getting into the track scene

[Frostz28]

Hey guys, well Ive been to a few track days with some friends and they are addicted. After the first track day they sold their street bikes and bought track bikes (one has a 99 R6 and the other has an 01 GSXR 750) They are set on getting me addicted to it as well. Little do they know Im already addicted problem is I cant give up my street bike I just love it to much. So Im trying to get myself a track bike, right now Im thinking about and SV650 because I really don't want a super fast bike on the track. I still plan to keep my GSXR 750 for the street so my question is, If I ride a much faster bike on the street will I be happy with a slower bike on the track? I think I will because I think Ill be much more comfortable trying to push a smaller bike than I would a faster bike, and I think a slower bike will force me to learn to "ride fast" and not just cruise around the corners and rail the straights. Meaning with a smaller bike ill be able to focus on body position and lines rather than just trying to hang on to a big bike. I just don't want to get a SV650 and end up wishing I had a faster bike. I REALLY dont care about keeping up with my buddies they are both far more advanced than I ever plan to be so thats not an issue. So do you think the smaller bike on the track will satisfy me or am I going to end up wishing I had gotten an inline.

[was92v]

I think that is good plan. A lighter, less powerful bike will allow you to gain more track riding skills quicker than you would on a bike that has big HP. The only place your buds will have an advantage is on long straights, and there is hardly anything more satisfying than passing "Fast" bikes with a supposed "Slow" bike. Besides the SV is not really a slow bike. They make about 70-75 HP and pull hard out of turns.
Learning track skills is much easier when you you don't see Jesus while trying to haul the thing down at every turn entrance and then mumble "Oh SHIT, Oh SHIT , OH SHIT!!! in your helmet, coming out of every turn, waiting for the punt when the rear wheel spins up and steps out.
Then later, if you decide to go with a more powerful bike, you will have the skill set available to handle it without the terror and you will be able to get up to speed with less pain, quicker.

my 2 cents

[RCM78]

I dont think you can pick a better bike then the SV650...

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Save urself the money and just buy some race skins for the 750. no reason you cant enjoy both worlds with the same bike. the 750 is a great track bike, and shouldnt be a problem if you've ever done any technical riding or have at least some experience with the track. If ur worried about hurtin the pretty paint for street riding, good frame sliders will negate most of the damage of a lowside, which is really all you'll need to worry about.

[Rider]

I wish I knew where they hauled off my 08 750 to. It only had 3000 miles on it and the buy back was only $2500. Another $2500 in track plastics, full exhaust and rear sets you can have one bad ass track machine. $5K for a nearly brand new track prepped race machine? Killer deal if you ask me. I'm sure there are lots of easily fixed new bikes waiting to be found.

[Frostz28]

I think that is good plan. A lighter, less powerful bike will allow you to gain more track riding skills quicker than you would on a bike that has big HP. The only place your buds will have an advantage is on long straights, and there is hardly anything more satisfying than passing "Fast" bikes with a supposed "Slow" bike. Besides the SV is not really a slow bike. They make about 70-75 HP and pull hard out of turns.
Learning track skills is much easier when you you don't see Jesus while trying to haul the thing down at every turn entrance and then mumble "Oh SHIT, Oh SHIT , OH SHIT!!! in your helmet, coming out of every turn, waiting for the punt when the rear wheel spins up and steps out.
Then later, if you decide to go with a more powerful bike, you will have the skill set available to handle it without the terror and you will be able to get up to speed with less pain, quicker.

my 2 cents

thats pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

[Frostz28]

Save urself the money and just buy some race skins for the 750. no reason you cant enjoy both worlds with the same bike. the 750 is a great track bike, and shouldnt be a problem if you've ever done any technical riding or have at least some experience with the track. If ur worried about hurtin the pretty paint for street riding, good frame sliders will negate most of the damage of a lowside, which is really all you'll need to worry about.

Ya but I don't feel like changing the skins back and forth all the time plus Id still have to take the mirrors off and tape off the headlight and tail light everytime. Just to much of a pain.

