TL;DR: Motorcycle track days cater to all skill levels, giving you a safe, low-stress environment to push your limits. Taking ProSkills advanced training first sets you up for the biggest track day thrills.
Feeling the full power and balance of your motorcycle as you lean into a corner on perfect tarmac that’s free from traffic is one of the best feelings you can have on two wheels.
Motorcycle track days are bags of fun. You’ll improve your skills more than you may imagine. You’ll focus on your acceleration, braking and cornering without the distraction of other traffic, poor road surfaces or racing competition. They’re your chance to open the throttle and see what you and your bike can really do.
Whether you want a fun day on two wheels, aim to turn your passion for bikes into your job or fancy dipping your toes into amateur racing, a track day is great. To make the most of every lap, build a solid foundation of riding skill first with our ProSkills advanced motorcycle training.
What to expect on a motorcycle track day
Track days are all about the fun and freedom of two wheels. All usual distractions are removed, creating one of the safest places for you to push yourself and your bike to the limits and improve your skill.
Most UK track day organisers run three distinct groups:
Novice: For riders who are new to the track or track days. Being in the novice group ensures you ride alongside others at a comfortable pace, with strict overtaking rules to keep things low-pressure.
Intermediate: For riders who are confident on their bike, familiar with basic track etiquette, and comfortable riding at brisk road or light track speeds. Overtaking rules are slightly more relaxed than in Novice (often allowing passes on corner entry/exit as well as straights), and the overall pace is considerably higher.
Advanced: Tailored for experienced track day regulars, racers, and track instructors. Riders in this group carry high cornering speeds, use tyre warmers, have precise braking markers, and execute tight overtaking moves on both straights and corners. Simply watching this group will help you learn more about the track and riding at higher speeds.
Every circuit operates slightly differently but the basic structure for the day is similar:
- Sign-in & Licence Check: Present your full motorcycle licence or track licence and collect your group wristband.
- Mandatory Safety Briefing: Essential overview of circuit flags, track rules, and etiquette.
- Sighting Laps: Novice groups typically start with a couple of low-speed laps behind an instructor to learn the layout.
- Morning Session Rotations: Groups rotate every 20 minutes, giving you roughly 20 minutes of track time per hour. You can grab refreshments, chat with other riders or watch more advanced groups while waiting for your next session.
- Lunch Break & Instructor Feedback: Cool down, refuel, and grab optional tips from on-site coaches.
- Afternoon Session Rotations: Open track rotations resume until the circuit closes.
Want to see how a real day unfolds? This walkthrough of a track day at Brands Hatch covers everything from noise testing to getting out on circuit:
How to prepare for a motorcycle track day
Preparing for a track day isn’t complicated. As long as your bike is mechanically sound and you’ve got the right riding gear, you’re pretty much ready to ride at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, or Cadwell Park.
1. Bikes and bike hire
You don’t need a specific kind of bike to enjoy a day at a racing track—organisers accept cruisers, vintage motors, sports motorbikes, and street motorcycles. If your machine is roadworthy, the tyres are in good nick and you’ve taped or removed mirrors, you can take it out on the track.
If you prefer to try a dedicated track bike rather than your regular wheels, some motorcycle track days offer bike hire. Organisers often have track-ready bikes available, but find out before booking to avoid disappointment.
2. Licences and rider gear
To ride on a UK track day, you’ll need a full unrestricted Category A motorcycle licence (some track day organisers do allow A2 motorcycle licences in novice groups) or an ACU racing licence. Along with your licence, you must have the correct gear:
- Helmet: Full-face helmet meeting current safety standards.
- Leathers: Full motorcycle leathers are mandatory—either a one-piece suit or a two-piece suit that zips together at the waist with a 360° zip.
- Boots & Gloves: Sturdy motorcycle boots and full-leather gloves that overlap your suit sleeves.
If you regularly commute on a motorcycle or ride for weekend fun, you probably have most of the gear you need. Some track organisers have leather suits available for hire, but if track days become a regular feature in your riding, investing in your own one or two-piece leathers is well worth it.
3. Noise limits and motorcycle track day insurance
Before heading out, double-check your motorcycle’s noise levels. Most UK circuits enforce strict static and drive-by decibel limits, so ensure your exhaust system complies.
Finally, think about insurance. Most everyday motorcycle policies won’t cover you for track days. You can ride without track day insurance, but a policy covering track days means you’re covered for any damage while on circuit.
Why PROskills advanced training makes motorcycle track days better
Track days give you the perfect riding conditions, but they don’t automatically teach you how to ride better. Pushing your bike to higher speeds without solid fundamentals can lead to the development of bad habits—like harsh braking mid-corner, stiff body positioning, or poor throttle control.
That’s where PROskills advanced motorcycle training comes in.
Taking an advanced course before booking a track day bridges the gap between road-riding and high-speed circuit confidence. Working 1-on-1 with an expert instructor helps you build proper machine control so you can get the absolute most out of every track session.
