Bitten?by the Track-day Bike Bug!

[Dark Angel]

:h Not sure whether this should be in the "Help" section but, here goes anyway! :}

Having done a few track-days, I?m beginning to realise that I?m not maximising my on-track learning opportunities. That?s because I?m using my road bike ? upon which I must make my jolly way home at the end of the day, hence, caution never gets thrown entirely to the wind ? which is pretty much the point of the exercise! (I?m not talking here about throwing the bike down the track at every opportunity; but learning takes longer if you?re not pushing your own capabilities ? and there?s a lot for me to learn!)

As ever, there are plenty of bikes for sale through a variety of retailers, and prices are reasonable, for example, 1993 Fireblade for ?2295; 1998 ZX7-R for ?2695 ? so finding a bike wouldn?t be a problem, but: can anyone out there offer any guidance on the pitfalls of converting a road bike for track-day use?

Would it be easier and more cost-effective to buy a ?ready-made? track-bike? What would be the typical maintenance and running costs for a bike that did ten events per year? If I bought a road bike for conversion, how much could I expect to spend on completing the project? (Remember ? this ain?t MotoGP!)

Any ideas, fellas? I?d be glad to hear from ya!

DA :beer:

 

[ianrobbo1]

looks like a question for DS, DA :dunno: I'm sure he will be able to put you on the right track,!!

 

[martin]

I concur with the snake man. I think the bean counter had his Arse 1 for sale a while back. Might be worth a search for it DA.

 

[Dark Angel]

...Cheers, You Guys...

...Entering "search mode"...! :-: :}

DA :beer:

 

[D.S.]

DA. The R1 was replaced by a new Gixer 750 which once run-in will be track converted, however you might want to take a look at this site to get a better insight. http://www.visordown.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40 The forum often includes special track day offers and check out the "bikes for sale" section too where track day bikes are often advertised.
Bike aside, and if you haven't already done so, you need to consider other costs such as:
Tyres - budget for a new rear every other track day and a front every three, although this will vary dependant on track conditions & how you ride;
Spares - budget for a box full of spares such as levers, footpegs, rearsets, cables, pads, etc 'cos when the inevitable happends, :B if you're fortunate enough you'll be able to get back on track;
Servicing - budget for oil & filter every other track day, otherwise standardish service intervals apply dependant on the bike although pads and discs wear is much higher as you'd expect;
Fuel - I used to average about two tanks per track day with the R1 but will obviously vary on whatever bike you get and how you ride;
Bike transportation - unless you've got access to a van and/or trailer, you'll need to budget for van hire. I use a trailer which I picked up for less than ?300. Either way, it's worth budgeting for decent ratchet straps & stands, etc.
Then there's accomodation costs, travel expenditure & track day fees , therefore Eric (and without knowing you're budget) my suggestion is that you should spend no more than ?2.5k on your first bike and take it from there. HTH & good luck :beer:

 

[Dark Angel]

Cheers, Geeza? :bow:

?All that info. is worth its weight in gold to me!

It?s reassuring to know that you got the Gixer 750, because I?ve been struggling between the choice of getting either a 750 or a litre bike and I?ve decided on a 750: just about every sports bike is lighter and has a better braking setup than the ?Bird, so, as I said earlier ? I?ve got a lot to learn! I reckon an older Kwak will do because they?re cheap(ish) and there are lots of them about - so it shouldn?t be too difficult to pick up spares when (not ?if?, you?ll note!) I bend the bugger! Any pointers from you on bike choice would be gratefully received, though!

Cheers, DS ? thanks for taking the time&trouble?! :beer:

DA :-:

Next track day: Oulton Park?13/12/05??38?MAGIC!!! :}

 

[D.S.]

DA. Personally, as this is your first bike, I wouldn't worry too much about which bike; more importantly it's about getting the right bike with history, a V5 and with as much decent o/e stuff on it as possible, i.e. rearsets, uprated suspension and spares. I think a ZX7 would be just fine for the reasons you've stated, but you could apply your rationale to an early SRAD Gixer which would be lighter.
I've gone for a Gixer 750 'cos I think I'll be able to use most of the power most of the time where as mere mortals like you & I will never use the power of a modern litre bike properly so what's the point? Furthermore, the 750 turns easier, is lighter and should be more economical.
You may want to consider an early good Blade or R1 as compared to your Barge weight won't be such an issue for you at first!
Good luck at Oulton tomorrow and just remember to warm those tyres up properly mate. BTW, I ommitted tyre warmers from my early post and these are a must for a serious track dayer as you won't loose as much track time warming tyres up. Also, you've got the right attitude mate, it's not about "IF" it's about when and how hard :}

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

And we won't mention tyre pressures R#?

 

[D.S.]

And we won't mention tyre pressures R#?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :B :cry:
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or warming ya tyres or diesel or helicopters and unmarked Volvo's :}

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

or warming ya tyres or diesel or helicopters and unmarked Volvo's :}

Arundel......A great place to fly (If your a rozzer)

Arundel......A great place to try and blend into the local scenery(If your a biker)

Snigger!

 

[Dark Angel]

DA...it's about getting the right bike with history, a V5 and with as much decent o/e stuff on it as possible...

