I'm really wanting to get involved in track days since I can't seem to control myself on the streets and tickets are getting expensive. I was curious as to how much people spend on gear, the actual track days, and any other thing I should know about. I figure I could have bought a decent leather suit with the money I've spent on tickets in the past month. Thanks Mike
How expensive are track days?
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It depends on how much the track time itself costs as well as how far away the track is. The closest track to me is 6 hours away, so gas costs are a big part of my typical trackday expenses. In total, if I go to Barber in Birmingham (one of the best tracks in the country, even though it is 7 hours away) for two days, I will spend roughly $1,000. The track time is $400 ($200 per day), plus tires ($300-350) plus gas (~$190 for the car and the bike) and snacks for the trip. I camp at the track to save $60 per night of hotel costs, and the organizers provide snacks and drinks during the trackdays, plus a free lunch. However, if I go to Hallett in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the tracktime is only $100 per day, and gas is a little bit less, since Hallett is a little closer.
You can get a good set of leathers for $300. That's how much my current AGV Forza suit cost me, and it was brand new. Sometimes you can find better deals on used leathers on eBay, sometimes not. Helmet, gloves and boots depends on your preferences but can range from $200-$700 (helmet) $50-$200 (gloves) and $100-$300+ (boots).
There is more, but I think you're starting to get the idea. The initial costs is pretty high for trackdays. The ongoing costs depend on how often you get to go and how far away the tracks are.
EDIT: I forgot to mention how much you will save on speeding tickets and insurance rate hikes once you go to the track. After riding at the track, you start to notice just how dangerous the streets really are. You will also notice that riding on the streets is a lot more boring...
You can get a good set of leathers for $300. That's how much my current AGV Forza suit cost me, and it was brand new. Sometimes you can find better deals on used leathers on eBay, sometimes not. Helmet, gloves and boots depends on your preferences but can range from $200-$700 (helmet) $50-$200 (gloves) and $100-$300+ (boots).
There is more, but I think you're starting to get the idea. The initial costs is pretty high for trackdays. The ongoing costs depend on how often you get to go and how far away the tracks are.
EDIT: I forgot to mention how much you will save on speeding tickets and insurance rate hikes once you go to the track. After riding at the track, you start to notice just how dangerous the streets really are. You will also notice that riding on the streets is a lot more boring...
it all depends on where you live, there is shops that do track days in group one of them is trackoholics in vista ca, for willow springs about 3 hours from where i live is about $135 for a day, it starts at 8:30 and you get 20 min sessions all day and it is divided in 3 groups the begginers, intermidiate and the bad m%$&*s, also keep in mind that you need full leathers, boots they are not cheap, full gloves etc, also transportation, tire and fuel, i would say a day costs will run you about $700-$900 (because you need new to close to new tires if not you will fail pre inspection=no race).i forget to mention that they rent everything even the bike so it is up to you.:fact
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yeah I guess it depends on where you live... Jeeesh... I can hit up PMP for $50 bucks half day and 75 full day... Less than a tank fo gas to get there and run a set of take offs for ~50 bucks....
If it was 1K here Id be a golfer........
If it was 1K here Id be a golfer........
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:bowroll
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I will give you a little on my trip to building a track set up (bike not included). i suggest you get pieces at your leisure. if money wasn't an issue, you'd be set up already, or so it seems.
my boots: A* cost me $180.
My gloves: A* GP Tech cost me $200 (brand new though, that's a deal!).
My back protector: A* Bionic cost me $70.
In the process of buying a used suit (highly suggested for first timer). Those suits will range from ~$100-400 for a decent leather setup.
Tires will last you a number of track days if you run them on the track only (no street)
The upfront costs are the highest, and it begins to even out over time, until you go down. i personally cannot wait to track it one day...but im buying all this gear for street riding too, cuz i'd like to walk away from anything that happens
my boots: A* cost me $180.
My gloves: A* GP Tech cost me $200 (brand new though, that's a deal!).
My back protector: A* Bionic cost me $70.
In the process of buying a used suit (highly suggested for first timer). Those suits will range from ~$100-400 for a decent leather setup.
Tires will last you a number of track days if you run them on the track only (no street)
The upfront costs are the highest, and it begins to even out over time, until you go down. i personally cannot wait to track it one day...but im buying all this gear for street riding too, cuz i'd like to walk away from anything that happens
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average track day cost is between 150-200 dollars. For gas, lodging, food and amenities it's roughly another 200-300 dollars if you go alone. The trick is to go in as large a group as you can and share as much as you can. Then you can get travel expenses down to around 100 or less. Tires are a different cost. A new set ran only at the track with your level of experience will last probably 4 track days. So a 300 dollars set of tires will average out to 75 dollars a track day.
So the absolute best way to go to the track is this:
1. Go in as large a group as possible. Ask for group discounts with the trackday organizationto help bring cost down. usually good for about 10-15%.
2. don't ride on the street anymore. this adds cost and lowers life.
3. get ready for the worst and most expensive addiction you could ever have. you will shoot people and whore yourself out to go again.
So the absolute best way to go to the track is this:
1. Go in as large a group as possible. Ask for group discounts with the trackday organizationto help bring cost down. usually good for about 10-15%.
2. don't ride on the street anymore. this adds cost and lowers life.
3. get ready for the worst and most expensive addiction you could ever have. you will shoot people and whore yourself out to go again.
Yea i wanna go to a track day too but I think i need to take track classes first. How much does that cost? I'm a little afraid to use my own bike too because I don't want to drop it and screw everything up. I don't have a trailer so i cant even take my bike to the track.
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track classes ive seen here in vegas are NOT cheap...why not just go and ride the beginners group? they usually have guys out there working with the riders in between sessions, even if they are fellow riders
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BlackHawk Farms in IL is $150 a day if you use the code from Wisconsin Sportbikes, they feed you lunch too. So that I don't have to get up too early I usually have a hotel stay the night before. I already have the gear and if you don't I recommend getting it even if you just stay on the street. Plenty of places online have some pretty good closeouts on leathers so you don't have to spend a fortune.
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you can spend 200-400 easily on T-day and accessory, But it's a small investment..Think about U and asphalt, thats all that matters...While the ol'e lady is in the kitchen cooking dinner :yes
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Does blackhawk farms offer track schools? I'd like to do something like that besides just a track day.
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If you sign up in the beginner group you do get some instruction but they have a track school also, runs on the same days as the cycle track days. I think it is $230. The 4 sessions they run are each 15 minutes long so you are on the track 15 minutes out of every hour. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and School are the 4 groups and if you sign up for the school you get classroom time between sessions.
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2x more than a speeding ticket, 20x more fun than riding on the street. The only reason I got a M license is so I can do trackdays. I've never met one person who did not get hooked either tracking their car or bike.
Once you've done it, that will be all you are thinking of doing (short of literally going racing...).
Once you've done it, that will be all you are thinking of doing (short of literally going racing...).
No you don't have to go to school.
Most track days all they require are leathers that have a 360 zipper if it's a 2 piece. Boots. Helmet. Gloves. And a motorcycle license.
Gateway International Raceway is a cheap track day but the track sucks. But it's only about 20 minutes away.
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