Track day ride...?

[RadHawk]

This has probably been beat to death but... A few of us here in the sticks want to go do a track day or two and I for one need a little guidance.

I no longer have a track dedicated ride, sold my last Hawk GT and I need some suggestions as to what to use for a track whore.

I really do not foresee doing a bunch of track days and wonder if there is a set up where I can rent a ride vs having one more m/c in the already crowded garages for one more cycle.

If I did end up buying a track only m/c, what would be a good one...? EX500...? Hawk...? Others...? Why...?

Oh, I'm thinking Tony's vs Penguin as I do not see my going to be a regular competitive type or regular racer... the schedule just will not allow it at this time...


What say you all...?

Thanks,
Rob

[Doc]

Rob, Get another Hawk. Great for kicking around Loudon on and you are already familiar with them. Steve Lenac could hook you up with a $2000 track Hawk I am sure.

Or maybe a 600rr... : (I am looking for one)

I think Boston Moto might rent a bike. Penguin isn't a trackday, it is a race/rider school.

What do you have for a street bike? You could always just ride that.

[DuncanMoto]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.297 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.1.20.06.3.1.20.0)

Street bikes do fine at track days.

[OreoGaborio]

Hey Rob,

EX, Hawk, SV, Aircooled Duc, they all make great budget track bikes that could be transformed into a compitent, competitive lightweight racer should you end up deciding down the line to go that route... or you could just sell the bike to someone with aspirations of racing when you're done with it. The good thing about them is they've been competitive for so long in their respective classes that they'll retain their value better than a track bike that isn't as popular of a racer.

Back when I started doing track days, I just rode my street bike (00 ZX6R), which if course is always an option for anyone. Then I got an EX & race that for a couple years. After that I considered a Hawk, SV & Duc as my next racer. I could have gone with any of those three but I finally had an SV pretty much fall in my lap so I went down that route & I'm happy I did!

Anyway, expolre all your options, those are just a few possibilities. Buy what inspires you & I hope to see ya at a TTD

[RadHawk]

Hey Doc,
A Hawk would be great and I'll look around but the last one I sold would have been the one to keep.. dumbass for letting it go.

I did find an EX 250 ready for track days... Think that would satisfy and old big cc guy like me...? I am sure it wold be fun but is it big enough..?

The street cycles are out really, 1200 Sport/Touring Guzzi, 1100 touring rig... LOL, KLR, Oh, wait, the sidecar rig... that's it... No, sorry, got off me meds there for a second... I do have the Sporti 1100 but it is going not to be on the street this year.

Funny you mention the 600rr... A nephew that had bought a new one back in '06 has gotten married, has a new Son, tends to golf now... He also had an F3 (maybe a 2) for stunting and I thought about calling him to see if that was still around, I would take that off his hands if he did and was so inclined. I ask about the RR for you...




Pete,
Yup, I will explore all options and I'll have fun looking around..

Keep you guys posted.

Thanks,
Rob

[6 Fingered Man]

Everyone who has ever sold a hawk regrets it get another it will soon be as great as your first.

Go to the hawk forum you will find plenty of nice hawks for sale there.

[RadHawk]

Everyone who has ever sold a hawk regrets it get another it will soon be as great as your first.

Go to the hawk forum you will find plenty of nice hawks for sale there.

Yeah, that's nice... Tell me something I Don't kow there Bubba...

I haven't been to Hawk GT.com for so long I'm not sure I could open the door... But I'll try...

So, got one fer sale... ?

[Doc]

I don't think an EX250 would do it for you Rob, that stunted F2 or f3 might be a good option as well as the 600rr. (How much does he want for the 600rr? : )

www.hawkgtforum.com post up, I bet we can help you find a Hawk.

I know of a nice one for sale up here in vermont. Street bike but nice for $2500, although he has been trying to sell it for awhile at $3500 but I bet you could offer $2200 cash and pick it up.

Or we could build you one. I bet we have enough spare parts kicking around to get you into one pretty cheap. Like I said. A call to Steve Lenac could get you a Track hawk for $1500-2000 I bet.

[6 Fingered Man]

Yeah, that's nice... Tell me something I Don't kow there Bubba...

