track bike?

[Omahastylin16]

well guys after this weekend at the track im convinced that i want to start riding the track and getting into racing. what should I be looking for in a track bike, i was thinking maybe an SV or an F3 or F4. also what type of upgrades should I be looking to do to it right away?

[Manny]

Look to do a track day right away with the right gear, then worry about the bike upgrades and other details related to racing. Its a process, not a reflex.

[Omahastylin16]

Look to do a track day right away with the right gear, then worry about the bike upgrades and other details related to racing. Its a process, not a reflex.

ok that sounds good, but what should i look for in bikes? any giveaways that make for a bad track bike? is high mileage ok? salvage bikes?

[Manny]

ok that sounds good, but what should i look for in bikes? any giveaways that make for a bad track bike? is high mileage ok? salvage bikes?

Whats wrong with your bike to start with?

Not that having 2 bikes is a bad thing, hell I have 3, but what is the motivation behind it so people can try to give more accurat5e advice.

A track bike can be made of a lot of things, but a race bike you need to think about classes it can run in so you need to think it through more betterer.

[Pittenger5]

I might know of an EX500 for sale

[Omahastylin16]

theres a few reasons why i want a track bike. i want to have a dedicated track bike that i know pretty well on the track so i dont get used to riding my big pig of a bike and then having to re-learn on a smaller one. also id much rather have a 600 or a small twin for the track than my liter. theres also the problem of my bike not being super common so its not the easiest to find replacement parts for if i went down on it.

[Omahastylin16]

I might know of an EX500 for sale

lol DB you really think your 500 would appreciate that? youve seen how big i am

[Pittenger5]

Haha, she knows shes ugly, but shes still nice to me

[Omahastylin16]

Haha, she knows shes ugly, but shes still nice to me

haha im more concerned about her pulling my fat ass around

[Pittenger5]

Hahah, well it aint fast to begin with, so at least nothing would change

[Omahastylin16]

Hahah, well it aint fast to begin with, so at least nothing would change

lol ok mister wheelieing off the starting grid and spinning tires through the turns

[Pittenger5]

Dont mean its fast, just that I dont know how to ride it

[Omahastylin16]

Dont mean its fast, just that I dont know how to ride it

should have been a stunna instead of a racer

[DucDave]

well guys after this weekend at the track im convinced that i want to start riding the track and getting into racing. what should I be looking for in a track bike, i was thinking maybe an SV or an F3 or F4. also what type of upgrades should I be looking to do to it right away?

Mike...have you ever done a track day? (Larry's Lap doesn't count!) If not, I agree with some others here. Sign up for a Tony's, Lean Angle or Fishtail day. They all do a good job with class room and on track introductions. No need to worry about wadding up your bike and the initial preparation is simple enough. Do a couple of 'em. You will get a lot more on track time doing track days then you will racing.

Having said that, an SV650 is a great place to start. Lots of knowledge in NESR and lots of aftermarket stuff...new and used. Plus, IMHO, it's easier to put the power to the ground with a twin than a high reving I4.

Good luck...

Oh..and kiss whatever disposable income you might have GOODBYE...!!!

[Omahastylin16]

Mike...have you ever done a track day? (Larry's Lap doesn't count!) If not, I agree with some others here. Sign up for a Tony's, Lean Angle or Fishtail day. They all do a good job with class room and on track introductions. No need to worry about wadding up your bike and the initial preparation is simple enough. Do a couple of 'em. You will get a lot more on track time doing track days then you will racing.

Having said that, an SV650 is a great place to start. Lots of knowledge in NESR and lots of aftermarket stuff...new and used. Plus, IMHO, it's easier to put the power to the ground with a twin than a high reving I4.

Good luck...

Oh..and kiss whatever disposable income you might have GOODBYE...!!!

sound advice dave, im hoping to do my first track day asap, i just need to pick up a pair of boots, any recommendations for a nice cost effective pair?

also the SV650 was actually my first choice, ive been dying to get a twin for a while now

[Pittenger5]

should have been a stunna instead of a racer

Man you should see me on newbury, I can bounce my bike off the rev limiter like NOONES business. Ruff Rydas yo

[Omahastylin16]

Man you should see me on newbury, I can bounce my bike off the rev limiter like NOONES business. Ruff Rydas yo

[Ryno]

can't go wrong with the SV

[Pittenger5]

Well, as much as Id love someone to buy my EX, I agree, go with the SV. Track days arent a bad idea, course I started racing without ever doing a track day.

[jayroot]

Pick up a nice 1999 or new Ducati Supersport, last year at NHIS we had a racer in the 13's on one. These bikes tend to be between $3500-$5000 these days.

[Loun]

i picked up an 02 sv for the track. I would recommend getting a Gen 1 SV (prior to 03) and run that up there. They are a lot of fun and plenty quick enough. You can pick one up for 2000-2500 as well.

[Doc]

There was an SV for sale at the track. The guy only wanted like $1800...

Or you could get a Hawk (I am like a drug pusher)

I agree with the others, Gear, trackdayS (plural), race school, THEN Track bike.

[Omahastylin16]

thanks for all the good advice guys, im gonna try to get to my first track day as soon as i can and ill have all winter to keep an eye open for track bikes. anyone have a pair of boots for sale? haha

[Pittenger5]

Boots > Racing Boots :: New Enough, LTD

[Loun]

Doc was the the 1999 "canadian" SV? what is the difference, any idea? the flyers were saying $1900 but didnt really give much info on the bike that I can remember.

I was in the same boat with wanting to do track days... the thing is unless you rent gear you are looking at:

$180 - Gloves
$300 - Boots ** the SMX-Plus alpinestars were really comfortable out of the box
$600-1200 - a Suit
$180 - Spine pad
$400-600 - Helmet if your street one is older
$100 in under armor (well worth it haha)

$250 per track day
$500 penguin

So far ive done two track days and with gear and the track bike I think I have $4500 invested so far including the 2 track days.. I was told to look into a minimum of 3 track days before doing penguin. So for $5200ish I could be all set to start racing. Which I guess in the grand scheme of things isnt that bad.. Im a proponent of getting a track bike though instead of taking the street bike on to the track, even if insurance will cover it, its just a pain.

With all of that said I dont think im going to get into racing at this point, I will just keep it as a track bike, do some track days here and there to get it out of my system and then on the weekends work the races picking you guys up :p The NESR group keeps us busy

-Lou