'Best' handling cheap bike.
Discussion
I know the concept of the 'best' handling bike is subjective but anyway....
I have been bitten by the bug after watching some Thundersport racing at Mallory park and am looking into a bit of tuition and local track-days now but dont want to take a brand new £8k bike out there, especially as a complete novice (Passed a few months ago and have 400 miles on a lovely new XSR900 so far), so....
If you were looking for a cheap bike for track days and the odd bit of road use (will still keep the XSR so that will cover most duties) what would you go for? the emphasis here being on ability in corners and not power - The CB500 bikes they used at Mallory looked like masses of fun with only 50bhp - As cheap as possible too, I can turn a spanner so not out of the question to do a bit of work.
I have been bitten by the bug after watching some Thundersport racing at Mallory park and am looking into a bit of tuition and local track-days now but dont want to take a brand new £8k bike out there, especially as a complete novice (Passed a few months ago and have 400 miles on a lovely new XSR900 so far), so....
If you were looking for a cheap bike for track days and the odd bit of road use (will still keep the XSR so that will cover most duties) what would you go for? the emphasis here being on ability in corners and not power - The CB500 bikes they used at Mallory looked like masses of fun with only 50bhp - As cheap as possible too, I can turn a spanner so not out of the question to do a bit of work.
Rick1.8t said:
I know the concept of the 'best' handling bike is subjective but anyway....
I have been bitten by the bug after watching some Thundersport racing at Mallory park and am looking into a bit of tuition and local track-days now but dont want to take a brand new £8k bike out there, especially as a complete novice (Passed a few months ago and have 400 miles on a lovely new XSR900 so far), so....
If you were looking for a cheap bike for track days and the odd bit of road use (will still keep the XSR so that will cover most duties) what would you go for? the emphasis here being on ability in corners and not power - The CB500 bikes they used at Mallory looked like masses of fun with only 50bhp - As cheap as possible too, I can turn a spanner so not out of the question to do a bit of work.
Steel framed CBR600, cheap as chips and pretty tough.I have been bitten by the bug after watching some Thundersport racing at Mallory park and am looking into a bit of tuition and local track-days now but dont want to take a brand new £8k bike out there, especially as a complete novice (Passed a few months ago and have 400 miles on a lovely new XSR900 so far), so....
If you were looking for a cheap bike for track days and the odd bit of road use (will still keep the XSR so that will cover most duties) what would you go for? the emphasis here being on ability in corners and not power - The CB500 bikes they used at Mallory looked like masses of fun with only 50bhp - As cheap as possible too, I can turn a spanner so not out of the question to do a bit of work.
I've got a TT600 sitting idle that's worth around that money. Supposed to have terrific handling according to the road tests at the time, only let down by slightly snatchy fuelling.
Downside for track work would be sourcing a suitable replacement fairing.
PM me if it's of interest.
As others have said, probably top pick would be a CBR600 if you can find one as parts would be more easily available.
Downside for track work would be sourcing a suitable replacement fairing.
PM me if it's of interest.
As others have said, probably top pick would be a CBR600 if you can find one as parts would be more easily available.
yonex said:
Steel framed CBR600, cheap as chips and pretty tough.
You see the odd early (99-00) ally framed ones with ropey bodywork coming in at about a grand as well. I think any budget bike is going to need a front fork refresh for track work, but with the CBR600Fs I'd definitely consider a set of springs to firm up that that front end. I'm s
te on track but I found it very sloppy when you pushed on. That and I'd get a shorter turn throttle sleave (similar vintage R6 fits), as having to grip and re-grip to get WOT on track isn't helpful.I like an SV650 as well. I think they're better value these days aren't they? If so I'd get one of those instead as CBR600Fs can be a bit overpriced... Unless you want to buy one off me of course.
I was thinking about picking up something for this as well. I've been looking at sv650s but having chased a suzuki gsxr 600 around thruxton I'd look at one of those. It looked awesome, was slower on the straights than my blade but awesome in the corners. We were both novice riders so pinch of salt required but I was really impressed by it and there's plenty around for not much money.
A lot of love for the cb600 and sv650, thanks for the advice and bike offers, will get some tuition done (on their bikes) and start looking.
Maybe get one as a winter project and refresh the brakes and vitals myself.
As someone said, I won't get close to pushing the limits of the bike and it will be nice to learn the basics without fear of sending a nice new bike down the tarmac...
Maybe get one as a winter project and refresh the brakes and vitals myself.
As someone said, I won't get close to pushing the limits of the bike and it will be nice to learn the basics without fear of sending a nice new bike down the tarmac...
chris4652009 said:
Wow, what did you break in the engine? they are bombproof
Also interested to know.Only thing that went wrong with mine, the Cam Chain tensioner, which rattled the timing chain like a goodun around 5k revs.. but this seems to affect multiple model years on CBR6s. I had the F4i (as the americans call it) last of the proper CBR600Fs and it had adjustable suspension too being a 2003. Later F models had that removed on the front forks.
As you've not long passed your test long ago I would expect you would find it difficult to identify if any of the bikes mentioned are "better handling" than any of the others. Better to choose a bike based on condition etc. but save a bit of your budget to get forks/shock sorted and to replace any worn wheel, steering, swing arm bearings.
Agreed - I wasn't so much suggesting I wanted the very finest in handling more ideas of what is available at the budget end of things (so therefore old) with the emphasis on cornering rather than power, comfort, commuting ability etc.
I think as you say it may be best to just get something I know needs a refresh rather than a 'nice' one that realistically needs it anyway before going near a track.
I certainly don't fancy taking my XSR near the track at the moment, I just want something cheap to learn the ropes on.
I think as you say it may be best to just get something I know needs a refresh rather than a 'nice' one that realistically needs it anyway before going near a track.
I certainly don't fancy taking my XSR near the track at the moment, I just want something cheap to learn the ropes on.
Edited by Rick1.8t on Monday 25th June 14:32
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