Was at cadwell yesterday and absolutely loved it, really chipping the times down. But it got me thinking... I love riding the road but track is sooo much better. No idiot car drivers, no cops, no speed limits. Can't believe I'm even saying this but I'm thinking of selling the blade???? Someone snap me out of it. :/
No was going to this summer but some lads joining us have only just done test, doing west coast of scotland though... I won't be too hasty. Just want more tracktime!!
I think it really comes down to what you want to get out of biking, mate. For me it's not just about going banzai everywhere I go. It's also about seeing places and smelling the country air. Fair enough I could just buy a convertible but I don't want to look like Elton John The Blade isn't just a batshit-mental sportbike, to me. It's not stupidly uncomfortable, it's friendly enough to ride and it's supremely well made and well engineered (assuming your get a pre 2008 model)
Once the cost of machinery, track fees, consumables, travel and repair bills start exceeding the rate at what you can earn money to pay them, then road riding becomes attractive again Just ask my bank manager, osteopath or wife......
Sorry I missed you yesterday saw you going on/off circuit spoke with the firebloke, jason and andsp2?. I wouldnt sell the road bike you cant get out on your track bike every weekend or a evening after work can you? It would be missed especially when your mates text 'fancy a run out this sunday' with the bike sold nightmare!!
Yeah you're right rich, I'll see how I get on with the TDs this summer and have a re-think at end of the year. Going away on the blade with father tyke soon so its not goin anywhere for now!
Go stand in front of the bike, look her straight in the headlights and tell her you don't love her anymore. Bet you can't
Why not buy a 'cheap' track bike? No insurance to worry about, pattern fairings, and not having to worry about riding home after an off (I rode back from Cadwell Park to Windsor with one footrest lol). Just don't start racing - that is the road to bankruptcy ;-)
Someone posted a great response a while back highlighting the process that we go through when considering getting our kicks from the track instead of the road. It basically went like this:- After riding on the roads for a while you do your first track day and get hooked. You start doing more and more track days until you bin your bike. So you buy a track bike and decide in the safety of a track environment that your not quick enough. So you sell your road bike, buy a better, newer, faster, more expensive track bike and all the gear, trailer etc that come with it. . . . . . . Eventually you spend so much money running and repairing the bike that you decide to sell up and buy a really good road bike anyway, after all, thats what you really loved about riding in the first place :-D
I have made such a decision in the past and don't regret it. If you can afford it buy another track dedicated bike.
I couldnt do it as I would miss out on all the runs and the great coast road not to mention having to drive to the local road races and struggle to get parked/stuck in traffic etc. plus on the days that there happens to be a exception in the poor weather I can throw my leg over the bike and head off without any worries about booking or paying to use the tarmac well apart from road tax but thats a different story
indeed. as rich said, what about pre-easter, and after october when theres still the odd crisp day for a nice ride - but no track days... and its great now but what when you get bored going round in circles (like i do lol) spose i got it out of my system with racing in my late teens and 20s... track days just dont have the same appeal to me lately. i much prefer going places. each to their own tho eh
