Ideas on getting a track bike

[steve L]

Looking to get a track, as really enjoyed a few days on the circuits.
Would like to see if anyone has some input on good way to go,

Buy a track bike complete that is already running

Or :confused1:

Buy a dammaged bike and convert it to a track bike

I am a mechanic so repair's no much of a issue to me. Figue either bike will have to have suspension setup again. And i would strip any bike apart before i went on the track for my own confidence in the machine, (It's just the way i am)

Looking for the positives V's the negatives. Also if you've done it and turned out to be a financial nightmare.

[racegodr1]

Buy one from me ready to go...

[jasonbw]

IMO it boils down to this... what will the trackbike end up like... and be honest, do you like go fast bits???? will the bike stay stock and shithouse condition???? what's your track riding goals??? Goals for laptimes WILL have you visiting a suspension shop.

You have half your answer already... let's finish it...

Are you loaded? If you are then buy the damaged bike cause you'll spend a fortune getting it the way you want it if you like the fast bits, if you want stock only then go that route!

Are you working hard for every $ like most of us? then find a used trackie or race bike and buy it already sorted with the bits.

only one other thing can factor into this... if you enjoy tinkering then you'll go down the route that doesn't make monetary sense.... fair enough.... think it over.

[steve L]

More info
I'm just new to the circuits and looking at a 600cc bike to get my skills up. To give you an idea still not touching my knee, Although really want to. Not looking at going to flash with the bike as wanting to lean skills to get better. learnt from years of dirt bike experience when pushing harder quite often have incidents.

[ottospunkmeister]

I've thought about this a bit and not sure if there's one right answer. Buying a used trackbike with all the bits makes sense but you'd have to accept that it has probably been thrashed if the rider was halfway decent but on the plus side it may have lots of expensive stuff on it already. Also, there's the principle that the bike you already own, that's paid for, that you know well won't take much to get to a basic track condition unless you want all the bling and go faster bits from the get go. e.g., remove street plastic, lights etc. and get a set of raceglass from Wetty and get a 10% discount if you're a RATS member, some decent tyres (which are consumables anyway) stands, tyre warmers, get stock suspension set up as best as you can (assuming it isn't too tired already) and you have a basic bike to start with. If you are new to it all then perhaps you'll get a better return on investment from learning new skills rather than buying expensive bits cos when you sell the bike the bits go with it but the skills you've learned stay with you. Maybe once you have pushed the envelope of what's possible with a basic bike then it's time to reasess? Anyway that's my 5c worth and I'll find out soon enough how valid it is.

[Captain]

I'm thinking that being new, you have a 'rough' idea of what you want. However, once you get into it a bit more you learn more, and develop your own tastes and preferences ... so that it's likely that you will want something different. Not only about bikes, but also about the various components on the bike ... whereas at the start you don't really have this experience.

So I would buy one that's already been done, without having to spend too much, that way you're ready to go, enjoy the track days and gives you the time and experience to decide what you eventually really want.

[racegodr1]

Modern 600's and 100's are built to be "thrashed" or whatever that means.
I would prefer to buy an ex racebike than just a Track bike because most Racebikes are well maintained.

[Big Lunt]

Getting a bike with all the go fast bits does not mean it will be right for you in my opinion (suspension mainly) and in some cases may not mean you will be confident on it because of the nature of the set up etc. We had bought a GSXR750 race bike for a mate and it took some getting used to as a result of the set up for the previous owner (same weight) who was a demon of a rider and would drive it really hard which made it work.

Depends on how much you want to spend?? But there are plenty of slightly older bikes that are cheap, reliable and getting something that is almost standard will allow you to build it up to what you are comfortable with. Having used 250's, 400's, 600's, 750's and 1000 at the track in my opinion either small capacity or larger capacity.

I have had my 2000 R1 for about 5 1/2 years and it has never let me down and I am not the worlds greatest rider and was able to do 41's on bascially a standard bike. Only recently I have done some work on it for some more HP, and serviced the suspension. Plus there is some real satisfaction in riding an "older" bike around newer bikes at track days

Remember all bikes are thrashed - that why we buy them. Have to agree that race bikes may better maintained than some road bikes anyhow.

