used track bikes

[dudek12]

what are used track bikes going for 600cc. Or do people ushaly build one them selves.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

If you know what your getting then buying a used racebike is the best economic route to take, plus if the racer spent time dialing in the bike and has logs of info to go with it that makes it even more valuable.

Building a bike yourself isn't that difficult (as long as your staying out of the engine) it's just a matter of some time and money investment. Probably the biggest issue for new racers is knowing WHAT to do to the bike to get it ready to race. With the internet there is whole new possibilities in finding deals on both new and used stuff, so prices can be all over the place. As far as new stuff at retail cost goes you would probably be looking at $500-$1000+ for bodywork and paint, $250-$350 for 1 pair of race/track tires, $100-$500+ for a steering stabilizer, $100-$500 for footpeg rearsets and pedals, $150-$500 for a 520 drive chain conversion with several rear sprockets and 2 for the front, and so on. Those are basic things, then you step into things like a new engine management computer (like Power Commander), race exhaust, high flow air filter, and probably the most important thing on your bike - suspension.

Depending on if your broke financially will determine how much you put into alot of these things (don't worry if your not broke yet, you soon will be! ). That sadly results in alot of new racers buying things they shouldn't be instead of waiting a little bit longer and buying some better equipment for their bike (and themself), remember: cheap stuff is cheap for a reason! All in all you can look at an easy $2000 - $5000+++ in additional investment into the bike (on top of the cost of the bike) to get it race worthy. Finding a used 1st race bike in good condition should be in the $2500 - $5000 range, but having a bike that's already set-up and has already been raced is very valuable. Assembling a racebike for yourself isn't too bad, getting it so it handles good on the track CAN be a real pain in the butt - especially if you don't have someone who knows what their doing helping you!

[rsvRadtke]

I had to seriously consider the 2 routes, also. Buy a bike, or build up my existing "street bike".

I bought a used race bike, from someone I had grown to trust, and I can tell you I would have TERRIBLY REGRETED building my own. I'm not trying to convince you to do the same. But here are a few things I have found about my "race bike".
-- Some parts will not just "bolt on" - it seems as though there is a lot of "engineering" that goes into making the race components work.
-- there is a LOT of R&D type stuff that goes into making a solid platform, i.e. moving the forks up 2 mm to change the suspension and changing the valving on the rear to prevent squat, etc....

I guess my point is that I am glad that for my first bike that someone else had gone through all that learning curve and I can just look at the final result and learn from that. It also helps that my bike was built by Harley's suspension test engineer and others that work on motorcycles every day ;-)

However, if you do decide to build your own - there are tons of people out there to help you make decisions for spending your money!!! ;-)

Login to http://www.nesba.com and poke around. They do track days and I have been very pleased riding with those guys. YOu get time on the best tracks in the country and they really manage things well for safety and learning.
Here are a few links (which i know from the region I'm in - not sure about NY)
http://www.learninngcurves.com/
http://www.trackaddix.com/
http://racemotorcycles.com/

Good luck!!!! and ask questions - some people live for helping the new guys out.

[jk750]

I wrestled with this dilemma myself. I was fortunate enough to find my used track bike already set up for my weight and skill level.
It has more goodies installed than I would ever have done myself. So far, I have had no problems, and no regrets.

You should be able to find something fairly decent between $3-6k.

I dropped it this past weekend in T-1 Summit Main, and aside from a broken brake lever, reservoir mount, and a few odds and ends, it's good to go.
The rest will buff out. That's what track bikes are for!

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