Agreed, DS; I?ve had a look at the ?Visor Down? site and that, in itself, is a brilliant source of information for anyone wanting, either, a road bike or a track bike. :bow:

Good luck at Oulton tomorrow and just remember to warm those tyres up properly mate.

And we won't mention tyre pressures

(Harry Enfield?s track-suited CHAV scouser steps in??Orr-rite, o-o-rrr-rrr-rite?Calm down, CA-ALM down?!?)

I always obey the ?Three laps to warm your tyres? sign and talk to the bloke who knows about track-day tyre pressures (33 psi front and rear!). Anyway, as a mere mortal I?m happy to let the tyre warmers wait until I know more about me, and about what I can do with a dedicated track-bike! :}

Also, you've got the right attitude mate, it's not about "IF" it's about when and how hard :}

I was at Oulton a couple of weeks ago and (wouldn?t-cha-know), a guy on a very new Repsol Honda binned it on the first corner - on the first lap of the first session! Happily, he got up and walked away, but, personally, I prefer to crash later in the day (after a "good thrash" - as it were!) ? rather than at the very first opportunity!

Thanks for your advice and good wishes, Joe! k1ap

Speak to ya soon, M8!

DA :yo:

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

Oh, & DA....Don't forget to get ya TD pics & post up the good ones......Yeah?

 

[Dark Angel]

Ok, Ben...Done deal, M8! :yo:

...(Sigh....More expense...!) :B

DA :} :beer:

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

Ok, Ben...Done deal, M8! :yo:

...(Sigh....More expense...!) :B

DA :} :beer:

Mate, you know they're worth it.
If ya get a good'un, I'll print it to A3 so you can stick it in/on ya wall/kazi/garage....delete as applicable.

 

[Dark Angel]

If ya get a good'un, I'll print it to A3 so you can stick it in/on ya wall/kazi/garage....delete as applicable.

...If I get one that makes me look that good...it's goin' on ev'ry f'kin' wall I can find, M8!!!

DA :} :beer:

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

...If I get one that makes me look that good...it's goin' on ev'ry f'kin' wall I can find, M8!!!

DA :} :beer:

Cool.
:yo:

 

[D.S.]

Hey DA, how d'ya get on at Oulton? Give us a summary of ya day dude.
I'm off to Guadix circuit near Granada this coming weekend; albeit on the road bike. This is what the track looks like
http://www.timmullis.com/Videos/Broadband.WMV

 

[R2B2]

Nice one Joe!

I wondered what you bought when you sold yer track bike... :-:

 

[Dark Angel]

Hey DA, how d'ya get on at Oulton? Give us a summary of ya day dude.
I'm off to Guadix circuit near Granada this coming weekend; albeit on the road bike. This is what the track looks like
http://www.timmullis.com/Videos/Broadband.WMV

Joe ? when I listen to the Guadix soundrack ? That was my day (huge?absolutely HUGE grin) ? THAT was my day, Joe!

The start was delayed because the track was cold and wet in several places: consequently, we only got two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon (all extended by about ten minutes per session). (Ben: the photographer only did two sessions instead of the her usual four?.Six pictures for twenty quid is a bit steep, so I declined the opportunity of creating a new ?DA Wallpaper? ? mebbe next time, M8!). BUT?

? if you listen to the Guadix soundrack and watch the pictures ? That was my day (an-OTHER, huge?absolutely HUGE grin) ? THAT was my day! Yes, it was cold at first, but then the sun fought its way through the same clouds that had protected the land from a heavy, overnight frost. In mid-December, a group of track-day enthusiasts, perhaps eighty strong or more, studied, discussed and anticipated that a pregnant winter sky would offer an uneasy birth to a beautiful, early, May's day. And so it was.

In the beginning, there was the track. And the sun looked upon the track and said: ?Let it be dry.? And it DID dry. And, when the track was dry, the sun created the Tannoy, which it commanded to speak to the riders and say: ?Go forth, and hit the rev-limiter??

There?s no way I can describe, objectively, what I?ve learnt today. All I can say is?If you?ve never heard your bike sounding like the Guadix soundtrack ? YOU NEED TO! Get on a racetrack, because you?ll never hear it on the road. Today ? once or twice ? I frightened myself. I realised that I was going into a corner as fast as I could ? really ? as fast as I could. And I was scared for a few seconds ? but I didn?t back off (although, several other times, I HAD to!). That?s why I need a track-bike. That?s why I can type while I?m listening to Joe?s Gaudix soundtrack. I don?t need to be as fast as anybody else ? just as long as I?m as fast as I can be. That?s the real challenge. That?s the real joy. That?s the knowledge that makes you safe. Because, on the track ? you can?t kid anybody ? so it?s a waste of time trying to kid yourself.

GET OUT THERE ?N? DO IT?.! (Know what I mean, Joe? Guadix hits the spot!))

Ride safe, Sanchez. :k

Thanks. k1ap

DA :beer:

 

[Duck n Dive]

Hey DA.... I heard you guys today from my garden.....

I'd thought of going but I've not yert done a trackday and decided it proly wasn't the best time of year to start... and in any case it was the day of the school crimble extravaganza for my son so spent most the afternoon there.

I did wonder what the track was like......... and if it's OK to use heated inner gloves on a track day!!