is it worth it to take a 500 to the tracks? or should I just stick to twisties/canyons.

 

It depends on the track. I took mine to California Speedway and was stuck behind these goons on literbikes, tippy-toeing through the tight sections, but then on the 3/4-mile straight, they were roosting away from me.
So if it's a nice tight track it would be worth it, but if there's a longish straight, I'd stick to humiliating the 600's & 1000's at your local twisties.
Ride safely!
-CCinC

 

A 500 will teach you good throttle control and corner entry speed. It won't let you get too heavy wristed on the gas. Nice bike to learn the track with.

That's why a lot of people use SV650's for track bikes. I know a guy who just did his first ever track day at Barber a few weeks ago. He was riding his new Gixxer 1k and was getting smoked by guys on SV's because they knew how to corner properly.

 

I disagree with your claim about learning throttle control. The beauty of a 500 is that you can twist the **** out of the throttle in mid-corner and you're probably not going to low-side, high-side (or spin a 180 like I did once with my 9R.)
The 500's indeed a terrific bike to learn cornering on, because you can focus on your lean angle and line, without having to worry about rpm, throttle position, traction, etc.
Can you spot the 500 in this class photo? (That long-straight behind us was the bane of my morning):

 

5 from L...or was that one of those questions you arent supposed to answer? BTW humiliating 600's through twisties ??? Whaaa....
You must be a much better rider than the guys on 500's around here.