Questions about racing/track bikes - now with pics

[clevermetal]

Ok

So I had my first trackday on the weekend. FUCKING INSANE
Loved it, did 5 out of the 7 sessions on my DRZ400sm and did the other 2 on my dad's CBR1000RR.

I did have a small spill but it's all good, axle sliders and handguards doing their job and leathers costing a total of 30 dollars to repair (BIG plug for Mick's Leather Repair, fucking top bloke. Cannot recommend him enough)

Edit: pics of damage

front skateboard wheel/axle slider


rear skateboard wheel/axle slider


handguard


leather rip/damage

again, MICK'S LEATHER REPAIRS. Absolutely top bloke, rocked up at his house after talking to him on a sunday afternoon. Where he took my leathers, said it'd only cost 30 dollars to repair (I'd have still thought I was getting a good deal if he asked for triple that!) and then gave us a tour of his workshop and his kitted out van all the while being a top bloke. Not to mention he's posting them back to me because I couldn't pick them up before he left for Melbourne. ALSO said that if I ever was considering buying another set of leathers to give him a call if I needed any advice.
Seriously top bloke! (I think I've made it clear now...).

No other damage to the bike! Motards FTW


Anyway, more importantly, a plan has been hatching in my mind:

1. buy a track bike for 3k (thinking one of the older 400cc bikes) + score project-ish bike
2. go to heaps of trackdays
3. possibly race casually in the PCRA thingyo?

thoughts?

at the moment I'm thinking of a VFR400 (as they're cheaper than RVF's) or maybe an RGV250 or something.

I do want a 4t for the engine braking but won't limit myself to it. Also wondering about the availability of parts for the older inline 400cc bikes (e.g. cbr400, gsx-r 400 etc.)

Also how much does racing in the PCRA or any other none/semi-serious racing usually cost (in entry fee's etc I know that I'll be going through tyres, fairings etc - though approximations of those costs are welcome too)

tl;dr I'm a massive noob when it comes to trackdays/racing and want to get into it with a lower capacity bike. PLEASE HELP

[GSXR750K4]

Running bike events, it shits me when I see sliders on bikes and the bolt or nut is sitting flush or pertruding from the slider.. You may as well do away with the slider and have a bolt poking out..

Also, don't get a nugz RGV.. Go the NSR..

[clevermetal]

yeah fair enough, I tried to cut the rod so that it was as short as possible. It was actually recessed in the skateboard wheel, but the amount that got scraped away meant that it still ended up contacting the road.

aren't there more parts for the RGV though?

---

plus this trackday didn't require axle sliders

STOP MAKING ME FEEL BAD!

[fortytwo]

These days you can get a nice 600 for the same price as a 400. If you have your mind set on an VFR then go for it...but a CBR600 would make more sense. More parts, tyre selection etc. If you do go a VFR try to find one that's had the rear wheel conversion. 18 inch to RVF 17 inch,

[Beer Baron]

yeah that would be my advice too. look at some mid 2000s 600s. but the VFR is a good choice too as at least they don't have the LAMS markup on them. as above though get one that's had the 17inch rear done (most of them have by now). 18inch rear is a pain.

either that or buy my MC22 CBR250.. would have trackbike for under $2K.

[sir.b]

+1 for older 600.

Justin.

[Jashdown]

I would imagine the 600 class would be a lot tougher. I would also go the VFR400, great little bike and easy to maintain, easy enough to get parts for, probably easier than the RVF, and they are pretty cheap for the most part. But yes, you will want a 17" rear wheel.

[HYPE]

95< cbr600/f or even a ZX

plenty of parts about, easy to work on and maintain

PCRA would be a great way to start as not as 'kamikaze' as modern 600 classes and a very friendly field

[clevermetal]

yeah I have seen some of the 600's going for pretty sweet prices but as Jashdown said:

(24/01/2012 00:06)Jashdown Wrote:  I would imagine the 600 class would be a lot tougher.

that was what I was working off as well? Is that not necessarily true? Or is it not 'that' tough? I'm fine with an excuse to get a more powerful bike

though isn't the older CBR600 a more sports touring biased bike instead of the newer racier versions?

(23/01/2012 23:39)Beer Baron Wrote:  either that or buy my MC22 CBR250.. would have trackbike for under $2K.

oooooh... are there many racing classes for 4t 250's?

Also does anyone know how much it costs to enter races with PCRA or similar body/club?

Cheers for the help so far though guys

[ontik]

I'm looking to sell a ZX-7R that is well inside your budget.


'tiK.