Realistic Cost of Track Riding as a Hobby

cheekybeast · 11-21-2008, 03:13 AM

So what are your thoughts on this?

I have not owned a bike in almost 2 years now but I recently sold my fun car to get a bike.

I don't plan to ride on the streets too much and I want to keep it mostly to the track (I live in Los Angeles / Orange County area so probably Willow Springs).

So for those of you that do trackdays around once a month... or once every two months, how much would it run me?

Will I burn through a set of pads + tires every single event? Honestly I would like to spend somewhere around 300 bucks every time (not counting costs of safety wiring + gear + other initial preparation)

I'm looking at a 2007 ZX6R thats going for a fantastic price. Some other bikes that I've been looking at are the 2004+ R1, RC51, 2005+ R6

thanks guys

Napalm · 11-21-2008, 03:21 AM

That's probably a good estimation. I think I was spending about $250/trackday (entry, gas in the truck, food & drinks, etc.) last year.

In my experience with the RC, tires would last several track days. Pads lasted about 9000 street miles plus about 8 track days. I'd only go through a few gallons of fuel each day.

I love my RC, but it's frustrating on tracks with long straights since you can tear it up in the tight sections but get left behind when the 1k I4's can open it up. Just for track use, I'd probably go for a 600rr or an R6.

Misfire · 11-21-2008, 03:21 AM

Cost is totally relative to how many toys you want to buy. If you go all out with an inclosed trailer, generator, tire warmers, racing slicks, air compressor, tools, stands, etc.. you can spend a small fortune getting set up. At a minimum you need a way to get your bike and gear to the track, some portable shade and a chair.

A trackday typically cost me about 250.00. The track time is between 100-150 bucks and fuel, food, drinks, etc.. run another 50-100 bucks depending on how far away the track is.

You can get seveal trackdays from a set of street tires, especially when you are starting out. Quality pads will last a season unless you are really fast and rest is tape. I spend a small fortune in painter's tape.

.

Napalm · 11-21-2008, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfire

You can get many trackdays from a set of street tires, especially when you are starting out.

Except when you put on a 180 to experiment and don't adjust the suspension. Turn in was great to start with, then wore away in no time. Lasted one day!! Sold it to a street rider for $45

He didn't need the sides anyway.

Misfire · 11-21-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Napalm

I love my RC, but it's frustrating on tracks with long straights since you can tear it up in the tight sections but get left behind when the 1k I4's can open it up. Just for track use, I'd probably go for a 600rr or an R6.

and that my friend is why I sold my pig (TLR) and bought a GSXR 750... I LOVED the TLR but hated getting my ass spanked by guys that couldn't ride for shit. You know the type.. hold you up in the corners and then "busa" you down the straights..

.

Misfire · 11-21-2008, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Napalm

Except when you put on a 180 to experiment and don't adjust the suspension. Turn in was great to start with, then wore away in no time. Lasted one day!! Sold it to a street rider for $45

He didn't need the sides anyway.

In all fairness though, the Liter Twins eat tires like Rosie eats doughnuts..

Most I4s don't go through tires that bad.

cheekybeast · 11-21-2008, 04:18 AM

The costs you guys are posting are encouraging. I only plan to invest in a couple of things for the bike; masking tape, front/rear stands, safety wiring(if really necessary..), and I can't think of anything else at the moment.

I can use my dad's work truck to get the bike to and from the track so that will not incur additional costs. I guess my main problem now is deciding which bike to get; I am having an extremely hard time deciding.

I never considered Kawasakis but I recently found a 2007 ZX6 with 4000 miles going for only $5000 , does this price seem awfully suspicious to anyone? At first I thought it was a scam, but it is at a dealership that is fairly close to me. R6's, 600rr's, and GSXR600's of the same year are all going for above 8000 still....what gives?

636blurr · 11-21-2008, 08:04 AM

No the price of that bike doenst seem suspicious, with people losing work like crazy and sales the worst in decades. this is the time for anyone with a steady job to make out like a bandit from the woe's of others.

maci4life · 11-21-2008, 08:38 AM

if you're riding track only, then you may want to consider race fairings it'll save you on the masking tape. lol

also if it's track only for the life of the bike then you may be able to sell the stock fairings and use that money for the track day.

dsmgixxer · 11-21-2008, 09:26 AM

^ i was just about to suggest that

bumblebee · 11-21-2008, 10:18 AM

After the expense of prepping your bike and buying gear...A trackday costs less than a ticket...

brent98rt · 11-21-2008, 10:29 AM

there are a few things you can do. i did a few of them

i am not sure how your local trackdays work. But here if you spend over $600 bucks on riding gear you get a free half track day. i did that 2 times..

If you are a ok pace on the track. faster than the noobs but not right at race pace. you can get Take off's. I get 003r take offs for 100 bucks. n a 180 or 190 rear. I can get about 2-3 track days out of them.

also i work half track day and ride the other half for free. which saves me 150-170 bucks a rack day. also my girl works and saves me that track day cost also. but she doesn't have a bike atm. so the days she works she gets the other half saved up.

so i pay for gas (5-10 gallons) depending on if i used the generator or not, gas for the truck. the local track with my trailer i use 1/4 tank of gas. food, get lots of water, i buy that un bulk. some chips and food to eat at the corner int he afternoon. so local track day i am looking at spending about 100 bucks if the truck needs a full tank etc.. or every 2-3 track days is 200 due to tires. I switch the tires myself and get them balanced for free so i save 20 bucks there.

if i went to the NM track about 8 hoursd away. a 2 day pass is 130 but gas is alot more. so it equals its self out cost wise. ( but the track is way better than the local 3)

The start up cost can be a lot. Race plastics if you get them ( i would) go fast parts , xtra parts, chairs, tent for shade, etc

good luck

dsmgixxer · 11-21-2008, 10:38 AM

check the forums for used parts and gear, alot of good deals right now.

Unreal · 11-21-2008, 11:13 AM

Buy a track bike. Used race bikes are all over the place for cheap.

My normal track day cost about $20 in gas to get to track. Free to ride. $100 set of take offs last 2 days. 4-5 gallons of gas at the track, some food. Pads last a whole season. Oil changes every 4-5 days.

DefyInertia · 11-21-2008, 11:20 AM

the faster you get, the more expensive it will be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheekybeast

I can use my dad's work truck to get the bike to and from the track so that will not incur additional costs. I guess my main problem now is deciding which bike to get; I am having an extremely hard time deciding.

Go with a 6 or with an SV650. The RC51 is a pig. check out your local forums.