Which is better?

[Kittyhawk]

*Buying a 2nd hand track bike already set up for the track

or...

*Buying a bike and setting it up yourself with aftermarket parts etc..

Nothing larger than a 600.

[Tim 39]

*Buying a 2nd hand track bike already set up for the track

or...

*Buying a bike and setting it up yourself with aftermarket parts etc..

Nothing larger than a 600.

I'd say it depends a lot.
If you know heaps about it and you know exactly what you want.. then build your own.

If you don't know much about it and just want a good track bike, buy a GOOD second hand one. as a general rule the people at the front are there for a reason ie their bikes are fast and reliable.

[ArcherWC]

Cheep way is to buy one already setup

Expensive way is to build your own.

Just remember even a setup one will require some work to personalise it, ie suspension setup for your weight and ability

[FROSTY:Me]

no question--buy one already set up. but be careful to research the history and what the bike actually comes with. A bike that was out there doing 1.03's might when it comes up for sale be a totally different bike.
Cams dissapear. hot suspension etc.
And it may have been a seriously wadded bike thats no longer straight

[GaZBur]

If you havent raced before maybe get something cheaper already set up to get some track time up before trying to get too competitive and you will know better what class suits you. Maybe F3 or Motard to start or whatever is most popular at the local tracks there. F3 is probably more to what you talking about but motards bounce better when you are trying to learn skills. A fast bike will always be better but track time on something that doesn't cost thousands in new plastic if you bin is probably the way to start.
Good luck and don't forget to post how you get on!

[Morcs]

And think twice before going anything F2 or above.

A supersport 600 you will be looking at $15k in tyres (correct me if im wrong guys)

Get an SV. or VFR.

400s are the cheap way to go. And heaps of fun too.

[Kittyhawk]

I thought of a motard but I think the temptation to convert it back to off road would be too great lol....

A couple of racers reccomend SVs are the way to go for a newbie...but I've never actually test ridden one or know much about them apart from having torque...always rode inline 4s.

[koba]

And think twice before going anything F2 or above.

A supersport 600 you will be looking at $15k in tyres (correct me if im wrong guys)

Get an SV. or VFR.

400s are the cheap way to go. And heaps of fun too.

An SV is probably a way better bet than a 400.
Cheaper in the long run, esp if run in protwins.
Unless a good already built 400 comes up for a great price that is in great nick I would swing towards the SV.

[kickingzebra]

second hand racebike will be cheaper than buying a second hand bike and second hand race parts. the bitter voice of experience...

[HDTboy]

Andrew Stroud is selling his K6 1000 for $15k, with road fairings too.

[jrandom]

Andrew Stroud is selling his K6 1000 for $15k, with road fairings too.

I don't really think Sheryl wants or needs a fair dinkum Nationals-level superbike, though.

To be honest, I doubt there's much of a market for such things. There aren't too many casual club-level racers who want to go play in Superbikes, and serious competitors with a bit of cash are more likely to develop their own racebike from scratch.

I suspect that you could count the number of people in this country who'd buy one of last year's second-hand race-prepped litre machines on the fingers of both hands.

[Nicksta]

hey chick.... i'd go with 2nd hand already track ready bike.....
I bought tweety pretty cheap for one reason - i was learning and knew i wanted something reliable and that was strong and sturdy enough to last through my now 3 crashes i've had and lets face it, you will eventually crash for some reason or another.
I think an F3 type bike is a good idea as they are relatively cheap and reliable.
Know your budget and stick to it!
Racing is expensive and little costs pop up all the time. You can pick up a good reliable race ready 400 for around 3k. Tweety has tough me a lot in regards to lines and cornering... something you learn on a lesser powered little bike
Street stock is another class a lot of entry level riders get into as most people have their 250 from learning. Tyres are cheaper and dont ware out as much plus you learn a lot like with the 400's. So think about the class you want to race for a season when considering bikes.

Hope this dribble helps and pm me for my number if you want to chat more

[samsmith88]

midge smarts fresh 07 R6 is looking for a new home too, pm me for details (sorry, back to subject)

[R6_kid:Me]

midge smarts fresh 07 R6 is looking for a new home too, pm me for details (sorry, back to subject)

... Always seems that good offers come up just when you're getting ready to leave the country!

[Robert Taylor]

... Always seems that good offers come up just when you're getting ready to leave the country!

You will not get a better prepped bike than this one and I would assist the seller in ensuring that the spring rates are correct for the purchaser. Davy Coles maintenance ethic and sincerity is second to none.
Part of the message here is that it is all very well buying an already set up racebike, but it is set up for the individual rider, and that can vary widely.