[Looni2ns]

SV650 is a purrrrfect track bike. No, you'll never catch that big, ole liter bike on the stretch, you'll sail right past him while he's parkin' it in the corner. :-)

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Ya but I don't feel like changing the skins back and forth all the time plus Id still have to take the mirrors off and tape off the headlight and tail light everytime. Just to much of a pain.

all the time? even if you went every week u couldnt spend a couple hours switching out ur plastics?

and no, track plastics dont use ur lamps or tail lights... If you've got money burning holes in your pockets go for it, but IMO it'd be wasted on things you could otherwise buy like tires/admission/upgrades to the GSXR. You could buy a full exaust,SS lines and HH pads, PC, track plastics, mirror blockoffs, safteywire, rearsets, extra rims for rain/dry tires, frame sliders, and anything else you'd need to get the bike track ready AND have enough left over to pay for a couple track days...

Personally i'd track out the gixxer, sell the plastics, and look for something else to ride on the street.

[OreoGaborio]

I ride an aprilia Tuono on the street... roughly 120hp, 70ft/lbs of torque or something like that. I'm also an expert road racer & track day instructor. I race an SV650 in various lightweight classes. It's a blast.

You gotta remember... it's your FIRST track bike, not your LAST. If you want something different later on then there's nothing keeping you from selling it later & getting a different track bike. It's not like you're mating for life :p

[azoomm]

I'm with NtS. What's wrong with taking a little time and take your bike?

As a novice track rider - there really is NO bad sportbike to take to the track. It might be especially enlightening for you to take YOUR bike as it's something you already "know" and would only get to know better.

Example, I had a guy on Monday that normally rides a 1098s. He had picked up the RS125 Aprilia for the trackday - and had a learning curve to get through. Not only was he focused on adjusting to the track environment, but he went to a TOTALLY different bike as well. He was a bit overwhelmed in the first few sessions.

I say, go with what you know until you KNOW you will be committing to the addiction that the track can give people. Not everyone gets the bug - many want it, some drink the whole kool-aide jar... others don't want it.

We now have the offering to rent a Ninja 150R for a few hundred for a trackday. THAT might be a better idea than just jumping in to committing on a new-to-you bike for a few grand...

[Frostz28]

LOL well those are ALL excellent points! One one hand I can completely see how it would be easier for me to take my bike, being used to a bike is pretty important, and i can see how there would be a huge learning curve on the track. Especially since I would be riding my street bike more often. On the other hand I just feel like for my track skills the 750 is to big. Truth be told I didn't want a 750 for the street. The 750 just fell into my lap. I feel like if I had a bit of a smaller bike on the track I fee like Id be riding the bike rather than just hanging on to it. I guess Ill just have to look into it some more.

[skiergirl]

Not to take away from the SV650 because they are great bikes and would be perfect for the track but a 750 is not 'too big'. I ride a 750 and it's perfect for me. Why? because I know that bike and every bit of the way it handles. I'm comfortable on it and that's what's most important.

If you can afford 2 bikes then go for it. If you have only 1 bike and you wreck it at the track then your street bike is out too, if you have 2 bikes you always have one to ride if that's important to you. All about preference and money really.....:)

[Looni2ns]

Ya but I don't feel like changing the skins back and forth all the time plus Id still have to take the mirrors off and tape off the headlight and tail light everytime. Just to much of a pain.

I can take Baby from street to track in less than an hour. That's what nice about the SVS650s - minimal fairings. The naked version is even better. 8mm socket and ratchet takes care of the turn signals, Allen wrench takes care of the mirrors (tape ends to hold washers and bolt in place), unscrew reflectors, unplug lights, drop tail piece w/license plate and rear signals (4 1/4" screws), take out fuses for headlights and taillights (2 15 amp fuses), tape up headlights and taillights, zip tie passenger pegs, drop tire pressures to 29/30, lube the chain, and PRESTO, I'm ready for some fun!! I have water wetter in the radiator so that's a no-fuss item. Add 15 minutes if I need to change the oil and filter.

