Taking the penguin course at Louden

I know I'm posting this way ahead of time but my bike's put away for the winter and it's all I can think about. I've never been on the track but it's something I can't wait to do, a couple of my friends race and they say it's amazing. I ride pretty well on the street, can get a knee down and have scraped the feelers on both pegs on my 750 and the katana. I'm planning on taking the penguin roadracing school at louden in the spring but I'm not sure if I should use my own bike. To take the class and use your own bike it's around $250 for the day, if you rent a bike from them (duc 748) it's 500, plus you have to get their insurance on their bike and it comes out being a lot more than 250. How likely would it be that I'd end up crashing taking the beggining course, I can already ride well but I know I could learn a ton on the track, I'm kinda scared about the other people in the group taking me out or something. Also, I have about another 3-4 months until the bike gets back on the road, any ideas for upgrades that'll help on the track but also be good on the street??

good idea on taking the class. it is hit or miss with crashing. we all try not to but it happens for one reason or another. it may not happen on your first time out but hey it happens. i would rent their bike if money isnt the prob cuz it kinda gives you more confidence when riding cuz its not a major concern of having to fix it when it goes down. The bad part is you will not be used to that bike they provide so it may be weird but u will prob get used to it. all and all have fun its not a race

take your bike. You'll be way more comfortable on it and used to it. So hell, why not. Just don't worry about crashing...you cars either yours or theres, you'll still be screwed. Well not really, but it won't be good.

lol, now would my insurance company cover it if I crashed at the track? Or maybe I'd be better off putting it on a trailer on the way home and not tying it down and putting in a claim after that... I think I will probably use my bike, if I were to use theirs it would be at least another 400+ and that's almost as much as my collision deductible. I'm getting so excited thinking about it!

Are you taking the Penguin Basic school or Streetriding course? Do you plan on racing? The basic school will just teach you about track safety and the lines at Loudon. It will also allow you to get your roadracing license. You should think about doing a couple of track days first. They are around the same amount of money, they usually have some sort of presentation on Flags and track safety (Pit in and out) Plus for the same amount of money, you will usually get alot more track time. Just riding the track and following someone who knows the lines will increase your skills by leaps and bounds. I have not taken the Penguin streetriding course but have heard good things about it. I have taken the basic and advanced schools though. My next school is the Kevin Schwantz or Keith Code school. P.S. I think you should use your own bike that way the skills you learn on your bike will be transferrable to the street. When I go from a weekend of racing (I race an SV650) back to the street (I ride a GSXR 1000) it takes a couple of days of riding adjustment. Big difference between full throttle on an SV and full throttle on a 1k :cool:

man .. the more I read about racing on tracks the more I want to try it. .. If things go good for me in 06 . I'll convert my 1K into a track/stunt bike.. and Im thinking of getting new GSXR 750 just to blast around in. Im unsure if I want to trade in my 1K or just keep it. .. Guess I got all winter to think about it. my 03/1K only has 8K miles on it.