New to biking - thinking of track day

[Tristan_1990]

Hi all!

Former boy racer turned biker here! on a whim last year I decided to do a crash course, went from 0 to full license and purchased my first bike 2019 MT07! been riding just over a year now and wishing I bought something a bit faster like a MT09 or street triple. Absolutely loving the bike life, nothing feels as good as the freedom and sense of feel you get from a bike, even just driving about "relatively" slowly feels so much more free on a bike than in a car. here's my current weapon (and by that i mean slow ass starter bike lol).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/158cdwwzT40vLqTY63DuiwzrrCQug-QA3/view?usp=sharing

As I'm now looking to upgrade, Ive considered keeping my MT07 instead and investing in a cheap track bike to have a dabble in that. Ideally I'm looking to spend 3-4K and from what I can see, my options really are a Gixer 600 or CBR600RR if I want something built within the last 10 years. looking for any advice regarding getting into track day riding, such as the best tracks to learn on, actual bikes to get and gear i would need. FYI i live in south Wales so I'm aware I've got Llandow circuit and Pembray as i guess my closest choices.

edit: i tired to add a photo from ym google drive by clicking "get link and copying the URL with the [img] and [/img] either side of the URL but it doesn't seem to have worked
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no idea

[wr6133]

Buy whatever you want though if you think you have mastered that MT07 in a year you are either Rossi or wrong.

Post a rear tyre photo

[Tristan_1990]

I'll have a browse of the other sections see if I can find something in there about recommended track bikes.

Just fancy something faster, don't recall saying I've mastered anything but perhaps I've missed something in my old age, I am 30 soon after all!

no need to post a rear tyre photo fella, not here for big dick contests cheers though
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[Hong Kong Phooey]

Why don't you take your own bike and get a feel for what it's capable of in the safer confines of a track? No need to go mental, but you'll soon realise how fast some people can hustle a bike, and how fierce you'll need to be under braking and to even keep them in sight for more than thirty seconds. Your bike will lose heavily in a straight line top end battle against 1000cc 4 bangers, so you're looking to maintain high average corner speed and getting a good exit, without highsiding.

You can hire a track prep'd bike at some circuits if you're scared of damaging your own, but the damage excess on a track bike is also going to be very expensive if you ding it.

You'll also have access to some on track training, showing you where to be on corner entry/exit, braking markers, apexes etc. All that will be a lot to take in before you'll even benefit from being on a faster bike.

Spaffing a megawad on a track bike, trailer, tyres, pads, tyre warmers, full leathers etc without dipping a toe in the water first is a bit mental in my book. You might scare yourself silly and realise its not for you, or you might get the bug.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[Tristan_1990]

I suppose I dont wana trash the bike since its new. i know it might be different with cars and bikes but thats what i liked about drifting before, buy a crap bmw e36 series for £500 and track it and i dont really have to worry if i crash cause the car is so cheap.

i was hoping todo the same with a bike, its not that i think im capable of awesome times with a 600cc its more that if im going get get a cheap old track bike, might as well get an older 600.

also im wanting to get into it soon as im well aware £1000 spend on track days gets you doing much faster laps than £1000 in go faster parts, experience is everything. i just wanted to start from a more prepared and safer place.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/158cdwwzT40vLqTY63DuiwzrrCQug-QA3/view?usp=sharing

cannot get this pic to appear on the post so just included a link
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[wr6133]

Look for GSXR600 SRAD ('96-2000), you can get them now for not much over a grand. Cosmetics don't matter so don't pay over the odds for a shiney one. CBR's, R6's etc equally viable, I suggest a SRAD because right now scruffy 600's seem to be going for peanuts.

Though if you are not throwing it in a van, it will need to be road legal.

Castle Coombe currently have a training school based there that will (using your own bike) do a day where you get some advanced lessons and a bit of track time. At under 200 quid maybe the best way to dip your toes.

[Tristan_1990]

Hiya,

Yeah that Castle Comc idea was very useful cheers. Ive just popped off an email to them now about their Motorcycle Skills School vs bike track day to get into track days.

regarding the bikes, The Gixer is what i was considering from a value for money point and to be honest cheap and functional is my aim for now, screw looks while im learning. Ill be honest i was leaning to the newer bikes say 10 years old CBR, Gixer etc as i assumed this would be safer to learn to track on as i figured there would be more rider assists. if i can get myself something somewhat track focused for under 2 grand then happy days! ive seen thew SRAD and my only hang up was it looked like a big old bike, and im a measly 5ft 9.

transport wise i was thinking of finding a cheap trailer as i understand you can tow upto 3500kg MAM without a trailer license (car is 1700kg, bike is what like 200kg and then the weight of the trailer is what 500kg - 700kg? that puts me at 2500kg at most)
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[Hong Kong Phooey]

750kg unbraked trailer is plenty big enough, bike and kit 260kg, trailer about 150-200kg in theory two bikes is fine.

