Track bikes

[Dan K]

I've been using my Daytona - in street trim - for track days for 2 years now.  Maybe 6 track days.  I haven't binned it yet, hope not to, but I have gone off track twice and been able to keep it vertical.  Also somehow avoided a high side after swinging the back wheel 2-3 feet to the left, then a foot or two to the right, and kept it upright.

Off track was once on my first track day (a little excited after I was in a groove) and took a turn way too hot.  Last track day, prior to STAR school with Jason Pridmore, I was at Gingerman in Michigan and on the last session (felling good having learned a lot that day), I took the short straight WAY too fast, pounded on the brakes, and hit a lip in the end of the straight before turn 1 the front wheel momentarily came off the ground and and due to the heavy braking, locked. When returned to the pavement, I got a real strong wobble that I couldn't tame quick enough (even with the stabilizer).  No way I was making that turn, and I rode straight into the grass.  Corner worker waved me back on and after a couple more laps, we were done for the day.

I am trying to take the slow learner approach, but it's so fucking amazing to take these turns at high speed on the edge of your tire that sometimes you get a little excited...need to get some track plastics.

[hovmaven]

I am trying to take the slow learner approach, but it's so fucking amazing to take these turns at high speed on the edge of your tire that sometimes you get a little excited...need to get some track plastics.

I know.  I did. . ..

[Hotbrakes]

I love the ready to go race bike (at VIR N) with the big "B" sticker!  The pic doesn't look like you're in Beginner anymore though...

[hovmaven]

No.  

The ride was built up by a canadian racer -- hence the stickers.  What's cool about a pre-made race ride is that all the bits are there, and the track plastics are just fare better when you bin it.  Now, it did have a Canadian coke can for a overflow coolant reservoir, and tons of zip ties, but i thought that just gave the ride character.

[FireRunner]

I've just got one bike, my little Ninja 650R, and she does double duty.  A nasty crash in my first 6 miles on the street this February meant converting her to a streetfighter, so I go unfaired on the track.  I got an interesting sensation this weekend after getting bumped to Intermediate at CMP when at higher speeds, my helmet started pushing on my nose.

As far as crashes on the track...  I've had my bike for 6 months, and didn't ride for the first 6 weeks because the bike and I had to "heal" from my little incident.  Got back on in April (had one little crash after that on wet pavement, was able to ride home) and have done 6 track days in the 6 months I've been riding.  ZERO crashes on the track, 8000 miles on the street without incident since my rough start, bumped to Intermediate. I think I got a pretty good track record, pun intended.

Got to buy another bike though.  Been trying to decide what to do next.  Keep the 650R as a track bike (she's fun as hell on the track).  Move her to just the street and set up for touring, hard bags and all?  But what do I buy for another track or street bike?  I'm only 5'5", and small framed, so the bike has to be low enough and light enough to handle, cause I'm not messing with the suspension, and we're talking less than 400lbs dry.  The SMT looks H-O-T, but maybe a little too pricey.  I've toyed around with the thought of a Duke, the the single cylinder thing gets me.  Seems like I'd want to do double duty with it also, lol, which is what I'm *trying* to get away from.  Hmmm..... Suggestions?

[nater]

I know.  I did. . ..

That's what the guy with the GSXR 750 in the background wished he did  

[nater]

 Seems like I'd want to do double duty with it also, lol, which is what I'm *trying* to get away from.  Hmmm..... Suggestions?

Having never ridden the track (but really, really want to try...), I probably shouldn't offer my opinion.  However, I'll give it to you anyway, simply because I'm full of opinions.

If I were getting a 2nd bike for the track, I would look for someone's track bike for sale so I wouldn't have to set it up.  Also, older track bikes tend to sell for pretty cheap.  My 2nd choice would be a 10 year old Yamaha R6.  There are plenty around and available for $3500 or so.

[FireRunner]

If I were getting a 2nd bike for the track, I would look for someone's track bike for sale so I wouldn't have to set it up.

Yeah, that makes sense, except that I'm 130lbs.  I've sprung the forks on the 650R for my weight already, and the difference is phenomenal.  So if I'm picking up a used track bike, with goodies already, they're probably gonna be set up for someone much heavier than I am, which means the forks and rear are still gonna have to be redone.    I actually find something very cathartic (albeit expensive) about working on my own bike and modding it up.  All the mods (and repairs) on the 650R were done by myself (with the help of my wonderful bf and his extensive garage).  But you're right, it would be cheaper to buy a track bike already set up for that.

[hovmaven]

The race ride i purchased (see above) was ridden by a canadian racer who was all of about 5 foot nothing, and less than 130 lbs.  Keep looking, i bet you find a setup that works.

The WERA site is a pretty good spot to locate previously enjoyed race rides.  

[tomek]

The race ride i purchased (see above) was ridden by a canadian racer who was all of about 5 foot nothing, and less than 130 lbs.  Keep looking, i bet you find a setup that works.

The WERA site is a pretty good spot to locate previously enjoyed crashed race rides.  

 

[tomek]

I've been using my Daytona - in street trim - for track days for 2 years now.  Maybe 6 track days.  I haven't binned it yet, hope not to, but I have gone off track twice and been able to keep it vertical.  (soon or later you will bin it , just a matter of time  

..need to get some track plastics. [/i]

+1 , I would also recommend aftermarket clip ons and rear sets . OEM parts are ridiculously  expensive and don`t take crashing well . Even stupid slow  speed lowside can cancel your day . Aftermarket bits usually can be made operational with some creativity . ( hammer and long enough pipe   ).    

[CMS_Sprint]

I bought the best 600 I could find at an action a few years back. Rode it on the street until I got 600 miles on it (it had 387 when it was repo'd..)
Converted into a track bike and it hasn't looked back since.
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,16137.160.html
Since those shots, its received:
Penske Shock and fork internals
Brembo Master cylinder
Race body work (Hot Bodies, don't ever buy them, spend the extra $$ and get armour bodies, trust me)
Vortex clip ons
Vortex Rear sets
Case covers
520 chain/sprocket conversion

It's been to about 15 track days (not down once, and 2 of them were in rain! Yes I have "wet" tires... )

Totally reliable, makes 110 HP at the rear wheel with ECU, headers, filter and stacks, which is PLENTY!

Having a dedicated machine means for me that I know it's done right for the track and I can just enjoy it for what it is.

Now if I could just keep work from getting in the way of track time, that would be much better....

[hovmaven]

I did run my VFR at the track when I was between race rides (note the cool track stand), but was signifcantly more worried about binning it (as it turned out, Mother Honda did that for me a few weeks later, but that's another story . . ..).  



The next race ride was this (shared with another STN'r):

[Hotbrakes]

What did Mother Honda do to your beautiful VFR?

[hovmaven]

Well, long story short, in fixing the cam chain tensioner, put it out of commission for 3 mos, Honda techs from Mother Honda couldn't fix it, I got a new Honda. . ..  

Hence, the "I survived the 2007 VFR Hostage Crisis" in my sig line.    

[The Shepherd]

I have a previously crashed CBR that I ride out on the track.

SInce I've owned it....it's been crashed another 2 times. Glad I didn't have the K1200S out on the track when I cartwheeled her into the infield.

At Calabogie Motorsports Park,