Trackday with Aff + -Matt-

[G]

Yea, should be ok to drop you down, but should be fine in inters I'm sure - usually a big range of abilities there - and at least if you're the small fish, you're not being held up .

Note that it does also depend what's on generally - go to a trackday the day before a decent club is racing there and you can find some rather nippy people end up in inters.
Certainly when i was racing I've been booked into inters with others when turning up on the day and requesting fast - for various litre bike owners to end up with some less-inflated egos when they end up dropping back quickly from a gaggle of SV650s .

[-Matt-]

[G]

I think £500 will be pushing your budget a bit.
£800 might get you an ok tatty track zx6 or similar, but pushing it this time of year.

You'll likely find a stock a stock 650/500 a bit lacking and end up wanting to spend a fair bit more on sorting the suspension.

Me, I'd just keep using the Ninja for the moment and not be a twat.

I've crashed a lot more on the road than on trackdays.
Crashed a lot racing, but for trackdays I keep it toned down a little.

[garth]

Don't buy a CB500. They are shit on the road let alone the track.

Keep using the zx, it's what it's built for. You'll be amazed at how much you can push half decent tyres before you stack it anyway.

If money is an issue look into pitbike sm. The skills are transferable, its silly cheap, you can fall off, slide etc and really improve your riding without risking your shiny P&J.

Plus last week I was having a practice with a TT rider... £20 for three hours.

[Blue_SV650S]

[silky666]

[-Monty-]

I agree with what others have said here regarding bike choice. Even though I have no track experience, I still think a CB500 would quickly become incredibly frustrating when the litre bike riders with no skill through the corners bomb past you on every straight.

I like mine (ish) because it's reliable and makes a good commuter. But thats about all it's good for. Plus, these days, you would be hard pressed to find a decent one for £500 (their reputation seems to attract a higher premium than the other 500 twins). They seem to be priced similarly to old ZX6r's, so why not go for that? I mentioned to you before about the old Jap import sports 400s that I was considering for fun use and possibly the occasional track day; have you considered this as they can be picked up reasonably cheaply? Not much difference in power to the CB500, but I imagine them to be much more suited to track riding. You would still have the same problem as the CB500 on the straights though. Anyone else have any opinions on these?

Personally, I get what you're saying about not wanting to risk your main bike on track, I wouldn't want to either (as it has to get me to work and back every day) so getting a dedicated track bike could be a good idea if your going to be doing a reasonable number of track days each year.
____________________
Present: [Kawasaki ZX7r][Suzuki DRZ 400s]
Past: [Honda PCX 125] [Yamaha RXS 100] [Honda CB 500] [Triumph Speed Four] [Honda ST1100 Pan European - Po-Po Edition]

[G]

[Bendy]

[-Matt-]

Thanks for the various knowledgeable replies. I won't lie - its not what I wanted to hear initially but it does make sense.

Looking at it from a different angle now - instead of a trackbike/transportation and so on, how much of that saved money can be put into temporarily preparing/adjusting the ZX, or worst case making a 'crash fund' for the ZX

On the note of crashing - Blue mentioned a fairing swap which isn't a bad idea and would be an option. What other sort of 'track-protection' might it be worth putting some of the money I could of spent on a track bike into? Its currently covered in crash bungs/bobbins - saved it once being dropped on the drive but are they worth having on for track riding, or likely to cause more damage in most cases.

Would engine casings etc be worth looking at or is that getting ahead of myself at novice level realistically. Tyres wise as well - presuming i'll be riding there and back most days, would want road legals, what are some budget sets that are a nice mix. Currently using old pilot powers that have been masacred by europe touring this summer

[G]

Engine case covers are useful for track and road.

Bungs are generally worth it and probably less likely to cause damage than on the road as you've got more change of just sliding at speed.

I often used part worn supercorsas year round on road and track bikes - but it's not for everyone.
Can get them cheap.

[Blue_SV650S]

[G]

[_Troy_]

Definitely going to try and come to the next one of these, shame my holiday clashed with this one.
____________________
Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[P.]

[_Troy_]

[P.]

Cough cough. You feel sick I heard.

[Fowlersrs]

[P.]

Yes mate