Let me start by saying that I never considered buying a track bike because I thought it was waaaaay to expensive and "out of my league". I did not want to make that sort of commitment (time and money) to the sport. I was thinking about being just a recreational rider.
Fast forward five months; I now have put 1,500 miles on my Monster (not a lot) but every time I swing a leg over I am more excited as I am gaining confidence and experience. One of my clients is Retro SBK, they are guys who make custom SBK's that are WAY out of my league. My client just called and said he had a track bike in the shop that I should buy. The Kawasaki was never registered for the street and it has had two owners since it's birth. It is equipped with an Ohilns front fork, rear shock, steering dampener custom ehaust and weighs in at 340 pounds wet. It's been throughly looked at and rebuilt in the last year with two rides on it since the rebuild. I'm thinking to myself, yeah right, I'm not going to run out and buy a track bike. I'm separated from my wife (read not a lot of $, but lots of freedom) and I'm in commercial real estate with the economy tanking (read not a lot of $). Ready for the kicker...it's $3K. I almost want to buy the bike just cause. I have a set of leathers given to me by my client and he can get me in for $100 per day. I could swing the $ if I ate Top Romen for a year or so.
As I was chatting with my client about the bike he said this: "If you listen to anything I say about riding, buy the bike and spend time on the track." And went on to say my skills would increase dramatically and could save my life on the street.
I am curious to see what advise you guys have on weather I should or should not buy the bike and embrace the opportunity.
Dooooo......it!
I thought I was a very good rider after 18 years on the street. I got on the track and realized I was wrong. I should have gotten track instruction in year one or two.
The bike? don't know.
Track? hell yes.
Go browse the racing and track days forum for track school threads to see much of the same.
The track is a lot of fun. [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
But the general rule is don't take a bike to the track if you cannot afford to throw it off a cliff instead. There is always a chance you'll wad it...and it may not be covered by insurance (no coverage, or they won't cover track days). I personally wouldn't buy a track bike if I could barely afford it.
That bike sounds cool though. ;D
Track? Yes. Abso-make the beast with two backsin-lutely. [thumbsup]
Track bike? Sooner rather than later. Take your monster to the track once or twice. Then immediately buy a track bike. [moto]
Ramen so you can ride track? Yes, but only because no matter how much you make, once you ride the track, you'll eat ramen just to afford more track time. :'( Hell, once you get a taste, you'll sell your grandmother's viriginity just for track time.
That track bike? <shrug> If you want. But not because of the price. At this time of year there are plenty of set-up track bikes for around $3k. You don't have to jump at that one. Example: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272584
Look for an SV, or other "smaller" bike before going with a 600 or more.
You'll learn more, because the bike won't let you power away from mistakes.
Your wallet will thank you, when you don't have to replace a set of tires every other trackday :)
Quote from: Spidey on November 17, 2008, 05:12:11 PM
Hell, once you get a taste, you'll sell your grandmother's viriginity just for track time.
This must be the quote of the week. Thanks for the input, I otherwise would not have explored riding on the track. I may have to start manipulating the bank account.
Do it. In a heartbeat.
All good comments above. Really though, you have to want the track before you want the track bike. The used SV 650 is great, lots of parts and you can do it for very little money. Watch out though it is an addiction that must be fed...
Quote from: TAftonomos on November 17, 2008, 05:25:31 PM
Look for an SV, or other "smaller" bike before going with a 600 or more.
You'll learn more, because the bike won't let you power away from mistakes.
Your wallet will thank you, when you don't have to replace a set of tires every other trackday :)
Some sound advice here.
Quote from: Fox on November 17, 2008, 02:48:36 PM
I could swing the $ if I ate Top Romen for a year or so.
You say that as if it is a bad thing... mmmm TOP ROMEN.
But if you trust the guy, and you know he is a good dude. Do it! [moto]
I'n not talking smack on Top Romen, I just over dosed on the stuff in college. I haven't had it in 10 years. I guess I could learn to embrace it again.
Quote from: mapman on November 17, 2008, 06:18:48 PM
All good comments above. Really though, you have to want the track before you want the track bike. The used SV 650 is great, lots of parts and you can do it for very little money. Watch out though it is an addiction that must be fed...
