is a track 250 worth it? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

is a track 250 worth it?

djbordie said:
let me run some numbers here

I can probably get a ninja 250 track ready for $3000 or less, salvage.

tires are a non issue, they would last a decade.

aside from that, what else would i need?

sv 650, pre prepped for track with suspension work $3000-4000- 5000 depending.

a 600 cc, 4000$+

and tires tires tires for the big boys...

Doesnt it still seem way cheaper to run a ninja 250?
Click to expand...

I got my 2002 GSXR 600 for about $3K about 2 years ago, now it would be even cheaper. All the go-fast bits, and clean title (not that it's important at this rate.) Also consider availability of parts... used parts, etc are abundant for the gixxer and can often be found easier and cheaper than many smaller, newer bikes.

That said, do what feels right for you and have a blast. The best fun on the track is in the corners.

Good luck!
 
well hey next track day on jul 16 and 17 i will be there with my 250. i love going full throttle trough all 6 gears feels like i am flying untill i get passed on the straight lol ah well thats y i am also gona bring my 1000 but it will be my 1st time with the 1000 on the track so i would propably be faster on the 250 lol
 
I was able to purchase a used gsxr 600 track bike for $2100. Put tires on it (scrubs) did some basic maintenance . You don't need race plastic, rear sets , blah blah. Make sure it runs well and keep decent tires on it.
A stock anything has more speed in it than you do.

Or buy a street bike, take off good body work, buy rashed up stuff or run it with out body work at the track. Track it, then when you get bored of it replace original body work and sell it as a street bike again.
kijiji is your friend.
 
Last edited:
Everyone seems to have forgotten the grandfather of all cheap twins and king before the SV650, that is the Kawasaki EX500 or Ninja 500r
some of the older riders here can vouch for the EX500
cheap, plenty available, easy to work on and definite racing pedigree dating back to the '80's
many are still being raced today on a shoestring budget

I have to agree with the others here and that the Racer5 intro program is truly awesome and the best money I have spent on motorcycling next to my riding gear. Its even better when you get it at a discount!
Best of luck to you OP and maybe we'll see you on the track. I'll be the one on the EX500!
 
The only problem I foresee with a 250 on the track is the following - which is the problem I had when I ran a 250 at TMP.

If you end up in green because of the limited straight line speed on the 250, when you get to the infield section it is difficult to pass the slow 600's while following the "green group etiquette" which is pass on the straights only. The only way around is to pass them on corner entry before the initiate their turn or after the apex, which is "yellow group" etiquette.

Once in a while you get someone on a 600 who gets pissy because you passed them on something other than the straight in the green group.

It will also get annoying when you pass the same 600 in the infield lap after lap, only to have them blow by you on the following straight. You end up racing the same slow 600's... I learn better chasing someone who is faster than I am.

That said, the 250's are fun. If you can find a 250 only series, you will have a blast. I believe RACE has a 250 class but don't quote me on that.

Im now running an SV650 for the track and enjoy it because I have the ability to run yellow (or red depending on the red group pace) and chase down fast guys to learn the track and improve on lap times.
 
The only part of the track that will leave you at a disadvantage on a 250 are the straightaways.
If you were to be part of an actual race, that would suck balls. But on trackdays you ride your own pace and it's up to the people behind you to pass safely. If they have faster bikes, they'll wait for the straights.
You can do the turns just as fast as a 600 as long as you have the technique for it.
As suggested, the racing schools will teach you those techniques and then it's simply practice, practice, practice!

No matter what you have, 250, 600, 1000, 1000+....you're going to have fun and that's what it's all about. :)
Just stay safe and be smart on the track with other people around you.
 
... or the stock tires, but these things are easily changed.

Observation: In the red group at last Monday's Pro 6 long-track day, everyone out in that group regardless of type of bike was in close to the same cornering speed mid-corner. The oldest and smallest bikes were a pair of FZR400's, one of them being mine (Bridgestone slicks, Fox shock, reworked stock front forks - nothing special). The big new shiny bike in the group was Jordan Szoke's ZX10R.