Good luck with it but no matter you will have a blast especially when you touch the knee the first time

[Captain]

I would prefer to buy an ex racebike than just a Track bike because most Racebikes are well maintained.
Good point. What kind of maintenance regime would a typical racer have?

I get my bike regularly serviced (every 6,000 km) plus I change the oil every 3rd track day, and lubricate the chain every track day. Should I be doing more?

[Johnny]

Question.

Can someone fill me in in why you need a dedicated trackbike if your not a racer ?

Is is cause you dont want to drop your road bike which is probably worth 15K at the most, and unless its written off youd be hard pressed to cause over $4k damage to. ( p.s, I wont mention the fact there are guys out there on full rd bikes doing 1.33s, or that theres rd bikes worth close to $100k out there, cause that may offend :p )

So to prevent a possible $4k worth of damage, your spending

$5k on purchase of trackie
$2K on suspension
$2k on go fast bits
$1k on consumables to have on hand
+ maintenance
Making it $10k at a minimum to spare you possibly $4k worth of damage by not dropping road bike, cause youd rather get hurt by dropping another bike, that will sit around, do nothing and be lucky to get its rags once a month and taken out to the track, to be ridden one and a half hrs or so at the track per day, per month ??


Yeah, makes sence to me :lmao:


Fuck I miss rd riding :spank:


edit...oh I forgot, flame away, defend your purchase :lmao:

[jonoZRX]

You can buy a reasonably well setup trackbike for waaaay less than that Johnny, especially if you are relatively inexperienced and not worried about suspension and go-fast bits yet. Furthermore, you can buy a poorly setup but bulletproof trackbike for two-fifths of FA if you want!

For example, I bought my first trackie (VJ21 RGV250) for $1,600. I spent $320 on a set of GPR Alpha-10 tyres and that was the extent of my 'mods' (other than basic maintenance). It still had the original suspension from 1989, and it didn't worry me a single bit. I ran round Wakefield on it for around a year, and in the end I was getting quick enough times to keep up (ie, middle of the pack) in NE F3 in the PCRA; but more importantly, I was having heaps of fun. Binning it would have cost only slightly more than the excess on my road bike!

Getting that bike was the best thing I ever did for my riding ability.

Edit - forgot this bit:


edit...oh I forgot, flame away, defend your purchase
STFU etc etc :lmao:

[saf]

Good point. What kind of maintenance regime would a typical racer have?

I get my bike regularly serviced (every 6,000 km) plus I change the oil every 3rd track day, and lubricate the chain every track day. Should I be doing more?

I think you've got a good routine there Cap'n, but what constitutes the 6k service? Valves and timing every 6k?

My bikes have always spent more time on the road than the track and they always get some fresh slippery stuff every 3-4k, typically a new oil filter almost every time.

OP, Big Lunt has me nodding. If you're not getting your knee down yet you'd be silly to buy anything too over the top, no matter where you get it from. Shop around and keep your eyes on both avenues. When the right thing pops up you'll know it. And if you don't, post it up here and folks can give you the heads up on a prospective purchase.

[rossco]

Question.

Can someone fill me in in why you need a dedicated trackbike if your not a racer ?

Is is cause you dont want to drop your road bike which is probably worth 15K at the most, and unless its written off youd be hard pressed to cause over $4k damage to. ( p.s, I wont mention the fact there are guys out there on full rd bikes doing 1.33s, or that theres rd bikes worth close to $100k out there, cause that may offend :p )

So to prevent a possible $4k worth of damage, your spending

$5k on purchase of trackie
$2K on suspension
$2k on go fast bits
$1k on consumables to have on hand
+ maintenance
Making it $10k at a minimum to spare you possibly $4k worth of damage by not dropping road bike, cause youd rather get hurt by dropping another bike, that will sit around, do nothing and be lucky to get its rags once a month and taken out to the track, to be ridden one and a half hrs or so at the track per day, per month ??


