Race Bike Advice
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Addison here, I just want to share my 2 cents on building a Track/Race Bike. If you're building one thinking it will save you money, it won't. Go buy one that's already built! If you're building it because you like to get your hands dirty and take extra pride in your ride, keep reading!
You can ask on social media, forums, etc. and you will get a different response every time. However, if you go to the track and ask what upgrades you should do, most people will have similar recommendations to myself.
- Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines - Most bikes come with some form of a rubber brake line. When you're riding on track and heavily braking corner after corner, your brakes will get hot. Brakes get hot, fluid gets hot, rubber lines expand, brake pressure fades. That's why brake lines are my suggested first upgrade. It helps add an extra level of safety/confidence in the brakes, and will also improve/allow for a consistent feel every time you're on the brakes!
- Tires - A good quality tire with the correct compound for the track/weather conditions. I have my own preferences on tires, but truthfully this is a subject best answered by your local track groups. Don't be afraid to post or reach out to them. The people you meet in the paddocks are some of the most helpful people you'll ever meet.
- Controls - These are the Rearsets, Clip-Ons, Levers, etc. These are important to get early on. When you're on your bike(especially on track) you want it to feel like an extension of you. You don't want to feel cramped or uncomfortable. You want to be locked in. Getting this items allows you to get the ergonomics dialed in and get that pace dropping.
- Protection - I'm talking Bodywork, Case Covers, Sliders/Spools Etc. These items are a necessity to protect your investment. Track bodywork comes in many qualities, but overall, they all can take a decent beating. They're built much stronger and it most cases will survive multiple crashes(hello rattle can!). Case Savers are an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. These come in different forms depending on the manufacturer and the bike, but all have the same purpose. Stock cases are typically pretty fragile and a small lowside could cause thousands in repair for a motor. Sliders and spools can help, but theyre the least important protection in my opinion. Most people at the track won't run frame sliders at the track due to them being known to cause bikes to flip. Many people still run fork/swingarm sliders though to help protect them!
- Suspension - This is usually where you see the most performance per dollar. One of the first things you should do to your bike when you buy it is set up the suspension for your weight/riding style. This allows the bike/chassis perform the way its designed. When you need/want to take the jump to aftermarket, this is where your dollar really improves the bike. Aftermarket suspension is built completely different and allows for a much more detailed level of "feel". You can really get that bike dialed in to enhance its all around performance with cornering, braking, traction and more. I personally run and recommend GP Suspension fork carts, and Penske Racing Shocks. They're both made in America! It's always a good idea to make sure your local suspension tech can service them. Your local techs are great people to get to know!
- Exhaust - I know, I know.. We all like to hear our bikes scream, myself included. Truth be told though, this is the least important upgrade you could do to a bike when it comes to lap times. It really won't play a REAL factor for anyone's lap times unless you're up there with the top dogs. I mean, get the exhaust, but you won't just be miraculously faster!
- Coaching - This isn't a bike modification, but I feel that it needs to be on the list. Coaching is really something I believe anyone could benefit from. Its priceless information from people that have been focused on perfecting their craft. Sign up for some local coaching sessions and really soak in all of the info. In this sport, it's extremely important to be humble enough to accept all of the feedback you can get. You can learn something new every time you're out there, even from someone "slower" than you. Listen to the feedback. Learn from it. If you can do that, you'll not only be safer, but also be dropping those lap times!