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Track on a 500?

21094 Views 74 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  I am the stig
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 :p
41 - 60 of 75 Posts
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.
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.
IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.
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.
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.
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.
IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.
there's no release marshal for advanced riders. it's a hot pit.
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.
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.
IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.
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 said:
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.
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.
IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.
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?
pretty much, but just for advanced. Novice and Intermediates still get the catch and release.
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.
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.
IMO you shouldn't look behind even then. Just get your speed up and when up to speed merge into the race line.
there's no release marshal for advanced riders. it's a hot pit.
I was just talking from race experience. I assumed that trackdays would be the same, but I guess I am wrong.
Forbin said:
Moving over is bad advice. Keep your line and be predictable. If the guy behind you is faster, he'll find a way.
totally agree. Be predictable and keep your line. I collided with a GSXR 1100 in 92 because he heard me coming and "pulled over" on the front straight. Almost pee'd myself with that buck 40 tank slapper.
the EX is not a good weapon on the track, but it is fun even with its short comings. When I popped a seal on my track bike last month, I used my EX to finish up the last day of track time. It works, it is fun and it is a learning curve with street/stock suspension.

bottoming with stock suspension after that half/day pic. After I rode her home 12 hrs to put her on the lift of course.

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stock EX500 parts are going to be cheaper than stock SV or 600cc parts; no dispute there.
Actually, the fairings for the 500 are crazy expensive.
G
I would readily take my stock 500 to a track. I've taken turns fast enough, on less than ideal roads, to know how flat out fun it would be.

Would need brand new tires though... which is one of the monetary pitfalls that are preventing me from EXcaping.
Littlepaw said:
stock EX500 parts are going to be cheaper than stock SV or 600cc parts; no dispute there.
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.
I could replace the full fairings on most other bikes for just the price of an upper on the 500. Most of the prices on everything else is about the same; Keep in mind though that with a stock oh say GSXR750 - you wouldn't need anything extra for the track versus the Ninja 500. To excel on the track anyways, I believe a stock 500, maybe with fogbones or something very small would be a blast on the track.
That isn't apples to apples. A set of Chinese plastics for a GSXR can be had for $300. I haven't seen a Chinese set for the 500, so you have to OEM or a US company. The difference is in the quality.
Actually, that is apples to apples. That Suzuki upper cowling is: $187.98, manufacture part. The Ninja 500: $932.10, manufacture part.
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?
I've seen everything from a Goldwing to a Sportster 1200 at the track. First few times? Bring whatever you got.
Littlepaw said:
Actually, that is apples to apples. That Suzuki upper cowling is: $187.98, manufacture part. The Ninja 500: $932.10, manufacture part.
An OEM upper for under $200? That is far less than I would expect, but if you have it first hand then OK.
$932.10 wholy mother of.... wow.

Reminder to remove those turn signal backing plates ;D
Yes, I do have first hand at it. I replaced the fairings on my ninja not too long ago and discussed cost of replacement parts. If I had own my example bike(GSXR750), my bill would of been around 400 rather than around 1200. Regardless of first hand experience, you can simply look at places like bike bandit and see the prices.
redkow97 said:
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?
The full hot bodies race kit for the gsxr is $585 new. That is still less than just the upper for the EX-500.
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