Exiting corners and on straightaways was quite another matter, of course ...
 
Honestly I've been looking at the wifes 250 with greedy eyes.

I'm really wondering if Honda backs a 250 cup league next year because of their new 250. If so, that could make for some real fun 250 racing. My biggest gripe about running the 125's is rider weight. 13hp (at crank) and there will be a huge difference between the 90lb soaking wet nephew and my 200lb frame.

The 250 seems more reasonable at 32 hp and can hide a riders weight a bit better.
 
Last edited:
murf said:
not with the stock suspension.
Click to expand...

If he's making it 100% trackbike, I believe he did mention he would upgrade the suspension.
Anyways, most people get the jist of what was trying to say.
 
jeero said:
If he's making it 100% trackbike, I believe he did mention he would upgrade the suspension.
Anyways, most people get the jist of what was trying to say.
Click to expand...

I don't know, I remember him saying he wanted to do it on the cheap. The SS bikes have a good suspension to begin with. He won't have to change that right away, or even at all depending how fast he wants to go. The 250 suspension might become a problem rather quickly. Have you bought a new suspension for your SV yet for trackdays? Pricey no?
 
murf said:
Have you bought a new suspension for your SV yet for trackdays? Pricey no?
Click to expand...

Not yet, my bike is my only mode of transportation for the summer/fall as I am saving up to buy a small pickup in the winter.
I haven't even looked into it either but I have a different mentality than the OP when it comes to spending money.

My point of him being able to have just as much fun on a track 250 compared to a bigger bike is still valid though. :D
 
jeero said:
Not yet, my bike is my only mode of transportation for the summer/fall as I am saving up to buy a small pickup in the winter.
I haven't even looked into it either but I have a different mentality than the OP when it comes to spending money.

My point of him being able to have just as much fun on a track 250 compared to a bigger bike is still valid though. :D
Click to expand...

my zx10 trackbike was the most fun Of the dozen+ bikes Ive had. But What do I know :)
 
Glad I read this, some awesome info in her. Was interested in getting a 250 next year for track but after reading what Fawas said I may stick to Racer 5 days and renting.
 
Brian P said:
although there ARE roadracing classes in which the Ninja 250 is eligible, they have not taken off the way the CBR125 class did.
Click to expand...
Do you think they ever will? I'd love to track my 250, but I have the same concerns that bordie has. & NP6000 seems to have confirmed it.
 
It's hard to predict what racing classes will take off, and which won't, and that's on top of a natural ebb and flow. It wasn't until the 2nd year that the cbr125 class took off, although its first year did better than the first year of the Ninja 250 class did - I think it only had a couple of participants the whole year. Mind you, the cbr125 class had a lot more backing and support from the manufacturer. Unless something changes, lack of support from the manufacturer probably means the Ninja 250 class will go nowhere.

It's eligible for SOAR's new-racers class, and in other areas (California), the Ninja 250 class is reportedly huge.
 
well for now im gonna rock a track 250, got some wicked deals on elka and a race body.

plan on doing turn2 with it and then just run some track days till season end. If i find a crashed CBR 250, ill get that prepped. Much more of a chance that it will take off. What with honda's excellent backing of the 125 series.

And what are the chances of the ninja being allowed in the cbr 250 class? probably not high right? Even though they are so evenly matched...
 
I ran outta money, so i sold my zx6 and bought a z1000...lol

no track

but now im back to it...thinking of making a sv 650 track bike/gymkhana bike
or a Cbr 250 track/gym

rode the cbr 250's with full akro and -1 gearing @ honda this weekend, they ****ing flew! i couldnt get over the launch!
would be plenty to tool around on in the city/stunt/gymkahana/a track day without being scare of demolishing my street bike
 
The question is, can you get a used one inexpensively. I think it's too early, there's not that many around available on the used market. New one would be too nice to trash, or not depending how dear is money to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom