Valentino Rossi: The Doctor Series

HazemG
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HazemG 5/23/2016 8:14pm
5/23/2016 8:14pm
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea.

Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days.. I used to ride 600's on street but am thinking about picking up a Ninja 250 and riding strictly track.. I could see a 250 getting boring on the streets but am I correct that it would give me a good platform to learn the nuances of track riding while also lowering the chances I get bent out of shape if I bite off a little more than I can chew?

Any opinions?

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Crush
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Crush 5/23/2016 8:19pm
5/23/2016 8:19pm
So pissed about the DNF at Mugello.
seth505
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seth505 5/23/2016 8:24pm
5/23/2016 8:24pm
HazemG wrote:
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea. Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days...
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea.

Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days.. I used to ride 600's on street but am thinking about picking up a Ninja 250 and riding strictly track.. I could see a 250 getting boring on the streets but am I correct that it would give me a good platform to learn the nuances of track riding while also lowering the chances I get bent out of shape if I bite off a little more than I can chew?

Any opinions?
Ya, you are exactly right. A 250 can be a great learning tool on the track. I first rode a 600 and it was a handful in my opinion (on race track). I ended up racing supermoto which is another decent option before getting on something with more horsepower.
endurox
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endurox 5/23/2016 9:16pm
5/23/2016 9:16pm
RC 390 KTM for track days would be a blast


backinthesaddleagain 5/23/2016 9:20pm
5/23/2016 9:20pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2016 9:21pm
Sat on the cup bike at my dealer. A lot of money for sure vs the street version. Very cool though and svelte.
tiddlermx23
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tiddlermx23 5/24/2016 3:59am
5/24/2016 3:59am
HazemG wrote:
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea. Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days...
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea.

Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days.. I used to ride 600's on street but am thinking about picking up a Ninja 250 and riding strictly track.. I could see a 250 getting boring on the streets but am I correct that it would give me a good platform to learn the nuances of track riding while also lowering the chances I get bent out of shape if I bite off a little more than I can chew?

Any opinions?
If you're over 5 and a half feet tall and have ridden a 600 then a 250 is going to be THE most boring bike to track ever. I could imagine yawning in between turns. At least go with the ktm 390 or even a cbr500r.
Charper732
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Charper732 5/24/2016 4:23am
5/24/2016 4:23am
backinthesaddleagain wrote:
Don't overlook an SV650. Many around, can be had low cost, doesn't eat tires like a 600, plenty of spares.
^this. There are several spec classes for this bike. Plus, they can be found used relatively cheap.
Underground 5/24/2016 4:26am
5/24/2016 4:26am
backinthesaddleagain wrote:
Don't overlook an SV650. Many around, can be had low cost, doesn't eat tires like a 600, plenty of spares.
Charper732 wrote:
^this. There are several spec classes for this bike. Plus, they can be found used relatively cheap.
And easier power to use than a an inline 4 for a beginner
Charper732
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Charper732 5/24/2016 4:26am
5/24/2016 4:26am
HazemG wrote:
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea. Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days...
Thank you for posting! Now watching with my obligatory cup of tea.

Not to thread jack, but I'm looking to get into road bike track days.. I used to ride 600's on street but am thinking about picking up a Ninja 250 and riding strictly track.. I could see a 250 getting boring on the streets but am I correct that it would give me a good platform to learn the nuances of track riding while also lowering the chances I get bent out of shape if I bite off a little more than I can chew?

Any opinions?
tiddlermx23 wrote:
If you're over 5 and a half feet tall and have ridden a 600 then a 250 is going to be THE most boring bike to...
If you're over 5 and a half feet tall and have ridden a 600 then a 250 is going to be THE most boring bike to track ever. I could imagine yawning in between turns. At least go with the ktm 390 or even a cbr500r.
Do you work at Livingood? Brian did the tune on my R1...best tuner around
Rdracer598
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Rdracer598 5/24/2016 4:36am
5/24/2016 4:36am
backinthesaddleagain wrote:
Don't overlook an SV650. Many around, can be had low cost, doesn't eat tires like a 600, plenty of spares.
Charper732 wrote:
^this. There are several spec classes for this bike. Plus, they can be found used relatively cheap.
Another vote for SV. Great track bike and cheap to build or fix
tiddlermx23
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tiddlermx23 5/24/2016 6:20am
5/24/2016 6:20am
Charper732 wrote:
Do you work at Livingood? Brian did the tune on my R1...best tuner around
Brian is my uncle. Only person I trust to touch my engines.
HazemG
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HazemG 5/24/2016 9:39am
5/24/2016 9:39am
Are all SV's naked? I know this is a stupid thing to key in on, but I prefer fairings...

I've been watching some videos of 250's and they seem to be pretty fun.. I honestly want to get technique down before anything else. My understanding is 250's are easily sold so I wouldn't take a big hit once I am ready to move up.

The KTM RC 390 looks interesting, I'll look into that more.

Is the Honda VFR 400 avail stateside?
Rdracer598
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Rdracer598 5/24/2016 10:26am
5/24/2016 10:26am Edited Date/Time 5/24/2016 10:28am
HazemG wrote:
Are all SV's naked? I know this is a stupid thing to key in on, but I prefer fairings... I've been watching some videos of 250's...
Are all SV's naked? I know this is a stupid thing to key in on, but I prefer fairings...

I've been watching some videos of 250's and they seem to be pretty fun.. I honestly want to get technique down before anything else. My understanding is 250's are easily sold so I wouldn't take a big hit once I am ready to move up.

The KTM RC 390 looks interesting, I'll look into that more.

Is the Honda VFR 400 avail stateside?
No, the S model comes with a fairing in stock trim. Most guys put race bodywork on them for the track anyways. You can get a used race bike pretty cheap. Google SV650 race bike and plenty of pics with fairings

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iudi2006
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iudi2006 5/24/2016 10:31am
5/24/2016 10:31am
HazemG wrote:
Are all SV's naked? I know this is a stupid thing to key in on, but I prefer fairings... I've been watching some videos of 250's...
Are all SV's naked? I know this is a stupid thing to key in on, but I prefer fairings...

I've been watching some videos of 250's and they seem to be pretty fun.. I honestly want to get technique down before anything else. My understanding is 250's are easily sold so I wouldn't take a big hit once I am ready to move up.

The KTM RC 390 looks interesting, I'll look into that more.

Is the Honda VFR 400 avail stateside?
I also am getting into road racing and have a couple buddies who race pro in MotoAmerica and they have advised me to learn on an SV650 as well. It is cheap, gives you a better opportunity to really learn how to corner, and a good bike to learn on. They told me if I start on a 600 I'd be way more likely to be parking it in the corners and crash it when pushing the limits.
The Sneak
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The Sneak 5/26/2016 7:47pm
5/26/2016 7:47pm
Fifteen years ago I bought an FZR400 for my first street bike. It was the summer after I graduated college and I had a blast with that bike. I rode it for three years and all over New England. Those bikes were dominant in their class til the SV650 came along. I used to buy race take-off tires from a local road racer who campaigned an FZR400, he sold me a Fox twin clicker and I had the forks rebuilt and revalved.

Not sure how many are left - they are old bikes now with mid 80s ergos but they and other 400s do pop up every now and then.

It was a great bike and I miss it more than the VFR or Duc 900SS that came afterwards.

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