Track on a 500?

21094 Views 74 Replies 15 Participants Last post by I am the stig, Sep 12, 2016

Littlepaw

Discussion Starter · Jul 28, 2010

I am sure someone has asked this before, but I am a complete blonde on the track subject. Does anyone take their 500Rs to the track? Was curious, I have seen a few avatars that have a 500R on what look likes the track. I would love to hit to experience the track at least once, though I am sure that experience level is a good distance into my future

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redkow97

· #8 · Jul 28, 2010

if you're comfortable with 80mph in a straight line and taking a highway exit ramp at the posted speed limit, you're ready for a track day.

Simply put, there is no better place to improve your riding skills.

I did 5 trackdays on my EX500 with no issues. My only modifications were fogbones and stiffer fork springs, and I'm pretty sure I didn't have the fork springs in for the first weekend.

There will be a LOT of first-time track riders at the EXcape in August, so the pace in general should be relatively slow. The people who run the Fasttrax/Moto Series days are pretty safety conscious. I did a "track rider" school with them in 2008 (my last TD on the EX), and they'll set a conservative pace. Just don't be shy about reminding them "it's my first trackday."

plus anyone who arrives Friday night is welcome to join me for a track walk, and I can give you at least a vague idea of what to expect. Knowing where the track goes is half the battle your first time out. Youtube videos can't hurt!

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redkow97

· #18 · Jul 29, 2010

Snow said:
Littlepaw said:

Well, in about another year or so I am intending to upgrade my bike to maybe a Ninja 650. I think at that point I might turn my EX into a track bike.

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Make your Ninja 650R the track bike and keep the 500 for the street if you are able to have 2 bikes.

The 650r has a much better chance at being a track bike than a 500. OR you can do the best thing and get an sv650 for the track.

strongly agree. The SV is a better track bike than the 650R.

I have to wonder what people are thinking when they track an EX and street-ride their 2010 R6... That's roughly the same as wiping your a$$ with a slice of pizza and eating toilet paper.

Track ride whatever you can afford, but if finances allow for 2 bikes, track ride whichever is more sport-oriented. Don't waste it on the street...

redkow97

· #22 · Jul 29, 2010

^ but racing a bike and track riding a bike are two totally separate things. You don't need fresh rubber and max grip to "win" a track day.

Yes, an EX lacks the power to destroy tires in the manner larger bikes do, but I'm riding at a fast "I" pace, and I still can't afford enough dates each year to use more than 1 front and 2 rears.

I get about 8-10 days on a front, and 4-5 days (probably more) on a rear. and Dunlop Qualifiers aren't that expensive. the Q2 is an even better tire,and you can find them for $230/set shipped right now... That's not a bad tire bill.

if you're racing against other 500's, it's also probably a lot more fun to ride an EX than if you're getting absolutely murdered by better bikes.

redkow97

· #27 · Jul 30, 2010

csmutty said:
redkow97 said:

^ but racing a bike and track riding a bike are two totally separate things. You don't need fresh rubber and max grip to "win" a track day.

Yes, an EX lacks the power to destroy tires in the manner larger bikes do, but I'm riding at a fast "I" pace, and I still can't afford enough dates each year to use more than 1 front and 2 rears.

I get about 8-10 days on a front, and 4-5 days (probably more) on a rear. and Dunlop Qualifiers aren't that expensive. the Q2 is an even better tire,and you can find them for $230/set shipped right now... That's not a bad tire bill.

if you're racing against other 500's, it's also probably a lot more fun to ride an EX than if you're getting absolutely murdered by better bikes.

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Ok. So say the trackbike goes down. How much are EX500 parts compared to others?

stock EX500 parts are going to be cheaper than stock SV or 600cc parts; no dispute there.

But making the EX into even a "competent" track bike is going to require several hundred dollars in upgrades. It's unlikely you're going to be replacing stock parts. You're talking rearsets, clip-ons, cartridge emulators, fork springs, and a fox shock (if you can even find one). If you get ALL of that used, and in good shape, you're talking $800-$1200 no problem.

And you're still only left with a "competent" track bike instead of a "good" track bike.

I guess it depends on what your goals are. If you just want to do 1 or 2 trackdays a year and grin a lot, then track the hell out of your EX500 - but it's fairly easy to find the limits of this bike (especially in stock trim) very quickly. Then what? sink upgrade money into an EX500? if you're racing it, then yes, that's a good idea. It makes the bike competitive with other EX500's. but if you're looking to get faster and further improve your riding, a more sport-oriented bike is a must.

I'm glad I started on my EX500, but I'm equally as glad that I upgraded when I did. If you don't mind my ramblings, pull up my BeaveRun thread from June or July(?) of 2008 when I first got my F2 on the track. I went from a 1997 EX500 to a 1993 F2, and the difference is night and day when it comes to handling. I recall typing something to the effect of "things that required tons of effort on the EX happened practically by accident on the F2." Moving from the F2 to the 600RR was equally as dramatic.

