Photo by Christian Romei
There’s a quiet truth you learn pretty fast in the paddock: you don’t need a race bike to ride the track — you just need a bike that’s predictable.
We’ve seen riders roll in with bone-stock street machines, zip-tied headlights, and mismatched tires… and have the time of their lives. We’ve also seen $30,000 superbikes get out-ridden by riders on clapped-out 600s who simply have clean lines, good habits, and calm heads.
A track-day setup doesn’t need to look like a race bike — it just needs to be predictable, stable, and safe. Everything else is optional seasoning.
So instead of telling you what you should buy, we focus on what actually matters: making the bike you already have safer, more stable, and easier to learn on. And depending on your budget, here are three clean ways to dial in your setup.
TrackDNA Safety Note
Riding motorcycles on track is inherently risky and can result in serious injury or death. The ideas in this article are shared for general information only — they’re not formal coaching, professional instruction, or a guarantee of safety or performance.
Always ride within your limits, use proper safety gear, and practice only in a controlled, closed-course environment that follows all rules and regulations. Before trying any new technique, talk with a qualified coach or instructor and use your own judgment about what’s right for your skill level, your bike, and your body.
The best place to explore and apply these ideas is with a qualified coach or at a dedicated motorcycle or racing school. Treat what you read here as background context and conversation fuel for your own training — not as a step-by-step guide or a substitute for in-person instruction.
By choosing to ride, you accept the risks that come with it.
Budget Setup ($0–$300): “Just Get Me on Track”
This setup is for riders who want to try a track day without detaching their wallet from reality.
Safety, predictability, and basic prep — that’s the goal.
1. Tires (Fresh, Not Fancy)
You don’t need slicks.
You don’t need warmers.
You don’t need a race compound.
But you do need tires that aren’t dried out or squared off.
- Check your DOT date (yes — DOT, not DOM).
- Anything older than ~5 years? Replace it.
- Anything that feels like sidewalk chalk? Replace it.
2025 cost: ~$250–$400 for an entry-level set (plus tax).
Related reading:
If you’re rolling in with a mostly stock bike and want a simple checklist for that first event, we break everything down in Track Prep on a Budget: What You Actually Need for Day One.
2. Basic Prep
Track orgs require it, and your bike deserves it.
- Tape headlights and taillights
- Remove mirrors
- Check brake pad life
- Verify chain tension
- Update fluids if needed
It’s not glamorous, but it’s the backbone of a safe day.
3. Optional: Stainless Brake Lines
If your lever feels spongy — especially on older bikes — stainless lines can help tighten the feel and improve consistency under heat.
Assuming your brake fluid is fresh, and you have 50% or more brake pad life left, changing the line will make the most difference. With those fundamentals in place, a stainless line gives you a firmer lever and more repeatable brake feel throughout the day.
Used sets commonly run $40–$80 plus tax.
Not required, just confidence-boosting.
Mid-Range Setup ($600–$1,400): “I’m Getting Serious”
This setup is for riders who’ve caught the bug — 2–5 track days in, seeing improvements, and wanting the bike to match the progress.
1. Better Brake Pads
A good HH pad gives predictable feel and doesn’t require race pace.
2025 cost: ~$57–$90 (plus tax).
Side Note:
Race pads are designed for racing for a reason — they need heat to work.
On the first few laps, cold race pads can feel surprisingly weak.
The first time I ran true race pads, I learned quickly that without heat, they don’t bite the way you expect.
For most track-day riders, HH pads are the smarter—and safer—choice.
2. Suspension Refresh + Setup
You don’t need premium suspension yet. You just need stability.
- New fork oil & seals
- Sag setup with a tech ($40–$60 plus tax)
- Springs matched to your weight ($100–$150 plus tax)
This is the biggest performance upgrade in this bracket.
Side Note:
When you’re choosing a shop or suspension tech, pick someone who races or coaches.
Veteran racers understand why certain upgrades matter and which ones don’t.
They won’t just install parts — they’ll translate feel and help you learn.
We’ll cover how to pick the right shop in a separate piece.
Related reading:
Riders often hit the “I’m starting to get it” stage around day two or three — something we talked about in What I Wish I Knew Before My Second Motorcycle Track Day.
3. Crash Protection or Track Plastics
Crash Protection ($150–$300 plus tax):
- Sliders
- Case covers
- Axle sliders
OR
Used Track Plastics ($250–$400 plus tax)
Save your street bodywork as your pace increases.