Yeah, makes sence to me :lmao:


Fuck I miss rd riding :spank:


edit...oh I forgot, flame away, defend your purchase :lmao:

I'm with you Johnny
I think fuck its just a bike and if you dont ride it and have fun then why have it!!
I just bought a 2004 FZ6n and im taking it to the track next weekend. :mod_smilie_rockwoot

[stetto]

I got a '97 ZX7R i'm sellin soon as i'll b gettin back on the road when i get my fulls. I was goin to hold onto it a little longer and do oran park a couple of times but if i let it go i can save easier for the next one. Its in good condition and I'll sell it with stands, warmers and fairly new slicks for 3750 or 3250 bike only. Shoot me a pm if ur interested :ayyy:

[Big Lunt]

Get yourself something that is standard and throw a race glass on it and go for t.

$4-$5K will get you something good to do trackdays on for sure

[WET4URacing]

WET4U fairings are 10% cheaper if your a rat
. www.wet4uracing.com.au (http://www.wet4uracing.com.au)

[MarkyGG]

if you or anyone else for that matter is after a cheap trackie, i'm getting rid of my cbr400 due to the fact i had a road acco that is going to keep me of the track for a while so it is best to let it go to someone who is going to get some use out of it. she certainly doesn't have the straight line speed of bigger capacity bikes but she's quick in & out of corners which to me is we're all the fun is. i'll tack on some photos anyone interested pm me for any details i'm after around 3800 bucks comes with tyre warmers stands bargain trackie.

as to johny's point the best reason i can think for having a cheap trackie is if you bin it but you also have a roadie your not going to be left out of road riding. if you bin your roadie at the track how long is it going to be before you get it fixed & on the road again? not to mention trackie is set up for the track with slicks etc just less hassle in my opinioin. but just my opinion:ayyy:

[Lopeman]

Question.

Can someone fill me in in why you need a dedicated trackbike if your not a racer ?

Is is cause you dont want to drop your road bike which is probably worth 15K at the most, and unless its written off youd be hard pressed to cause over $4k damage to. ( p.s, I wont mention the fact there are guys out there on full rd bikes doing 1.33s, or that theres rd bikes worth close to $100k out there, cause that may offend :p )

So to prevent a possible $4k worth of damage, your spending

$5k on purchase of trackie
$2K on suspension
$2k on go fast bits
$1k on consumables to have on hand
+ maintenance
Making it $10k at a minimum to spare you possibly $4k worth of damage by not dropping road bike, cause youd rather get hurt by dropping another bike, that will sit around, do nothing and be lucky to get its rags once a month and taken out to the track, to be ridden one and a half hrs or so at the track per day, per month ??


Yeah, makes sence to me :lmao:


Fuck I miss rd riding :spank:


edit...oh I forgot, flame away, defend your purchase :lmao:

i recon your underestimating the cost of a stack. i came off at about 30km an hour just a week ago (getting out of the way of a cager that decided road rules wernt for him). its quote is still yet to come in but it is recomended to be about $6000, and its mainly fairings on one side and leavers and stuff

[Big Lunt]

Have to agree with lopeman Johnny depends what kind of crash you have. A road bike will cost more to repair to get it back to a good standard.

I have only crashed once at eastern creek but came off turn 8 the bike went into the kitty litter then hooked left and it landed on top of the tank. Damage - dent tank, slight kink at top most of subframe, bent handlebar, stuffed race glass.

In total the bike cost me under $500 to get back on the track which was for 2nd hand glass, replace bent handlebar and then bought a 2nd had ohlins dampener. If it was a road bike it would have been thousands to get it back to the same condition - fix subframe, gravel rash on the frame to be repaired or replaced, road fairings, paint job etc.

Difference is track bike does not have to be bling bling like a road bike which means, cheaper to repair for cosmetic reasons.

Anyhow having a track bike sitting in your garage is also good for tinkering with or if you are sitting around having a drink with the boys.

[phillmac]

I went through this late last year after tracking my street bike for about a year without damage. The chioce for me was a near new GSXR 750 write off verses an older running 1000 track or race bike in a model I like. Imo the wreck prices were still too high and in the end I found a 02 ex extreme R1 for less than half the cost I would have spent fixing one. Although rough as guts it has been reliable, has all the good gear and it's so fast it is still hard to believe. The down side is I had to have the susp rebuilt both ends as I would never get comfortable with the bike with the strange valving setup it had. I think it is sorted now. It has also cleaned up well. If confidence returns next track day my times should match my old slower bike with near stock susp. From there it's back to progressive improvements. It's all good now

[Big Lunt]

Did you buy the one that was in ACT??? Ex Kevin Curtain R1?


