Just curious about opinions on this. Buy a set up track bike, or start with a stock bike?

I know the obvious cost savings on parts, but I was recently talking to an older guy that used to do some racing and he suggested getting a stock bike tracking it until you feel you're being limited mechanically, then upgrading tha, and continuing on in this fashion. Doing this helps you understand the effect of these parts and how to use them.
Even a coach at my last track day said keep riding the stock niner till you get to a level where you can really feel the shortcomings.

Although if you're not going to be a racer who is pushing the bikes limits often and needs to give feedback or make changes to improve. Maybe that knowledge isn't so essential. for a track rider going once a month, not looking to get in to racing maybe getting a tricked out bike is the way to go because their skill will always be their limiting factor?

Thoughts?

I don't have much of an educated perspective to give you, but will give you my reasoning/opinion.

I did my first track day last month on the 9'er. I'm currently signed up for 3 more in the next 6 weeks...
I plan on buying a track bike for a few reasons.
1. It was stupid frustrating to be outbraking and outcornering everyone in my group only to be passed on the straightaways (Road America is not a very naked friendly track, I'll see how I like Blackhawk farms this weekend)
2. For $2500 -$3500 I can get a nicely set up 600 that handles better and has more power than the 9'er, and if I crash the 9er I'm likely to spend a couple grand getting it back to nice again
3. I plan to keep the 9'er indefinitely, and crashing it would really wreck that idea
4. I know based on how much I liked the first track day and how competitive I am I'll probably end up doing CCS or WERA racing at some point in the near future, and the 600 class is full of all levels and much easier to be competitive, while the class the 919 would run in you'd get smoked...

So to more specifically answer your question, if you're planning on tracking the 919, and have the money, I'd get a dedicated track bike.

If you have a more race oriented bike in mind, I'd shoot for one already set up, because you can very easily spend a couple grand just on suspension on a stock bike to make it right for you.

My plan is to run the 9'er for these three more track days this year and then try to pick up a track prepped bike this fall once everyone tries to sell (unless I find a good deal before then, I'm not good with patience... )

If you have the funds (2-3500) I'd get an older SV650 that's already track ready. These can be found all over for cheap with all the go faster stuff already there.

There's always that chance of wrecking your street bike. Even a slow lowside can be very costly. I'd definitely stay in Novice class if you keep your stock bike.....pretty much all the wrecks happen in intermediate that I've seen.

I'm a big advocate of having a bike you don't mind crashing for track use only, but it really depends on your dedication to the sport. I go as often as funds and scheduling permits me, but not everyone is that nuts. If you plan on going a lot, there's some good advice from both the previous posts regarding the addition of a second bike. If you're just dipping a toe in, then maybe it's not worth the pain of finding a bike, having a place to store it, maintaining another bike, etc. For my money, it's better to have something you don't mind riding to your limits, even if that means you might chuck it at the scenery. There's no chance I'd be willing to do that with my 919, hence the Daytona in my garage.

I have decades worth of experience in this area both as a consumer and as an instructor watching hundreds if not thousands of riders wading through the exact same questions you are. It's way too involved to type out, but I would be glad to talk to you about on the phone in detail. You know the number

If you just want the cliff's notes then I say. Get a cheap and mostly stock, but well maintained 600ish sportbike no more than 10 years old. You do not want someone else's problem bike or bike that has been wadded up already and you don't want one so old that you can no longer get parts for it especially suspension parts. Start with a good, clean bike that you can trust the geometry and frame on. Add the proper suspension bits before you ever even throw a leg over it then take it to the track and ride, ride, ride the fuckin wheels off it.

You can add extra's like Rear Sets, Powercommander, Brake Master Cylinders, Clip-ons etc after the fact or as replacement parts when you damage the OEM stuff. The suspension and good tires are the only parts that are Mandatory!

yea have a similar sentiment to you guys, except my niners already gone down on one side, i know it could get worse, but i already gotta redo the tank anyways. so for a couple more TDs I don't mind the risk, but i dont' intend to do it long term with this bike. Its less of a "get a 2nd bike?" question as "what 2nd bike?"

one thing is that i really don't like sportbikes that much, but i understand this is the purpose they are built for so maybe i'll find something. I guess you shouldn't be attached to it, but personally i'd rather have something i like between me legs. idk if that's totally illogical or not. I think the cost of running an exotic bike vs a jap dime a dozen probably outweighs the desire to have a bike you like on the track though.

Of the japs bikes the sv650 is probably the one i like best. cheap as hell, naked. looks like the niner i haven't actually looked at their specs but must be good enough, enough people use them.

Maybe I'll give you a ring LDH.
is suspension a must off the bat for the sake of adjustability? (vs learning the difference, i know it's better than stock).

Right now i'm not ready to make the commitment i'm just curious what people thought.

Had a awesome weekend at NJMP last weekend. Vintage races than a track day. Once i get the vids editted a bit i'll put up a thread.

