Whats the strangest track bike you've seen?

[Whosthedaddy]

The pictures and videos of moped mayham has done nothing but make me want to do a track day even more this year

I was in the process of having a half hearted go at changing the FZR for the track before it annoyed me for the last time, but I still would nt mind having a bike purely for a bit of fun that will need next to no 'road' going maintenance.

Dont mind the challenge of a non runner or spares / repair type bike as feel confident in making it run again

Well just type this into the search function of eBay and theres a wide selection to choose from.

Would any bike make a track day hoon about?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Gazdaman]

There is only one answer to this.

https://www.gaz-racing.co.uk/images/MZ/Full/DSCI0016(Small).jpg

https://www.gaz-racing.co.uk/images/Snetterton/Full/gazkneedownatsnett(Small).jpg

In all honesty, you want more than 40bhp for most tracks. The straights were so boring on the MZ at Snetterton and if you're not fast enough to chase someone, it's not fun. (I did manage to overtake some of the slower riders though).

If I were to buy a budget track bike right now, I'd look for an RGV250, or an older 400/600, maybe FZR.

Gaz

[Whosthedaddy]

You can get a cheap MZ but as you have said before, its kind a slow on the straights Shame as they look rugged enough to be thrown down a few times and still get up and go again.

What about a bike more along the lines of a tourer, fancy chucking one of those about?
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Gazdaman]

Are you mad?

Trackbikes are sporty-ish for a reason y' know.
You want something with a bit of ground clearance, something with the possibility of sticky-ish tyres.

You might think trackdays would be a bit of fun, you'll soon be looking at track R1s on eBay.

I saw someone go round Lydden on a ZZR600 once, in inters, the suspension bounced so much I was convinced he was going to come off each corner.

Why do you want something different? (Serious question)
If you don't see many of a certain bike on track, it's probably because they're not very good on track.

Gaz

[Keir]

BUY THIS!
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Gazdaman]

Anyway, yeah an FZR400 would make an ok cheap trackbike. I'd be worried about parts and buying extras for it.

All depends on your budget, which tracks you want to do, how often, and what your riding style is like.

Gaz

[MarJay]

I've seen a Harley V rod beat Luke around Snetterton, and I've seen an XJ900 Diversion trackbike for sale on fleabay.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[MarJay]

[Keir]

spamming unintentional! now corrected.....

who needs extras when it can be stripped. For that little ammount of money its gotta be worth the chance?
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Whosthedaddy]

[stinkwheel]

Hows about a Scott Squirrel? A 600cc 2-stroke twin made in 1930's. I suspect this one has been 'tuned' somewhat judging by the 60mph power wheelie. .

VIDEO

[Bendy]

Look at him go!

[MarJay]

[stinkwheel]

[MarJay]

Hmm. No. Scott Squirrels are rare and precious and should be kept under an old tarpaulin in a museum.

Trackdays are for mass produced machinery that you can get spares for!!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Gazdaman]

An MZ is plenty for Lydden and Brands as long as you're not afraid to keep up the corner speed.

Lots of tuning/track prepping bits available from burwins.

You could pick up one with tax and mot for £300 I reckon. Although there's an MZ breaker who buys them all off eBay. kg1mz or something similar.

Do you want this bike to be road worthy as well or not?

My pre-diversion XJ600 handled well, was quite heavy but scraped pegs/knees no problem. ~70bhp and I picked a mint one up for £475.

Gaz

[stinkwheel]

[MarJay]

I agree that they should be ridden, but I disagree that they should be modified or thrashed at trackdays. I'm just thinking of the number of bikes which don't come back in one piece, or at least the ones which come back in one big flat piece.

I think if there are only a few of a particular classic motorcycle, then the prospect of reducing that number even further is not a happy one!

At least with an RGV250 or something there are still enough around to make a good one to show kids in the future how bikes should be made!

The Scott is another example of a bike which was way ahead of its time, and which bike design should be influenced by more than it is.

If you haven't guessed, I have a peculiar two stroke fetish that seems to normally come with advancing years!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[stinkwheel]

Well, there is a lot to recommend any of the Yamaha RD series as track bikes. Be they air or liquid cooled.

The 350LC was one of the most popular track bikes of its time. There were even specialist companies that would rent you one to go thrash about on a track. That's whay most RDs you find these days have sump plugs drilled for lockwires.

[G]

If you do enjoy the riding and trying to decently push it, then a 'main stream' bike is the best bet I reckon - not only can you pick them up sorted for less, but parts are more common and cheaper, as are tyres etc.

Seen a full-dress yamaha cruiser at Lydden, but was for a magazine test or similar, I believe (also a flat tracker).

Ridden a BMWK1200S around Brands.

Rd350s are worth a look, but were it me I'd be trying to get a cheap 600cc class bike - this should mean you're only left behind by the very fastest if you get into it and can corner/brake/get on the power decently.

It is nice to have a 'novel' track bike that'll get you lots of stares, but for fun, I reckon a cheap 600cc would offer me the best value for money.

[Whosthedaddy]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Seen a fair few. Old Vincent twin around Cadwell for example, and a Pan European.

Race Aprilia RS125s making some people on far larger bikes look rather slow.

[G]

[jay12329]

I just havnt had time for my CBR 600 project bike. If your after a bike which needs a little TLC let me know.
J

[Zimbo]

I agree with G, buy a track 600. Have a look on motoforum.net, loads of ex race bikes with full spares packages, wets on wheels, sorted suspensiona nd fueling, for not much money. An old CBR6 steelie would be ideal I'd say.