Trackday Newbie - Bike Suggestions

Buy a track bike which has already been converted, it's far cheaper than trying to do it yourself. Look for one with a spares package and a spare set of wheels with wet tyres.

I loved my old K2 GSXR600, it was a brilliant track bike but a little heavy and not as nimble as some of the newer bikes. I did sell the full package for £1500 though which would leave plenty in your budget for more trackdays.

Budget for some tuition too, it will really help you get comfortable with the different riding style on track.

 

There is a 749 track bike on ebay at the mo for 2500, or was a few days ago

Whatever you get, do yourself a favour and get a track bike, not road bike and convert. Wets on wheels, suspension probably sorted, functional

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=171958186721&globalID=EBAY-GB

Be quick

 

Looks good value, 636 has a bit more mid ramge punch too

 

Any of the bikes you've mentioned will be more than capable.

I'd steer clear of the RSV, just my opinion.

Buy a dropped/crashed bike, bung some fairings on it and off you go? A lot of what gets damaged when you shunt a bike gets replaced on a track/race bike anyway...

 

Just track the Pani, buy your self a half decent set of race faring's and some further crash protection then enjoy. Sounds like this will be your first go at bike trackdays so you won't be mixing it up in the fast groups. You will be tip toeing around in the novice groups to begin with.

Lets say you do crash badly there are plenty of used parts on ebay for handy money.. £2500-£3000 you would have spend on a track pig would be better in the bank as a "Just in case" fund

Don't forget crashing a track pig will still cost ££ to repair.

 

Gaffa tape and wood doesn't cost much

 

2006 DUCATI 749 TRACK OR ROAD BIKE inc spare frame and V5 | eBay

 

I got to say that if you're fairly seriously about the track riding which I guess you would be after doing some car racing then doing it on the Panigale is quite expensive. Track fairings and crash bungs, and other protection will set you back £500 - 1000. Inters or above then you're generally looking at a set of tyres for every two trackdays with maybe another out of the front. Fast group I usually go through a rear tyre in one day quite easily.

Personally I decided to track my 1199s as long as it was in warranty in case something serious happened. As it turned out it's been absolutely bullet proof for the 7500 miles and quite a few trackdays that I've done this last year. If you can afford it then it's an epic bike on track as you can really use it's capabilities that you dont experience on the roads.

I very nearly got a Daytona 675 which can be bought for £3000 track setup and will easily go as fast as most liter bikes on track but I couldn't get away from the raw excitement and awesomeness of the 1199 on track.

 

Race season is coming to an end so eBay will be awash with race bikes in the near future. Buy a complete package as already said.

 

I'm going to start track days next year. I already own a ''99 600 GSXR so giving her a good clean and service and she will do me to learn on. Lots of cheap bits on eBay and not to much power to get me in trouble.

If I enjoy it I will buy a trailer and get a tow bar fitted and take the road stuff off but going to ride to the first few

 

hi mate il give you my 2p's worth, i bought a 748 track bike cheap thinking i dont want to go that fast im quite happy going at my own pace blah blah, but over time i got quicker and realised i wanted more power so tuned the 748 at great expense, then you have to do the suspension,brakes wheels ect ect, cost me a bloody fortune!! then i did a track day on my near stock 1198bp with some new d211 tyres which cost no where near what the 748 track bike cost to build may i add, and went a lot faster, felt more stable,and nothing fell off or leaked or cut out. Now im just going to keep my 1198 for track as i still go at my own pace just a bit quicker, plus its my road bike so i got to know my bike a lot better when ridding on the road as well. If i crash il fix it simple as that. So answer to your question keep the pani use it on track spend what money you were on a bike on the best tyres, brakes and get the suspension sorted, your be a lot happier riding a bike you know already plus your save a shite load of cash for spending on track days . hope this helps.

 

My experiences...

Don't track you mint bike. You probably will drop it at some point if you want to ride fast and go even faster. I've crashed loads of bikes and one was new-ish/mint, never bought a tidy bike I care about after thay until now.

Buy a track bike 2.5k is plenty to spend. You can always sell it, even spares or repairs when your done. Get something you don't really care about too much (look after it mechanically) and learn what it's all about, you will go faster than those who are worrying about their pride and joy. Then when you want to move on and I'm sure you will, you'll have learnt loads at reasonable cost.

I would buy a Jap bike without hesitation for track days, cheap to buy, cheap parts and reliable if you buy the right one. I have stunted bikes and never broke a JAP engine and did not throw money at them, however I know Ebay is full of bad ones.

Do not buy one boasting of huge power increases, buy a stock motor with race pipe and filter, don't go for one with tuning. If you want more power, compare the spec of newer models, power increases are common as the bikes get newer.

A stock motor will probably have a better power curve / delivery and more mid range for a newbie which is probably better than if the heads been skimmed, cams re-timed and ported in search of peak HP. If the compression has been raised and it's been ridden hard the motor is probably going to have suffered more and could be less forgiving if you hit neutral by mistake.

Don't buy a yam 5EB (I've owned 3) and still have one in race trim.
They are getting old, prone to certain problems and they do well in a certain race class so good ones fetch reasonable money, cheap ones are usually tired. The injection model is a better shout but they like to ridden harder than some other 600cc models.

It depends what you are trying to do really but I'm sure you'll have fun what ever you do.

 

Build your own. Template supplied

 

Does it come with a bloke with his builders crack on show???

 

I remember buying a brand new 999R in 2006. I'd get nervous if I saw a fly sitting on it in case it scratched it. Within a year or so I was ragging the tits right off it round Cadwell and Donington! Ace fun!