It is often said that riding a slow bike fast is more enjoyable than riding a fast bike slow. This statement has become a cliché, but for good reason. There is something inherently fun about a bike that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Moreover, small bikes are excellent for learning the ropes of track riding.

Heading to the track is a thrilling experience, but it requires some guidance. It’s not a good idea to show up at a local track day without any knowledge. Fortunately, there are many beginner-friendly track day organizers out there, including the new SoCal-based provider, Compact Octane.

As the name suggests, Compact Octane focuses on keeping things small and simple. This means motorcycles with engines 400cc and below. The organization believes that big fun doesn’t require a big bike. Bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 were designed precisely for learning the fundamentals. Compact Octane aims to make track riding safe, fun, and engaging for everyone, and there’s an interesting story behind their focus on smaller bikes.

The organization’s inspiration came from an incident during one track day in Southern California. Some of the founders of Compact Octane were riding their sub-400cc bikes alongside riders on bigger bikes. These skilled riders were able to outpace some of the riders on larger bikes in the corners. This created a tense moment when one rider on a bigger bike insisted on overtaking the smaller bikes. Unfortunately, the rider lacked the necessary skills to pass safely and ended up colliding with one of the smaller bikes during a turn.

This incident led to the founding of Compact Octane, a track day provider dedicated to making track days accessible and fun for beginners. The organization offers support to new riders to ensure they feel welcomed and not intimidated by more experienced riders on bigger bikes. They also provide gear rentals for beginners who have yet to purchase their own track gear, making the sport even more accessible.

On August 19, 2023, Compact Octane will host its first official event at the Streets of Willow and the Willow Springs International Raceway. The track day will be highly organized and structured, allowing riders of all bike types to participate. There will be three groups: Group A for advanced riders on bikes under 400cc, Group B for novice and beginner track riders on small bikes, and Group O, an open category for experienced riders on bigger, more powerful bikes to join in the fun.