| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
I'm getting more and more hooked on track days, and I'm considering picking up a track-only bike so when the day comes that I toss it into the weeds I don't feel as bad about it. Can anyone suggest a good bike to get? Right now I have an 1125CR and I love everything about it except the insane wind blast at 150mph because there's no fairing. Logical choice would be an 1125R, but even at the bottom of the price range they are still more than I'm looking to spend. Do XB models make good track-only candidates? I always considered them more of a street bike, but who knows. Then the next logical choice is the myriad of Japanese offerings - almost any 600 in the last decade would be good I think, then there's the option of picking up an SV650, but with both I'm worried about giving up the power and torque that makes the Buell such a blast. The XB will have the torque, but I'll give up the top end which means everytime I make up ground getting through traffic in the turns, I'll lose it back again on the straights. Ideas? | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
You can get 08 1125R's really cheap However if your budget is say $4-5K XB9/12R would be an excellent choice. It'll be similar enough, in feel and power-delivery, to what you ride now. It'll be down on power from the CR obviously, but it'll be more than enough for all but the longest stretches on most tracks. Plus, the XB's are freaking tanks, typical high and low sides result in a less than $100 worth of damage (peg, bent handle bar, maybe the shifter or brake pedal) Just make sure the bike has frame pucks and axle and bar sliders. | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
An SV650 is an excellent choice. They are cheap to run, easy to modify, there are tons of parts available, and there are lots of "how tos" available on line. They are also fun and relatively easy to ride (safely, speed requires skill). As a track day learning bike, they are arguably the best thing out there. You can buy a pretty good one for $3000 to $4000. I love my XB as a road bike. On the track it handles beautifully. It just doesn't have the top end to be enjoyable on the track. It got old, fast, having 600s go by me on the straights like I was stopped. I occasionally still run it on smaller tracks like Summit Jefferson or Shenny. Racing an XB can be fun as the class structure is limited and the bikes are more competitive/equal. I run a Triumph 675 as my track bike. It is a perfect mix between the I-4s and twins. It runs well against 600s, 750s, and even the liter bikes (on some tracks). You do have to bring your own spares as most orgs. don't carry Triumph parts. Welcome to the addiction! | ||
| 4cammer |
WERA and CCS might be a good place to also ask questions in regards to a track-only bike. WERA http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12 CCS http://www.ccsforum.com/ | ||
| Xl1200r |
I was just concerned about how well the belt drive would work on a track bike, and how the lump would respond to getting it's neck wringed out all the time. I'm sure parts will slowly be added, but I'd like to be able to get a bike and just run it stock for a while, then add slicks eventually, better brakes after that, etc. | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
The belt drive will be fine. Spend money on suspension first. It is the single best way to make a bike faster and more fun to ride. When you to start to run in the advanced group, it is time for tire warmers and race tires. | ||
| Xl1200r |
>>>WERA and CCS might be a good place to also ask questions in regards to a track-only bike. Man, there are some WICKED deals out there on Japanese 600s... | ||
| Slaughter |
The older SV (carbureted) are cheap but usually really beaten-up. XB9 can be picked up pretty cheaply Frankly, riding MORE motorcycle does NOT make you a better rider. If you get passed on the straights by another rider who had just dialled up his speed - that doesn't mean anything. Much more satisfying to pass a litrebike on your SV or XB. IF it is important to you that you NOT get passed by somebody on the straights, then you'll be missing a LOT of fun on track days. The XB can be set-up really well. The SV will need another $500-$1000 to bring the suspension up to the same par as the XB. SV has no suspension adjustment to speak of stock. | ||
| Buell_nm |
If you are just looking for a track day bike then an XB is great, but if you are looking to race. I'd look at something else. I loved my XB but they just aren't competitive race bikes when up against the 600s. Also you are very limited in the class you can ride. I went to a R6 they are fantastic track bikes and parts are super easy to find. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Frankly, riding MORE motorcycle does NOT make you a better rider. If you get passed on the straights by another rider who had just dialled up his speed - that doesn't mean anything. Much more satisfying to pass a litrebike on your SV or XB. IF it is important to you that you NOT get passed by somebody on the straights, then you'll be missing a LOT of fun on track days. You kind of got what I was saying, but not totally. When I'm at a track day, I don't generally care to ride "with" anyone else. That is to say, having to weave my way through a ton of slow traffic is annoying and not fun. This past weekend I was on my 1125 and was able to get around guys easily through the turns, and then not give anything up on the straight. I'm afraid that if I'm on an XB, I'll make time in turns, but then get passed them all in the straight and have to work through traffic all over again. Part of me says a slower bike is just fine. The other part says it's really nice to be able to have all that grunt to get around someone really fast when I want to. I'm not looking to race, so the bike won't need to conform to anything. | ||
| Eboos |
I disagree. In the CCS lightweight classes, you have a power advantage over any other bike, and you can run in GTL, LWGP, LWSB, LWSS and THBK. You can also race up a class in Supertwins and do very well. | ||
| Eboos |
I wouldn't worry too much about that. If that starts becoming a problem, then you are ready to bump up into the advanced rider group. Unless your tracks have a longer straight, passers will probably only get just ahead of you then you pass them again entering the corner. If they are getting ahead of you just entering the straight, then you were holding them up, not the other way around. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Eboos, good point. The tracks I'll ride at most are at NJMP, and they both have pretty long straights - the longest being a half mile. | ||