I've said it before and I don't mind repeating myself. What you are really purchasing when you buy aftermarket quality suspension is a greater margin of safety and a larger margin of error with some extra comfort thrown in. You get to ride faster with less drama and more compliance from your own motorcycle. It does not matter if you are Novice street rider with your first bike or a seasoned Professional racer competing at the highest levels of the sport. When the bike is doing what it is supposed to underneath you then that frees up your mind to focus on other issues like body position, throttle management and hitting those brake markers with confidence instead of worrying about the ripples in the braking zone or that dip at the apex of Turn 6 or that pothole in the blind turn between old man Millers driveway and Byhalia road.

Don't mean to jack your thread, but what do you guys think of an 04 Yamaha R6? I know LDH said to get something newer than 10 years, but a guy I work with is looking at upgrading to an FJR and his R6 is a bit of a garage queen with only 4k miles or so. He low sided it on the exhaust side so it's not the prettiest machine, but I've been thinking about making him an offer and making it a dedicated track bike.

I thought about picking up a SV650, but one of the big tracks around here is BIR with a 2.5 mile straight (used for big drag races)... SV650 would get smoked by about every other bike on that stretch.

Here's advice I got no a local forum... 04 was right before they started doing some major upgrades...
"Certain vintages start having significantly better suspension. For example, 2006+ R6, 2006+ GSXR 600, 2007+ CBR600RR, 2005+ ZX6R. 05-06 was a good bunch of years for middleweights because a lot of improvements came about then and bikes really haven't improved significantly since then. (except Triumph, lol)"

Great points !
I call this "chassis margin".
I wanted as much as I could reasonably get.
Wanted lots of separation between chassis capability and rider ability.
Figure the margin would save me at least once for some dunce input or lack of input.
Concept proved.
Used a very good trackable street tire, again, for more "margin" by their lesser sensitivity to temperatures and chassis setup.
Once tires are a limitation, move up to a track day tire, or for dedicated track bike, start with a good track day tire.

Well I just came across a 2006 GS500F someone local is trying to get rid of for $1000.
Check out my post https://www.wristtwisters.com/forums/...ml#post1103537

That is barely a sportbike let alone a track ready piece of equipment

they'd say the same about ninja 300's i think, but people love them.
Definitely a small-track bike though.
Might just be a cheap thrills bike or something to make a project bike out of. we'll see.

I'd much rather have a Ninja 300 over a GS500

For that price I'd probably jump on it, but it's not the best track bike. I did my first couple track days on a 2002 VFR800 and trust me, you start getting faster and your going to reach that bikes limit pretty damn quick.

Wouldn't that be the case with ANY bike that isn't a 600/1000cc SS? Everyone speaks so highly of the SV650, but I think one would outgrow that really quick as well.

Not really the chassis on the SV650 and the SV650S were both over-engineered or more likely a hand-me-down from another race design that was never fully implemented. They are really well done which is a stark contrast from most other budget bikes that have excessive chassis flex with very little or no chassis tuning. It basically just does exactly what it is supposed to do so the rider never has to even think about it. The suspension sucks, but that can be competently upgraded for cheap on the SV line.

I was thinking of him finding an SV that was already kitted out with new suspension, clips ons, rear-sets. Power Commander, etc. I used to see them for sale all the time when I lived in Houston. Depending on where you live check the local racing forums for sale section.

Can't you even swap GSXR forks onto an SV?

You can find a TON of track/race built SVs if you keep an eye out. They're usually a pretty cheap entry fee for the track world. Plus, they'll beat up on a GS500 all day.

Yes you can! First gens look the best IMHO

All this talk of tracking made me check my local CL and I found this:

2005 suzuki sv 650

What type of mods / rough price estimate are we talking about to get this thing ready? Not counting gear, another $2k or so for suspension / other upgrades?

$1200-$1500 for a Penske shock, some Cart Emulators for the front and some decent brake pads. Install and go ride the snot out of it.

After that if I had money leftover I would put some brake lines a brake master cylinder and change the final drive gearing.

Nice. Gen2 (2003+) has more HP than Gen1, and is FI.

Yea there has been a couple SV650s for sale around the various groups i watch.

this gs was just interesting cause i could try it at the track, maybe build it a bit, or let my gf or other friends that wanna learn to ride try it out, or just say eff it and try and make a neat cafe or something. for a grand, who cares if it goes wrong.

there have definitely been some cheap SVs, one now fully built everything you need for $2700. There's also an 07 gsxr 600 for $2k?! damn.

If I had 3k lying around...
2003 Suzuki sv650s Track bike (with or without street parts)NE-Ohio - Suzuki SV650 Forum: SV650, SV1000, Gladius Forums

edit: The working googly eyes are the best part!

Ssssssss Tiger Fast!

I saw that one the other day on a different forum... I'm a big fan... I considered buying it until I saw how far away it was...

So, could you find a Ninja 300 for 1 grand?

HAHAHA! good grief

it just needs a red bandanna and "GGGRRRREAT!" down the side.