I'm guessing that most people began their track day path with a bike they already owned, making the first step with what they had on hand at the time. As the desire to keep exploring this adventure grew, the next logical step became acquiring a specific purpose machine. Right now, I have one motorcycle and while I have enjoyed my first three events, it has become very clear to me that while this bike is an outstanding public road sportbike and has done quite well in the track day environment, it is not one I would care to devote to this duty full time. So, that leaves me with the decision of what bike I would choose to get to take that next step when it finally becomes doable. I have already narrowed my decision and am not soliciting advice on my options, I'm just curious about how others decided to proceed. Did you convert your existing bike? If you chose to make a purchase, did you go on a race site like CCS or WERA to search for an already equipped track specific bike? Did you buy a used /or salvage bike to lessen your cost? Did you go for a new one? I know there are pros and cons to any scenario/path, just wondering the process others used to arrive at their ride, what criteria they looked for, and what was the thing that led you to the moment you got that particular bike you deemed to be "The One".
When I got hooked (the very first time I rode a track day) I went out and bought a brand new 2013 zx6r with the intention to use it for track and street. The more I rode track, the less I wanted to ride street so now I had a bike that had a loan and expensive, required insurance so I decided to look for a track only bike. No kidding, I was literally just cruising through the CL ads and found a 2001 Ducati 748 listed for $1500. It was in unknown, non running condition but I couldn't resist the single sided swing arm for easy tire swaps, the sound of a high revving L twin engine and its gorgeous Italian body! I didn't know it at the time of purchase but the 748/916/996/998 models were produced from 1993-2003, parts are readily available and incredibly cheap! I know this because I had to rebuild the spun rod engine! I was lucky enough to have never crashed my zx6r and sold it for a good price, no more loan and insurance = more track time! My first time out on the 748, I crashed! Second lap of the first session at Barber in turn 4. It was a slow low side (in the wet) and I broke off the left foot peg, the left handlebar and scuffed up the side panel and rear cowl a bit. Because the 748 came stock with clip ons, the bar was easily fixed and I gathered some spare parts from a couple other riders and made a temporary foot peg that passed tech and was able to ride the rest of the day. Had I been on the zx6r, my day would have been over and the bike most likely would have been totaled. It was that moment that I realized that my dumb luck on CL had paid off. The 748/916/996/998 models are good track day bikes if you can turn your own wrenches. If you have to pay someone to work on a bike, buy any of the big 4 Japanese models.
I went straight from the street to racing and never did any track days. My first track bike was my rc-51 (favorite bike ever), started on it because that's what I had and didn't know any better. Had a blast but decided racing it was costing way to much, switched to an ex500 (chuckle if you want) had a great time, close racing is close racing...kids, job, all of life's crap gets in the way. Got back on the track in 2012 on a cbr600 because I got a killer deal on it. Did one track day and then promptly displaced a guardrail with it two weekends later on the street. Fast forward 4 years I find a 2009 r6 that is literally in 5 crates, killer deal just have to lego it together, heard r6 is the bike to have so went for it. I built it with track days in mind, it did not disappoint last Monday. It is street legal but can go from street to race bike in about 15 minutes. Hope to do a couple more track days with it. Considering getting back into racing next year but not sure I want to do it on the r6, thinking maybe going small again with something like an r3. I am on the WERA board, some of the deals on the classifieds are great. Not sure what bike you want but if you wait for the right deal you can get a fully prepped sv650 for under (sometimes well under) $3000. Lots of 600s under $5000. I know you said you have your bike in mind and you probably already know this. However, if you want it for track only probably a cheaper option is not to convert a street bike and buy a fully prepped bike unless you get a killer deal on a stock bike.
