looking for advice on first track setup

[feralchimp]

Finally trying to make it up to Loudon this year for some track time. Been lurking here and on Boston-area Craigslist looking for bikes, but I could use some advice too.

Total budget for gear / bike / Penguin is around $7500, so I think that breaks down to something like $4-4.5k for the bike and any parts/mods needed to track it.

Never ridden a sportbike before; street ride is a v-strom 650.

SVs on the market here and CL seem to need parts (bodywork? shock?) before they'd be good on the track.

Don't want an EX500; just not down with parallel twins.

Taking a look at an RS125 this weekend, but I'm not a wrench so "needs a top end and will need a crank/rebuild in 300 miles" is an issue.

The 636 with the f/r Ohlins for sale here: Too much power? Legal in supersport?

Motards: Not too much power, crashable, but wouldn't the riding dynamics be all funky compared to a typical roadracing machine?

Am I just overthinking this? Any advice? Recommendations?

[Chippertheripper]

Yup, a turd is way different. You can zip by everyone on the brakes though...and if that doesn't make you giggle in your helmet...

Look at ewoods crf, or nates 560. Either of those is awesome.

[JettaJayGLS]

Busa.

But seriously,

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...rack-bike.html

Lots of good bikes in this thread, just weed through the ex's

[butcher bergs]

Racing or trackdays?

Loudon only or other tracks?

[Danz19899]

that 636 with F/R ohlins is a great start, it is legal in SS the limit is 640cc specifically cause of the 636. lots of parts around for them too

i'm a Kawasaki guy lol

[csmutty]

Motard...

[butcher bergs]

Motard...

Not at a place like VIR

[feralchimp]

Racing or trackdays?

Loudon only or other tracks?

Loudon's the only one I would make it to for the first couple years at least. Looking to start out with a bunch of supervised track time before actually racing.

[Doc]

Run the Strom for a couple trackdays then get an SV.

[feralchimp]

Yup, a turd is way different. You can zip by everyone on the brakes though...and if that doesn't make you giggle in your helmet...

Look at ewoods crf, or nates 560. Either of those is awesome.

Yeah if it wasn't for those two machines, the motard thing wouldn't even be on my radar. At the upper end up my budget but so, so track ready.

[Chippertheripper]

that 560 is a real fun machine. ask me how i know...

[feralchimp]

Run the Strom for a couple trackdays then get an SV.

Pretty sure I don't want to track the strom, but that brings up another question I had: can I show up to a Penguin school with a bike that isn't safety wired, etc?

Some nice SV's here and elsewhere (streetlethal's here, another one in central sq.) but not prepped.

Also, what kind of cost / install hassle am I looking at for a rear shock?

[csmutty]

Not at a place like VIR

Loudon's the only one I would make it to for the first couple years at least. Looking to start out with a bunch of supervised track time before actually racing.

HAH

Bergs sux.

[butcher bergs]

Loudon's the only one I would make it to for the first couple years at least. Looking to start out with a bunch of supervised track time before actually racing.

Based on the information you've posted, IMO, I would look more toward the SV's. With those bikes it won't be such a surprise when you twist the grip and realize you're no longer on a Wee Strom.

Considering your street ride, choosing a MW may well run the risk of scaring yourself out of the fun zone if you decided to, for example, throttle up the wrong way. In other words, the MW's tend to bite quicker and retain a substantial difference in power delivery when compared to the twins.

I can not recommend a motard for religious reasons.

[Chippertheripper]

Pretty sure I don't want to track the strom, but that brings up another question I had: can I show up to a Penguin school with a bike that isn't safety wired, etc?

Some nice SV's here and elsewhere (streetlethal's here, another one in central sq.) but not prepped.

Also, what kind of cost / install hassle am I looking at for a rear shock?

yes, you can run penguin without the full race prep. for a penske, $750ish. or used 350-400ish.

[csmutty]

Based on the information you've posted, IMO, I would look more toward the SV's. With those bikes it won't be such a surprise when you twist the grip and realize you're no longer on a Wee Strom.

