Looking to get started with track days this summer

[a13x]

"If you suck at track days or find that you have no natural racing talent, just keep doin track days till you're competent enough to go racing"..

Of course the reply is: NO FUCKING SHIT!!! hahah.

[OreoGaborio]

[Pittenger5]

like Alex, his buddy Matt Stone, Seth, etc etc etc.

Im starting to think you people dont like me.

[OreoGaborio]

It's not that we don't LIKE you.... it's that we don't FEAR you

[Pittenger5]

It's not that we don't LIKE you.... it's that we don't FEAR you

Im gonna pee on your bike.

[CEO]

Possibly a bit more than I want to spend if the prices are firm

If you're worried about dropping $1200 on your bike, you might want to reconsider how you're going to afford track days, race school, race entries, supplies, gas, lodging, food, tools, odds and ends, crash repair, maintenance, etc...

Im gonna pee on your bike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM32hyS7y4o

[Kurlon]

Possibly a bit more than I want to spend if the prices are firm, but it does sound like a bad ass bike. Let's see what happens with this other one before we get too serious talking business. It's certainly not crossed off my list

Here's a different way to look at it: To fully race prep my GS, not counting the cost of the bike, I spent about $2k. Rear sets, clip ons, new shock, fork springs, emulators, tires, rotors, brake pads, chain and sprockets... $1200 for a turn key race machine is CHEAP.

[Sheppo]

My bike isnt for sale ... yet. And when it is someones already got first dibs.

ME

["Dangerous" Dan K]

If you're worried about dropping $1200 on your bike, you might want to reconsider how you're going to afford track days, race school, race entries, supplies, gas, lodging, food, tools, odds and ends, crash repair, maintenance, etc...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM32hyS7y4o

That was in reference to the $1000 if the bike needs a motor. I was thinking total motor rework, which would leave me nearing SV territory for an older EX. I'm not in the least bit worried about dropping $1200 on a bike that's good to go, especially with some work and parts on it. If I could pick that bike up for $1200 with a good motor on Saturday, I would. I've got a bunch of expensive hobbies including boats, dirt bikes, RC planes (although that one is starting to pay for itself with AP), a serious collection of pedal bikes, etc. There is a substantial difference between "can pay" and "want to pay". From what I've seen race ready EX's are not uncommon under $1000, heck another board member just got one for $600. That leaves me not *wanting* to pay $1K for a bike with a junk motor. In light of what people have told me about how cheap EX motors can be had, I might even reconsider that, but not if I wouldn't know until the season started since it wouldn't give me enough time to get it ready.

I'm far from made of money, but I'll be able to scrape the scratch together to get my track time, race license, races, repairs, etc. all taken care of.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Here's a different way to look at it: To fully race prep my GS, not counting the cost of the bike, I spent about $2k. Rear sets, clip ons, new shock, fork springs, emulators, tires, rotors, brake pads, chain and sprockets... $1200 for a turn key race machine is CHEAP.

I'd pay 1200 for a turn key race machine. No question. I've been looking at what EX's go for, and am a bit hesitant about paying $1K for one with a junk motor is all. Heck, in light of people telling me what the motors go for I might even take it that way. I guess I miscommunicated on that post, my bad. Let me rephrase: Wanted: $1000 - $1200 turn key race machine, willing to pay more for an even better bike.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I'd pay 1200 for a turn key race machine. No question. I've been looking at what EX's go for, and am a bit hesitant about paying $1K for one with a junk motor is all. Heck, in light of people telling me what the motors go for I might even take it that way. I guess I miscommunicated on that post, my bad. Let me rephrase: Wanted: $1000 - $1200 turn key race machine, willing to pay more for an even better bike.

If you are willing to spend 1200 On an ex Thats ready to race, Just relax one will come up. Have some of the EX folk on here check the "Near" List ect. You will find what you are looking for if you are Patient, No need to get into busted motors and that shit. The key is to learn to ride on the racetrack not learn to Ride on the racetrack and learn to keep a half dead hunk of shit running at the same time.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

If you are willing to spend 1200 On an ex Thats ready to race, Just relax one will come up. Have some of the EX folk on here check the "Near" List ect. You will find what you are looking for if you are Patient, No need to get into busted motors and that shit. The key is to learn to ride on the racetrack not learn to Ride on the racetrack and learn to keep a half dead hunk of shit running at the same time.

Thanks for the encouragement! Patience is not my strong suit but I'm working on it I want to have a bike a little bit before the season in case I need to have suspension redone for my weight, so I have time to prep the bike, etc. but ti doesn't have to be tomorrow. At the same time, picking up a new bike this weekend would kick ass (there's that impatient thing again). What's the "Near" list?

[drop]

I've got another really close friend who's on these forums and has talked about getting a track day bike... who knows how far that will progress?

can't get a race bike till i buy my new place. once that's done, it's on...hopefully in time for this season.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

can't get a race bike till i buy my new place. once that's done, it's on...hopefully in time for this season.

