How to Know You're Improving as a Rider? KPIs for Track Riding

How do you know you're improving as a track rider? Learn key performance indicators here. Find out here. For more advice and to pick up your FREE track riding Ebook, head here…
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In this video we take a look at some key performance indicators to look out for to know whether or not you're improving as a rider of the track. There's an obvious one you'll all know, but there are some more to take note of when it comes to judging your track performance and progress.
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[@omlett.1]

i'm a beginner in track riding, so i don't yet really care about lap times, knee drag or anything like that. i simply measure where i am by my level of comfort on the bike in the same corners between each run. and how tired i am on the next morning :) if i'm not, it means i've done something better than last time.

[@AnsisCers]

I have few years track experience riding 600cc's and imho laptimes usually seem to not be a good KPI because of multiple reasons:
-Traffic
-Fatigue
-Inconsistency (either due errors or just experimenting)

...so going for laptimes each session is probably sacrificing progress in some other areas.

Instead- KPI I would value is exit speed on important turns - just a quick glimpse of speedo gives some benchmark. The next level is to use precise GPS receiver and software so individual turns/sectors can be analyized for progress even one or more parts of the track were slower due to reasons mentioned above.

There's also a lot of important knowledge to learn that increases driver-skill but isn't really a mesurable KPI:
-Body/hand position
-Braking/turn-in marker acquisition
-Overtaking confidence
-Ability to relax
-Panic situation handling
Improvement in any of these is noticeable in overall confidence

[@GC0nn]

Tyre wear, especially on the rear. It will talk to you about rider's technique. You can see when you apply throttle, relative to lean angle, differences on left to right, or even spinning etc. It will warn you about bad habits, if you watch closely. Which can a) make you a better rider b) help avoid brown moments

[@moto_ronto]

Another indicator for me is the number of times I’ve gone off-road at a trackday (due to a non-mechanical issue, i.e., due to rider error!) 😀… kind of related to “how do you feel” for sure. I like to feel in control at the track.

[@tenshi53]

For street riding, I have a local 2 hours loop of road that do at the start/middle/end of the riding season since I started riding. I can then identify on what I'm improving and on what I need to improve.
I think having a baseline to compare to is important. And having regular (but not too regular) comparison to measure the improvement. Lap time is easy to use, but doesn't tell the whole story. It's the overall smoothness/comfort level/number of adjustments/amount of focus needed that should be compared, but then, you can't brag about it!

[@AuMechanic]

consistency matters.
As in golf you stand more chances to win the game playing a fair game every hole than brilliant for one hole and in the bushes on the next.
Likewise in racing if you try extra hard for one lap in a race you might get past one rider but if you cant maintain the pace and have more laps to go then chances are they will not only pass you back a few corners later but a few others will follow them through and you end up one step forward and three steps back.

[@MMPAspergerian]

I use the 'when it becomes second nature' you can add the next technique

[@garymanning8920]

All of this is just right on. It takes time but when the first step is automatic things just start happening. Daily weekly and goals and practice... is the way it happens.

[@MaverickX2k5]

I'm a beginner in track riding and of course I'm proud if I see that I've improved a second or two. Apart from that I set goals to improve certain aspects like being able to concistently hold the line I want to drive, improve my braking technique and so on. Usually achieving one of the goals I've set myself leads to improvements in the lap time anyways

[@TachySteve]

I do feel like I pay a lot of attention to using my front brake. It is not “automatic” for me yet. Thanks for pointing that out. I never thought about that side of it.

[@hlpang1075]

Very practical advice, love it!

[@mikedinni6318]

I always aim for consistency. At the moment I'll get to a corner and get my knee down without 50 pencing the corner but I'll be about 10ft from the apex. As soon as the season starts I'll slow down and aim for the apex constantly and then gradually increase speed again until it all comes together.

[@blackjaminboy]

Great video, I enjoy being able to hear from your experience. I'm a track day rider that is look to improve mentally before the season so I can apply all of this knowledge starting next season!

[@mhilde7744]

Info is INVALUABLE! THANKSAMILLION, Dan!!!

[@XtremeCoke]

Great video Dan. Would you do another video to explain how do you feel bike/tires traction limit, and control it when riding on edge? Thanks

[@LifeatLean]

There's a video coming that will touch on this 👍

[@Loopyeck]

I have been using the size of the chicken strips as a gauge to how I’m doing in the corners recently.

[@Hao849]

consistency

[@chrisyurczak9517]

What happens when you're consistent but not making lap time progress? Last year I hit a wall. First time in ten years I didn't shave any time off. But I'll do laps within a quarter second of each other on a 3 mile track.

[@LifeatLean]

Are you approaching your riding with specific intentions to improve? Or are you just riding and hoping an improvement will come? If the latter, you likely just need to get more specific with your improvement efforts.

[@uses0ap]

How would you overcome being 'uncomfortable' during everyday riding. There are days when I hop on the horse and I just can't get comfortable, fighting the bike, sloppy shifts, etc. And some days I feel great, in control, and confident, IN THE ZONE. Any techniques to shake this inconsistency?
It helps if I hop off the bike, stretch, move around, adjust my gear, and get back on. This works sometimes but now always.

[@LifeatLean]

Difficult to say without seeing you ride. If you don't ride very often though you're more likely to have 'bad' days.

[@jeremybly]

First lol 😆