The EX500 is a great way to have fun on a race track, but it's not a practical way to really go fast and improve long-term. Racing against other 500's is one thing, but being on track with modern 600's and 1000's is another. Rider ability will always be the single most important factor, but don't kid yourself into thinking that an EX is going to handle better than a newish R6 with equal ability riders behind the bars.

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redkow97

· #40 · Aug 2, 2010

Knightslugger said:
let the guy behind you worry about getting in front of you. it's not your job to worry about his passing.

and you shouldn't be looking back to see who's behind you anyway. The only time to look over your shoulder is at pit-out.

redkow97

· #42 · Aug 5, 2010

most track marshals are pretty smart about not releasing you into traffic, but they do make mistakes.

I look over my shoulder every time I enter the track.

redkow97

· #44 · Aug 5, 2010

Knightslugger said:
csmutty said:

redkow97 said:

Knightslugger said:

let the guy behind you worry about getting in front of you. it's not your job to worry about his passing.

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and you shouldn't be looking back to see who's behind you anyway. The only time to look over your shoulder is at pit-out.

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IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.

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there's no release marshal for advanced riders. it's a hot pit.

I've never been to an event where there wasn't someone at start/finish controlling traffic onto the track, regardless of what riding group it is.

is that the norm at Blackhawk?

redkow97

· #51 · Aug 23, 2010

Littlepaw said:
stock EX500 parts are going to be cheaper than stock SV or 600cc parts; no dispute there.

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Actually, the fairings for the 500 are crazy expensive.

price an engine, foot-peg assembly, swing-arm, etc.

fairings are stupidly expensive on any and all bikes... Frankly, the EX doesn't get going fast enough to worry about aerodynamics much, so I wouldn't even bother with anything more than a number plate and a solo tail.

redkow97

· #55 · Aug 25, 2010

Littlepaw said:
Actually, that is apples to apples. That Suzuki upper cowling is: $187.98, manufacture part. The Ninja 500: $932.10, manufacture part.

and those are race fairings?

redkow97

· #61 · Aug 26, 2010

you didn't shop around enough. http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/kawiz/EX5001994-06.htm (there is a separate page for first generation parts as well)

"Upper fairing: STREET - no headlight mounts: $200.56"

$580 for a set of full race fairings for an EX500 (this includes a lower that will hold oil to pass tech inspection for race orgs. the "factor" lower is even less expensive)

when calculating the cost of a full set, I did assume that you'd maintain the stock front fender, and re-use that flappy black piece of 'fender' under the seat.

If you can live without a "race" tail/seat (number plates on sides of stock tail section), the cost drops to $372. Find me a NEW GSXR upper & lower thta will hold oil for under $370...

redkow97

· #63 · Aug 26, 2010

Littlepaw said:
Those are aftermarket, non-drilled, and unpainted We were discussing OEM.

but why? The thread was about the expense of potentially racing or track riding an EX500.

redkow97

· #66 · Aug 26, 2010

if i had to have a bike pull street/track duty, i'd run it naked (with an oil catch pan) with just a slanted number plate to break the wind out front.

cost would be a whopping $50 or less, and I'd never have to replace any body parts except maybe a front fender and street tail.

Naked SV650 or street-fightered F4(i) would be money in the bank.

redkow97

· #70 · Apr 28, 2016

Yeah, since I last posted in this thread, I've raced and sold my 600RR and now race an XR100 with no bodywork other than number plates.

It's too light to break itself when i crash. Best race bike ever.

redkow97

· #72 · May 18, 2016

One_Evil_Monkey said:
rk97 said:

Yeah, since I last posted in this thread, I've raced and sold my 600RR and now race an XR100 with no bodywork other than number plates.

It's too light to break itself when i crash. Best race bike ever.

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An XR100... you went to a dirtbike from a 600RR?

The XR100 didn't come with bodywork. EVER.

I trail raced them... it has the front plate and L/R plates.
Number 8

Great trail bike for racing though.

O_E_M

ETA: If I can find the pics I'll post

I got rid of the 600RR because I couldn't afford a new rear tire every weekend, and 1 crash cost enough to pretty much end my race season. My pace was greater than my budget. Not so with the 100.

I race the XR100 with street tires on kart tracks. I'm not going to pretend that I don't miss going 130mph and 600cc acceleration, but the XR100 class is highly competitive in the org I race with, and it is really fun to wring the neck of the bike and know that the potential consequences are relatively benign, and cheap. I'm talking injuries, and bike damage.

I've raced a couple of rounds so far this year. If i can remember my photobucket login, I'll post some pics here.

redkow97

· #73 · May 18, 2016

5

^This is when things are going well.

This is 2 laps later, when I crashed out of 5th place. The first picture is just my front tire plowing.

Both the bike and I were in fine shape to complete the race. The last time I crashed like this on a big bike, I tumbled more times than I could count, and my 600 cartwheeled, costing me quite a bit in parts, and destroying my rear tire (the exhaust bent down and sliced it to the cords).

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