Track Bike

[Fox]

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.

[lemond]

Dooooo......it!

[MAXdB]

Dooooo......it!

what he said..   

[Statler]

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.

[Triple J]

The track is a lot of fun. 

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. 

[Spidey]

Track?  Yes.  Abso-make the beast with two backsin-lutely. 

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

[TAftonomos]

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

[Fox]

 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.

[swampduc]

Do it. In a heartbeat.

[mapman]

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...

[ducpainter]

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.

[Dareduc]

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]

[Fox]

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.

[Fox]

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.

[Evil_Ductator]

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.