Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to use my own bike?
A: No, there are EX500’s available for student use, but it’s recommended to use your own machine as the drills and skills you’ll practice will make you more familiar with the capabilities of your own bike,
Q: What type of gear should I wear?
A: Leather jacket and pants provide the most protection in the case of a “get off”, but ballistic nylon is good too. It is up to the student to wear the safest most protective gear they have. Lightspeed ART has a selection of riding gear available for student use if required
Q: What type of speeds will we be reaching?
A: Most of the training will be done at real world speeds, so expect to reach 120kmh or more.
Q: Where exactly does the training take place?
A: The training facility we use is Saratoga Speedway. It is located just north of the Comox Valley..
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Q: I’ve only been riding one summer, is an ART course too much for my level of experience?
A: No. It is wise for any level of rider to take ART. It can only help improve your skill level and possibly fix mistakes before they become a bad habit.
Q: I ride a low rider cruiser; can I bring it out for the closed course training?
A: No, Lightspeed ART is designed for performance riding on performance oriented machines. The physics and geometry of a cruiser compared to that of a sport bike do not make it possible to do the training drills correctly. There are EX500 sport bikes available to students when required.
Q: If this isn’t racer training, why do it on a race track?
A: Most riding schools use parking lots, but for advanced training in a safe environment, a race track provides the room to get up to real world speeds and the safety of no traffic. There are also safety barriers, unlike the street and parking lots.
Q: If I decide that I want to get into racing, will this course help me in any way?
A: Yes, several techniques taught on ART are those used by racers, so if you decide to take racer training you’ll already be familiar with several techniques. If you decide to race at Saratoga you will have already completed the mandatory track session, as no racer course is required.
This is a start at a SRRC race at Saratoga Speedway. Not the best place to still be working on your basic skills!
