I’ve decided to get a new bike for the spring. I’m in the middle of parting out my 748S/RS track bike as we speak. I’m looking for a bike that I can ride on the street and convert over to the track. I have less and less room to store bikes as I obtain more of them and more equipment in my shop. The recent purchase of a tire changer saw to it that I will have one bike this year for both street and track as it ate up a bit of my ever diminishing precious space.

I have my eyes set on a 2006 999R Xerox that Ed has in his shop, but I just don’t think I’ll be able to pull it off financially. That is a big commitment, but especially since I’d still need to buy all new track bodywork, a pile of tires, track days, and I’m thinking of getting new gear for the upcoming season as my suit doesn’t fit so well (too large) and my helmet is crappy.

The more logical choice would be to buy the Hypermotard 1100S which is the other bike I’m considering. It is about half the cost, but there are a lot of parts that I’m sure I’d deem necessary to buy for it (slipper, STM slave, etc…). The HM would be a better bike for the street, but not really the track as I’m sure it has a top speed of around 125-130 since it is about as aerodynamic as a brick. I was also a little disappointed that the HM1100S didn’t have Ohlins front forks? I does have better than standard forks, but the Ohlins look and work great.

I’ll probably be doing more track riding than street riding so the HM might not be the right choice either. There is a group of about thirty individuals, that I am involved with, whom are starting a track day organization so my main focus will be on the track this year. I’ll write some more about the track club later on as it is still in the beginning phases. Membership fees haven’t been collected yet. I believe that will be the defining point of the club. We need thirty members who are willing to pay a substantial amount so that we can secure all of the tracks we want for the season. Some are already booked for years in advance!