So who has signed up for track days already?

[Shaman]

I'm thinking of signing up for some days at Mosport and will do several evenings at Shannonville for certain.  Also would do a track day or two at Calabogie.

If other people are going to, it would be fun to coordinate.  Got dates yet?

For dates:  http://www.motorcycletrackdays.ca/

[Betty Boop]

Nothing booked yet. Going to try the Jimbo way this year... last  minute type of thing, lol.  What dates are you looking at?

[Shaman]

I've used the last minute thing... works great, as long as you're not missing days out with your friends.

I'm going to book some Mosport days.  First week of July looks good, if I can get in before it's sold out.

[Jimbo 197]

Spring must be close.....10C weather and racing on the tube....hibernation is almost over.

I didn't actually make it to the bike show even though i did plan on going. I did manage to sign up for 3 motorcycle specials @ SMP-long track days for 99 each - can't go wrong with that price. I've actually found last year the last minute thing doesn't work out so well anymore. Can't do it at Mosport - always sold out, can't do it for Calabogie on a weekend - also sold out in advance, and most groups now ding you an extra $40-50 if you don't pre-register. Kind of a bummer, no more watching the weather and going at the last minute - now i have to plan $hit....oh well.

Bring it.

[FD3SA]

So I'm still looking for a bike...was way too busy with work during the year and got sidetracked. I was pretty set on an SV, but I've fallen in love with 125 GP bikes. They are about the same price for the bike, but obviously maintenance will probably be higher on the 125 as it has to be rebuilt every weekend.

What do you guys recommend?

[Shaman]

The SV is cheap, easy to ride and any part you could want is available for it.  The 125s are great if you a lightweight person and good with maintenance, though.  I dunno, I think if it was me I'd choose the SV.

[Betty Boop]

Ditto on what Shaman said about the SV. Preferably a second generation SV. More parts etc available. The only problem is they are hard to come by. I've been window shopping for one for a while.   

[FD3SA]

Hmmm this decision is killing me, and riding season is already upon us. Should I just flip a coin?

Honestly, I'm concerned about having too much power right at the get go. I want to learn how to corner properly without having to worry about highsiding at every corner exit. Everyone I've talked to stresses that cornering should be learned first, and then power added to the mix.

Having done the FAST riding school, I am wholeheartedly inclined to agree with that advice. The R6 I was on was an absolute DEMON of a machine. Trying to contain that beast's power while at the same time learning the art of cornering was like trying to learn to swim with the butterfly stroke. I know the SV is nowhere near an R6, but it still has more than enough torque to highside me (as my SV buddies have demonstrated on numerous occasions). Should I just get an SV and de-tune it?

[Shaman]

Why not get a SV and simply not use its full power.  I think you're worried for no good reason, highsides happen mostly because someone is hamfisted with the throttle, unless you're a pro turning hot laps, it will be hard to highside a SV.  Also consider getting some sticky tires and have someone with experience help set up your suspension.  There is likely a reason people you know are highsiding... and it's not an excess of power.

[Jimbo 197]

I think there are a couple of big factors between those 2 choices.

1. The tuning and maintenance that goes with the 2 strokes. Jetting every day - sometimes several times a day. The tuning and rebuilding is way more time and energy intensive than a bulletproof almost maintenace free 4 stroke. Do you like the hands-on aspect and have the time to do it? Or would you showing up to ride requiring minimal prep time work better with the work/life schedule?

2. The difference in the machines is quite large. The SVs are a decent bike, lots of torque, can get around a track pretty fast and are a good place to start. I wouldn't worry too much about highsiding the SV. It can be done but they have more torque than high rpm hp so they aren't as prone as the 600s to toss you (you wouldn't need to de-tune it).  The 125s have almost no torque, or weight and are extremely unforgiving towards rider errors in terms of lost rpm/speed/momentum killing lap times. Having said that, generally the riders that start out on 125s and 250s learn the - frustrating way - not to make those mistakes and usually develop a much higher ability to carry corner speed - which does carry over to 4 strokes if you switch later. I find a whole lot of typical trackday riders depend on their bikes big torque and horsepower to make up for a lack of corner speed. If you learn with less power - you learn to make the most out of it.

Don't think there is a wrong choice - you can have fun with either option. Just comes down to which fits better with your life in terms of time and budget. Go buy a bike and get out there!

EDIT: There is a nicely equipped 05 SV just listed on Cherrypicker ready to go if you're seriously ready to buy....