Where do I start ?

Ugur Dinch

Ugur Dinch

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I'm looking to get on the track in the upcoming season, and have a few questions.

Do I need a track bike, or is it easy to convert my street bike (2005 FZ6) for the track and back and forth ? If so, is this accurate ?

What is the closest track around with the best asphalt ? What are the prices for sessions ?

Any other tips/comments ?
 
Ugur Dinch said:
I'm looking to get on the track in the upcoming season, and have a few questions.

Do I need a track bike, or is it easy to convert my street bike (2005 FZ6) for the track and back and forth ? If so, is this accurate ?

What is the closest track around with the best asphalt ? What are the prices for sessions ?

Any other tips/comments ?
Click to expand...

Will be happy to see the FZ6 on the track! PM WarpTiger, he started going to TMP this summer on his FZ6, and was doing pretty well. As for prepping it (I assume it's the FZ6 that I previously owned...yep, couldn't not mention it, hehe), all you need to do is replace the coolant with water, put painters tape on the lights, and hold the side stand and center stand with zipties, so they won't open accidentally while on the track. Grab a leather 1 or 2 piece suit, proper boots and gloves, and you're good to go!
 
Sign up to FAST/Racer5 etc.... nice way to start
 
Corsara said:
Will be happy to see the FZ6 on the track! PM WarpTiger, he started going to TMP this summer on his FZ6, and was doing pretty well. As for prepping it (I assume it's the FZ6 that I previously owned...yep, couldn't not mention it, hehe), all you need to do is replace the coolant with water, put painters tape on the lights, and hold the side stand and center stand with zipties, so they won't open accidentally while on the track. Grab a leather 1 or 2 piece suit, proper boots and gloves, and you're good to go!
Click to expand...

...and a swingarm stand or sport chock to hold the bike upright with the side stand tied up....

And yes, read the sticky. Track fees range from about $100 at TMP (Cayuga) or Grand Bend on a weekday to over $250 for Mosport big track or Calabogie on a weekend. For you, tracks in reasonable proximity are (in approximate order of distance?) Mosport, Cayuga, Grand Bend, Shannonville, Calabogie. The middle three are probably better choices for first timers, with a preference I would say for Grand Bend.
 
Get a tire whisperer

... Read the sticky, also a good way to start is to volunteer to become a track marshal, this will help us out and you get to see how things work.
 
YellowDuck said:
...and a swingarm stand or sport chock to hold the bike upright with the side stand tied up.....
Click to expand...

I've only seen TMP require this. Have yet to ride GB, so not sure if they require it.
 
Thanks guys.

I'm reading the sticky and I will start with:

(1) Course
(2) Trailer + hitch
(3) 125 or 250cc bike + kit
 
Ugur Dinch said:
Thanks guys.

I'm reading the sticky and I will start with:

(1) Course
(2) Trailer + hitch
(3) 125 or 250cc bike + kit
Click to expand...

If it were me, I'd do one or two days on the FZ6 before I start investing in a trailer, other bike, etc. Taking a course is perfect too. You never know if you'll like it or not.
 
+1 for the racer5 course. I took it in 2010 and had a blast, should be even better with the bikes they have now.

Edit: Sign up at one of the shows, they sell out fast
 
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Racer5. Keep your eyes open for some show specials, and go talk to them at the January motorcycle show.
Showing up for your first track day and getting proper instruction and not having to worry about bike prep or anything is a way better way to start off. You'll learn way more in a day in the school then you will on your own trying to learn your way around the track and following other beginners questionable race lines.

Also, if you have a mishap on your own bike and don't have the parts to fix it, your track day is done. At Racer5 they have the parts there to fix up the bikes and get you back out there.

Check out Racer5.ca and get ahold of Fawaz to answer your questions.
 
I personally did the "intro to track school" at tmp. Had a blast, and would recommend them. I agree with taking your own bike and getting good gear before investing in trailer and track bike.

I didn't have the funds for racer 5 or I would of done that.
 
Buy a prepped trackbike. Way cheaper and easier. I bought a used YZF600 streetbike for my first racebike, and spent a yr and over $3000 more just turning it into a racebike. My next one, I made sure to buy a prepped bike,and raced it a half hr later.

Plus, dropping your streetbike will cost you more in repairs than a whole prepped racebike will.

Buy my 99 R6 racebike. HAs been on the podium at in SOAR Lost Era 25 times in the past 3 yrs. Competitive,and race ready, Ohlins steering damper, Sato rearsets, Woodcraft clipons, braided brake lines, Vesrah brake pads, DID gold X-ring chain, Hindle full exhaust, synth. oil changed regularly, rain tires incl, comes with spares etc....all decals will be removed, fairings were new, never repaired, never crashed, Recent paintjob in pearl copper.
For the easy no dicker price of:

$2200 with Fox freshly Sharrard rebuilt shock, or $1700 with OEM YAmaha shock.
Will throw in some used scrub race tires to get you started.
 
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