A Beginner's Guide to Motorcycle Track Days

A motorcycle track day lets you ride your own bike, or a hired one, on a closed race circuit. Riders are split into groups by pace, and the day runs as short sessions after a compulsory safety briefing. You need full leathers (one-piece or a two-piece that zips all the way round), a back protector, a full-face helmet, boots and gloves.

This hub gives the short answer on each topic and links to the detailed guide.

How a motorcycle track day works

Organizers sort riders into groups. No Limits Trackdays, a UK organizer, uses lower, middle and advanced groups; its lower group is for first-timers and steady riders. Knockhill in Scotland uses Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.

A typical UK day starts with sign-on and a noise test, then a compulsory briefing. Each group starts with two sighting laps, then rides 20-minute sessions in turn.

Full walkthrough: a beginner's guide to motorcycle track days.

What to wear on track

Leathers are the main item. Organizers ask for a one-piece suit or a two-piece joined by a zip that circles the torso. Many do not accept textile suits, as Rider Magazine's first-track-day kit guide notes.

In the UK, No Limits' clothing and bike prep rules make a back protector compulsory and require an ACU gold-sticker helmet or equivalent. In the US, 2Fast's technical FAQ asks for a full-face DOT helmet, over-the-ankle boots and gauntlet gloves.

To choose armor levels, an airbag and a hump, see hump, airbag and CE level: choosing protection for a track suit.

Getting your bike ready

Tape over or remove your mirrors, and tape over the speedometer. Some organizers require a front brake lever guard; No Limits has made one compulsory since January 2021. Tire pressures usually come down for the track, so ask the tire service on the day.

Costs, bike hire and suit rental

Prices depend on the circuit, the format and the date. One live example: a half-day Novice/Inter open-pitlane session at Knockhill was listed at £149. Bike hire through companies listed by No Limits runs from £350 to £450 for the day.

If you do not own leathers yet, some organizers rent them. 2Fast rents one-piece suits at $50 a day. See how motorcycle race suit rentals work.

Track days by circuit

Each circuit sets its own noise limits and schedule. MSV Trackdays runs bike days at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Bedford Autodrome. Oulton Park hosts bike track days most weeks of the season.

US riders can start with our guide to motorcycle track days at Sonoma Raceway.

After the day: looking after your leathers

Leather suits are not waterproof, and a lightweight rain suit can go over them on a wet day. For the routine between events, read how to care for leathers between track days. If the suit does not feel right in a tuck, check how a race suit should fit on the bike.

Gear for your first track day

If you are buying a suit, order early: stock sizes ship in 10 to 15 working days and custom sizes take 4 to 6 weeks. All four MotoSpeeds leather race suits come with interchangeable CE Type A knee sliders.

Related guides

• Between events, store your kit as described in our motorcycle gear storage guide.
• For armor levels, airbags and suit types, see our guide to motorcycle racewear safety.

FAQ

How much do motorbike track days cost?

It varies by circuit and format. A half-day Novice/Inter session at Knockhill was listed at £149, and bike hire adds £350 to £450 if you need a bike.

Do I need a bike licence for track days?

At MSV circuits, a full unrestricted driving licence or an ACU road race licence is checked, and you must be over 18. Rules at other circuits differ, so ask your organizer.