[Catiman]

Agreed, the Kramer thing is interesting. Several local people are riding them up here in CRA, I think the importer may be local and doing well with them but they are REALY expensive for what you get. Not that it's not competitive, not that it's not a high level, ready to go race machine, it's just a large investment for something raced 5 times a year (because of winter) and will get thrown down the track and end up in a heap at some point in its life. It's also not street legal, you can;t sell the street parts to recoup some money and you pretty much have to buy parts through them.

Cool, but I think money could be better spent for the average track day junky.

Completely agree with your comments and my philosophy regarding track bikes is the same. I am your average track day junky. Would I love a Kramer "Yes" would I buy a Kramer "No" for the same reasons you mentioned.
The same reason the 996's only get ridden at 80% at the track and then swap to the 600 to push the limits.
I paid $3k for a 600RR already set up and $2k for the YZ already set up. I just go and have fun. If I crash either of these bikes, parts are plentiful, and they are cheap to repair.

 

[Catiman]

Would really like to do the track / road conversion on the YZ450 supermoto like the picture, but the cost of doing this would be near the cost of a used Kramer.
They tried to get this class happening in OZ back in 2013 I think but it all fell over.

 

[Catiman]

They tried it in the US as well, I bought an older WR450F about that time, but the class didn’t go far. I had done some research and cost depended on how far into it you wanted to get and what could do yourself. In its most basic form it’s really just lowered suspension and 17” wheels with bolted on rearset pegs, wrapped in bodywork or not so the cost of the bike is your biggest factor. Must have been around 09, maybe 10 or 11 because I had an ‘03 (or ‘04) WR that was a steel frame and carbureted and the FI ones were just coming out or had just come out.

You could go crazy, R6 fits and triple tree, custom subframe, longer swingarm, etc. but again the cost goes way up.

This kit was offered, including bike in 2013 for $16.5K in OZ so would probably be in mid $20K range in today's money.
Would still be fun though.
One of the Post Classic Clubs here run a Supermono class, but engine and frame have to be pre 2007.

 

[Catiman]

Ok, I know this is 3 wheels not 2 but was still a Track Day.
I recently signed up and completed a track day that included Sidecars. This was a HUGE one from my bucket list. Have always followed the sidecars at the IOM TT and love watching them.
This was a track day where you can come and have a go on a Sidecar. So, I did.

One of the main reasons for me going was that I knew Darryl Rayner was going to be there.
Darryl has competed at 6 IOM TT's. The bike we were on he raced at 4 of those IOM TT's (F2 class 600cc).
I was lucky enough to get 3 sessions swinging off the back with Darryl.

The track was a shorter fairly tight track, so speeds weren't that high, but the corners were a great workout for arms and body.
I still can't believe I was on a sidecar that has raced at the hallowed TT circuit ridden by Darryl.
(Me in the black leathers)

 

[Catiman]

Swamper, love your track day reports and pics.
Unfortunately, my days will be limited this year, need to take the wife to Italy to visit relatives, been too long since last visit.
Will do Spain and Portugal while over there. So, my track day budget is blown. 😢

 

[Catiman]

Budget for the Track Days is unbelievable these days. I'm getting together my tire order for 3/4 of the year to qualify it for free freight. Have to order 20 tires at a time, my order is $3,800, the freight would have been $720, so it does save by buying them this way.

I'm hearing you, Tyres, track day entry fees, oil changes, bits and pieces all add up. More so when you take more than 1 bike.
I try and do 8 a year and i reckon I spend around $8k to $10K a year which is pretty good compared to some of my track day buddies.

 

[Catiman]

PS. Forgot to mention in last post, it doesn't bother me one bit seeing the pics on the BMW.

 

[Catiman]

@Swamper now you are making me jealous LOL.