Finances of track days.

[Greenhorn]

Hey now!

Question: Aside from the fiances of the bike, personal protective gear, transportation fee, and the track day entrance fees, are there other expenses associated with track days that the Trackday sticky doesn't mention?

I'm trying to understand how much I would spend if I were to get a track bike and participate trackdays around the bay area without.

Would I need to purchase a truck to haul the bike or can I tow the bike on my commuter car. I seen these types of trailers and would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this.
https://www.discountramps.com/smc-6...MIpaP137zm6gIVWR-tBh3JRQElEAQYBCABEgKpU_D_BwE

 

[fufo47]

Hey now!

Question: Aside from the fiances of the bike, personal protective gear, transportation fee, and the track day entrance fees, are there other expenses associated with track days that the Trackday sticky doesn't mention?

I'm trying to understand how much I would spend if I were to get a track bike and participate trackdays around the bay area without.

Would I need to purchase a truck to haul the bike or can I tow the bike on my commuter car. I seen these types of trailers and would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this.
https://www.discountramps.com/smc-6...MIpaP137zm6gIVWR-tBh3JRQElEAQYBCABEgKpU_D_BwE

Couple of things...

Trackdays are addictive and as a result, they become expensive... You'll get hooked and are going to try to go faster and are going to spend a lot of money in parts that you don't really need in an effort of going faster! But it's a heck of a lot fun doing so! "Yes, I need new bubble windscreen and I'll drop my laptimes by a second", there goes another $150.

I have the exact hitch carrier that you show and it works perfectly! I have an Aprilia Tuono and have not had a single issue with the trailer for the 3 years that I've had it. I initially winged it and was renting via Turo a pickup truck to go to the tracks but ended up spending $4.5k on an SUV that's in good shape and that's what I use know.

Depending on the track, you'll need to account for lodging... Thunderhill for me is usally a night of hotel and hotels in Willows usually hover the $90 per night. There are folks who camp out at the track if that's your cup of tea

Oh and another thing... don't worry about crashing, because you will crash and the sooner you accept this the sooner you'll start having fun... don't be afraid to ask for advice, I have yet to met a dickhead at the track, everyone is always willing to help and it's a fun-family atmosphere so don't be afraid of asking someone else for tips or tricks.

Enjoy!

 

[Greenhorn]

Thank you for your feedback Fufo47.

I think that's the one thing I want to avoid- little upgrades here and there really adds up!

To your point about crashing. My idea is to get budget bikes that I don't mind crashing.

 

[89fj]

one word about crashing...........DON'T

 

[East Bay Blake]

Tires.... you’re gonna need a lot of tires.

 

[carotte]

There's also opportunity cost.
If I invested even half the money I spent on tracking/racing between 2010-2015...I'd be a decade closer to retirement. Think about the opportunity cost.

 

[Greenhorn]

There's also opportunity cost.
If I invested even half the money I spent on tracking/racing between 2010-2015...I'd be a decade closer to retirement. Think about the opportunity cost.

This is precisely what I'm trying to figure out.

 

[berth]

I think that's the one thing I want to avoid- little upgrades here and there really adds up!

Not that I have any idea what I'm talking about, but, I always liked the anecdote about Troy Corser (who started road racing quite late, early 20's).

Simply he said something to the light of that if there were people that could do substantially better on his current bike, then it wasn't the bike that needed the work to get better.

There's no doubt some truth to that, though I'm sure it's not a universal maxim.

Just something to consider when thinking about that next upgrade.

 

[kxmike]

I've been doing trackdays since 2003. My biggest track expense over the years is tires. You can do trackdays without spending a boat load of $ if you focus on being a better rider instead of making your bike faster. Problem is...as you get faster you'll need to run better (more expensive) tires and better suspension (or your expensive tires will only last one day!). You can keep costs down by running a little bike that doesn't eat tires like a bigger bike...and they are a ton of fun (at least in the corners!:laughing)

 

[Starpower]

For me at mid-high B pace - $30 car fuel, $30 bike fuel, $80 hotel, $40 food/beer, $40 tire wear, every other track day oil change $15, brake pad wear ~$15 = in the ballpark of $250. Bring food and camp and I find about $300 for Track and expenses all combined. I tow with my Accord.

Yes, very addictive!

