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Transitioning from track days to road racing

  1. #1
    Senior Member Crconnor18's Avatar
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    Transitioning from track days to road racing

    As the subject states, I am looking to make the transition from doing strictly track days throughout the season to entering the racing world. I've been riding a track only '07 zx6r mostly stock with exception of engine covers, race body work, and rear sets this season in the mid-advanced group with Tony.

    I am looking at advice to either keep with the bike I have and invest in suspension upgrades and do the required prep over the winter and ride the zx6r in the spring or is there a "less aggressive" class that would better suit myself before investing in the zx6r? I was thinking of selling and looking for a well suited 1st gen sv or 300 and enter in the smaller bikes. I am obviously new to the racing scene and would think the sv/300 would be easier on the wallet since I'll be traveling from SE Connecticut.

    Has anyone done the jump from track days to LRRS racing on an inline 4 600 and recommends it? I rode a 1st gen sv on the track before and felt cramped (I'm 6') but that could have been due to the configuration of the bike itself.

    Any recommendations would be appreciated.

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  2. #2
    Lifer capitalcrew's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Definitely interested in this as well. I was wondering about the transition from one to the other just the other day.

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  3. #3
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Yeah lightweight bike that is already set up. You'd have a blast on an sv or a 300! Those classes are very competitive and fun without tearing your wallet apart!

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  4. #4
    Pescador de Ilusões Eddie's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Got a pretty sweet D675 if you are interested. Not sure what classes you can race it. But it is a pretty well setup bike. Ready to race: Daytona 675 Full Ohlins 5,500

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  5. #5
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Honestly if you're going to buy a setup 600 avoid the 675 and just get an R6. Same money, easier to find parts, and the bike handles better.

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  6. #6
    Lifer
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Dude, just go motard now.

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  7. #7
    Senior Member Crconnor18's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    I am really itching for a 1st gen sv but was unsure how much of a change in competition/cost it would be between the two classes when traveling from down here. I just saw a nicely setup 1st gen sv on Tony's FB page that sort of set the bug in my ear to move to something like that and save the rest of my coin for saddle time, gas and tires.

    My 1st track day was on a 400sm and loved it but I was told rebuilds on a motard will bend me over side ways vs a full sport/lightweight

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  8. #8
    Lifer
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by nhbubba View Post
    Dude, just go motard now.
    Okay, now that I got that out of my system.

    I'd much rather race 300's or LW with LRRS than MW, especially as a novice. I ran a beatup, washed up gen 1 SV and was glad I did. The bike was cheap, easy to take care of, easy on tires, easy to fix after crashing and still somehow competitive even into the AM ranks. I've heard the MW class called "meat-grinder" and believe it. One of the best things about getting out of NV was being able to race >3 races/weekend without having to share track with the NV MW riders anymore.

    Sounds like you've got some money into your ZX6.. so I dunno.

    The 300's are neat and I bet the racing is great. I know a lot of the guys racing them now and I'd gladly share a track with most. My problem with the 300's is the SV is still so darn cheap. The cheapskate's choice Ninja 250 is horribly outgunned now. So you basically need a newer 300. And newer => more $. A gen 1 SV setup with just a pipe, brake pads, lines, shock and emulators is competitive into the AM ranks. Gen 1 SVs are practically free nowadays.

    I'd be on the hunt for a turn-key SV650. Gen 1 if you are okay with carbs, 2 if not. Both are cheap, fun racing.

    When I started in 2014 and raced the '15 season I had a blast. The people in the LW classes at that time were fucking great. I had a blast racing them. Solid people and great friends.

    Edit: Buy something super-sport legal. Make sure you can run ULSB once you bump to AM. That race looks like a TON OF FUN and every time I go back to the track to watch it kills me that that rule change didn't go into effect until after I'd quit.

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    Last edited by nhbubba; 08-25-17 at 10:52 AM.

  9. #9
    Pescador de Ilusões Eddie's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    Honestly if you're going to buy a setup 600 avoid the 675 and just get an R6. Same money, easier to find parts, and the bike handles better.

    You're killing me Smutty!!

    Seriously, to me it is like potato and potato. Nothing you can do on a Japanese bike that you can't do on a Daytona. I do agree that parts for the Japanese are in theory easier to find. Personally I haven't had any issues finding parts for my Daytonas (used to have a street Daytona which is why I resorted to the race D675)

    Cheers buddy

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  10. #10
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Best was to transition from track days is use more throttle and less brakes.


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    I went to MMI I know what Im doing here chief

  11. #11
    Pescador de Ilusões Eddie's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by loudbeard View Post
    Best was to transition from track days is use more throttle and less brakes.


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    Spoken like a legit racer/trackday rider.

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  12. #12
    Lifer nt650hawk's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    go for the inside passes!!!!!!!!

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    Gino
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  13. #13
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie View Post
    You're killing me Smutty!!

    Seriously, to me it is like potato and potato. Nothing you can do on a Japanese bike that you can't do on a Daytona. I do agree that parts for the Japanese are in theory easier to find. Personally I haven't had any issues finding parts for my Daytonas (used to have a street Daytona which is why I resorted to the race D675)

    Cheers buddy
    When you bin the bike and need parts do you think Miles is going to have more parts for an R6 which everyone runs or a daytona?

    And how many mods do you have to do to a 675 to make it competitive and feel good compared to an R6?

    Not hating, but if starting from nothing the daytona doesn't make any sense to me over the R6. Show me it does? You can get a pretty nice R6 for $5,500.

    And it looks like your bike doesn't have triple clamps.

    Not to dig on your sale, but for someone coming into racing I just think there are better buys for your money.

