i remember sombody on here had a race motocycle...
12-10-2004, 11:03 AM
#1
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i remember sombody on here had a race motocycle...
ive raced dirtbikes for a few years and was kinda thinking about getting a project for this winter to make the jump to track bikes next summer...any suggestions on what would be a good semi "starter bike" thanks
-Alex
-Alex
12-10-2004, 11:55 AM
#2
GPZ 550. Not sure how easy to find now, but very forgiving.
Avoid the 750, as the chassis is not up to the power.
Maybe a Bandit 400?
Make the 600cc and above range, your second or third bike. I made the mistake of going to 1100 sportbike for my second bike, and that was a real handfull.
Avoid anything with much of a fairing, as you will lay it down at least once.<ul><li><a href="http://www.gpz550.com/gpz550/">http://www.gpz550.com/gpz550/</a</li></ul>
Maybe a Bandit 400?
Make the 600cc and above range, your second or third bike. I made the mistake of going to 1100 sportbike for my second bike, and that was a real handfull.
Avoid anything with much of a fairing, as you will lay it down at least once.<ul><li><a href="http://www.gpz550.com/gpz550/">http://www.gpz550.com/gpz550/</a</li></ul>
12-10-2004, 11:56 AM
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That was me, but it was trackday bike, not a full-on race bike
The key thing to remember if you want to learn how to go fast on the race track is that it's not about horsepower. It's about handling and the capabilities of the rider. The skill level of the rider is a lot more critical on a bike than it is in a car on the track, and a better rider will beat a higher horsepower bike all day.
If you at least have some experience on bikes, I would recommend either a 550 or a 600. The Kawasaki 500's were always good beginner choices, but I preferred the Honda CBR600s. They're very user friendly and they can be very, very quick on the racetrack in the right hands. Avoid the R6 or the GSXR if you're a newbie, as they'll bite you quicker than the Honda. You should be able to get a solid few year old bike for $4-6k.
Next, don't spend a dime on the motor or the exhaust until you've invested in suspesion upgrades (race shock and revalved forks), a damper, and sticky tires. Then buy Keith Code's first two books (Twist of the Wrist and TOTW II) and read them. Then go to a riding school.
Then have fun. Track racing on motorcycles is the only thing in the world that's better than sex.
If you at least have some experience on bikes, I would recommend either a 550 or a 600. The Kawasaki 500's were always good beginner choices, but I preferred the Honda CBR600s. They're very user friendly and they can be very, very quick on the racetrack in the right hands. Avoid the R6 or the GSXR if you're a newbie, as they'll bite you quicker than the Honda. You should be able to get a solid few year old bike for $4-6k.
Next, don't spend a dime on the motor or the exhaust until you've invested in suspesion upgrades (race shock and revalved forks), a damper, and sticky tires. Then buy Keith Code's first two books (Twist of the Wrist and TOTW II) and read them. Then go to a riding school.
Then have fun. Track racing on motorcycles is the only thing in the world that's better than sex.
12-10-2004, 12:00 PM
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Oh, one other thing
If you happen to buy a 99 Honda CBR F4 (awesome bike by the way) get the gears undercut. The stock tranny that year was notorious for missed shifts and false neutrals when pushed hard. One of those false neutrals is the reason I now have a $12k piece of titanium holding my right femur together.
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