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track bike or track prepped street bike

  1. #1
    boom shackalaka catch2otwo's Avatar
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    track bike or track prepped street bike

    so im bored at work and got to thinking about next spring.

    how did you guys figure out if you wanted to track your street bike or buy a track bike. i lowsided my ape in aug and came out with minor damage. so i was thinking of just getting track plastics and spares for it when i got to thinking.

    there is obviously a cost associated with both. heres how i broke it down

    track prep
    -plastics, sliders, spares ( levers, bars, pegs), misc would be about a grand.

    track bike
    - sv650, ex500, or a drz motard - 2-4g?

    but i got to thinking, track prep is def the way to go, its way cheaper and i get to ride my street bike. but then i realized that if i were to crash bad then it would be way more then a grand in damage probably not to mention an isurance fiasco. so how did you guys make the decision you did?

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  2. #2
    The NEW hot Setup Manny's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I think that if you can afford a dedicated track bike AND afford to do a reasonable number of days per year its a no brainer.

    I did 10 days this year (not all at NHIS) scattered from april to sept, if I had to swap from track to street and back each time it would have been a major waste of time and I probably would have just left it in track trim most of the season.

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    Lifer union's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I just wanted to ride on the track so I prepped my bike and went.

    Two bikes is certainly the way to go. You can crash the track bike and fix it ugly and still have a pretty street bike. Im actually thinking about selling my "street" bike 02 RC51 which is track prepped. If you wanted to do something more in depth with it all that it would need is safety wire.

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    boom shackalaka catch2otwo's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    probably wont have time to do 10 days. probably looking to do about half that.

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    Tuono

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    That is a tough one. Like Manny said, if you can afford to go the track only route, it does make a lot of sense. But what if you really enjoy a particular bike in both environments? My 86 GSXR has been doing both, essentially for years. Although those of you who have seen it, will definately say it shows.
    It can be done if you accept some of the sacrifices that might happen.

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    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    One thing you need to take into consideration is this... If the SOLE purpose of going to the track is to become a better street rider and nothing more, then you have to consider the possibility that it may be better to just continue using your street bike on the track so that you can become more intimate with it's abilities.

    Otherwise, +1 to Manny. If you can afford a track bike AND keep going to the track then find a track bike that you can both afford and one that you wouldn't mind racing, should the opportunity present itself even IF you don't have an interest in racing... cuz if your mind changes and you either decide to go racing OR sell it down the line, it'll be easier to do either one.


    That make any sense?

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    Senior Member Hoss's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I went with dedicated track bike because:

    (a) It's cheaper to buy the "old used up" track/race bike then it is to build one (damper, suspension, armored covers..ect)

    (b) Too many horror stories of the 675 and it's love of the front end tuck(*cough* Denno)

    (c) I wanted a project to work on over the winter.

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    Lifer Pittenger5's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    If you bin your (street) bike bad at the track, you got no street bike. In NE that can be a big deal if you got no bike for a month or so. For the cost of converting a street bike, you can basically find a track prepped solid race bike.

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    boom shackalaka catch2otwo's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I understand that its to get better at street riding, however i think the skills learned at the track is transferable to any bike. but i think i would be hesitant to really toss around the new bike in fear of crashing it, preventing me from learning more. dont know if that makes any sense.

    how much is it costing people on upkeep of a track bike? since they are flogged all the time, im thinking maintence is a bit higher? i think at my skill level i should be good for the 5 or so tdays i plan on doing on one set of tires new to trashed.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by OreoGitorio View Post
    One thing you need to take into consideration is this... If the SOLE purpose of going to the track is to become a better street rider and nothing more, then you have to consider the possibility that it may be better to just continue using your street bike on the track so that you can become more intimate with it's abilities.

    Otherwise, +1 to Manny. If you can afford a track bike AND keep going to the track then find a track bike that you can both afford and one that you wouldn't mind racing, should the opportunity present itself even IF you don't have an interest in racing... cuz if your mind changes and you either decide to go racing OR sell it down the line, it'll be easier to do either one.


    That make any sense?


    Because my bike is also considered an entry bike there are lots of rashed fairings on ebay for CHEAP. This winter I'm gonna try and pick up a set and rattle can them for the track.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I've always wondered the same thing... and I figured if I stuck around NESR long enough, I'd eventually get on the track.

    If that were to happen, I think I'd go with the dedicated track bike route -- besides, you find a decent amount of them for sale on here anyway.

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  12. #12
    The NEW hot Setup Manny's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Track bikes (not race bikes) in my opinion need more fq oil changes and of course tires. Other than that maintenance should be nothing new or extra. You may want to do fluids once a year etc but for the five days that you are talking about a year Id say you maybe need one oil change and that is it if everything else is running as it should.

    Again this will depend on the type of bike and that it starts out up to date, but for a typical jap bike thats it.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by Manny View Post
    Track bikes (not race bikes) in my opinion need more fq oil changes and of course tires. Other than that maintenance should be nothing new or extra. You may want to do fluids once a year etc but for the five days that you are talking about a year Id say you maybe need one oil change and that is it if everything else is running as it should.

    Again this will depend on the type of bike and that it starts out up to date, but for a typical jap bike thats it.
    +1 Just need some extra oil and tire changes probably on most bikes. Go over some things a little more like brakes and what not but if its just for track days its not that big of a deal.

