anything out of it besides having homies but in this case they made it happen and surprised me. If you were to just register normally it would be around 800 bucks for COTA. Other tracks are much cheaper, like the one here in OK is around 300 for the day and that includes coaching depending on the skill level group you sign up for. Thats a heck of a deal for what you'll get out of it as a rider.

Very very cool. I now sadly only ride a Goldwing; however, I can still keep up with a lot of sport bikes on the local twisty roads. I have wanted to, but never been to COTA due to all the traffic nightmares I hear. I have a friend that has friends in high places and goes all the time and has ridden the track many times. It would be an awesome experience.

Those are some awesome pictures!

That’s pretty damn cool.

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
Very very cool. I now sadly only ride a Goldwing; however, I can still keep up with a lot of sport bikes on the local twisty roads. I have wanted to, but never been to COTA due to all the traffic nightmares I hear. I have a friend that has friends in high places and goes all the time and has ridden the track many times. It would be an awesome experience.

Those are some awesome pictures!

I've only been for F1 [3 times] and traffic for an event that size is pretty abysmal.
Getting in isn't too bad if you plan to be there all day & get in early.

Leaving is the hard part. Went for F1 last year & thought I'd be smart. Wait for all the track action to finish & leave when the concert [Sting] started.
Got to my car & sat there for a bit over an hour before anything started to really move. Was nursing a misfire at the time, so I wandered the lot & chatted with the 'tailgaters' that were waiting out the crush as well.

Not sure if MotoGP, IMSA & the like have similar traffic issues. Don't think they have the attendence numbers F1 gets.

I can highly recommend this type of training.
Years back, I had a chance to attend Superbike School at Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway) and while it was the entry level, it made me a safer rider.
I was DFL all day, but what it left me with was an understanding of the physics of riding and I no longer fear leaning and consequently control and efficiently pilot the bike.

Here I thought you were going to say you went to stickman428’s house. But getting track is cool too. I miss the track and I think my track days on two wheels are behind me.