Thanks for the sound advice.
By the way, I'm impressed that this was your first post. :)
Agree with what others have said, track experience is SOOOO worth it. Had my first experience (CA Superbike School) very recently and am currently purchasing a track bike for a day I signed up for already :)
Since I'm very actively looking at the used track bike market right now I can tell you, there are a lot of really great well set up bikes with thousands in quality aftermarket parts for around $3k right now. But if the bike is really great and the deal is easy to make, you won't go wrong.
As other have said. The track is awesome. Possibly one of the coolest things I have ever done. It's thrilling and calming at the same time.
Having said that. The suspension alone on that bike might be worth close to the asking price of the bike so the purchase makes sense.
Lastly let me put up some pics from the track. I get the satisfaction of a little me time on the board and you can see how fun it is. Thats me on the black monster with the red helmet at mid-ohio. I am officially an addict as of this summer and I've only been 2 times.
I've been considering finding a track bike as well. The japanese all ready set up bikes seem to be the best value.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-048.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-064.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-065.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-148.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-151.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-149.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monster%20track%20day/tattoo-2-158.jpg)
Very cool pictures.
It's obvious from the responses that I should spend some quality time at the track. Do I need to get a track bike or can the Monster suffice?
Monster will do at first but the track bike you mentioned is nice and will have more left for you when you skill level grows.
And me personally. I'd rather throw a Kawasaki off the track than my beloved Ducati if I could afford to. Keep in mind crashing is eventually just going to happen. Especially at the track.
If you're going to go to the track with an regularity and can afford it, get a track bike. If it's just an occasional track day, the monster works well.
The monster is a good all-round bike, which does not make it an ideal track bike. Its clearance is limited, especially on a 620. And parts aren't cheap if you toss it away, which can and will happen at the track. For the cost of repairing my monster when I crashed it at the track, I could have bought a cheap trackbike. That said, there is a ton of value in taking your monster to the track and learning what it can really do. Expect to get absolutely slaughtered on the straightaways. At a minimum, take it on the track once, just so you can see its limits.
When I think about locals with track/race bikes, most of us did between 1-10 trackdays on our monsters before getting a dedicated track bike. For many, it was around 5 or so. :'( On the other extreme, datv did one track day on his monster and then went out and bought an r6 as a track slut. [evil]
So true about the straightaways. The air cooled motor just gets destroyed by the water cooled bikes, whether they are twins or 4s. It's still fun as hell though. For the cost of repairing a ducati alone I'd say a japanese track bike makes sense.
It's cold, I am sad. because all this talk about the track is making me want to go right now.
On the other hand, while riding track-prepped inline four 600s was good for learning, it would not be fun for me to do ...well...for fun versus for actual instruction stuff.
The things that make me like riding the Duc on the street are the same things that make me like riding it on the track. It's worth it to me to risk the bigger expense of a crash for the more fun riding experience.
But I'm only four days in so that opinion may change next season. We'll see.
I road a GSXR 600 my first track day and my S2R1000 the second. They were completely different. The ergonomics of the superbike make way more sense at the track. The pegs are higher so you don't drag them nearly as easily and the torture rack seating position just seems to make sense in the turns. Having fairings is great at 130mph + and keeping the 4 cylinder above 10k rpm at all time isn't a big problem on the track. The other nice thing about a 600cc 4 cylinder at the track is that it has something like 40ft-lbs of torque. Which means you can open the throttle a lot more liberally out of a corner and not risk breaking traction.
Having said that. The monster is more comfortable and held it's own with no issue in terms of corner speed and braking. I plan to track it some more this year but with adjustable rear sets because my biggest problem was keeping my feet off the ground with the low pegs. It wasn't horrible in the straight aways but the water cooled bikes with fairings were much faster on the top end. It's really a matter of money. A track bike or any sort makes more sense in my opinion whether it be something like a ducati 749 or something cheaper like a GSXR because those bikes are just plain designed for it to the point where they hardly make sense as street bikes. As mentioned above the moster is a good all around bike. It has suspension and brakes and motor like a track bike but ergos and lack of fairings like a street bike so it lacks a little. In the end though. Track days are for fun and I guarantee no matter what you are gonna have fun and it also probably makes sense to track the monster 1 time because you will become much more intimate with the bikes capabilities.
