Worth buying a cheap track bike to try it or just run my MT09

[Nick7774]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into doing my first track day. Probably through Z2's novice school since they're pretty highly reviewed. I spoke with David earlier and renting a suit from them because my olympia street gear just isn't up to the task.

I guess my question is should I just buy a cheap, set up bike for it, and sell it if I don't love the track, or do I just run my MT-09. I know it's not a great track bike. I just want the experience of taking a bike on the bike, learning some new things, and having a good day. I don't want to destroy my street bike or even particularly push it.

I did look into renting a bike from Feel Like a Pro, but with the $350 rental, $75 fee to cap my damages, and up to $1000 in damage, I'm looking at $1425 in repairs and rental. I can fix anything on my bike for that.

What are everyone's thoughts? How often do people actually destroy their bike on the first day and have experience in the canyons?

Thank you!

 

[easter bunny]

That really depends on your budget. A halfway decent track bike will run you 4-5k. Maybe less if you want a ninja 300/400. Throw in money for your own gear and it starts to add up. I think I speak for most of us when I say we started on whatever bike we were riding and just taped up the lights and borrowed a trailer/pickup.

I used my streetbike for years, slowly acquiring better parts, until it eventually became a race bike. Do what your budget allows. Or there's a couple SVs in the classifieds right now.

 

[Nick7774]

That really depends on your budget. A halfway decent track bike will run you 4-5k. Maybe less if you want a ninja 300/400. Throw in money for your own gear and it starts to add up. I think I speak for most of us when I say we started on whatever bike we were riding and just taped up the lights and borrowed a trailer/pickup.

I used my streetbike for years, slowly acquiring better parts, until it eventually became a race bike. Do what your budget allows. Or there's a couple SVs in the classifieds right now.

Considering I need leathers and a back protector to really get into it, my budget isn't as high as I'd like. Plus I live in Turlock basically, so tracks are all about 3 hours away from me. I'm not even sure how much I'd really do it.

I'm super new here so I can't post in the classifieds yet, but eventually I will be able to. I was poking through and saw someone looking to sell a 250r, which I would love, but can't post or send them a DM. I do have the option to email them, but I'd like to not get banned first thing ya know?

 

[Gravisman]

Try feellikeapro.com. You can rent a track prepped ninja 400 for the day. Cheapest way to try it out.

Well, bringing a street bike is cheaper, but renting is a lot cheaper than buying a bike “to try”.

 

[Nick7774]

Try feellikeapro.com. You can rent a track prepped ninja 400 for the day. Cheapest way to try it out.

Well, bringing a street bike is cheaper, but renting is a lot cheaper than buying a bike “to try”.

Looked into them. The problem is if I drop it, I'm still responsible for damages. Might as well just bring my bike at that point.

 

[Slow Goat]

Trailer your MT and have fun. You’ll learn a ton from the instructors.

Tape over your speedo and don’t ride beyond your ability. ThunderHill East is a great track for beginners; great sightlines and not too technical.

 

[Gravisman]

Looked into them. The problem is if I drop it, I'm still responsible for damages. Might as well just bring my bike at that point.

I know they have a maximum liability for damages, so even if you total it, you don’t have to pay for the whole bike. It’s not like you *dont* have to pay for repairs on your bike anyway if you drop it. Nice thing about a well track prepped bike vs a street bike is they typically crash much better. I’ve crashed a street bike and a track bike, and I’ve seen big difference in how they handle it. Biggest thing is fairings - street bike fairings are toast the second they hit the ground, but fiberglass track fairings can take a lick or two. Other things like engine covers and rearsets tend to go very badly on a street bike while the track bike (including feel like a pro) will take a modest crash and either be fine or just need a new $40 foot peg, for example. One easy upgrade for your street bike is GB Racing engine covers. They can save you from a punctured case and oil dropped all over the track.

 

[slydrite]

Ride your bike first, just to make sure it's something you'd like to pursue. You're likely most comfortable on your own bike, so that removes a variable from doing your first day.

I rode an FZ 09 that was fully set up for track for a few years. It was fun and a handful, far more engine that handling, for sure. But I loved it.

OTOH, you can't go wrong with FLAP bikes. Yes, you have to pay if you throw it down the road, BUT you don't have to fix it yourself.

Plus your bike is still usable while they are fixing the one you crashed. On top of that, if the damage is minor, you probably won't even miss a session.

