BOOTHY GIVES US THE TRACK HACK LOWDOWN!

A track bike is for life, not just for Christmas, but there really is no better time to treat yourself to a new toy.

Tons of you out there will have done a trackday and thought there’s no greater thrill than jumping on your pride-and-joy road bike and flying around the likes of Brands Hatch or Silverstone at whatever speed you want/can.

You would be nearly right; there is one thing that’s better and that’s flying around any of this fine isle’s multitude of circuits on something that doesn’t have thousands of pounds worth of lights, mirrors, bodywork, paint, pillion pegs and all that malarkey to worry about. If anything is going to detract from the fun to be had on the circuit it’s the thought of taking home your beautiful road bike in numerous boxes or bin bags, because bin bags aren’t cheap you know (not if you’re investing in the decent ones), and nor are new bike parts. Joking aside, we’re massive trackday advocates and we know first-hand the benefits of owning a purpose equipped track weapon – which can be had in all shapes, sizes and prices.

A track bike has never been so easy to buy and there are so many available that should you set out to find one you will soon discover that you are spoiled for choice. Better still, buying one in these bleak winter months is likely to save you hundreds, even thousands of pounds as people are looking to upgrade for the new season, or flog theirs to fund this year’s Christmas prezzies. It’s a merciless world that we live in, but you may as well take advantage of that. To give you some idea of the ready-made track bikes on the market right now, we’ve cobbled together a bunch of our very own track hacks. In the red corner is my old man’s Aprilia RS250, which is cool if you like smelling of two-stroke and performing regular repairs.

In the other red corner is my mate Clive’s Suzuki SV650, which is great for trackday novices and those with ambitions to start racing. In another corner (pick a colour) is my old British Superstock Kawasaki ZX-10R, and last but not least is young Brod’s (Dangerous Bruce’s brother’s) Triumph Daytona 675R.

Among this select mix there’s something for everyone, and better still nothing here’s going to set you back more than £7,000. That’s about a month’s wage for me…