You got a track bike, Bring it to the track its a tracbike

[butcher bergs]

The key is to learn to ride on the racetrack not learn to Ride on the racetrack and learn to keep a half dead hunk of shit running at the same time.

<turns and looks at the collection of CBR parts currently in the shop>

Dan K- With all due respect, forget about racing altogether for now....even Doc's "sponsorship". Best bet is to find a bike to learn on and get to some trackdays under your belt so you (as well as others) can better gauge how you'd adjust to the racing atmosphere. Maybe you'll do very well......but I'm under the impression that most of your riding ability lies within the dirt-side of the sport.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

<turns and looks at the collection of CBR parts currently in the shop>
.

That bike is a Clock, if you would stop throwing it down the track

[GixerJockey]

Dan K- With all due respect, forget about racing altogether for now....even Doc's "sponsorship". Best bet is to find a bike to learn on and get to some trackdays under your belt so you (as well as others) can better gauge how you'd adjust to the racing atmosphere.

That's excellent advise. Maybe you might have read something similar before?

I was just going to say to do a BUNCH of track days before you decide to go racing. Get as comfortable with the track as possible before you enter into a competitive situation. Especially a place like Loudon where it is very technical. Learn the track nuances so that you enjoy the racing.

Post #6... In this thread... Just sayin'.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I plan to get some track days in, and see how things go. I'd like to race by the end of the season, but hey - if it happens it happens and if it doesn't it doesn't. Even the title of this thread is "looking to get started with track days this summer". My end goal is racing, just because I like to race. It's always been a thing of mine. I fully expect track days and race school to be the indicator of if I'm ready. I'm not going to buy a race bike, get a license and be out there learning in real races - no worries there. I do appreciate all the advice and input I'm getting here as well.

Thing is, if I want to race eventually anyway, why not get a race bike to do the track days & school and see how things go?

I have a lot more experience in the dirt than I do on the street, but I do have a few seasons and 2 bikes of street riding experience under my belt as well. Like it's been said, I won't really know until I get out on the track.

As for Doc's sponsorship, I really don't expect to that. I assume it'll go to a friend or teammate of his. I think it's a really cool offer for him to make and I certainly wouldn't turn it down if I do end up racing this season and it came my way, but I'm not here thinking I'm Joe Raceguy and I'm going to be shredding Loudon in April. I do plan to get a lot of track time in, and hopefully I progress to the rookie races. Won't know until I hit that track though.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

You got a track bike, Bring it to the track its a tracbike

I'm with the squirrel here Jamie - let's hit the track this summer! You've already got a bike! Alternatively, it would be cool if you got a house and a track/race bike for this season as well.

I'll sell you my house for way less than you're looking to spend. You'd have all kinds of toy $ left over

[butcher bergs]

That bike is a Clock, if you would stop throwing it down the track

Crashing made me faster. True story.

That's excellent advise. Maybe you might have read something similar before?

It's only been said 10 different ways there champ.


FWIW; I did 4 track days before getting into racing.

[Kurlon]

Crashing made me faster. True story.

As much as I'd love to sling a zinger in here... my biggest time drops have always been predicated by a big crash.

[butcher bergs]

As much as I'd love to sling a zinger in here... my biggest time drops have always been predicated by a big crash.

Zing away. I'll keep shaving time from my laps and likely eating shit in the process.

Bright side is, you'll be right there in T1 to help push my machine back to the Alley...

[Pittenger5]

Well theres my problem right there, I dont like crashing.

[Kurlon]

Well theres my problem right there, I dont like crashing.

I don't think anyone goes out with a plan of laying down a couple hot laps and then seeing if that spot in the grass on the inside of T1a is really as soft as Denno says it is...

(I can confirm, the inside of turn 2 is very rough, but great customer service!)

[palanon]

Sounds like your on the right track. I'll just through my thoughts in for good measure.

1.) Don't skimp on the gear. If the free suit falls through, try newenough.com. You should be able to get a complete starter set of gear for under $1,200.00. Helmet, leathers, back protector, gloves and boots. It may sound like a big chunk but, the first year is the most expensive. Even though some track day orgs allow textiles, I'm not a fan. I corner work and I've seen the results of some cheap or street gear.

2.) An EX or an SV are great starter bikes. Sv's being a bit more. You can find deals on track only SV's in the $2,500 - $3,500 range.

3.) Look into deals on pre-buy for track days. Several orgs. will give a discount for multiple day purchases.

4.) Volunteer to "pit tootsie" for some racers or track day peeps. You'll get a good idea of how a day is run and see just how great the people are.

5.) Volunteer to corner work for a track day or the races. Many track days will give you a discount on a track day if you work. If you corner work at the races you get in free, get lunch and some money to boot. The U.S. Marshalls has training classes every Saturday morning on race weekends. This is one of the best ways to see what goes on close up and personal. You can PM Loun or me if this interests you. We're both U.S. Marshalls.

The most important thing is to just get to the track. You'll find the people at the track are even more helpful and supportive in person. It's one big extended and dysfunctional family.