What would you tell a newbie

[RoyalewitCheese]

that is getting ready to try some track days next season? Gear wise?

any recommendations for a starter bike as well?

[eboos]

Buy quality over price. Look for bargins, but quality should take priority.

[Danz19899]

Do you have a bike? forgive me but your post is kinda vague.

Shoei Or Aria helmet but I'm a helmet snob

Full Leather suit- Alpiestars/Vanson/Fieldsheer whatever really most are pretty good

Full Boots - Alpinestar Smx-5's work great for me since they can be used on the street too no prob. whatever you get find somewhere to try them on sizes can vary

Full over the wrist gauntlet gloves- Held are top of the line but expensive, lots of choices

IF you have an specific questions fell free to PM me

[brady]

What would you tell a newbie that is getting ready to try some track days next season?

DO IT!

Gear wise?

get on the email lists (discounts/closeouts/coupons) for NewEnough.com, SportBikeTrackgear.com and MotorcycleCloseouts.com, then poke around NESR for gear reviews and recommendations

any recommendations for a starter bike as well?

SV650

[Kurlon]

any recommendations for a starter bike as well?

Two wheels, no leaks, minimal bodywork, good condition, easy to work on.

[Danz19899]

any recommendations for a starter bike as well?[/QUOTE]

Good starter bikes are ninja 250's & 500's, ninja 650's, SV650

But if your set on it u can start on a 600 just be aware that most have at least 100hp and have all that shiny bodywork that will get scratched if u tip it over or lay it down

I started in a 600. . . . and totaled it 10,000 miles later that same season.

but shit happens

[lrrs313]

Wirelessly posted (BB Tour: BlackBerry9630/5.0.0.732 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Gear? The best you can afford. Spend the money on helmet, gloves, boots. Leathers you can get closeouts or used sets.

Bike? Cheap. You will most likely crash it, so like Kurlon said: minimal bodywork, easy to work on. If its track only, buy one already set up for the track. No matter how good a deal you think you can get on a street bike to convert, it will cost more to convert than a track-ready machine. SV650 or EX500/650 are great track bikes and can be had for reasonable money.

[Rambunctous]

Honda RS125...Very good learning tool. Very cheap to run. Tires cost near nothing. Recoup you $$ very easily because they are in demand even in this "recovery". And you get to laugh inside your helmet passing bike 5 times more costly.

[trider143]

I highly recommend Held gloves, for comfort and protection!

I was in the market for leathers last year for my first track days (I wanted 2-piece zip around). I found the Weise 2-piece Tornado to be a good value. In part, I went with Weise because their fit for me off-the-shelf was better than Dainese/A*/etc. FWIW. You can be in new 2-piece for ~$525. Moto Market (Acton Ma) or Canton Cycles (Winsted CT).

I agree w/ quality first and fit/comfort is a personal thing.

[Chippertheripper]

My recommendation is buy used gear. There's plenty of cheap quality stuff around the boards. Bike: run whatcha brung. Ride what your used to. You aren't instantly gonna be Rossi or anything. And don't do it at all unless you're prepared to spend every waking moment and every available dollar thinking about getting back out there.

[j4eric]

Rent your leathers....when you think trackday is for you, then buy some good leathers....street n comp sells good back protectors for a decent price....buy them gloves and boots....use your street bike...whatever it is....if you are buying one...get a 600.. you can't go wrong with that....

[Degsy]

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I have a nice F4i track bike for sale!!! All set up. $3500 or best offer. 1200 original miles, woodcraft, penske shock, gmd forks, race bodywork.

[SVRACER01]

you still have that thing!?
why dont you bring that to the track instead of your 750?

[WordTooYoMamma]

Do you have a bike? forgive me but your post is kinda vague.

Shoei Or Aria helmet but I'm a helmet snob

Full Leather suit- Alpiestars/Vanson/Fieldsheer whatever really most are pretty good

Full Boots - Alpinestar Smx-5's work great for me since they can be used on the street too no prob. whatever you get find somewhere to try them on sizes can vary

Full over the wrist gauntlet gloves- Held are top of the line but expensive, lots of choices

IF you have an specific questions fell free to PM me

Pfft, just borrow everything you need, seems to work out well for some.

[DucDave]

questions for you...
...how much street experience does he/she have? Does he/she have a bike currently?

What does he/she wear on the street?

If this person doesn't ride on the street now and hasn't got a bike, what is driving the desire to do a track day?

Sorry...having trouble connecting the dots! But based on what little I know I'm not sure I'd have them buy anything.

For example, if this is just some sort of 'noble experiment' then lend them your bike and have them borrow or rent some gear.

...more info from you = better answers from us...!!!

[virtualbong]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.734 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I have a nice F4i track bike for sale!!! All set up. $3500 or best offer. 1200 original miles, woodcraft, penske shock, gmd forks, race bodywork.

I may be giving you a shout in the Spring Degs if it's still around.

[RoyalewitCheese]

questions for you...
...how much street experience does he/she have? Does he/she have a bike currently?

have a torn apart FZR600 that will be just a street machine/street fighter of a bike, Id feel safer on a schwinn on the track than that bike. I've been riding for 5 years

What does he/she wear on the street?

helmet/gloves/jacket/always in jeans. Not the safest but better than most.

If this person doesn't ride on the street now and hasn't got a bike, what is driving the desire to do a track day?

Sorry...having trouble connecting the dots! But based on what little I know I'm not sure I'd have them buy anything.

For example, if this is just some sort of 'noble experiment' then lend them your bike and have them borrow or rent some gear.

I was going to buy a cheap bike just to ride real quick before the season ends, but I'm saving up for next spring to get something I really want. I will more than likely stick with Yamaha and grab a solid running FZR again or a newer R6. I love riding and I usually push myself to stray away from the stunt guys and kiss the pavement on the backroads through walpole/sherborn/dover etc. I'm older now so a more legitimate way/safer for others is to actually try out something on the track.

I've always wanted to start out on a Buell but we'll see what the financial situation looks like next spring. I will have to look into the SV's, everyone seems to be raving about them. More than likely I will have 4-5 grand to go and choose what I want in May '11. What I would enjoy the most is a bike that I can ride on the street and jump onto the track on a weekend.

Sorry to be so vague guys, I'm in between projects but riding is more of my passion.

[Chippertheripper]

buells hate the track. this is the word of god. as long as that fzr's brakes are solid, and the suspension is not leaking anywhere, and the motor doesn't throw up, it'll be fine to run your first td. since it's your first go, many guys will jump to help you with gear, and getting the bike sorted. don't go out and expect to run hot laps like the next gp racer. go out to learn everything you can about your abilities, the bikes capabilities and the most efficient way to get around the track. the td companies' staff want you to enjoy doing all these things, they will make every effort to ensure it happens.