good racing bike?

[Maddog]

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to really get into the track day thing (which may lead me into racing)...the big question is what bike is best suited toward that endeavor? I'm not looking for something totally expensive either - I currently fly an R6, and am WAYYYYYYyyyyy too paranoid (read: know the wife won't let me get another brand new bike and will kill me) to take my Yami on the track. It would also take me too much time to make the bike "track friendly" and then street legal again - not to mention the paranoia thing again.

Anyone know of some places to keep an eye out or what I should be on the lookout for?

I appreciate the recommendations.

[HotChickenStrips]

Check the "for sale" forum here, you'll come across something once in a while,as a matter of fact, Rice Rocket Red Head has a cbr 600 race prep.

Also, do you already know what bike you want?/ if not, I'll give you my humble opinion.

in no particular order:
Honda CBR 600 F2/F3/F4
Suzuki SV 650
Kawasaki ZX-6r (yeah!)

[Kidder]

SV650!

Inexpensive, gobs of aftermarket stuff, etc.

[VFRinAustin]

An SV650 makes a great track bike. Lots of plastic options, ways to tinker with the very easy V-twin and very competitive (especially since there are already lots of them racing).

Lets see if we can get Jack and Daryl (uberhawk) to chime in here, I think they both have SV650Rs.

[Chirpy]

Yup,

Just check out the grids (or the results page) of a CMRA race. More SVs than you can shake a stick at...

Great handling, way easier on tires (a central expense for a track bike - a 600 will eat a set in one day) than a 600 or better at the track. Enough power to have fun, but not enough that you're constantly on the verge of a highside every corner exit.

You'll have to learn about proper corner entry and exits, as you don't have the HP to shotgun the straights.

Hard to beat for a track bike.

My 2¢,

Daryl

[Jack Giesecke]

I like the SV. Of course, I don't think anything but a GP is a race bike. :lol: If it comes with a horn, it's not a race bike. But, there are options. Lots of folks get an F3 for track days, cheap if you can find an old racer that's already set up. It was pointed out to me the other day, too, that in CMRA the F3 will be classic's legal in next season, a class it could dominate.

I like SVs, ride one, but I'm not crazy about any street bikes in racing. If I can't afford a TZ or RS, I'll just do minis. But, the F3 and classics thing sound down right affordable! SVs can be more expensive since they are more sought after.