TMR;48140 wrote: I did not by the R6 with the intention of just doing track days. Or buying it to finance just for that purpose. It is just what it has become. This happened years ago after my first track days too. After doing a few track days, street riding lost its appeal. I had a much cheaper bike back then though.
I have started thinking where I would I get more riding enjoyment from on a bike I really like. If I sold it to get a track only bike, I would be upside down on the loan to value and still have to purchase a different bike. So, it is cheaper for me to keep what I have. If I sold my '08 R6, I would buy another R6 for a track bike anyway. I know there are other options out there, but I really like the R6.
The insurance really isn't an issue. I do not have a ton of money but I can easily afford the bike and insurance payments.
The I am looking at it is, I will most likely be in the "B" group for 2 or 3 years. Sure, a crash is still possible at that pace but, I don't know that I will be pushing too terribly hard in that group on a bike I owe a lot of money on. However, at around the time that I might progress up to one of the faster groups, my bike should be paid off.
So, I guess I know what my decision is.
I was just curious if other people end up doing this.
OK, lets say you sell your R6 for $5k. Yes, you're upside down in it, but nothing will change that, you'll have to pay up eventually. Then you buy a trackbike for $5k with upgraded suspension, race glass, etc.
One minor lowside on your streetbike and you're out 2-3k (or more) in headlights, street plastics, etc. You might even dent your tank. Now you're REALLY upside down on a streetbike you will have a REALLY hard time selling.
One minor lowside on your racebike, you pick it up, retech, go back out, and ignore the scratches. When you wanna sell it nobody will care if its been down a few times.
It's really your decision, but going out there and riding a bike on a RACETRACK means having fun and riding it fast. Not riding slow to make sure you don't crash it. Heck, you could sell the bike, take a year or two off, and then come back once you have money saved up. This is a hobby... and just a hobby. Hobbies are things you spend your extra money on, not go into debt over.
I basically purchased a streetbike last year to ride at trackdays and I feel it was a mistake. By the time I invested into race glass, clip ons, rearsets, and a full suspension build, I could have bought a nice 02-03 600 with everything already done. :doh:
opcorn:
