Road or Track Bike??

[Dave 321]

Hey lads, thinking of getting a gixxer 600 or an R6 for doing some track days. Would I be better buying a low mileage road bike or an ex-race/trackday bike?? I want something reliable. I see a few track bikes for £1500, would these be sheds??

[hobo]

There's a place near me that sell 'track only' bikes. Basically, they are accident repair bikes that are not allowed on the road.

Personally, rightly or wrongly, I'd stay clear of these. I mean, on track you are probably going to be travelling much quicker than on road & therefore I wouldn't feel comfortable on something not road worthy.
I'd buy a road bike & stick a track fairing on it & add other things as & when finances allow.

I'm considering converting the R6 into a track bike for summer, as I don't seem to have much time for road use at present & seem to be doing track days every couple of weeks.

Current wishlish:

Fairing from AMR - £270.
Akrapovik Evolution exhaust system - £1400
Renthal sprockets & chain - £100
Slicks - £200
Power commander, ignition module & quickshifer - £500
Ohlins steering damper - £200
Braided hoses - £100
Ohlins rear damper (meant to make a huge difference) - £600 again

Good job Standard Life are floating in a month thats all I can say

[Andy Oh]

Hobo,

You forgot the front re-spring & re-oil. If you are considrering changing the rear shock you probably want to do the front especially for track use. The springs & oil will only be about £200 if you don't need the forks revalved.

[hobo]

Was told by someone that races R6's that the front on the new bike is actually ok as it is, however the rear is basically cr@p.

[mel]

I'll be flogging my ZX7RR race bike soon if anyone is really interested, just haven't got round to applying for a V5 (adds to value) or taking photo's etc yet. But yes it has got some nice trick bits on it and is a classic in the waiting, to quote Superbike a few months ago when they did an article on "Future Classics" they said if you can find a ZX7RR buy it! Guess I'd be looking for offers over £2K

Edited by mel on Monday 26th June 11:03

[mtbr]

In my opinion, this comes down to how likely you are to spot something seriously wrong with a track bike, bent frame or forks, major internal engine or gearbox problems etc. If you are fairly confident you would spot this sort of thing, then buying a track bike can save a pile of cash.

Someone else has already shelled out for the fancy shock, fork springs and cartridges, crash protection, race fairing, power commander and rolling road sessions etc. etc. You don't get much return on any of this stuff when you sell a track bike.
Whilst it's true that you don't need this stuff to do track days, there is a fair chance you will want it sooner or later.

On the other hand a low mileage road bike is less likely (although not garanteed) to have major problems or bodged up crash damage. It's your call.

If you doubt your ability to spot a problem bike, perhaps there is someone you could get to look with you?
(Always a good idea to take a cynical mate with you, when you look at a bike anyway!)

Mark

[hobo]

This one looks quite good, although £4800.



CBR600RR SP

Add say:

THIS BIKE IS A JAPANESE "WHITE MODEL" SP. MEANING IT HAS NUMEROUS SP HRT RACING PARTS AND RACE BRED SUSPENSION AS STANDARD. IT INCLUDES SPARES WHEELS & DISCS, FRONT AND REAR PADDOCK STANDS, BOX WITH SPARE PARTS, SPROCKETS ETC

Edited by hobo on Monday 26th June 16:03

[hobo]

Or this R6:



Again, add say:

SUPPLIED BY THE YAMAHA FACTORY AS A TRACK PREPARED BIKE IN JAPAN, THIS YAMAHA R6 TRACK BIKE COMES WITH SPARE FAIRING, BELLYPAN, WHEELS, DISCS, REAR STAND & A BOX OF SPARES, SPROCKETS ETC.

Yours for £ 3,195.00.

[crankedup]

Don't forget your tyre warmers for those slicks. That'all be £140 please.

[hobo]

Ahh..... already got the tyre warmers. Invested in a set of HWW ones last month, although not used them yet.

[F.M]

It`s a hard question..If a race bike has been in the hands of an amateur then the bike may be a collection of rounded bolts and bodge jobs with a tired thrashed engine ..If it`s been in the right hands it will be tuned superbly and have top notch suspension attention...If your prepared to spend you can get a top tool..

Edited by F.M on Monday 26th June 20:10

[Dave 321]

Cheers lads, i think i'll look for a low mileage road bike..I'll keep yis posted..