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OK, here's the deal. I'm an old fart (48yo), but a new rider - have not quite a year and 5K mi under my belt. Started with a Suzuki GS500E for the first 2K, now have an '03 Bonneville. I love the retro looks of the Bonnie, and it's a great scoot-around bike, but I'm thinking about getting a used sport bike to hone my riding skills on the track. I'm a reasonably experienced SCCA amateur road racer, so I know my way around the track in a cage, and I think I would enjoy and learn a lot from some time on the track on just 2 wheels. I don't know that scene, but I don't think the Bonnie would be the best bike for that, and I was wondering how small a bike would be appropriate for the track. Advice?

You might consider a used SV650, but you're getting a little ahead of yourself if you haven't even ridden before and want to do track days on a bike.

Racing cars and bikes will be very different, though some of what you know will carry over.

Yeah, I think the marshalls use the same flags.

Find something that is as fast as you can afford and also something that you would not be too upset to see heading down the road in the prone position.

I do not know what "hardware" requirements tracks would have, or if a 100% street bike would even be allowed on non-competition track-days.

But, if you're not interested in racing, just trying to hone your skills, I would think the track would be a great place to push the limits of whatever bike you have, be it a gixxer or a wide-glide. Again I dunno and am interested to hear from others. I'd love to take my CB750 out on Road Atlanta just as a safe place to push it a little.....

Depends whether you intend that track bike to become your street bike, if not I would recomend not buying a bike but rather hiring one or booking a track course that supplies the bike. Track skills are like this: You are taught them, then you get them right and from there you only get faster. Once you have the skills, they do not change, you become more polished. I would say that it is not worth it to buy a bike for the track unless you are going to use it on the track on a regular basis. Best small track bikes are the 600 class RR type bikes.

If $$$ is a concern, a GS500 or Ninja 500 make a good beginners track bike.

2wheel wrote:If $$$ is a concern, a GS500 or Ninja 500 make a good beginners track bike.

absolutley. Tires are relatively cheap to replace. Plenty of parts if you need to repair something. Enough power to make you soil your underwear if you're not careful (especially if you drop a few extra $$ into it). Great learning tool for track skills.

SV650 all the way. It is about the most popular track bike in existance.

for track days all they normally require is removal of mirrors and turnsignals, and taping up your headlight. you also need a minimum of 2pc leathers, textile wont cut it.

Check out the sanctioning body that handles racing in your area, its pretty common for them to have classifieds with already prepped track bikes for sale.

finding a track school that provides the bike can be a good way to get your first taste of the track.

Thanks for the advice, guys. It looks like the couple of track schools near me have arrangements for students to rent a track bike and leathers for the schools, and they're still cheaper than the schools that provide you a bike. I think that makes more sense for at least the first couple of times I get on track before committing to buying a bike for the track.

Well i'll spend some time on this as my 1st bike was an 89 Suziki GS500E.

1) You can take virtually any bike to a track day, though if your new id recommend a sports tourer or standard or sports bike. Technically its for the riding position, re pivot points that you use to steer the bike.

2) Consider a track day school where they provide the bike and coach you if your hesitant about taking your Boni out.

3) Be aware that you will have to pass a "tech" "inspection" before to get on the track that day. These range from simple saftey inspections like tire wear, taped reflectors and running water in lq/cooled engines, to lock wireing brake caliper bolts and oil drain plugs (this involves drilling btw)

4) Check to see what riding gear is manditory. Is a 2 peice with zip ok or do you require a one piece?

5) If you can dont ride you bike to the track day, spend the night before preping it and trailer it there. That way you wont be rushing at tech in the morning.... if you crash you're hopefully ok and can drive back... and trust me at the end you be exauseted and really in no state to ride home.

6) Worth a no. by itself, pls remember to drop your tires pressures to track day pressures. I ride a VTR 1000 in Canada ON and on a track day I start with 30 psi and go from there on a summer day with and averg ambient temp of 25 C sunny wether.

GL and have fun:)