choose a bike you can afford to put in a trash bin, if you were to crash it, street or track. It pays to buy a bike that there are a lot of in the pits, sv's, Daytona 675's, R6, gsxr's, ect... lots of spares "if, and when" something happens at the track, and you need to piece the bike back together to save a day, or weekend. another reason to buy a "common bike" is they are known well in the paddock, and lots of set up info is available. if something goes wrong, someone probably has had the same thing happen, and knows how to fix it. also, when buying rear sets, clip ons ect... buy, common parts (apex, vortex, woodcraft ect...), not one offs, again, see above, more options to keep you riding, in case of a failure. welcome to the addiction, it only gets worse from here. Ski
First year of riding track, started on my 15 s1000r...needless to say I was nervous. BST wheels, titanium exhaust, etc. etc. After the 3rd track day I decided it was time for a dedicated track bike. Fortunately, a buddy of mine had a neighbor who rides with STT who was looking to offload his track ready r6. Suspension was set up for my weight, brakes were upgraded, engine was sound so I bought it. Did 1 track day on it so far and that fear of "omg if I drop my BMW thats 15-20k to replace" is no longer lingering in my mind. I have to recondition myself to the body positioning but if god forbid I end up crashing, I won't start crying about the repair bill. See you on Sunday at Ging.
All the cool kids had gsxr's, so I bought one. No issues so far, so not really looking into other bikes. If the price was right and i had cash, I'll add more to the stable =)
Started in 2009 on my 08zx10r street bike. Got track body work and switch back and forth every track day. What a pain. Totaled the bike on the track in 2010. Rebuilt it, threw too much money into it, made it a dedicated track bike. Now I'm married to it. Looking for a 600 presently. I like the 10, but a 600 would be better for some tracks, and possibly more fun.
1st track bike, bought a prebuilt Supersport CBR600F2. Current one, SV650 1st gen, bought it already pretty much setup for racing. Have more fun on the SV than the 600.
I had been away from motorcycles for 16 years, in 2008 I got the bug again and bought an Harley XR1200 and shortly after that I did my first track day. I decided to buy a track bike, and not having any experience with the Japanese brands I bought a new 3 year old left over Buell XB12r, I figured since I was familiar with the engine, and they where pretty reliable I would go that route. For me it was a good decision, the xb had enough power to be fun, but not enough to get in trouble with. Later I bought a Buell 1125r and put it on the track, has a lot more power than the xb, excellent handling, extremely stable machine, recently I made probably my last track bike purchase, at 55 years old it will last me till I decide to hang up my leathers. That bike is a 2014 EBR 1190rx, and it has a bunch of power and I am still learning how to ride it, it is an amazing machine. I prefer twins over I4 or I3 engines, so my choices where very limited. I have never regretted any of my purchases, I really enjoy all my bikes. Although recently I have had a hankering to get a MV F3 800 out on the track so who knows maybe I have one more left in me!
Triumph Daytona 675. Why? Have you heard that howl!? It sounds like its asking "MOOAARR!!!" It flicks easy and fast. It gets off a corner great.
Having already raced sport cars, I knew there is no fun in trashing your valuable car or bike $$$$. To win you need to choose the best car or bike to win, no sentimental choices. But for track days, we're not trying to win, so we can chose whatever we like. Sentimentality only makes it more fun. Cost/budget is the only real factor, the rest of your choice reflects your personality. I chose a 1990s Suzuki Katana 750 because of the abundance of cheap bikes and parts. Currently have upgraded it with GSXR rear wheel and 1127cc engine. I was planning on selling it last season and upgrading to a late 90s, GSXR750 SRAD because I think they're gorgeous. But the 92 GSXR-1127cc engine showed up for like $750, so how could I resist the bargain of swapping in that engine? If this bike crashes, I only lose the rest of the season, not money.
I did similar also, but would never sell my RC51, but got the smaller brother version of it, 1st gen SV650.
I have always loved twins. I'm not that fast. They fit my riding style and have character. I currently have a 2nd gen SV and newly acquired RC51. The boss says 1 has to go soon. It may be the SV.