Jeff S
Forum Supporter
I did my first track day, and as expected, this might be the start of a new addiction. So, let's talk cheap track bikes. I know really nothing about sport bikes, other than the occasional video or review of the crazy new +$20k stuff. That's not going to happen, so I'd like to learn about the ins and outs of affordable options.
So: let's start with general questions:
1. Seems 600-ish is the sweet spot. I clearly don't need a liter yet, but maybe 400cc on a lighter bike would teach better habits?
2. Rider aids. ABS seems like a very good idea, and decent TC also seems like a good high-side preventer (reducer?). Or, for this stuff to be useful on tracks require them to be fairly new and thus fairly expensive? Should I be learning "old school" and get better habits via no aids at all?
I guess quick shifters can be added after-market? Same with slipper clutch?
Other option: keep riding my current bike:
I did my trackday on my FJ-09 with stock ECU. It was the least appropriate bike in the probably 60 bikes in the 1 class, mainly due to ergos and the 115 speed limiter - it was really annoying to pass slower riders in the turns, then have them whip by me in the straights. I could even consider that slightly dangerous given the speed differentials at the ends of the straights. That's fixable with a flash, of course. That leaves the ergos, which probably really can't change. Foot controls are in the wrong place and bars are way too high. Overall the bike is quite tall.
But ooh, that engine is nice! Coming out of a turn, pinning thee throttle and popping up thru the gears feels great - until hitting the speed limited in 4th.
Realistically, I'll probably do 2 to 3 track days year. If it's not street legal, that means it's just sitting and waiting 350+ days a year. Seems a little depressing. Is there really no other riding option for non-plated sport bikes?
What else am I not considering yet? What models kinda fall into this segment?
So: let's start with general questions:
1. Seems 600-ish is the sweet spot. I clearly don't need a liter yet, but maybe 400cc on a lighter bike would teach better habits?
2. Rider aids. ABS seems like a very good idea, and decent TC also seems like a good high-side preventer (reducer?). Or, for this stuff to be useful on tracks require them to be fairly new and thus fairly expensive? Should I be learning "old school" and get better habits via no aids at all?
I guess quick shifters can be added after-market? Same with slipper clutch?
Other option: keep riding my current bike:
I did my trackday on my FJ-09 with stock ECU. It was the least appropriate bike in the probably 60 bikes in the 1 class, mainly due to ergos and the 115 speed limiter - it was really annoying to pass slower riders in the turns, then have them whip by me in the straights. I could even consider that slightly dangerous given the speed differentials at the ends of the straights. That's fixable with a flash, of course. That leaves the ergos, which probably really can't change. Foot controls are in the wrong place and bars are way too high. Overall the bike is quite tall.
But ooh, that engine is nice! Coming out of a turn, pinning thee throttle and popping up thru the gears feels great - until hitting the speed limited in 4th.
Realistically, I'll probably do 2 to 3 track days year. If it's not street legal, that means it's just sitting and waiting 350+ days a year. Seems a little depressing. Is there really no other riding option for non-plated sport bikes?
What else am I not considering yet? What models kinda fall into this segment?