I really appreciate the input. I'm going to have to so some soul and wallet searching.
Go for it!! If it´s a japanese bike, better still. Parts are cheaper and so is maintenance compared to a Duc.
Track?!? Do it!!!!
Celli
You gotta go - at least once to the track!!
went twice this past year. Here's what I learned : each track is different. I prefer the tighter turn, more technical style of Pocono - so the Ducati is fine for a couple of days at the track each year. went to NJMP and the larger track, sweeping turns were at incredibly high speeds and the Japanese bikes had their way with me. (S2R 1000) If you like the faster pace, then yes, get a track bike. You can't afford to crash the Ducati. Your money is tight, and if you crash, not only do you have to fix it - you're out of a bike until it's fixed!!!! That's what sucks the most!!!
Get a second job while the riding season is slow and bank every cent. Buy the track bike and enjoy next season!!
Quote from: lauramonster on November 18, 2008, 03:59:20 PM
Your money is tight, and if you crash, not only do you have to fix it - you're out of a bike until it's fixed!!!!
Hmmmm, that's something I did not think about. My 620 was cheap ($3,600) so if i crashed it would not be the end of the world. The cost of repair and not having a bike available to me were not considerations. At least I was smart enough to consult some professionals :)
The feedback has been great. Thanks everyone.
I agree with all the comments about japanese 600's being cheaper to fix and faster and all that...but I don't think they will be any more fun than your monster. So my advice would be to get a track bike for sure if you sorta fancy yourself as a potential future racer, but stick with the monster if you're only in it for an occasional thrill. It's hard to beat a light bike with good brakes and decent suspension for fun, especially if the track you run on is tight and twisty. And working with a little less power might even make you a better rider, quicker.
Either way, enjoy! It's a long time 'till spring...
Quote from: AndrewNS on November 18, 2008, 06:36:45 PM
Either way, enjoy! It's a long time 'till spring...
Thanks, but lucklily I live in So. Cal. where it was 90 degrees last weekend. The riding season is quite a bit longer than most areas of the country.
Quote from: Evil_Ductator on November 18, 2008, 06:47:08 PM
a little part inside of me would die.
I can relate to that, even if it is only a 620.
Quote from: Fox on November 18, 2008, 07:04:33 PM
I can relate to that, even if it is only a 620.
What do you mean ONLY???? >:(
It's a ducati!! They're not some lifeless piece of machinery. They have character, a voice of their own, we bond with them (but not in the bedroom with the lights out cause that's just sick - even for krolik!)
F-it Go big!
(http://www.bwhip.com/images/749R_FS/1.jpg)
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023)
QuoteThanks, but lucklily I live in So. Cal. where it was 90 degrees last weekend. The riding season is quite a bit longer than most areas of the country.
Bass Turd!This message brought to you by riders suffering in Washington state.
I'd rather see a Ducati crashed on the track having the snot ridden out of it than have it sit in a heated garage or living room collecting dust. (ok...that newbie on his buddie's sedici doesn't count).
I'm not saying take the monster out and ride beyond your ability and wad it up...there's a lot of room between riding hard and riding stupid at the track.
Quote from: Munch on November 18, 2008, 07:59:23 PM
F-it Go big!
(http://www.bwhip.com/images/749R_FS/1.jpg)
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023)
Mmmmmm that bike is hot and is probably the best track bike with in my realm of affordability. A buddy of mine and I have both discussed 749Rs as track bikes. Why do I have to live in OH. I need more money and better weather right now.
(http://www.bwhip.com/images/Pahrump308/4b.jpg)
NICE!!!!
Quote from: Munch on November 18, 2008, 07:59:23 PM
F-it Go big!
(http://www.bwhip.com/images/749R_FS/1.jpg)
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=53023)
That is a beautiful bike.
One of his bikes is for sale here in Utah:
http://utahsba.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9727 (http://utahsba.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9727)
Look at all the specs. It's a great deal.