[shmike]

I agree with most of the above. There is no NEED for a 2nd bike.

I can take my bike from street to track or vice versa in about 1 hour.

Your GSXR is as capable of being a first track bike as a podium finishing club racer.

That said, judging from the your posts here, you sound intimidated by the Gixxer. For that reason alone it may be worth the money to buy a 2nd bike.

I am a big believer the mental aspect of track riding. If you believe that you will be a better/safer rider on an SV, you probably will be.

[TYEster]

LOL well those are ALL excellent points! One one hand I can completely see how it would be easier for me to take my bike, being used to a bike is pretty important, and i can see how there would be a huge learning curve on the track. Especially since I would be riding my street bike more often. On the other hand I just feel like for my track skills the 750 is to big. Truth be told I didn't want a 750 for the street. The 750 just fell into my lap. I feel like if I had a bit of a smaller bike on the track I fee like Id be riding the bike rather than just hanging on to it. I guess Ill just have to look into it some more.

I started my first track season on with a ZX10 that I owned for barely a month... The 750 isn't too big. Weight wise - MAYBE, but this is coming from a more power/less weight to go faster mindset. There's nothing wrong or overbearing about a 750. Same goes for a 1000 and any power bike really. It's what you already know and just transitioning that to the track.

With that all said, it's completely up to you to justify a track bike. If you REALLY want to do all the track days you can and have the means(money, time off work, a track close by, etc) then go for it. Otherwise tape it up and ride it out.

[azoomm]

Just remember, it's YOUR hand on the throttle. :wink:

[Frostz28]

I guess I should clarify my reasons for not wanting the 750 on the track. Its not that I cant handle it. Ive had it on the track before its not that Im scared of it or anything, I just feel like with a smaller bike I could push it a bit harder and get better. I feel like with a smaller bike a little mistake can be saved where with the 750 a small mistake may have me sittin in the kitty litter. Plus I hate when you are at the track and youre runnin up some guys ass because hes parking it in every corner and then on the straight they just hammer their big liter bikes and ya can't get by em, and I don't want to be that guy. As far as changing the plastics out everytime, you guys are better than me I can barely just get the plastics back on my bike in an hour, let alone taking off the track skins and then putting them on. Which isn't even a big deal I don't mind putting a little time into it, what I don't want is to end up wadding her in a corner and then I don't have a street bike. I know track skins, and frame sliders and bar ends and all that go a long way to protect the bike but if you put her down at a decent clip theres gonna be some damage. and I just don't think its worth the risk. My latest idea is to sell the gsxr and buy a cruiser and a track bike! i don't know if I could do it though! lol

[azoomm]

Hey man, you asked :lol:

If you want to buy a trackbike - buy a trackbike. It's alright, we'll get over it.

[101lifts2]

I'd run your 750 unless you plan on doing 2 or more trackdays a month...since aonther bike will be expensive.

The good thing about using your street bike is that you are already used to it AND a 750 has a much better chassis setup then the SV. While the SV is OK, the suspension and brakes will need work. Also, the power isn't all that great on high hp tracks

[Looni2ns]

The SV is a great track bike - to learn on. On the shorter, technical tracks, she rocks. The 750 is great, too, especially on the high speed tracks. I'm doing VIR tomorrow on the SV. I'll get passed like I'm standing still by some of the faster bikes, but that's okay since it's my first time on this track. Next time I hope to be on the r6.

My BF has a CBR600rr, and has been looking for a 750 for quite some time. It's a better match since he's a big guy.

I agree with a lot of folks on here that it's okay to use your street bike as a track bike until you are fully addicted. Then buy a track bike. Yes, if you go down, you've lost your street bike, too. But the same thing could happen to you at home on the street.

[Papa_Complex]

SVs can make for good track bikes, but I say get yourself a clapped out and fully race prepped FZR400, mount some DOT race rubber on it, and scare the beejeezus out of your friends in the corners.