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    Last edited by csmutty; 08-25-17 at 11:58 AM.
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  14. #14
    Is this thing on? Mr. Kurtz's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Since your existing bike is close to race ready(bodywork, case covers), I would prep that the rest of the way(drill and safety wire to meet the rules, and change your coolant to straight water), and take it, this season, to do the Penguin school, get your license, complete your rookie race, and do a couple races.

    That gets you your race license and lets you dip your toes in at a relatively low cost. You already know that bike, so you'll be comfortable riding it on the track. If you decide racing isn't for you(it does happen, infrequently), then you didn't ditch your known-good trackday ride. You may even decide you really like racing the 600(middleweight) bike, especially as a novice.

    If you decide racing is definitely for you, and want to make a change to a different class of bike, you have all winter to determine what is right, and find the right one.

    If you go that route, there is a reason lots of people are suggesting 650(lightweight) or 300 class bikes; they are fun. They are also cheaper to run, in that tires last longer and cost less.

    When you do make it up to LRRS, make sure you swing by the Pirelli garage and say hi to Tony and I. The back side of that houses RSP Racing, where you'll probably know a few of the guys from being TTD instructors also.

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  15. #15
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie View Post
    Spoken like a legit racer/trackday rider.
    Just a guy who went up and crashed his face off for a couple of years. Beard game is definitely legit though.


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  16. #16
    Pescador de Ilusões Eddie's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    When you bin the bike and need parts do you think Miles is going to have more parts for an R6 which everyone runs or a daytona?

    And how many mods do you have to do to a 675 to make it competitive and feel good compared to an R6?

    Not hating, but if starting from nothing the daytona doesn't make any sense to me over the R6. Show me it does? You can get a pretty nice R6 for $5,500.

    And it looks like your bike doesn't have triple clamps.

    LOL...No worries. I know you are not giving me a hard time. Yeap Miles will definitely have a bunch of Japanese parts in stock - guess they crash more (pun intended...I kid, I kid). . For $5,500 one can have a pretty nicely setup D675 as well. At end of the day, it is a matter of preference. Personally I have been equally satisfied with my Daytonas and Japanese bikes. Cheers buddy!!

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  17. #17
    Bizarro Zoolander Petorius's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Kurtz View Post
    Since your existing bike is close to race ready(bodywork, case covers), I would prep that the rest of the way(drill and safety wire to meet the rules, and change your coolant to straight water), and take it, this season, to do the Penguin school, get your license, complete your rookie race, and do a couple races.

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  18. #18
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie View Post
    LOL...No worries. I know you are not giving me a hard time. Yeap Miles will definitely have a bunch of Japanese parts in stock - guess they crash more (pun intended...I kid, I kid). . For $5,500 one can have a pretty nicely setup D675 as well. At end of the day, it is a matter of preference. Personally I have been equally satisfied with my Daytonas and Japanese bikes. Cheers buddy!!
    I wish I had a setup R6 to offer you a ride on.

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  19. #19
    xxaarraa
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Since Pistorius has not said it yet, I'll say it.

    Busa.

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  20. #20
    Posting Freak Philkinson's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    I went from track days to racing on my 600rr. Did two seasons and switched to a gen2 SV. I'm enjoying it more now. I'd say buy a setup SV650 and have at it.

    ... or buy my 600rr

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  21. #21
    Lifer isaac_'s Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Kurtz View Post
    Since your existing bike is close to race ready(bodywork, case covers), I would prep that the rest of the way(drill and safety wire to meet the rules, and change your coolant to straight water), and take it, this season, to do the Penguin school, get your license, complete your rookie race, and do a couple races.

    That gets you your race license and lets you dip your toes in at a relatively low cost. You already know that bike, so you'll be comfortable riding it on the track. If you decide racing isn't for you(it does happen, infrequently), then you didn't ditch your known-good trackday ride. You may even decide you really like racing the 600(middleweight) bike, especially as a novice.

    If you decide racing is definitely for you, and want to make a change to a different class of bike, you have all winter to determine what is right, and find the right one.

    If you go that route, there is a reason lots of people are suggesting 650(lightweight) or 300 class bikes; they are fun. They are also cheaper to run, in that tires last longer and cost less.

    When you do make it up to LRRS, make sure you swing by the Pirelli garage and say hi to Tony and I. The back side of that houses RSP Racing, where you'll probably know a few of the guys from being TTD instructors also.
    +1 for what Mike said.

    My racing history went: SV650 --> KTM RC390. The little bikes are definitely the way to go from a maintenance cost perspective (tires, parts, basic stuff). If you can find a well set up one, they're likely a bit more expensive than an SV. And don't consider buying new (I've made that mistake.) But They are also incredibly, incredibly fun. But, if you feel you've got to satisfy your need for speed/HP, then stick to middle weights. What I like about the lightweight bikes is the effort it takes to make them go fast.

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  22. #22
    Lifer
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    Kurtz's advice is pretty solid.

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  23. #23
    Pescador de Ilusões Eddie's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    I agree with Kurt's also. Your bike does look like a solid start into a race bike. I'd definitely start with that. A lot of money goes into racing...so you could definitely save those funds for when you need it.

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  24. #24
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    I struggled with the thought for a while after a few years of doing track days. It wasn't the same situation but I wasn't sure how to make the switch to racing. You are probably best served using your current ride to start and keeping your eye out for something different if your not comfortable racing your bike. The lightweight classes are becoming the most popular at the track for a reason. But I think it's worth racing what you have, especially as a novice before you decide you want something else.


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  25. #25
    Lifer Pittenger5's Avatar
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    Re: Transitioning from track days to road racing

    I vote motard or SV. Only 2 ways Id go back to racing at Loudon.

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