Hey,

Scenario is that I've been wanting to sell my VFR for a bit - but the price its worth doesn't do it for me to let it go for that. I've got an '03 R6 for the road, and if I'm honest I can't remember the last time I took the VFR out!

I'm wanting to do a few track days, but reluctant to use the R6 incase I drop it or whatever. Instead of buying a track bike, Im thinking of perhaps converting the VFR... Start out with the fairings and a spare set of wheels with track tyres on and see how it goes before uprating bits and bobs and spending lots on it..

Would you suggest this as a good idea?

How much am I looking at to get it to basic trackday fun? What would you highly recommend doing before thinking of throwing it around a few trackdays?? Anything a must have?

Thanks

A good idea to track a NC30????? Hell yeah what are you waiting for?

Decent suspension and tyres are all you need. Put the original panels in the loft and get some cheap fiberglass panels.
You can do more to it like total loss, strip out the loom, a weight loss program but doing this will make it harder to put back on the road in original spec so depends on how far you wanna go.

Take the mirrors off, number plate off, indicators off, duct tape the speedo and lights. If the tyres are half decent away you go. Dont fall off.

For your first track day just make sure the tyres are half decent and the bike would pass a MOT and away you go... Dont bother spending cash on fairings and Ohlins shocks just yet as trackdays may not be for you (I DOUBT IT )..

To be honest I think its quite hard to crash on track esp on your first one, remember to ride well within yourself ride smoothly and get to the track early and grab a instructor.. Most crashes I have seen have been club racers trying to knock 10th off there time or riders going into a corner a bit quick and panicking or the stupidest crash of all :COLD TYRES: give yourself 3-4 laps if not using warmers...

Dont worry about the carbon gear wankers that turn up to there first trackday with a full spec BSB bikes in the novice group they are normally the first to come off ,

If you can for your first trackday look at Brands Indy its easy to learn and flows really nice.. People will be talking loudly about paddock hill bend being a widow maker but it really is a great corner and once you have gone round it once you will think what was all the talk about!!!!! and after your first session you will be gagging to get back out there...

To track a NC budget about 500 quid this will cover fairings (Used POOBAY) tyre warmers (worth there weight in gold) diamond security are great I have used these for years and they fit the 18 rear fine... And a few spares handle bars, rear footpegs etc, If you have some cash left over and you really enjoy your first few events look at Wheels with wet weather tyres this will save the day if the weather is crap stick with the normal 18" rear for both sets (Bridgestone do a full wet 18" tyre)

Hope that helps

post of the week for me this. sound advice above. cheers for that

Thats a spot on post - thank you very much!!

Following on from that, I think ill do the minor stuff first before I do get addicted like you say...

Are there any companies that do cheap GRP fairings? I know the best option would probably be to hang around for some battered ones on eBay that I can fix up - but i'd quite like the lack of headlight holes/single seat unit also..

What tyres are recommended for the NC30? I've got Bridgestone BT090's on now, but assume I want proper track ones? If i'm going to daytime MOT it, should I have track wheels and road wheels??

Exhaust wise, I've got a Tyga fitted , so think that might be a bit loud on the ol' decibel meter?

First trackday I think is probably going to be Donington or Mallory - Brands is a bit far!

Tyres go for 090s or Dunlop Alpha 10s, there may be others but I havent been round the trackday/racing scene for some time but these will be more than enough!! next step up is slicks dont bother with these unless you are leading the fast group..
As for bodywork there are a few GPR fairing companys (Skidmarx & ARD to name a few) out there but to be honest I would wait for a used set to come up on the bay already painted, a few marks isnt a problem its a track bike not a show bike ...
Wheels again stick with standard NC30 wheels nothing wrong with them plus after marked cost $$$$$ (sorry no pound sign on my laptop).. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket after the first few trackdays that you "Must" spend get the suspension sorted before anything eles leave the engine stock..

Your Tyga exhaust should be fine I think the DB level at most tracks is 102DB a friend has a RSV with a full race akrapovic fitted and he has no issues most people think there bikes are louder than they are ..

I would leave the bike more or less standard for atleast 5-6 trackdays before bashing the credit card I have lost count the people that I know that have started trackdays spent a SH1T load on trick bits and end up just as fast as they where before, Spend 400 quid on 4-5 trackdays and learn to ride on the track than on a trick rear shock that you wont know any difference with...

Thanks for all the advice, it's all going onboard.

Picked up some fairings this afternoon for a pricely £31! Nosecone, side fairings and single seat unit - bargain

Bargin, also a little jealous Had my eye on them too but as usual missed the auction. The seller also has some RVF heads/cam etc which would be worth getting if there cheap. If you dont i'll have em as the seller is only just down the road.

Are RVF heads/cams a straight fit upgrade for the VFR?