 

[Maddevill]

Just make sure your current bike is good to go. On your first track day you won't be getting anywhere near your bikes limits. Just don't let yourself go apeshit. After the track day you'll have a better idea of what you want to do. ( I'm betting you'll start immediately looking for a track bike )

Mad

 

[Frisco]

Just make sure your current bike is good to go. On your first track day you won't be getting anywhere near your bikes limits. Just don't let yourself go apeshit. After the track day you'll have a better idea of what you want to do. ( I'm betting you'll start immediately looking for a track bike )

Mad

This. Your -09 will be super fun on the track (ask me how I know) and you’ll get an idea of whether or not it will be worth a dedicated track bike. I ride mine in, take off the mirrors and tape up the brake light, and go!

Make sure you visit the suspension guy after your suspension is warm. Even if your running stock set up, it’s $40 well spent.

 

[Shaggy]

+1 to the “Run your current bike” crowd. It’ll be the cheapest way to dip your toes into the water and the MT09 will be more than adequate.

Find some used gear (leathers, back protector, boots, gloves) in Classifieds and do some minor prep to your bike and you’ll be good to go!

 

[afm199]

You are going to crash sooner or later. If you end up really liking the track, it will be sooner. Sooner or later you will turn your street bike into a track bike because it's just not worth fixing anymore.

 

[Starpower]

That really depends on your budget. A halfway decent track bike will run you 4-5k. Maybe less if you want a ninja 300/400. Throw in money for your own gear and it starts to add up. I think I speak for most of us when I say we started on whatever bike we were riding and just taped up the lights and borrowed a trailer/pickup.

I used my streetbike for years, slowly acquiring better parts, until it eventually became a race bike. Do what your budget allows. Or there's a couple SVs in the classifieds right now.

This really is right on, it is indeed what the vast majority of us have done. There is a lot to be said to learning these skills on your primary ride. Learn it on the track and take it to the street.

 

[Crispietogu]

I binned it twice last year. first time I had everything fixed. except I should of had everything measured. second crash had me puzzled on why and how since I didn't push it at all during that day. So I'm stuck with was something out of wack on my bike or just plain bad luck. At this point I'm parting out the bike and plan on renting from now on since I rather have a bike that is safe and ready to go . Its cheaper to use your own bike till it isn't . Eventually everything adds up once you go down everything REALLY adds up. Budget what you can long term . If you plan on doing frequent track days then it's cheaper to have your own bike till you have a bad day which will eventually happen. But if your occasionally hitting the track yearly then renting is better

 

[Gravisman]

You are going to crash sooner or later. If you end up really liking the track, it will be sooner. Sooner or later you will turn your street bike into a track bike because it's just not worth fixing anymore.

100% agree. One of my rules is I won’t take a bike to the track that I’m not emotionally prepared to handle crashing. I bought an RSV4 brand new a few years back and ended up never taking it to the track specifically because I just couldn’t handle the idea of crashing it. If the idea of crashing your street bike doesn’t make you cry, then by all means.

 

[afm199]

100% agree. One of my rules is I won’t take a bike to the track that I’m not emotionally prepared to handle crashing. I bought an RSV4 brand new a few years back and ended up never taking it to the track specifically because I just couldn’t handle the idea of crashing it. If the idea of crashing your street bike doesn’t make you cry, then by all means.

Yup, I've turned down offered rides on $40k bikes because my rule of thumb is only crash what you can afford to fix.

 

[two wheel tramp]

100% agree. One of my rules is I won’t take a bike to the track that I’m not emotionally prepared to handle crashing. I bought an RSV4 brand new a few years back and ended up never taking it to the track specifically because I just couldn’t handle the idea of crashing it. If the idea of crashing your street bike doesn’t make you cry, then by all means.

All I am reading is "Bring indestructible DR650 to track".

 

[easter bunny]

Considering I need leathers and a back protector to really get into it, my budget isn't as high as I'd like. Plus I live in Turlock basically, so tracks are all about 3 hours away from me. I'm not even sure how much I'd really do it.

I'm in Reno so yeah every trip to the track is a hump over the hill. Totally worth it! What's your height and weight? I've got an older suit from when I started racing that my fat ass doesn't fit in anymore and an older Bohn back protector. Yours if you're a 40 reg.

If anyone else can use the suit let me know. Free to good home if it gets people to the track.

 

[Nick7774]

I'm in Reno so yeah every trip to the track is a hump over the hill. Totally worth it! What's your height and weight? I've got an older suit from when I started racing that my fat ass doesn't fit in anymore and an older Bohn back protector. Yours if you're a 40 reg.

If anyone else can use the suit let me know. Free to good home if it gets people to the track.

I'm a 50EU in theory and according to the guys at STG. I think that's a 40 in US sizing. I'm about 5'8" and 150lbs. So if that sounds right I'm definitely interested.

 

[Nick7774]

All I am reading is "Bring indestructible DR650 to track".

That is also what I'm reading LMAO.