Track Bike

defector · 04-29-2010, 06:11 PM

For those of you that have track only bikes, did you originally purchase them as a track only machine, or convert from a street machine to track only duties?
I will soon be in the market for a new (to him anyway) machine, and am curious of the collective experiences of buying a bike designated for track duty already.

lauralynne · 04-29-2010, 06:22 PM

both.

Any bike I ride - track or street - gets a tear down/rebuild anyway. It's my butt on the line, I want to KNOW what I'm riding. I don't trust previous owners no matter what.

As for expense? It's going to depend on the bike.

Sean · 04-29-2010, 06:35 PM

It's generally a lot cheaper and a whole lot less aggravating to buy a bike that's already been built up.

CrazyKell · 04-29-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

It's generally a lot cheaper and a whole lot less aggravating to buy a bike that's already been built up.

Yep.

My current bike will eventually become track only (next year).

I'm attached emotionally to this bike so he's going to be converted to track only bit by bit and I'm not as concerned about the expense.

If I decide I need/want serious suspension, etc. goodies.....I'll look at selling and getting one with the goodies already on it. But I'm not there yet.

shmike · 04-30-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

It's generally a lot cheaper and a whole lot less aggravating to buy a bike that's already been built up.

Almost always.

My current bike was bought to do dual duty and then went full-time track.

99% of the time, you'll be (financially) better off letting someone else build the bike.

anthonyk · 04-29-2010, 10:11 PM

Mine was built up for the track, but still had all the street parts. Getting it back to good street condition was way more of a pain in the ass than I expected. (Not really an issue for you.)

I'm converting it back to track-only at the moment, so we're going full circle.

Papa_Complex · 04-30-2010, 11:11 AM

Mine is a former racebike that I bought from a friend.

Homeslice · 04-30-2010, 11:31 AM

Visit the WERA board, the deals you can find there are better than anywhere else.

CrazyKell · 04-30-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Visit the WERA board, the deals you can find there are better than anywhere else.

I troll the Wera board on a regular basis and have found some amazing deals on there.

snobuny · 04-30-2010, 06:28 PM

bought a stolen/recover that was totaled but still salvagable and converted to a track bike. It has a salvage title and is not street legal. Was completely gone through before the first ride by the local shop last year. Its nice but not perfect so if I throw it away on the track I won't feel too bad. Good call on the wera board, you might get lucky and get an amazing deal in your area. My hubby and I frequently check there for deals!

04-29-2010, 06:11 PM	#1
defector My balls, your chin Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The desert of Az Moto: 929, SV650, YZ250 Posts: 1,917	Track Bike For those of you that have track only bikes, did you originally purchase them as a track only machine, or convert from a street machine to track only duties? I will soon be in the market for a new (to him anyway) machine, and am curious of the collective experiences of buying a bike designated for track duty already. __________________ Reading this signature may give you special powers, including the ability to run through walls. You should try it immediately.

04-29-2010, 06:22 PM	#2
lauralynne 667:Neighbor of the Beast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Everett WA Moto: VTR1000, SV650, FZR400, CRF150 Posts: 1,403	both. Any bike I ride - track or street - gets a tear down/rebuild anyway. It's my butt on the line, I want to KNOW what I'm riding. I don't trust previous owners no matter what. As for expense? It's going to depend on the bike. __________________ WMRRA's slowest Expert! triathalete, mom, racer, rider, friend, sister, wife - all in one tidy package! Married my best friend 8/30/09

04-30-2010, 11:11 AM	#7
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Mine is a former racebike that I bought from a friend. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

04-29-2010, 06:35 PM	#3
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	It's generally a lot cheaper and a whole lot less aggravating to buy a bike that's already been built up.

04-29-2010, 10:11 PM	#6
anthonyk WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco Posts: 1,041	Mine was built up for the track, but still had all the street parts. Getting it back to good street condition was way more of a pain in the ass than I expected. (Not really an issue for you.) I'm converting it back to track-only at the moment, so we're going full circle.

04-30-2010, 11:31 AM	#8
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Visit the WERA board, the deals you can find there are better than anywhere else.

04-30-2010, 06:28 PM	#10
snobuny Kneedragger Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: michigan Moto: 01 kawa 600R, 03 636 track, yz250motard Posts: 155	bought a stolen/recover that was totaled but still salvagable and converted to a track bike. It has a salvage title and is not street legal. Was completely gone through before the first ride by the local shop last year. Its nice but not perfect so if I throw it away on the track I won't feel too bad. Good call on the wera board, you might get lucky and get an amazing deal in your area. My hubby and I frequently check there for deals!