What would you do?
Discussion
I'm in a rather fortunate position on a couple of counts, but have a decision to make!
Fortunate #1: I have got a place on a fairly private, invitation-only 2 day track session at Almeria in November. Open pit lane for two days, usual bike transport via truck, etc. Due to the nature of the event, there will be a fairly good standard of machinery all round.
Fortunate #2: My garage contains 4 bikes, so I have a modicum of choice
The two candidates for the Almeria session are either my GSX-R 600 SRAD track tool, or my GSX-R 1000 K6 immaculate road bike. I say immaculate because it's only done 1500 miles, mostly because I use the 600 for all my UK track days, and another bike for general commuting, so the K6 doesn't get out much (cue a separate "should I sell it" discussion).
The 600 is 8 years old, reliable, goes well enough (I can hold my own around the middle of a fast group), although it lacks grunt, especially with me on it (6'4", god knows how much me plus my Hideouts weigh) and will certainly be outclassed by most, if not all, the other machinery at Almeria. On the other hand, it's a track tool and as such it's a tad more "disposable" than the K6, if you catch my drift.
The Thou - well, as I said, it's immaculate, 1500 miles, but then again I hardly ever get to ride it (UK scamera paranoia, theft paranoia, which has happened to me already, etc etc) so it only has a few day runs out and the occasional trip to Germany. But it will hold it's ground better in Almeria (mmm, that 0.9km straight!) although I might end up riding it a little less hard than the 600.
Mates I'm going with will be on a 1098S, an 04 Blade and another K6. There will be 2 or 3 Desmosedicis there plus an array of other stuff, probably mostly Italian.
So the question is - which bike do I take?
Fortunate #1: I have got a place on a fairly private, invitation-only 2 day track session at Almeria in November. Open pit lane for two days, usual bike transport via truck, etc. Due to the nature of the event, there will be a fairly good standard of machinery all round.
Fortunate #2: My garage contains 4 bikes, so I have a modicum of choice
The two candidates for the Almeria session are either my GSX-R 600 SRAD track tool, or my GSX-R 1000 K6 immaculate road bike. I say immaculate because it's only done 1500 miles, mostly because I use the 600 for all my UK track days, and another bike for general commuting, so the K6 doesn't get out much (cue a separate "should I sell it" discussion).
The 600 is 8 years old, reliable, goes well enough (I can hold my own around the middle of a fast group), although it lacks grunt, especially with me on it (6'4", god knows how much me plus my Hideouts weigh) and will certainly be outclassed by most, if not all, the other machinery at Almeria. On the other hand, it's a track tool and as such it's a tad more "disposable" than the K6, if you catch my drift.
The Thou - well, as I said, it's immaculate, 1500 miles, but then again I hardly ever get to ride it (UK scamera paranoia, theft paranoia, which has happened to me already, etc etc) so it only has a few day runs out and the occasional trip to Germany. But it will hold it's ground better in Almeria (mmm, that 0.9km straight!) although I might end up riding it a little less hard than the 600.
Mates I'm going with will be on a 1098S, an 04 Blade and another K6. There will be 2 or 3 Desmosedicis there plus an array of other stuff, probably mostly Italian.
So the question is - which bike do I take?
Edited by C8PPO on Thursday 25th September 13:21
You take the one you don't mind smashing up. It's great to come home in one piece but if something does go askew would you rather return with your K6 in a million pieces and have no road bike or your SRAD in a million pieces and still have the option of a bike to use.
Would you really have more fun on the K6?
Would you really have more fun on the K6?
You're more used to lapping the track on the 600, I'd imagine you'd be quicker on that than the relaively unfamiliar thou... Plus, you answered your own question when you called it your track bike! Doesn't matter if you win or not, just enjoy it & you won't be able to do that 100% worry-free on the thou. 
Take the K6! Through some track fairings on it and away you go. Yoiu have two days at this circuit so plenty of time to get used to the bike and the circuit.
I run my Factory on the road and track buy swapping race fairings. Only takes me half a day to track prep it but then I only do 6 or so track days a year so no real hardship.
I run my Factory on the road and track buy swapping race fairings. Only takes me half a day to track prep it but then I only do 6 or so track days a year so no real hardship.
Take the 600.
Thrash the tits off of it.
Look at it this way...
Last on the 600? Well, it is the slowest bike there.
Last on the 1000? Well, he must be a rubbish rider
Fast on the 600? Well, he must be a great rider, he is faster than people on 1000
Fast on a 1000? What do you expect, it's a 1000....
So, you cannot lose on the 600
Thrash the tits off of it.
Look at it this way...
Last on the 600? Well, it is the slowest bike there.
Last on the 1000? Well, he must be a rubbish rider
Fast on the 600? Well, he must be a great rider, he is faster than people on 1000
Fast on a 1000? What do you expect, it's a 1000....
So, you cannot lose on the 600
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