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    Where is my fast? GixerJockey's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    BUY MY TRACK BIKE!!!













    click the link in my sig...

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  15. #15
    Triple Inside Dieseldan's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I think next year I will use my 675 but if I like TDs as much as i think i do i will get a sv650

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  16. #16
    Perpetual Amateur CEO's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I have been using my bike as a 'duallie' for a while now... but it's going track only when I start racing it this coming spring and I'll be getting another bike (or two maybe )

    I'll be keeping the whole street setup for when I want to sell it, i'll put it back to stock and sell all the track parts.

    Two bikes is the way to go, but you can do one bike with a little extra work.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    i 2 bikes is the way to go. like someone else said, if you bin your streetbike you could be out. but if you bin a track bike, it only needs to be fixed by the time your next day is. this is why i have a track helmet and a street helmet.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by ceo012384 View Post
    I'll be keeping the whole street setup for when I want to sell it, i'll put it back to stock and sell all the track parts.
    You might get more for it if you sell the stock parts & just keep it as a track bike. Stock fairings can go for a pretty penny & once you race it the thing's gonna depreciate & it'll be tougher to sell it as a street bike down the road. I don't see many former race bikes sell well in street trim.

    Just a thought, I could be wrong.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by OreoGitorio View Post
    You might get more for it if you sell the stock parts & just keep it as a track bike. Stock fairings can go for a pretty penny & once you race it the thing's gonna depreciate & it'll be tougher to sell it as a street bike down the road.

    Just a thought, I could be wrong.
    I am thinking the opposite... I watch race bikes go for WAY under book value with a shitload of parts on them. I have all the stock parts and full mint condition fairings... I can sell the bike right around book value probably in stock trim since I keep things in such good working condition... a couple swingarm and frame scratches won't kill the sale.

    Then add the sales of all the race parts... the exhaust, all the woodcraft goodies, the painted armour bodies, everything would net me a couple grand probably...

    Add that all together and I'm coming out ahead of selling the bike for a few grand under book value as a track prepped bike...

    This is all way in the future though... I still have to race the damn thing lol

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by ceo012384 View Post
    I am thinking the opposite... I watch race bikes go for WAY under book value with a shitload of parts on them. I have all the stock parts and full mint condition fairings... I can sell the bike right around book value probably in stock trim since I keep things in such good working condition... a couple swingarm and frame scratches won't kill the sale.

    Then add the sales of all the race parts... the exhaust, all the woodcraft goodies, the painted armour bodies, everything would net me a couple grand probably...

    Add that all together and I'm coming out ahead of selling the bike for a few grand under book value as a track prepped bike...

    This is all way in the future though... I still have to race the damn thing lol
    THe reason why race bikes sell for less is because they were raced. Whether or not it beats on the internals the perception is that. Youre often higher in the rev range for longer and sometimes bouncing off the limiter. THey are also crashed 1,2, 10 times depending on luck No matter how well you care for it and maintain it when a potential buyer hears its a race bike the value instantly goes down in their head. Think about it. Do you want to buy a bike that has seen its fair share of laps around the track or a bike that has only seen easy street miles.

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  21. #21
    Perpetual Amateur CEO's Avatar
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    I would tell them


    lol jk

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by union View Post
    THe reason why race bikes sell for less is because they were raced. Whether or not it beats on the internals the perception is that. Youre often higher in the rev range for longer and sometimes bouncing off the limiter. THey are also crashed 1,2, 10 times depending on luck No matter how well you care for it and maintain it when a potential buyer hears its a race bike the value instantly goes down in their head. Think about it. Do you want to buy a bike that has seen its fair share of laps around the track or a bike that has only seen easy street miles.
    Exactly... a retired race bike that's all stock w/ all factory stuff on it that is STILL a retired race bike. There's no sense in trying to get money out of it down the road. I think you'd be better off if you just cut your losses now & sell all the stock parts.

    Make a poll about it

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    Quote Originally Posted by OreoGitorio View Post
    Exactly... a retired race bike that's all stock w/ all factory stuff on it that is STILL a retired race bike. There's no sense in trying to get money out of it down the road. I think you'd be better off if you just cut your losses now & sell all the stock parts.

    Make a poll about it
    +1 Sell the stock parts on ebay or something -- OEM stuff is rediculously expensive and any scratches, nicks, dings, etc. on the swingarm or anywhere else are going to tell a normal buyer that the bike has been down. Even if they don't know the track history, a bike that's been down is never going to sell for book value.

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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    why would joe squid down the road need to know it was a race bike? if anyone here buys it they will know, but if he sells it to someone else, how will they know. it will just be a stock bike to them.

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  25. #25
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    Re: track bike or track prepped street bike

    like everyone else said its ideal to have a street bike and a track only bike.

    That being said i think this year i'm gonna track out my street bike and get an extra set of rims to quickly switch out my street and race tires...still undecided though. The way i have it now i keep it saftey wired, my plate pops off with two plastic rivets, bar end mirror, flushies up front and intergrated taillight in the rear. Where i used to live a lot of guys just rode the street with track plastics and put a fog lamp on the front and a red led bar on the back for a brakelight.

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