Ducati Monster Forum

Hello all!
New to the street legal side of motorcycles this is my first year of riding,  done on my lovely new monster 696.

Next year however I would love to start doing some track days as well.  So the advice that I am looking for is what would be a good bike to get for starting off learning how to ride track?

I plan on taking any type of track type courses I can get my hands on over here in ontario, but would like to keep my eyes open for a possible bike during the off season.  Might be able to get a better deal on one!

Im open minded to any bike as this is my learning phase and know sometimes you have to bite that bullet and ride something you may not be too keen on.

So if possible two recommendations would be great!  Best overall learner bike and best ducati learner bike?  ;D ;D

Thanks a lot!

I assume you're asking about a dedicated track bike and not a joint street/track bike?

It's worth taking your 696 to the track at least once (or half-a-dozen times  ;D) to get a feel for the bike's limits and for track riding.  As long as you feel comfortable keeping it upright.  Tossing a Duc at the track can be an expensive proposition.

In terms of dedicated track bikes, a track-prepped SV is a good way to go. Any Japenese 600 will work.  Don't get a literbike.  Ducatis are expensive trackbikes.  A monster is not a good track-only toy.  A SS is better (and is fun), but is still not as good as a superbike for a track-only steed.  A Ducati superbike is the best way to go (if you insist on a Ducati), but they're $$. Unless you're pretty wealthy or don't care that much about $, a cheap, disposable Japanese bike is a better way to go to learn on.  

This is a good time of year.  Buying a well set-up and maintained former race bike is easier now (or Christmastime) than it once race season starts up again.

What kind of budget are you looking at?

I don't really have a budget planned out, Track only bike yes.

I dont want to limit myself to Duc's only because as you said they can be expensive, especially to learn on.  But hey, having a garage full of ducati's sure would be nice  ;D

Anything specific such as models and whatnot is appreciated as well so I can lookup info on them.

And yes of course I plan on staying away from liter bikes for sure, as I said this will be my first time and don't think I could handle that much power to learn off of!

Thanks again

SV650. If I were to buy a track only bike right now, that's what I'd get.
(http://www.bikebits4you.com/images/2006_suzi_sv650_vale.jpg)

Yamaha YSR50...
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/tazios/Motos%20Photos/candy001.jpg)

Or Honda NSR50:
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/tazios/Motos%20Photos/Grange5.jpg)
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/tazios/Motos%20Photos/Grange12.jpg)

Don't laugh too hard...
Set of sticky tires (front AND rear): $116.00
Replacement Chain: $18.00
Spark Plug: $2.00
Track Day: $30.00 ($20.00 with 5 or more friends)
5 gallons of gas for the ENTIRE weekend: $15.00
Gas for the pickup truck: $45.00

Having the time of your life for only $236.00:  PRICELESS!

Compare that to what you would spend on any other bike...

Tires last for many many days at the track without going away.  
Riding this bike, my skills have improved exponentially faster than they would have just riding the canyons on my monster.  You have to be so much more precise with these bikes than on the Duc.  It's all about braking just enough, yet carry a lot of corner speed. Being in the right gear, proper cornering lines, etc...  Plus, if (when) you fall, there's hardly any damage to the bike or you.  My buddy tucked the front end right in front of me (the only way I could ever get by him), and he just picked up the bike and kept on going. He caught (and passed) me two laps later.   [laugh] [bang]

Seriously, the Monster was a blast at the track, but I could never really let myself just let go and ride the wheels off of it. I only touched my knee down once. With the 50, I was dragging on both sides within two sessions. I can have both wheels sliding and save it (or not) and not worry too much.  Call me blasphemous, but I might not take the Duc to the track ever again.

Just my humble opinion.  :D   ;)

Good luck with your decision...    [thumbsup]

---edit---

Wow, I went back and read my post... Kinda long-winded.  Sorry...   :-[

i have buddies who bought those and then swapped in suspension from GSXR 1000 and love it as a track bike.  They're pretty cheap to buy too, especially if you can find one in less than perfect condition.

the other 1/2 of my track buddies ride supermotos which they say are cheap to track.

I thought it'd be cool to build a moto450 track bike, but without the donor bike, it gets expensive quick.