I went through this late last year after tracking my street bike for about a year without damage. The chioce for me was a near new GSXR 750 write off verses an older running 1000 track or race bike in a model I like. Imo the wreck prices were still too high and in the end I found a 02 ex extreme R1 for less than half the cost I would have spent fixing one. Although rough as guts it has been reliable, has all the good gear and it's so fast it is still hard to believe. The down side is I had to have the susp rebuilt both ends as I would never get comfortable with the bike with the strange valving setup it had. I think it is sorted now. It has also cleaned up well. If confidence returns next track day my times should match my old slower bike with near stock susp. From there it's back to progressive improvements. It's all good now

[phillmac]

Yeah, It,s said to be Curtains. He only had 2 bikes that year and everyone seems to have one or parts so I don't really know. It has a silver standard tank. Munga may know as it went to Spence after it was raced. How did you hear of it. I would love to know the full story and would restore it better if I was sure

[WET4URacing]

kev had a truck full. i laugh when i see ex BLAH BLAHS bike. seems there were 50 of them kev rode. there were extreme bikes and ASBK bikes

[Big Lunt]

I was going to buy it - bought some spare race glass that they guy had for my r1. Was tempted as it was a very good price considering how much gear was on it.

It sounded like a beast of a bike with plenty of goodies

Agree it was pretty rough looking would like to see what you have done to it to clean it up. Sorry that's about as much as I know

As long as it goes well and handles well who cares about the history - same with mine have no idea as it was a track bike when I bought it had no speedo was crashed.......5 years later still starts first time every time.


Yeah, It,s said to be Curtains. He only had 2 bikes that year and everyone seems to have one or parts so I don't really know. It has a silver standard tank. Munga may know as it went to Spence after it was raced. How did you hear of it. I would love to know the full story and would restore it better if I was sure

[Dave75]

I have bought 2 track bikes so far. First was a road registered cbr400. Threw some slicks on it and biglunt changed the oil in my forks. It was a hoot. Cost $4k. Second bought a GSXR600 97, ex race bike. Great buy at under $5k.

[Big Lunt]

You still have not paid your invoices for:

CBR400 - fork oil service invoice
GSXR600 - transport invoice to collect in melbourne
- chain replacement invoice

[Johnny]

STFU etc etc :lmao:

:lmao: knew it was coming :lmao:

Underestimating repair bills, yeah, mustve been having a blonde moment ( farkurnell, hard not to with new neighbour, she's a hottie, wish I was 20 again though :baby: all I can do is look, its driving me mad :spank: )

Back on topic, nothing stopping you from taking a road bike out to the track, no such thing as it must be a trackbike, and unless you are using it on the track at every event, then I dont see any point in it to be honest, waste of money if your not racing it.. Throw on some raceglass on your rd bike, and away you go if your a little more than interested, otherwise, money spent on tracky could be spent on schooling and trackdays, on the bike you want to be bettering yourself on, not the bike you ride every other month :n: .

Im no trackday junkie, have been a few times, but it doesnt compare to a long ride through the hills, you know the 500k + rides, where people whinge about smokers stopping every hr for 5 minutes to have a smoke ???, funny the same people dont say boo when waiting well over an hr to get back on the track for near 20 mins, only to just warm up and checkered flag comes up.

Oh man, Im in need of a ride :lmao:

[trumpst]

Happy to sell our old '89 FZR 600- been down the track a few times, - been great fun as a beginner trackie for me and my 2 sons. Looks crap, but hey, so much fun we jokingly put the smiley face on the front to show what was inside the helmet! $1500 or make an offer:ayyy: As someone stated earlier-it's so much fun passing newer bikes on an old 'bucket of bolts'! (except down the straight , of course:confused1:
Here's a pic! (Braided brake lines,GSX front end)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/trumpst/JohnBandmightyFizzer.jpg
and a link to a video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlE93UIFvI8

[Schtevo]

Happy to sell our old '89 FZR 600- been down the track a few times, - been great fun as a beginner trackie for me and my 2 sons. Looks crap, but hey, so much fun we jokingly put the smiley face on the front to show what was inside the helmet! $1500 or make an offer:ayyy: As someone stated earlier-it's so much fun passing newer bikes on an old 'bucket of bolts'! (except down the straight , of course:confused1:

Hey there trumpst - I have a set of fairing moulds for that model FZR - if you ever wanted to get some glass on it you can borrow....