| Eboos |
I haven't ridden either of the NJMP courses yet. One thing to think about is optimum gearing for whatever track you are riding. The gearing that I use for Loudon is quite different then the gearing that I use for VIR north. The XB will have the benefit of sharing wheels with your current bike. That way, you could always have a set of rains mounted on one wheelset, and a set of DOTs on the other. That would be one way to curb costs. You would only need to flip and remount your rear DOT from your street bike. This is going to become a very fun addiction. There are so many things to do and to work on, it will keep you occupied. | ||
| Slaughter |
It is a cliche (but it is true) that it is BETTER to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. I've enjoyed racing the SV and the XB. Problem is that in racing, you're more evenly matched. Track days is a huge mix of types unlike racing. I'd still think that a used XB or SV (only if they've upgraded the suspension) would be a great track bike. Check the various racing BBS classifieds in your area. The SV should at least have cartridge emulators in front, and a GSXR or other shock upgrade in the rear. Better if they've put GSXR forks and a good shock in the rear. ANY racebike that is bought used has to be viewed as somewhat "fragile" since it has been raced and wrecked a few times. I raced an older SV - supposedly the earlier chassis (oval-tube-look) were more crashworthy than the newer angular-looking cast chassis. | ||
| Slaughter |
Heck, your profile says you have the little Ninja - that makes a GREAT track bike and they're starting to have dedicated classes for them in nearly every racing organization. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Ninja belongs to the old lady, and it would be miserable at NJMP - it would literally be pinned for all but two turns. I think I'll look for an XB unless an 1125R shows for cheap. I really want to stay with Buell. | ||
| Dsmcg |
Have you thought about simply utilizing a 1125R fairing bracket and upper fairing? I bet the folks at Buell could steer you in the right direction. DSMcG | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Sounds like you really like the 1125CR. I'd keep a look out for a cheap 08 1125R. NADA value is $7K and I pretty sure you can find them for less than that with patience. | ||
| Slojon |
Seems like the Twin Torque is what Ya fancy...although not a track day fan, how bout an RC51, the Suzi TL1000 or SV1000. Of course a nice LIGHTLY crashed 1125R OR a new XBRR, or XR1200 would be a couple of my personal choices, but I'd Race, not track day | ||
| Xl1200r |
I thought of a TL, but aren't they a bit of a porker? And can an RC51 be had for reasonable money? | ||
| Slaughter |
The big SV and the TLR are going to still need suspension. RC51 has enough of a following to keep prices up much higher than a used SV650. YOu can get SV racebikes for $3-$5K Buell XB raceable bikes for same price ranges. You can get a 5 year old litrebike as a used racebike for $5k or so. | ||
| Slaughter |
I've raced AGAINST this SV. He has a built motor and it's about equal to a properly setup XB. I know it's NOT in your area but gives a good idea about what you might actually GET in a sorted-out racebike. http://www.ducatitech.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=5&t= 9158&sid=b81b11b9338856e9b9d12f1f3439cf7f Chris Speights (seller) is almost 5th overall in points for WSMC 2009 on THIS bike. | ||
| Slaughter |
http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=231182 CRAP - Minnesota has a sweet deal on a racebike - $2K for an SV. When he says "Traxxion" front end he's usually talking cartridge emulators and re-springing because he ALSO says SuperStock legal. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Last year I bought a used 2004 XB12R with 15,000 miles on it for track use. I left the motor stock and kept the drive belt. I did 6 or so track days and then went racing this year. The only suspension upgrades completed were springs front and rear and fork oil. It's fun to play with the 600s on the tracks with shorter straights. I usually carried more corner speed and it was fun to pass them in the twisties and gain enough ground they wouldn't catch up in the straights. One of the helpful things about being down on straight-a-way speed is it forces you to have better cornering skills. I raced mainly against built SV650s. The XB is a good match against these bikes. The belt drive held up for nearly the whole season. I had one incident at Road Atlanta where I hit an extra downshift trying to avoid slower traffic coming into a corner. I completed the race and noticed something about the belt. The teeth had separated in 2 places from the belt, but the belt still held under full race conditions for 2 full laps!!! The bad thing about the belt is no gearing changes and no spares unless you bring your own. If I had to do it all over again, I still would have bought an XB12R and ran it with a belt. | ||
| Slojon |
Recently acquired an RC51- slightly crashed, under 9k mi, $2400. Was told it was a bit of a heavyweight compared to my 1125R...not really true...what IS the weight of a TL? Check TL Planet...forums are out there for EVERYTHING... finding the good info is what is difficult. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
http://www.390bike.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid= 7053775E-02X10K14K2009J2I35I40JPMQ4968R0&veh=54995 &pov=1358880 | ||
| Buell_nm |
I disagree. In the CCS lightweight classes, you have a power advantage over any other bike, and you can run in GTL, LWGP, LWSB, LWSS and THBK. You can also race up a class in Supertwins and do very well. That's great. They sound like the organization to race with if you ride a Buell. However the 3 organizations that I race with the choice for classes is severely limited with the XB. It is pretty much based on CC and you have to ride with the 1000cc bike. The XB doesn't hold it's own with them as well as the 600s. So instead of being able to do the 6 classes I do now I would be limited to 3. | ||
| Eboos |
Which organizations? | ||
| Xl1200r |
Bad - I saw that bike on Ebay as well... another $1000 lower and we'd be talking. Won't do anything until spring, so I got time. I think the bottom line is I've been convinced to stick with Buell, which is what I wanted to do in the first place. Could you imagine TWO 1125s in the garage? Sweeeet... |