Key benefits of advanced training before your track day:
- Sharper Cornering & Vision: Learn to look far through the apex and map smooth, predictable lines rather than panic-braking when corners tighten up.
- Mastering Machine Control: Develop your feel for throttle response, progressive braking, and chassis stability under load.
- Confidence at Speed: Instead of feeling intimidated by faster surroundings, you’ll head out on circuit with relaxed arms, clear focus, and excitement about the chance to exercise complete control over your bike.
- Fewer Costly Mistakes: Building muscle memory under controlled instruction dramatically reduces the risk of run-offs, low-sides, or mid-corner panics.
Whether you’re aiming to move up from the novice group or just want to feel safer and smoother on two wheels, unlocking your rider potential with PROskills ensures your track day is pure fun without stress.
Which is better: track days, advanced training, or amateur racing?
There are different avenues to choose for pushing yourself and your bike to your limits. Motorcycle track days, advanced training, and amateur racing are three options for fun skill building on two wheels. Which is right for you depends on your budget, skill level, and ultimate goals for the experience. None of these options are intrinsically better than the others—they’re different experiences for different types of riders.
- Track days are best for low-stress speed, open-circuit freedom, and pure fun without competitive pressure.
- Advanced rider training is best for building real-world street and track skills, refining machine control, and developing expert rider habits under professional guidance.
- Amateur motorcycle racing is best for fierce competition, timed laps, and testing your absolute limits against other racers on a grid.
Here is how all three stack up side-by-side:
| FEATURE | MOTORCYCLE TRACK DAYS | ADVANCED RIDER TRAINING | AMATEUR MOTORCYCLE RACING |
| PRIMARY GOAL | Fast riding, low-stress fun without road hazards | Rider skills building for track and street riding | Fast, wheel to wheel racing competition |
| PRESSURE and PACE | Low pressure, non-competitive group sessions | Low to moderate pressure with a focussed, instructional pace | High-pressure timed qualification and grid starts |
| LICENCE REQUIRED | Full motorcycle licence (Cat A or possibly A2 dependent on track) or ACU licence | Full motorcycle licence (Cat A, A2, A1) or CBT certificate (course dependent) | ACU competition racing licence |
| COACHING INCLUDED | Optional tips and sight lap feedback | Dedicated 1-2-1 instruction or small group training | No – self-directed or private coaching |
| TYPICAL COST | £50 – £250 per day | Starts from £200 per day | £300 – £700 per race weekend, plus start-up costs (bike prep, gear, club membership) |
| BEST SUITED FOR | Riders who want to open their throttle in a safe, non-competitive environment | Riders who want to develop smoother and sharper machine control | Competitive riders keen to improve lap times and collect trophies |
Frequently Asked Questions about motorcycle track days
Ensure your bike is mechanically sound and ready to ride. Check your tyre pressures and tread depth, inspect your brake pads, and check your exhaust complies with circuit noise limits. You’ll also need to tape or remove your mirrors, and bring your full motorcycle licence along with full protective gear (helmet, full or 360° zip leathers, boots, and gloves).
Pack essential tools and arrive early for sign-on, complete the noise test, and attend the mandatory safety briefing before heading out for your sighting laps. Taking an advanced training course beforehand is also one of the best ways to get yourself track-ready.
Usually, yes. Many major UK track day organisers and circuit providers offer track-prepped motorcycle hire for the day. These must be booked well in advance, so ask when choosing and booking the day at your chosen track.
No, advanced training is not mandatory. However, taking a course like our PROskills advanced training before your track day helps you master machine control and vision techniques. That lets you get the maximum value and enjoyment out of your track time.
If your goal is pure speed and fun without instruction, choose a track day. If your goal is to improve cornering technique, build real-world confidence and fix bad habits, start with advanced rider training.
Track days are non-competitive, open-session riding days focused on personal fun and practice. Amateur racing involves timed qualification, grid starts, wheel-to-wheel competition, and strict ACU race regulations.
Absolutely. Riders who complete advanced training beforehand ride with far more confidence, smoother lines, and relaxed body positioning, making the track day experience much safer and significantly more fun.
Yes, provided you join the novice group. Novice groups feature strict overtaking rules and a supportive pace, making them a safe space for newer riders to experience open circuit riding without pressure.
You don’t have to have track day insurance to ride, but standard road insurance policies won’t cover circuit damage. Arranging a dedicated track day insurance policy means you’re covered for accidental damage to your bike while on track.
Ready to level up your track day experience?
There’s no need to spend your track sessions fighting bad habits or feeling intimidated on the circuit. Whether you’re preparing for your very first session in the novice group or looking to push your cornering precision to the next level, advanced motorcycle training will help.
Book your PROskills Advanced Motorcycle Training course with us today and hit your favourite circuit with total confidence.
