Jennings soon, I hope!

leelover · 10-21-2006, 8:35 AM

Talked to a friend who races yesterday. He and a couple buddies are heading to JenningsGP in Nov for a trackday. I am going to try to tag along.
When did those of you who have dedicated track bikes decide to go that route? And why?
I mean, I can think of probably thousands of reasons to justify the ownership of such a machine, but it's so much better to have others help with the process!

sheepofblue · 10-21-2006, 9:46 AM

Got my RC before the first one at Fireblades.org but having dirt tracked as a lamb and rode for a long time I was almost 100% sure I would like it

Hammer · 10-21-2006, 2:01 PM

Got mine when I totaled my street bike on the track

leelover · 10-22-2006, 9:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Got mine when I totaled my street bike on the track

, yes that seems like a compelling reason. Have considered it quite alot myself.

leelover · 10-23-2006, 9:56 AM

It seems like a see alot of 600 track only bikes and alot of rc 51 track only bikes. What are the advantages of one over the other as you guys have experianced them?
Yes, I know this is a involved question,

HondaGalToo · 10-23-2006, 10:01 AM

If your two choices are between a 600 and the RC, go for the 600. Don't get me wrong, I love RCs, but you need to do a lot more to them to make them track-worthy. The newer 600s are fine out of the box. You're just starting trackdays, so you won't have to do much to a 600, unless you want to.

sheepofblue · 10-23-2006, 10:04 AM

Torque.

leelover · 10-23-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Torque.

Thats what I was thinking. Is the low rpm more linear torque delivery of the twin easier to deal with than the "peaky" 600 powerband? People have told me it is more advantageous to have less torque exiting a corner, better it hit later when the bike is more upright.
This was all bench racing hearsay, so I want some experienced input.

abtech · 10-23-2006, 6:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leelover

Thats what I was thinking. Is the low rpm more linear torque delivery of the twin easier to deal with than the "peaky" 600 powerband? People have told me it is more advantageous to have less torque exiting a corner, better it hit later when the bike is more upright.
This was all bench racing hearsay, so I want some experienced input.

It's all just talk anyway. For a track bike you want something that is small enough that you actually get a chance to ride it without driving into the weeds and something that won't beat you to death along the way.

I have had as much fun on an RZ350 as I have had on my racebikes and I ran all day on a single tank of gas and the tires never felt like they were going away (they never worked that well to start out with . . .).

I recommend the oft mentioned SV650 because you get a chance to develop your skills rather than just learning to twist the throttle on the straights. It is very rare to steadily improve your track prowess when you start out on a liter bike. I ran superbikes for a couple of years and went back to 250s to "relearn the basics". It was time well spent.