Giving up street riding, track only. Ever done it?

[awyala]

I've been giving this additional thought over the past couple of days. Basically, for those of us who like to hit corners really quickly it doesn't make sense to do it on the street. When you're exiting a corner at speeds that will lose your license it's time to track it. It's just not satisfying to corner at speeds way below what you're capable of. I find myself getting annoyed at cars going only 20 over the limit in corners; makes me feel like a bit of an idiot afterwards.

+1 I can't even admit how fast I take on ramps anymore for fear of serious self incrimination. Rest assured in the back of my mind I am thinking things like "...but officer, that is just the suggested speed, it is a yellow sign."

Maybe it is time to start trying to drag a knee on a bicycle....

.....maybe not so much.

 

[cbcanada]

i am surprised no one with an r6 or cbr600 has come to the defense of the SS .
seems like everywhere i look now i see a guy on an ss with one if those bullet proof vests. these bikes are super popular now.
i agree that one will never use an ss close to its limits on the street. well i suppose some do... but i guess its more about looks and image... i ride a gs500 its slow but does the job

i hope to buy a harley and something likevan fz6 in the future

 

[caboose56]

I usually do ~15,000km on the street bike each year and wouldn't trade the SS litre bike for anything else (even on the 800km daytrips). The thing puts a grin on my face every time I ride it.

I used to be in the same boat but the faster I got on the track the slower I rode on the street. It came to the point where I knew the only way I could put that grin on my face on the street was by doing really stupid things.

The limits of street riding, what I could do with street tires at street tire temperature, compared to the limits of track riding were so far apart that street riding became incredibly boring. There were and still are times that I liked just getting out to enjoy the fresh air, one of my favs was to be out by myself on a summer night on the back roads with a full moon. A sport bike is just not the right tool for that job, let alone a fully race prepped superbike (with lights on it) with suspension settings that mimic the ride quality of a dump truck.

Might get a CBR125...

 

[Monza2112]

I started riding in 2005. Averaged 15K per yr in the first few years. Loved it!! had the time too!! I have a few of bikes. Barely have time to ride them....tried to sell them....but the market isnt there!! So...i'll keep them...I won't need anything more for the street....I ride my scooter a lot since i live downtown. Since 2008 i've been on the track....it's been a blessing for me an my family!

 

[doozerdave]

Maybe it is time to start trying to drag a knee on a bicycle....

I'm not sure it's any safer. Check out RedBull Road Rage, downhill road racing.

[video=youtube_share;noafvRgBiM8]http://youtu.be/noafvRgBiM8[/video]

 

[vrus]

asphalt does get boring unless you start going somewhere new .. or fast

http://www.graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=20

eventually i'm going to buy a dualsport like a strom or gs800 and just head out and do trails like this.


and i figure if I start going strictly track... I would end up spending more than having a track/street combo

and at this point I don't think i can even sell the bike for peanuts unless I part it out. What's a 80k 636 worth these days?

 

[Hardwrkr13]

I used to be in the same boat but the faster I got on the track the slower I rode on the street. It came to the point where I knew the only way I could put that grin on my face on the street was by doing really stupid things.

The limits of street riding, what I could do with street tires at street tire temperature, compared to the limits of track riding were so far apart that street riding became incredibly boring. There were and still are times that I liked just getting out to enjoy the fresh air, one of my favs was to be out by myself on a summer night on the back roads with a full moon. A sport bike is just not the right tool for that job, let alone a fully race prepped superbike (with lights on it) with suspension settings that mimic the ride quality of a dump truck.

Might get a CBR125...

I know what you mean. I get wilder/bored on the street if I go too long without being on the track. Around town I'd rather be on my gf's GS500F than my GSXR1000. But I love being everywhere else on the 1000 (I can see that tool changing to something less extreme in the future though; maybe a sport/tourer).

 

[smergy]

I've been debating taking the 1000RR off the street and going track-only. Only problem is after a long days work, just going for a ride for an hour is really nice, maybe something more sport/toury for the street and turn the RR into an all out track machine. Not sure yet.

 

[stormcat]

Sell the 600 and buy a track ready bike...... as much fun as the conversion was, I did everything myself, but I wouldn't ever do it again.

You'll likely be able to finance a summer of trackdays with the difference in sell/buy.

My street bike is so close to track now that all it needs is track plastics. After having the front suspension replaced for the track, it actually sucks to ride on the street now.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[grond1234]

I think a lot of unwritten issue is the roads here in Ontario. I have a track bike (600RR) and two street bikes (02 VFR and 10 RSV4 Factory). I ride at the track, bout 10 times a season, but I actually have more fun going south to where there are better roads. Once your in the tight twisties of the mountains it is as much fun or more then the track IMHO. I make the trip 2-3 times a year with the street bikes and fill in the rest of the season at the track. Usually the riding around here is just to go out with the wife for a scenic ride.

 

[dricked]

I guess if you ride the track at 60% then a road could be equal. Giving 90%+ on the track...nothing comes close.

 

[HBHarrison]

I got arrested for stunt driving in 09. After going to court twice and getting the stunt driving dropped to a careless...dropped to an unsafe stop and start, i did what i thought was right....and got rid of it. Since then i have only wanted to do track and a couple weeks ago FINALLY purchased a track only bike. Yea i get jealous of people on the street but i know im better off on the track. Safe, and no worries of loosing my license or getting handcuffed again for riding. Track only for me bud

 

[infoleather]

I do, I always wanted to do a sports motorcycle track is always challenging and fun, guilt free.

 

[Corsara]

Well, now that my first track day is over (see http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...ction-at-TMP&p=1874448&viewfull=1#post1874448), I can tell you that I'm giving up street riding for good! Maybe one day I'll buy a small 250 bike for the street to be able to zoom around the city to get coffee and hang out at Tim's. As for fun riding---I'm done with the street.

 

[dbro]

Its like crack bro... be careful... hahaha

 

[RedlineTherapy]

its funny cuz at every bike shop, the people that work there dont ride on the street and just keep their bikes on the track. also, just from observation, most of bad hearing lol

 

[Corsara]

Anyone know what I need to do to take the bike off the street? Is it enough to just call and cancel my insurance, or I need to notify MTO or something?

Also, can I keep my plate and plate number in case I decide to get a small bike for the street in the future?

 

[dbro]

as far as I know just cancel the insurance...

its more about what you have to do to get your bike prepped for the track

 

[Corsara]

as far as I know just cancel the insurance...

its more about what you have to do to get your bike prepped for the track

Doing a real prep for the track---that's where the fun begins Removing all street stuff, fairings, maybe some kind of cage....i'm addicted!

 

[Jayv]

The track has a long off season be aware of that.

Sell your street bike and buy a already prepped one.