Considering your street ride, choosing a MW may well run the risk of scaring yourself out of the fun zone if you decided to, for example, throttle up the wrong way. In other words, the MW's tend to bite quicker and retain a substantial difference in power delivery when compared to the twins.

I can not recommend a motard for religious reasons.

The truth of the matter is an sv would be more reliable. Motards require much more maintenance than a sv does and therefore you might be swayed towards a sv. On the other hand, a motard puts a smile on your face like no other bike can do, and the suspension works perfect for a track like loudon with many pavement changes and some bumps here and there.

[Rambunctous]

I think the RS125 is the best. A real GP ride. The first rebuild is scary. Then its just maintaince. El cheap on tires. They outbrake motards. When they crash they do not wreck everything. Simplicty. The resale value and market is still very strong. And you will be joining a club.

[butcher bergs]

Also, what kind of cost / install hassle am I looking at for a rear shock?

New shocks are in the $600-ish range last I knew however, if one cannot be sourced through the network of folks here, there is that new site 2ontrack that is gaining popularity with regards to classifieds.

Install is easy if you have a way to lift the weight off the swingarm.

[feralchimp]

choosing a MW may well run the risk of scaring yourself out of the fun zone if you decided to, for example, throttle up the wrong way

Exactly my concern right there. Not so much the fear but the potential for breaking a collarbone my 2nd or 3rd day out.

[Doc]

oh and you could always get a Hawk...

[feralchimp]

I think the RS125 is the best. A real GP ride. The first rebuild is scary. Then its just maintaince. El cheap on tires. They outbrake motards. When they crash they do not wreck everything. Simplicty. The resale value and market is still very strong. And you will be joining a club.

I get the allure of the RS125, I really do. It's the Real Thing™. But the weird fuel, weird setup (picking jets, putting tape on radiators, dude what?), and those service intervals. But hey, one cylinder! How bad could it be?

So about the scary rebuild...expensive? Easy to screw up if I try to do it myself? All of the above?

[feralchimp]

Thanks to you all for the responses, btw.

[Palm Bomb]

Go sv650...you won't regret it, parts are plentiful and cheap, easy to sell if you want to change up what you ride and so many people ride them at loudon that the knowledge pool is endless.

[Rambunctous]

I get the allure of the RS125, I really do. It's the Real Thing™. But the weird fuel, weird setup (picking jets, putting tape on radiators, dude what?), and those service intervals. But hey, one cylinder! How bad could it be?

So about the scary rebuild...expensive? Easy to screw up if I try to do it myself? All of the above?

Actually the rebuild is remarkably easy. The manual and bike is designed by Honda to be serviced and raced in the field and worldwide. The manual holds nothing back. Honda wants you to win. You will in effect have a team of Honda engineers in your corner. From easy to understand setup instructions to how to fix anything on the bike....The bike is designed with simplicty and serviceability in mind. I race a 250 and am still awed in its simplicity and straightforwardness. About the tape over radiators. Thats a simple effective solution..Actually very dependable way to do it. The jetting is something I do not do on my bike. I (with help from Tim O'Conner #2) jetted it the first day I rode it and I never changed it. It is jetted rich. If I wanted to tweak it I could but in reality if I wanted to go faster I just need to go faster in the corners. The 125's need more jetting though. Thats a 3 minute job. Rather easy. Just learning a new skill.

[Scottg22]

You cant go wrong with any of your choices. With your budget, it comes down to what kind of bike will you enjoy the most? inline4? Twin? GP Bike?

636 - had one, good bike. 600's will be more expensive on tires. But there are lots of parts available for older 600-636's

SV - they are everywhere, cheap on tires - cheap parts available (used) to fix after a crash. Lots of fun - low dollars especially if u like twins.

125 - great bike, sometimes frustrating because there is not alot of them at loudon and you find yourself racing LWGP against SV's and sometimes Motards in other classes. Teaches excellent cornering skills and handles unbelievable!

If you decided against the 125, I'd like to know the seller info (PM me)

Thanks
Scott