4. Safety Wiring — A Cheap but Powerful Safety Upgrade
Safety wiring isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the biggest “small upgrades” you can make.
A loose drain bolt or caliper bolt ends your day — sometimes someone else’s too.
A roll of stainless wire and twist pliers costs $15–$30 plus tax and can save thousands.
Side Note:
When clipping wire ends, collect every single piece.
I once lost a rear slick because a clipped wire end was left on the lift.
I rolled the bike over it and turned that tire into accidental acupuncture — expensive, stupid, and avoidable.
Be meticulous with safety wire. Your wallet will thank you.
5. Better Track-Capable Tires (Full Set Pricing)
This is where you step into hypersport rubber — Q5s, S22s, Rosso IV Corsa, Power 6, etc.
Typical 2025 price for a full set (front + rear):
- $340–$420 for sport/hypersport sets (plus tax)
- Example: Michelin Pilot Power 2CT Tire Set — ~$339.98
- $400–$500+ for higher-end or track-oriented compounds (plus tax)
- Example: Michelin Power 5 Tire Set — ~$406.98
Installed: ~$350–$550 depending on region.
Related reading:
A more predictable bike makes it easier to trust the line you’re following — something we explored in Finding My Line: A Rider’s Turning Point with a Track Coach at COTA.
Premium Setup ($2,000+): “Take My Money, I Love This Stuff”
This level is for riders who want the bike to feel as dialed as their intentions.
Most of these upgrades shine as your pace and consistency start climbing.
Note:
Don’t feel pressured to start here. Build the foundation first — let the parts follow your growth.
1. Full Suspension Upgrade
This is where the bike becomes a tool.
- Öhlins or K-Tech cartridges
- Revalved/re-sprung rear shock
- Professional tuning
2025 cost: $1,200–$2,000+ (parts only, plus tax).
2. Full Track Bodywork
Lightweight, repairable, fast to remove.
Cost: ~$300–$400 DIY, ~$500–$750 painted (plus tax).
3. Rearsets + Clip-Ons
More ground clearance, more feel, better ergonomics.
Cost: ~$250–$450 (plus tax).
4. Exhaust + ECU Tune (Optional)
Not for horsepower — for smoother fueling and cooler temps.
Cost: $600–$1,000+ (plus tax).
5. Premium Tires + Warmers
- Warmers: $300–$600 (plus tax)
- Stands: $150–$250 (plus tax)
- Tires: $380–$500 (plus tax)
Side Note:
You don’t need warmers new.
I bought a used set of Woodcraft warmers off eBay and saved about $200 — they’ve been flawless.
The used market in the paddock is full of great gear if you keep an eye out.
We’ll talk more about tire warmers, heat cycles, and proper use later.
Related reading:
For many riders, moving to premium setups isn’t about specs — it’s about chasing the feeling we explore in Why We Keep Coming Back: The Track as a Second Home.
2025 Price Snapshot (Front + Rear Sets)
(Parts only — plus tax where applicable.)
Tire Sets
- Michelin Pilot Power 2CT Set: ~$339.98
- Michelin Power 5 Set: ~$406.98
- Sport/hypersport sets: ~$340–$420
- Higher-end track-oriented sets: ~$400–$500+
Brake Pads
- WRP Dual Carbon Trackday: ~$75
- EBC EPFA Sintered: ~$57
- Vesrah RJL Sintered: ~$85
These numbers place our three budgets realistically:
- Entry: $0–$300
- Mid-Range: ~$600–$1,400
- Premium: $2,000+
What Matters More Than Money
Every rider eventually learns the same thing:
A maintained bike + healthy tires + proper technique beats fancy parts every time.
Intermediate and advanced riders on mid-tier setups often outperform premium builds because they’ve invested in:
- seat time
- mental approach
- understanding technique
- coaching
- smart pacing
- good between-session resets
Related reading:
If you want to dig into the mindset side of the craft, we explore it in:
Final Thoughts
Your setup doesn’t define your experience — your growth does.
Whether you roll in with zip-tied headlights or a fully built track weapon, the paddock doesn’t care what you spent. The paddock cares that you show up, learn, and enjoy the craft alongside the rest of us.
And that’s the heart of TrackDNA: real riders, real experiences, real culture — on any budget.
