Track Day/ I think I need a second bike

[bigsheep_imp]

Wow, what fun you can have on a motorcycle when you take speed limits, cagers and gravel out of the equation!

I met some great people at the track and saw some really great riding. I was definitely in the minority being the only UJM rider there. There was only one other riding s super moto the rest was predominately 600cc super sports from typical Japanese manufacturers. A few Triumph, Ducati and aprilia riders where there too.

I was in the beginner group and there were some really fast riders. My CB just didn't have the power to keep up on the long straights but I held my own pretty well in the corners. One guy tried so hard to pass me on turn 2 that he didn't leave enough slow down room and went straight off the track. (No harm to rider or bike thankfully). There was a few offs that day but thankfully the worst damage was to leavers and rearsets.

I had the time of my life, I don't know how fast I went but I redlined the cb in 3rd was about the fastest I got.

The track community where I live is just a great bunch of friendly helpful and welcoming people I can't help but want to go to the next one.

Sadly though I think this will be my last track day on the CB. I'm keeping the CB for street riding but I think a supersport that I wouldn't care too much if it went for a slide is in order. I will attach some photos later but here are some better pictures than I have anyhow, just follow the link.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2mgUm5

[the Ferret]

Looking good there bigsheep

[Cormanus]

I like the idea of highway pegs on the tracks. Gives you a bit of a break on the straight bits.

Seriously, bigsheep, it looks good, although RLETs would finish it nicely. Who knows what other benefits might ensue.

[LongRanger_imp]

Looks good. Generally, track days provide a controlled venue that allow one to improve and refine skills that can be applied to street riding (line selection, steering technique, threshold braking, etc.), as opposed to being an outright speed contest, but it sounds like you had a great time nonetheless. Ride safely!

[johnf514_imp]

Lookin' good bigsheep. I took my CB to Jennings, and while I enjoyed the heck out of it, pushing 540lbs around a tight twisty course is not nearly as much fun as a smaller, lighter bike. Definitely understand the need for a second track bike.

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

Pre-kids I used to do a bunch of track days a year.. I had a great time, but it can add up quick. Guys I used to ride with all joked we could of gotten a cheaper hobby, you know like heroin.

I still miss those days.. However, be careful about much you want to spend to be competitive. You could go right out a buy a brand new state of the art 1000cc R1 and some guy on 6 year old cbr600rr will just blow by you.. There are those who live to ride on the track and with experience know all the tricks and know what to do.

The funny thing is I took a bunch of em to deals gap and I had to keep waiting for em.. They were awesome on the track, but their street ability (adapt to changing conditions, you know like cars) wasn't very good.

If you had a blast and are hooked and need to find another bike.. Talk to folks, see what they started with and where they are now.. I still wish I had kept my first bike I used on the track consistently. I had tons of fun, but wanted to go faster, which meant more $ spent, bike, tires, etc.

In my day folks often started with the almighty sv650, cheap, dependable, tires wouldn't break you. Yes on the straights you get eaten by inline 4's but it was cheap fun. From memory, folks who went to from SV's to 600cc supersports almost doubled their costs for a season at the track in maintence ($ primarily in tires) not including the increased costs of the bike..

[bigsheep_imp]

I hear you HHR, I went up and down the pits and talked to a lot of nice folks. Being a heavier guy I was advised to by pass the SV650 starter because I would need to put too much into suspension. I'm thinking an early fuel injection era (2001-2005) 600cc supersport for between $2000-3000 and I'll probably run a street tire at first. The guys on the SV650's had a hard time keeping up with me on the CB1100. It has some to do with speed, but more to do with the fact that I couldn't stand to see my precious CB1100 Sliding across the track/grass. Which if you ride track is an eventuality. And from my observations in most cases, not a big deal. If I have a 2003 CBR600 and it goes for a little slide, no big deal.

[Aussieflyer]

I'm on your page Bigsheep ... a few months ago I bought a 2003 R6 as a track toy. IMO riding a light, low cost bike without any emotional attachment helps completely focus on riding rather than divert any attention to worrying about the machine.

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

I hear you HHR, I went up and down the pits and talked to a lot of nice folks. Being a heavier guy I was advised to by pass the SV650 starter because I would need to put too much into suspension. I'm thinking an early fuel injection era (2001-2005) 600cc supersport for between $2000-3000 and I'll probably run a street tire at first. The guys on the SV650's had a hard time keeping up with me on the CB1100. It has some to do with speed, but more to do with the fact that I couldn't stand to see my precious CB1100 Sliding across the track/grass. Which if you ride track is an eventuality. And from my observations in most cases, not a big deal. If I have a 2003 CBR600 and it goes for a little slide, no big deal.

Sounds like your set.. Only thing I can offer if I was in your shoes, I would look at a 06 r6 or later. That bike was a radically change forward. It absolutely sucks on the street but when I almost bought one (bought a big ktm 990 instead) it was near telepathic in direction changes. It was a pure track tool and less of a streetbike.

If you ever make it to beaver run, vir, or summit point, Let me know I'll help out in the pits

[bigsheep_imp]

Thanks for the advice Honda Hawk Rider, if it's in the budget I'll consider that. If I find the right '06 I'll go for it, but I don't want to spend too much on a bike I will only ride 6 times a year.
A few more pics