Buying a track bike

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by shmike

Popularity makes a HUGE difference.

Yes, every bike has a decent aftermarket contingent but what matters is can you get those parts in time for the next session?

If you are 4, 6, 8+ hours from home it doesn't matter what you can find on www.yourbike'sdedicatedforum.com next Tuesday, it matters what you can find at the track NOW.

If you're racing. If you're doing immediate wrenching to solve a major issue. If you are going to field-strip your bike due to a major oops.

Kel isn't going to do these [now]. Sure, maybe down the road. But, by then she will have a better idea of the performance she wants - and probably have a connection or someone at the track that she'll buy from. Right now, I'd have to go with getting another of the same bike. I mean, get a few spares [clip-ons, levers, master cylinders, rear-sets, etc] of items that will potentially snap off in a get off so you can just bolt back on what you need. For a major break and fix there are parts available for her bike. It's not like an exotic Italian where the entire country shuts down for the summer.

There is something to be said for confusion and muscle memory. Go with what YOU are comfortable on.