Aprilia has a few options
RS 50, 150 and 250

I would LOVE the 250 for a track bike

I'm loving that Honda 50 idea.  too bad around here there's no such class to run with  [bang]

Check out M1GP. They have races all over the country.  I picked up my bike for under a grand.  Some of my friends are out at the track every weekend.  It's really that inexpensive!

The only tracks on the 2010 schedule are Grange and Willow.

Aren't they both in Cali?

oops, yeah...   [roll]

I meant check out racing leagues like M1GP..  :P

I know they have races all over the country.  I got my bike from a guy who raced it in New Mexico.  Calamari Racing has lotsa info as well as ysr50.com

A 50 is a bad idea.  It teaches you really shitty throttle control.  After I got fast on a 250 by learning to whack it open at full lean, I hopped on my r6.  HIGHSIDE!!!

I would recommend a Honda CBR600RR.  They are literally everywhere for sale cheap and they are fast as frikkin' hell.

sweet, thanks for all the info so far guys!

Gives me lots to think about, willing to take anymore advice on the subject still as well.  Starting to look for an actual bike in 2 weeks or so

I think the 50 has made me better quicker, than my time riding the M750.

I've learned how to trail brake properly, keep up my corner speed, be more precise with my corner entries/apexes/exits, up and down shifts, etc.. 

Yes, on the 50 I have to whack the throttle WFO to get any joy coming out of a corner, but that doesn't mean I'd do that on the Monster.  Most of what I've learned on the YSR I can apply to the Duc, but It's still a different beast and I have to treat it accordingly.

Then again, I've only been riding a little over three years, compared to Spidey's many more years on the street and track.  I'm only speaking from my own experiences.

And, for the record, I'm not being sarcastic with the above statement.  Spidey is a well respected member of the DMF and his vast knowledge and advice has been a boon to many a new rider, including myself.   [thumbsup] 

An SV650 will be as close in engine feel to a small Duc, as opposed to an i4, something to ponder.

An SV650 will be *cheap* to fix. There's a ton of them running around, so the price point on replacement parts is a good bit lower than a Duc for new parts. If you don't mind scavenging some cosmetically challenged bits, they can be had for pennies on the dollar.

The SV650 is tough. A neighbor of mine crashed hers probably a good half dozen times and the wost of the damage was a broken lever and foot peg. It just wouldn't give up.

I've got no real love for 'em, but as a cheap track bike they are hard to beat.

If it's a track only bike, it's not hard to find a track prepped one for a good price. But keep in mind it *will* have been down. If not, then it's rider was never really pushing.. and hey you might get a better bike. But, as it'll probably have been down make sure to get a good look over before agreeing to a sale. Ideally, take a mechanic buddy or even  broker a deal with the potential seller to have a shop evaluate it. If the bike checks out you eat the cost of the inspection, if not, the seller does - might be a good way to filter out some of the less than honest sellers too.

Either way, check the bike out well, as what seems to be a good deal can quickly turn into a money pit if there's a number of undisclosed issues on the bike.

I too recommend the SV650.  Cheap to set up, cheap to fix.  Adequate power to start out.  Next on the list would be a Japanese 600, but those have a ton of power.  Before you spend money on a dedicated track bike, make sure you're ready for the track experience.  I've seen some people show up to the track who don't have any desire to ride fast.  If you're uncomfortable at speeds over 100 mph, don't invest in a bike and gear.  Find a beginners racing class that allows you to rent that stuff.  If you fall in love with it then make some purchases.  Or bring your 696, but remove (don't just tape over) all the parts you don't need.

solid advice everyone thank you.

I will be looking into those SV650's on everyones advice!

 [moto]

sv or one of the newer gen rs125s.  The 125s are probably more or less ready to put some track time on since the SVs come with poop suspension. (i have an sv, i can say it   [cheeky]) 

sv will run you ~2500-3k depending on naked/ half faired, miles, year, etc for a decently kept one.  I've seen some rs125s going for 4k (slightly used).

Sweeet, I was hoping someone would recommend one of those Aprilia's.

My local dealer has a few used ones at low prices!  AND I wouldn't have to worry about a fight breaking out in my garage between pasta and rice  ;D