Winter project....what to do!?

[BillF]

After tipping over at TTD this fall (Sept., turn 6, 2012 Triumph Street Triple) I decided if I was going to continue with track days, I needed to buy a track only bike and keep my 'street' bike....for the street! So, that said, I bought a 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 and plan to 'get it ready' for next spring! First on the list is a GB Racing protection package from TJ at Riders Discount. Next is racing bodywork, Sharkskinz is my first choice but the low price and decent reviews of Optimal are pulling me in that direction. Lastly, I'm hoping that new tires will complete the bike for next seasons use!? Any comments, thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. appreciated.
*I look forward to focusing on smooooth riding instead of fast, which I believe contributed to my tip over.

[GixxerJosh]

After tipping over at TTD this fall (Sept., turn 6, 2012 Triumph Street Triple) I decided if I was going to continue with track days, I needed to buy a track only bike and keep my 'street' bike....for the street! So, that said, I bought a 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 and plan to 'get it ready' for next spring! First on the list is a GB Racing protection package from TJ at Riders Discount. Next is racing bodywork, Sharkskinz is my first choice but the low price and decent reviews of Optimal are pulling me in that direction. Lastly, I'm hoping that new tires will complete the bike for next seasons use!? Any comments, thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. appreciated.
*I look forward to focusing on smooooth riding instead of fast, which I believe contributed to my tip over.

Nice, I hope to save money over the winter and maybe get a track bike for next year. Or I may try and use the gixxer again and baby it around the track

[tsorfas]

Smooth is the way to go. Fast will come. I would even start on less HP bike but hey you already got it. Have fun

[sdog30]

Might want to look at Armour Bodies...they are a local company and are very strongly made. Definitely my next set.

I have no experience with Sharkskinz or Optimal, but I know Hotbodies disintegrate if you look at them in an abrasive way.

Oh, and clip-ons are always a good idea. Makes crashing a little cheaper. I recommend Woodcraft for the same reason and because they make some of the best designed race products on the market.

[Jim]

SharkSkinz will last and repair forever. They will make a fresh mold for your bike and ship it out. Give Mary a call, she'll take care of you.

I'd avoid the Triumph race parts like GP Racing. You're better off with Woodcraft or Vortex rear sets and clip-ons. If you need a replacement part at a track day, these will be the two products you'll most likely have available.

[Paul_E_D]

Funny, I just bought an 07 Daytona and I'm prepping it for track use as we speak. Mine will double as my streetbike though. I did get teh chance to ride it at the last TTD of the season. It's a great package. Mine came with some cheap track bodywork, but it has held up fine, so I'm sticking with it.

[nhbubba]

...I know Hotbodies disintegrate if you look at them in an abrasive way.

I am pretty sure my track toy SV has a Hotbodies GSXR-600 kit on it. With some help from some frame sliders, they have held up well. This bike and kit was crashed a bunch of times before me, repaired several times, and crashed a couple times by me. Fit could be better, but they work and still look okay from a distance. They repair with a $20 fiberglass repair kit from the auto-parts store and a rattle can.

If the price were right, I would not avoid Hotbodies were I to do it over again.

[Jim]

If the price were right, I would not avoid Hotbodies were I to do it over again.

Then you haven't crashed enough.

[Paul_E_D]

A trackday guy shouldn't have crashed "enough". Any fiberglass is good enough for the occasional lowside. Now, crashing every weekend, that's another story...

[Manny]

Wirelessly posted

Why do you need track bodywork? Use the originals till they are toast then replace.

[nhbubba]

I am a track day guy. Unfortunately I've been down 2x in one season now. The first was a pretty spectacular feeling high-side out of T2 in the rain. Bent the living shit out of a woodcraft frame slider. So bad it pinched the rad hose and tore a hole in the side of the fairing. I used half of a fiberglass repair kit and the kit was whole again. Good 'nuf from where I sit.

I'm a budget focused kind of rider. So any kit at the right price would work for me. Hell, I'd have gone naked if the bike didn't come with a kit. And I definitely don't have Triumph-as-a-track-toy kind of budget. So maybe my input is not welcome here.

I just don't think the hotbodies kits are quite that brittle.

[BillF]

Lots of good stuff coming my way via some spirited back and forth! It's a long winter in Maine so I won't be in a huge hurry to buy, buy, buy....but.....I am anxious! It seems that selling the original body parts on eBay or elsewhere could help defer some of the expense. Any thoughts on tires for this track day only bike?

[nhbubba]

If you buy Dunlop Q2's be careful in the rain and when they are cold.

[GixxerJosh]

If you buy Dunlop Q2's be careful in the rain and when they are cold.

I 2nd that. I had Q2's and hated them . Have michelin pilot power's now and love them, even on a rainy morning session. Then again I am still running in red group so I know I will be prob be looking for something else when I get faster and more aggressive.

[Tricky Mike]

Is that the Daytona with no trail?, Like 86mm or something? Might want to think about biting the bullet and buying triples?

[Paul_E_D]

Pirelli SC1/2 combo. Definitely sell the stock stuff.

[Paul_E_D]

And yes, Tricky, that's the one. Actually, they all have that issue until 2013. Some people ride them like that and go fast, but I put the triples on before riding it on track.

[Petorius]

If you buy Dunlop Q2's be careful in the rain and when they are cold.

I did my first TD in pouring rain on Q2s. Had a great time and felt like I was moving pretty good by the end of it. 3 TDs later, it rained again, I thought no problem, and promptly lost the rear coming out of T2 on the 2nd lap of the rain session.

[nhbubba]

...lost the rear coming out of T2 on the 2nd lap of the rain session.

Doode. We should get shirts made, form a club.


To be clear, I am being mostly sarcastic re: these tires. They may suck, they may be great. I honestly don't have enough experience to know for sure.

[Tricky Mike]

I haven't ridden Q2's in the rain but have been through a couple sets running the stock 848 at 1:25's or so and haven't had anything but fantastic results.

[Paul_E_D]

All supersport tires suck in the rain at loudon...

[nhbubba]

All supersport tires suck in T2 in the rain at loudon...

That's about what I suspected.

[mzdagrl]

Turn 2 sucks in the rain at loudon...

FIFY again

[Ken C]

I just bought a 2012 Street Triple primarily as my track bike and ride it on the street periodically. Was doing 1:23 range on it at Loudon, so it's got potential. I just put a whole slew of R&G protection on it, just in case.

[backinthesaddle]

Q3 in the rain last Monday didn't feel so great either. Felt nice on the dry track Tuesday but started tearing just like my Q2. Dealer has my Q2 and a pic of the Q3 and is calling dunlop. If that fails I am back to Pirelli.