I had the same model but a 400 as my first tracky - loved it and it took me 4 years of track days and PCRA racing to get anywhere near it's limits. Now my wife is using it as her first tracky. I paid $2k for it 5 years ago, I blew an engine 3 years ago and picked one up from a wreck for $800 and Marissa crashed it just recently and the repair came to $12.50 for a brake lever, the engine case off the blown motor and a bit of fibreglass repair - now thats a lot of fun per dollar!

If you are only a newcomer to the track the earlier advice to grab a cheap track / ex-race bike is spot on. Learn you stuff then upgrade.

[LAW]

Buy one from me ready to go...

How much for the red one? :D

What sort of selection do you have race-god? Anything close to an apprentice's budget?

I bought a '91 ZXR750 for $1500 (rep-write off from disposals), put $100 worth of fibreglass onto it and a new rear tire and it is so much fun :D I'm thinking about buying an ex-race bike but the kwaka is just too much fun and I'm not even close the pushing it's limits yet so I can't really justify it. But it wouldn't take much convincing :ayyy:

It's exactly matched to a modern 600 on the straight but everyone knows it's the corners where you get your money's worth and this thing is by far the most fun I've had with my pants on. If you get something flashy you may as well have taken the roadie to the track. IMO get something cheap, either rep-writeoff or ex-race and flog the guts out of it. Either way, do it with a smile. :D

[Dave75]

You still have not paid your invoices for:

CBR400 - fork oil service invoice
GSXR600 - transport invoice to collect in melbourne
- chain replacement invoice

No idea what you are on about??????:confused1:

[Pymm]

RE: Johnny's post, for me i think its the confidence difference thinking i can go balls deep in a bike thats a bit more acceptable to stack (ie, something that is already a stat write off)

[Stu23]

My race bike will get fresh oil and a new filter after 2 times on the track....if this gives you any idea of the maint that a race bike should get.... Brakes rebuilt after each race meet, new fluid of course....chain cleaned and lubed pre meeting, then lubed and adjusted during the weekend. Suspension still to go to Zenos for a refresh ( sorry zeno i know i know ) done each year. Just put new cam chain on it, vaves checked and adjusted of course, plus heaps of little jobs i forget to mention. Basically your road bikes are treated like shit by comparrison....so please dont worry about buying a race bike........track bikes maybe......but not race bikes.......

Stu

maybe for sale the end of the season....might go open class !!

[staxin]

what would you say is a fair esitimate for getting a repairable write-off 2006 R6 into a track bike condition?

i'm selling my road bike as it doesn't get any use on the road at the moment and looking to either buy a 2006+ 600cc track bike or something that has been damaged and could get the thing track ready for around $7-8k

[WET4URacing]

7-8 good luck

[Marcus]

You can always assume that the front end will be straight after an accident.

Its not fun riding around on a bent bike and its not always easy to tell!

[LAW]

Most of these would probably scrub up alright, especially with the extra money you'd have for "go fast bits"

'04 R6 (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5522R%20YZFR6/Template%20Repairable.htm)

2000 R6 (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5519R%20YZFR6/Template%20Repairable.htm)

'02 Gixxer 750 (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5512R%20GSXR750/Template%20Repairable.htm)

'98 ZX6R (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5517R%20ZX6R/Template%20Repairable.htm)

'98 ZX6R (Different one) (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5488R%20ZX6R/Template%20Repairable.htm)

'03 Aprillia RSVR (http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/Bikes/Bikes%20Pages/5508R%20RSV1000/Template%20Repairable.htm)

[staxin]

sweet thanks LAW, i'll check that disposals site more often