Appreciate advice on buying dedicated track bike and getting into track days

[tsanterre]

Right. I feel the need to post in this thread a second time... to make sure anybody reading understands the meaning of "essential".

If you don't have a helmet fan (or can't afford to buy one) - pick another hobby.

[Garandman]

I'm definitely missing something here. You bought a Ducati 848 to ride on the street?

And here I thought that wasn't a very good street bike but would be terrific on the track.

As that would also appease the wife (since track days on your street bike are "safety training") you are a glutton for punishment, my friend.

P.S. You bastards been holding out on me about the helmet fans. How big a generator do you need?

[Jim]

My Helmet fan dropped 3 seconds off my lap times, but the added weight in my car lowered my MPG by 2. Still worth it.

[carsick]

If you don't have a helmet fan (or can't afford to buy one) - pick another hobby.

This is key. It reminds me of when I asked my wife to buy me a helmet fan before I went racing. She looked very dubious as I attempted in vain to describe what I needed. Repeated attempts on my part left her shaking her head and muttering about my unusual proclivities (you would think by now nothing would surprise her). I still have no helmet fan, probably the root cause of my repeated crashes. With the help of a couples counselor and time, it seems that I neglected to mention removing the helmet to place upon the fan. Stores don't stock helmet fans for use while riding...

[nhbubba]

3 speed helmet fan?! You'll never use all those speeds!

[Jim]

Ok so it's not essential, but is well worth the $15 when you're riding 20 minute sessions every hour for a full day in 80+ degree weather.

[Doc]

Ok so it's not essential, but is well worth the $15 when you're riding 20 minute sessions every hour for a full day in 80+ degree weather.

Speak for yourself I sweat ALOT!

[carsick]

Speak for yourself I sweat ALOT!

Drainage tile.

[CBR929RE]

both very necessary IMO. and i dont even have a helmet fan...

I need to acquire both

[MarkMarine]

Track days are just about as addictive as anything out there, except racing (which is like mainlining heroin) so if you have the itch, you might as well start scratching it.

My advice on the wife, I don't have one, but I do notice what appears to be a number of happy "track" families. Maybe factor a pit bike into your budget, and bring your family with you. Possibly think about letting her ride, and the after party between track days or races is awesome for anyone.

A dedicated track bike is a great idea, and with a smaller low horse power bike you will advance faster in skill than you would on an 848, so good idea getting an SV or similar. Building speed is a progression, and if you're trying to manage corner speed, brake markers, and bombing into the corner because your bike was going. 130+ down the straight, plus sliding and trying to highside on the way out of every corner, it's harder to advance. Just slow it down, learn roll speed and brake markers, then build speed.

Honestly, i get more satisfaction from passing someone on a new r6 with my SV than I did on my R1 at a track day. Tires are cheaper and the bike is more forgiving, plus you get that bonus of "what are you riding? Oh a 02 SV? Crap. I need to get faster"

[Imbeek]

My track bike is a POS but my helmet fan has been dyno'd with custom map to bypass the rev limiter. I use a variAC for even higher rpms, and have polished blades with the guard removed for better airflow. Dangerous, but totally worth it!

I'd suggest you choose a pit as close as possible to the electric service panel for cleanest power, and use thick, short extension cords, or better yet, none at all. Red group newbs sometimes pit way out at the "brown-out" end of the garage, far from the panel; don't make that mistake.

Not to derail the thread or anything, but you may have heard the rumors about NYST having some legal troubles, including a limit on the size of helmet fans; I'm hoping those will soon be resolved. Once they are, the plan is to build a new garage, with three phase power. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because if and when that happens, my helmet will need tiedowns to sit atop my helmet fan or else that thing would fly away like a Saturn 5 rocket.

[Jim]

You guys kill me with the helmet fan jokes. Wish I never listed that on the "stuff needed for a track day" thread.

[OreoGaborio]

Track days are just about as addictive as anything out there, except racing (which is like mainlining heroin) so if you have the itch, you might as well start scratching it.

My advice on the wife, I don't have one, but I do notice what appears to be a number of happy "track" families. Maybe factor a pit bike into your budget, and bring your family with you. Possibly think about letting her ride, and the after party between track days or races is awesome for anyone.

A dedicated track bike is a great idea, and with a smaller low horse power bike you will advance faster in skill than you would on an 848, so good idea getting an SV or similar. Building speed is a progression, and if you're trying to manage corner speed, brake markers, and bombing into the corner because your bike was going. 130+ down the straight, plus sliding and trying to highside on the way out of every corner, it's harder to advance. Just slow it down, learn roll speed and brake markers, then build speed.

Honestly, i get more satisfaction from passing someone on a new r6 with my SV than I did on my R1 at a track day. Tires are cheaper and the bike is more forgiving, plus you get that bonus of "what are you riding? Oh a 02 SV? Crap. I need to get faster"

Thread necrophiliac....

[Uncle Snake]

.......Possibly think about letting her ride.......

Paging Jackie or Jaynnus.......