Track Bike - Any Suggestions?

GeoffB said:

I'm enjoying track days, and might even think about doing a couple of races if I can get around a corner at less than snails pace - but... I don't want to keep doing it on my Monster. Too much expensive bling to grind if I push it too far.

I'd love to have a Ducati for a track bike, but if it's too expensive I may have to be sensible and run a midrange Jap bike. They're great bikes, but you know how it is...

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Hey Geoff,

I went through the same thing. When I found a strong 2002 Fireblade race bike for $6500 (see pics), I could not pass it up. So far it's been a great bike on the track.

FYI...The most expensive part of doing track days or racing on a high hp bike is always going to be tyres. So the easiest way to save $$ is to race something smaller. This is fine for racing, but on track days, be ready to be blown away on the straights by the guy whose about to hold you up for the next 3 or 4 corners. When you finally get around him, he'll take it back on the next straight and you'll have to do it all over again! That's what it was like for me doing track days on the monster in the medium speed groups. Fun at first, but it gets annoying after 5 or 6 sessions.

If it helps you make your decision, I have a budget for a full race season (and a half season) for the championships run here in Qld. If you want I'll post my budget up so you can get an idea of what it might really cost you. Of course I would not recommend knowing this information if you need approval from the other half!!

Back to ducati track bikes...I know there is a guy on the trakdaze forum that just bought a 916 race bike that he's going to run in a class called new era (bikes from 1990-1995). Here's the thread:
http://www.trakdaze.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=875
(you might need to register to see the photos).

That bike would be LOTS of fun in that class, and will probably be hard to beat if the rider is at least equal to the others in the class. From what I've heard, ducati's crash pretty well. It's the new lightweight bikes that are more inclined to suffer major frame damage in a 'hard' crash.

Otherwise, like loony888 said, if you can do pretty much ALL the maintenance yourself...go for it. If you'll need to pay someone to do it, go for it as long as the wallet can handle it. If not, get something cheap, reliable and fast and you'll have a ball anyway. Does not need to be a 1000cc, any 600cc + bike from, say 2000 and up would be great. Believe me, when you're riding hard on the track, you'll have fun no matter what you're riding.

Cheers

Choc

Diito Chocwheaton.
Any recent (within 3 years) Jap 600cc would be perfect. [thumbsup]
Well over a 100HP at the rear, great handling and not so hard on tyres.
Fantastic reliability to compliment these features.
I wouldn't care which brand either, go for best condition for price.
They all rock!!!
These babies are as quick if not quicker than litre bikes for most riders.
No worrying about getting highsided coming under power (as much [laugh]) and a top end that'll compliment your corner work. If your up to it of course [laugh]

The track is really where the Jap 600cc are made for as they don't have the bottom/mid of a big twin.
But a strong upper mid range and awsome top end hit make em fun fun fun.

If we ever get a decent track up here in Brisvegus again I know I'll be doing.
I'd better stop now before I can't stop.

cheers
N

desmoquattro said:

I think the question you have to ask yourself is whether you can stand the sight of a beautiful trellis frame and $3000 gas tank sliding along the pavement at 150kph :

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I'd cry at the mere thought :'(

desmoquattro said:

I hear this one makes a decent trackbike:

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2007/FamilyPage.jhtml?family=DesmosediciRR

;D

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I'll see if one turns up in my Xmas stocking [cheeky]

chocwheaton said:

I went through the same thing. When I found a strong 2002 Fireblade race bike for $6500 (see pics), I could not pass it up. So far it's been a great bike on the track.

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I think this is the nub of it - I can buy a good Japanese bike for significantly less than 10k, which leaves a bit more room for running costs. I don't have a cap-ex approval process to deal with (otherwise known as as a wife/partner), but my conscience would trouble me if I paid over 10k for a race/track toy. My 10y.o. son might have some views on it if he found out how much it was.

Thanks for the feedback, and please, and more info will be appreciated (I'd be interested to see the budget that you mentioned, chocwheaton). This is going to be a long term project (months, not weeks), unless the ideal bike pops up at an unbelievable price.

Of course, if anyone has a track bike (Duc or not) that they're thinking of selling, let me know.

Thanks again [thumbsup]