I haven't been to Hawk GT.com for so long I'm not sure I could open the door... But I'll try...

So, got one fer sale... ?

www.hawkgtforum.com

Everything i own is for sale, including my hawks post up a
wanted: track hawk
I bet you get one for 1500 or so. I will have two done in a couple weeks and enough spares to build another PM me in a few weeks if you don't find one.

[6 Fingered Man]

Or we could build you one. I bet we have enough spare parts kicking around to get you into one pretty cheap

Ill contribute

[Jim]

Penguin isn't a trackday, it is a race/rider school.

[RadHawk]

I don't think an EX250 would do it for you Rob,

Why not...? Just not enough powah...?
rd

[csmutty]

Yea you are probably an expert at Penguin now.

[Doc]

http://www.penguinracing.com/

[Jim]

Yea you are probably an expert at Penguin now.

nope. waiting for someone to correct that post

[kbroderick]

Why not...? Just not enough powah...?
rd

(Disclaimer: I've not ridden a Hawk. However, I am pretty familiar with the limitations of the EX250.)

The EX250, while fun to flog around a track, has limitations beyond the lack of power. The 16" wheel size severely limits tire options, the stock suspension is crap (the front is easily dealt with; good rear shock options are somewhat limited, though), the ergos aren't really sportbike, and the lean angle clearance is rather limited.

Most of these limitations can be dealt with, but would you rather put the money into a 250cc bike to set it up for the track, or just buy a bigger bike already set up for the track?

[RadHawk]

(Disclaimer: I've not ridden a Hawk. However, I am pretty familiar with the limitations of the EX250.)

Good stuff to know, I appreciate the feedback...

Rob

[MaRce1o]

I got my 00 SV650 with 7k on it for $1200

[OreoGaborio]

(Disclaimer: I've not ridden a Hawk. However, I am pretty familiar with the limitations of the EX250.)

The EX250, while fun to flog around a track, has limitations beyond the lack of power. The 16" wheel size severely limits tire options, the stock suspension is crap (the front is easily dealt with; good rear shock options are somewhat limited, though), the ergos aren't really sportbike, and the lean angle clearance is rather limited.

Most of these limitations can be dealt with, but would you rather put the money into a 250cc bike to set it up for the track, or just buy a bigger bike already set up for the track?

FWIW, the '08 updates address at least the 16" wheels issue. There's a decent amount of guys out there turning the latest gen into track bikes, so the support is growing.

[6 Fingered Man]

Wasn't there a ex500 track bike for sale here for $1000 if you want a ex that would be that way to go, at least there is a good class to race in. Even if it is the Huffy of motorcycles.....

[Awesome]

run what you brung.

[kbroderick]

FWIW, the '08 updates address at least the 16" wheels issue. There's a decent amount of guys out there turning the latest gen into track bikes, so the support is growing.

The '08 and '09 models also address the suspension issue, at least at a basic level (it's still an entry-level suspension, but it's not nearly as craptastic as that on the EX250F). However, they're usually also a lot pricier than the used EX250Fs that are available. There are a decent number of folks riding the EX250F on the track, particularly at the handful of places that have 4-stroke 250cc classes, but I'd not be inclined to buy one as a track bike. After doing the math on turning mine into a track ride (i.e. a real rear shock, rearsets, and lowering risers—I've already got a half-decent front suspension and done basic braking upgrades), I decided that it would be cheaper to buy an already set-up EX500 (which also has twice the displacement and a class to run in at LRRS if one chooses to go racing).

Of course, then I did the math and realized that I can't afford to go down that rabbit hole right now, so I haven't figured out what I'll be doing this summer. But that's mostly unrelated to the original question.

[RadHawk]

Wasn't there a ex500 track bike for sale here for $1000 if you want a ex that would be that way to go, at least there is a good class to race in. Even if it is the Huffy of motorcycles.....

Where is that...? Gone...? I kinda liked Huffys...

[nt650hawk]

I'll be working on a track Hawk in about a month. It will either be for rental or for sale.

[Doc]

I got my 00 SV650 with 7k on it for $1200

Street or track? PM me details!