 

[afm199]

You'll basically spend as much as you want.

When I was campaigning an SV650, I bought tires twice a season. When I was riding a GSXR1000, I bought tires once a month.That's $400 a pop.

 

[BigRich]

Assuming you have the ‘basics’ - the bike, a carrier/trailer, leathers, helmet/gloves/boots - it really becomes a question of how much you want to spend.

Consumables you can’t avoid, but can minimize with bike size (to a degree), include: tires, brake pads, oil/filter. And depending on how hard you go, the hard parts too - chain, sprockets, levers, and pegs.

When you get to the point you want to go faster: track classes, more track days, and parts...whether they make you faster, who knows...but as you do more, you may start thinking about track ergonomics vs. street, and then get into chassis bits like rear sets, clip inside, quick shifting/auto blip setups, brake cylinders, track fairings and lighter bits all around, then maybe slicks and warmers, and a generator.

And don’t forget comfort off-track...EZ pop up tent, fans, tables, chairs, coolers and so on.

Really, it’s up to you...just go out, have fun, and build up as you go - like car camping. Have fun!

-Rich

 

[Greenhorn]

Thank you all for your open and honest response.

At this point I believe I wouldn't get anything bigger than an SV650. I still have all of my personal protection items, but bikeless since I moved back out here two years ago. Perhaps during the winter I can good prices on bikes.

What is everyones' experience with camping on the track?

 

[Lagwagonlead]

What is everyones' experience with camping on the track?

It's usually quite nice. Most tracks have toilets, showers, and even power, but you'd want to check before heading out to a new track to make sure. The only downside for me is sometimes there are some loud attendees that do not require sleep and the party lasts into the early morning.

 

[Greenhorn]

It's usually quite nice. Most tracks have toilets, showers, and even power, but you'd want to check before heading out to a new track to make sure. The only downside for me is sometimes there are some loud attendees that do not require sleep and the party lasts into the early morning.

Great. Thank you for that.

 

[Sportbiker]

Greenhorn..

There's plenty of good advice regarding consumable items in this thread so my recommendation is slightly different.

Learn to be fast, safely. A little up front investment in proper instruction can save you a lot of money and pain down the line. I took a class with Ken Hill and I can guarantee you, I saved a ton on money on crash related items (by not crashing). Being a smooth rider also saves tires.

Learn from wizards like Dave Moss, Ken Hill and many others that we in the Bayarea have unrestricted access to..

 

[MarkMarine]

I've found track days (and racing) to be one of the more rewarding things I get to do in my life, so there is an opportunity cost to not doing it, but if you look at it objectively the money will never make sense. I actually look with awe at the "only" track day riders that show up with just a bike and a ramp in the back of a small truck, some day I want to get to that level of minimalism.

It's incredibly fun, and the people that attend are great. You might not retire 10 years early, but you'll be truly living the early years when you're healthy. Personally, I am unwilling to mortgage today to pay for the future. I save some, but enjoy now.

 

[Smash Allen]

no mention of insurance?

get airmedcare and enloe helicopter insurance for about $100 and $60 respectively; cheaper than $40,000 uninsured ride

be prepared to max your annual out of pocket for medical

plan for the worst hope for the best kinda thing

 

[puckles]

And the occasional late start/stay home Monday (if you're hourly/commission etc.) because you are beat from riding hard Sunday and then driving 2 hours home and unloading.

 

[stangmx13]

You'll basically spend as much as you want.

When I was campaigning an SV650, I bought tires twice a season. When I was riding a GSXR1000, I bought tires once a month.That's $400 a pop.

This

My first "year" of trackdays, I managed to spend <$1000 total on 3 trackdays. The tires had plenty left after 3 days. I slept at the track in my tent. I brought a cooler with all my food. I didnt crash. I already had the bike and gear. The bike used pump gas.

My 2nd year, I spent $2000 for 3 trackdays because the bike got a few upgrades including an extra set of wheels. My 3rd year added a race prep and a race school, which increased the cost even more. Then I got faster and started using softer tires. Then I built the motor and started using race gas. Then races got further away and staying in hotels helped my performance. Its a damn snowball of costs (and enjoyment). Now I rarely go to the track without spending >$1000 per weekend.

You can do trackdays cheap for sure. But I've never known anyone to let them stay cheap.