Electronics are still not 100% on track unless you're buying the latest and greatest, if you're relying on older era electronic A.I.D.S. saving your anus then you should be having a word with yourself.

A lot of ABS fuses get pulled on track to switch off the electronics as it can be obtrusive and increases braking distance, it also kills wheelies thus acceleration if the system is part of a traction control system.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[garth]

No need for warmers etc. I rode to my first couple of trackdays.

You're more likely to crash on the road than on the track, get faster slowly, take your time, enjoy.

I'd probably go the zx6r route if after a cheap track bike. Wasn't keen on the SRAD 600 I rode, the injection K1 onwards are much better.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Tristan_1990]

Yeah well i think ill go with this:

https://www.mercurymotorcycletraining.co.uk/motorcycle-skills-school

the guys from castle comb emailed me back so ill have a chat with them i think and book a day and take the MT07 and get a feel for it.

hopefully buying a bike is like buying cars where ill have more luck finding one in the winter as summer is more of a sellers market so they have the leverage I guess.

anyone go any particular suggestions for shorter rides bikes wise? i cant even flat foot it on my MT07 when upright.

speaking of wheelies i definitely need the practice cause ive only gotten the front end up twice on the MT07 and it was only by luck my foot knocked it into second that it came down i think. long way too go lol.
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[RhynoCZ]

[Tristan_1990]

Maybe he didnt mean to add the word tyre

Well thats my track school at castle comb booked! October here we come!

random question, any idea of the best vnedors for UK bike parts, specifically might get some crash protection for the bike, also gonna get some bar end mirrors just cause im not a fan of the stock ones.
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[garth]

Take mirrors off for the day. I find bar end mirrors (765RS) get in the way when riding fast with hand positioning.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[R1stu]

I've just brought an old FZR600 to make it into a track bike.

I have made 2 vids so far on the process, and have just found a stage 2 or maybe 3 tuning kit in there!

I picked the bike up for £450, and will in total cost me around £1500 to get to spec I am after, mainly because it was unloved and streetfighter.

shameless plug!

https://youtu.be/N3zL8HvX2I0
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Carbon closet tart! https://www.bikepics.com/members/r6stuk/02r6/
Stolen bike. 2000 R1: https://www.bikepics.com/members/r6stuk/00r1/
Current bike 1991 Honda ST1100 Pan European, 1986 Honda cb350sg (Finished)

[notbike]

Can you wheelie it yet

[Tristan_1990]

I mean that kind of caost for a track bike sounds awesome to me! ill take the MT07 for this Comb training school day in October and see how i get on!

No I cannot wheelie yet unless you count gunning it from a stop and accidentally keeping it going through all of 1st and then my foot accidentally knocking it into second as i flailed about lol. ahh well all a learning curve.

Went to https://www.megamotorcyclestore.co.uk/ on the weekend and pickup up a cheap 1 piece suit, gloves and boots ready for comb.

Does anyone recommend a good place to get some crash protection gear for the bike since its so new?

I've priced everything up on RG racing and its like £300, thats the front and rear spindles, side crash protectors, bar end protectors and engine casings (although not sure if i need the engine case covers if i have the crash protectors)
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[jerry11g]

Tristan_1990, do you mean that if bike is NOT new, so you don't need a crash protection? C'mon

[Tristan_1990]

sort of, financially speaking if i were to buy a £1000 bike and cause say £500 of damage by sliding it, i couldn't really justify say £300 on crash protection. The £300 of crash protection may save me the £500 of damage that could have transpired so my net savings are £200 (£500 potential damage less £300 crash protection.

But if i spent say £7000 on a bike, that could be devalued by say £3,500 by sliding it, then i could more easily justify the £300 of crash protection as that £300 of protection has saved me say the £3,500 of damage, net saving £3,200 (£3500 potential damage less £300 crash protection cost)
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[Irezumi]

Good idea doing the learning day.

Just because you're on a track-day doesn't mean you have to be going fast. There are plenty of people who potter about in the beginners/slow group on a variety of weird and wonderful bikes because they wish to enjoy a track/use their bikes in relative safety from other vehicles.

For a track bike get whatever is cheap and good mechanically. Crash protection on a track bike is buying some cheap fibreglass fairings and just repairing/replacing when they break. Whatever bike you get make sure it has a good source of parts availability, my choice would be an SV650, this will also be more suitable for your height concern. SRAD's are really light so don't worry about being able to get your feet down. I'm 5"7 and just have to put one foot down or tip toes on most bikes, only ever dropped a supermoto so the height issue isn't really a thing anyway.