Right looks like I have sold my KTM mx bike, I want to spend the money on me for a change and not get swallowed up in bills or the kids! Do I....... 1 - buy a 2nd hand Ohlins shock from US and get set up and a quickshifter 2- buy a track bike as I refuse to use the blade on track 3 - stop being selfish and take everyone on a cheap caravan holiday this year Poll added
Option 1 because I'm selfish Reckon a track bike would be wasted on you as you don't ride yours enough Don't want to think about you living like a pikey for a week in a caravan! Now where that's dag
2: buy a track bike, become obsessed with spending every penny on it in the pursuit of saving tents of seconds off your lap times, decide to no longer ride on the roads as you don't get that track rush from it anymore, then sell me your jardine exhaust
Me personally I'd get the front forks upgraded with a piston kit ad spring to suit your weight. Then I'd put the rest of the cash towards the likes of a Nitron shock or similar again suited for your weight. Buying a second hand Ohlins shock, means that even after buying it you'd at least need to get it serviced and re-sprung for your weight anyway. There's no point really only doing 1 end. It just highlights how much better it can be all round.
I know what your saying there, forks need rebuilding anyway so was going to get them sprung to my weight then anyway so that's going to be ok by time I spend other cash Nitron is good idea but sounds stupid but I really don't like the colour of the spring and Ohlins is bling!
Trackbike. Definitely Its OK buying bling racing goodies for the road but you're better of learning how to wield your weapon properly by doing some trackdays. Just prepare to get the BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUG!!!!
Be honest with yourself first ... If your like me and have family commitments, children etc how many times will the trackbike get used a year ? Is it viable, you can hire trackbikes for the day if you doing two or three a year it will work out cheaper I agree with Colin get the suspension set up, see a pro and see what they say, you don't have to spend 1000's to get the bike sorted for you if you have any left over get a QS
Cheers for reply's so far Track bike would only be a 750 SRAD or something cheap not going to chuck silly money at it. Hmmm still don't know what to do lol
Even the track bike will swallow more than you think. Done nothing to mine "a SRAD 750" as such other than normal maintainance. Unless you get a good package? To get the best from your days you'd still be considering some esential spares for the bike such as tyre warmers spare wheels with wets, clip ons brake/clutch levers, pegs you also need a trailer? All readily available I agree, but they ain't free. The average cost of track days in the summer are £150+ But once you have it it's still an investment. The bikes lost about as much as its going to and there's always some one wanting to start 'at the bottom' and you'll always get nearly all your money back. Discuss with the family, if it needs discussing. But do what you want to do and beware, as already said they are bloody addictive. On the bright side, it looks as if you already have a buyer for your exhaust, and you can only imagine the goodies you could buy for your tracker with that Incidently I would have voted to take the family on holiday, how could you be so selfish Martin
Lol I'm always putting them first, I may buy the kids a toy each and the mrs some shoes or petrol station flowers depending on how much change i have
Trackbike - Purchase price + tyres + tyre warmers + transport + track days + suspension setup + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. + .. Cheap Caravan Holiday - Yeah right and I just saw a Unicorn attack a flying pig sh1tt1ng purple violets. No such thing as a cheap holiday once you start to add in all the bits like days out, food, new clothes .......... Suspension + QS - defined costs and adds more pleasure to your bike riding when you get a chance to get out on it.
Hmmm... I'm biased as a fortnight crapping in a bucket as a treat is totally lost on me, plus, I've met your kids and they strike me as the kind of people who'd have a blast spending two weeks under a blanket/cushion tent on the living room carpet anyway. Plus, I remember the torment you went through over the quickshifter trying to scrape the funds together to do it on the cheap last time. As Jaime says, track day bikes are a commitment you need to consider carefully from a logistic point of view going forward. If you're not totally committed to it as a hobby it can become an ornament very quickly. I'm leaning toward blinging your Blade.
I'd get your bike sorted and treat it to some track fairings and decent engine casings Get over using it on track - you won't regret it!!
I would agree with jamie as I am in the same situation. A track bike would be a waste of time because you will use it 2-3 times a year and it will almost certainly rain when you do. Buy some nice bling and enjoy it
A16 road and race - my whole set cost me about £300 all in..... Rattle it up. Bang some stickers on it - job done
