Considering a Radical
Discussion
Having been a caterham driver for many years, I am considering a change to a radical. It's important for me to be able to drive on the road as wel as track days, so I have been looking at the SR3.
A few questions...
1 Is the SR3 a usable proposition on the road (recognising its lack of weather gear)?
2 What happens when you get to a speed hump?
3 Does it bottom out on bumpy A roads?
4 Is the entry level SR3 an 1100? The Radical price list seems to contradict itself.
5 Reading the posts on here, it looks quite pricey to run a Radical. Is the 1100 unstressed enough to last longer between refreshes?
6 Anyone know what the SR4 is about?
TIA
Graham
A few questions...
1 Is the SR3 a usable proposition on the road (recognising its lack of weather gear)?
2 What happens when you get to a speed hump?
3 Does it bottom out on bumpy A roads?
4 Is the entry level SR3 an 1100? The Radical price list seems to contradict itself.
5 Reading the posts on here, it looks quite pricey to run a Radical. Is the 1100 unstressed enough to last longer between refreshes?
6 Anyone know what the SR4 is about?
TIA
Graham
Welcome to the fold graham,
Q1 Yes the car is good enough but it really depends on your personal requirements.
Q2 Definate no-go over speed humps.
Q3 No, the car should be fine over most roads.
Q4 Yes the entry level is the 1100 zzr kawasaki, fine engine but would be underpowered for the car I think.
Q5 Depends on usage really but the engine is good enough in my opinion.
Q6 SR4, well briefly I have raced the clubsport with the 1100 engine for 3 seasons now and have enjoyed every minute of it but have placed an order for the SR4 for next year as a direct replacement for the clubsport, you can buy it road legal, race ready (track only) but wouldn"t cost much to change to road legal !! or as a rolling chassis to build yourself. Radical will be holding a test day sometime in december for prospective customers probably at either bruntingthorpe or donington.
Hope this helps.
Tony.
Q1 Yes the car is good enough but it really depends on your personal requirements.
Q2 Definate no-go over speed humps.
Q3 No, the car should be fine over most roads.
Q4 Yes the entry level is the 1100 zzr kawasaki, fine engine but would be underpowered for the car I think.
Q5 Depends on usage really but the engine is good enough in my opinion.
Q6 SR4, well briefly I have raced the clubsport with the 1100 engine for 3 seasons now and have enjoyed every minute of it but have placed an order for the SR4 for next year as a direct replacement for the clubsport, you can buy it road legal, race ready (track only) but wouldn"t cost much to change to road legal !! or as a rolling chassis to build yourself. Radical will be holding a test day sometime in december for prospective customers probably at either bruntingthorpe or donington.
Hope this helps.
Tony.
Re 2, speedhumps should be fine with a tracksport and the optional "high ride height" splitters. Otherwise, forget it, and find an alternate route - car drivers seem to be fairly tolerant of SR3's attempting 7 point U turns 
I would agree the 1100 is underpowered - the level of stress would be similar to the 1300 anyway, given bhp/litre. The extra torque of the Hayabusa would certainly make it more useable on the road.
danny
>> Edited by dannylt on Monday 24th November 22:46
I would agree the 1100 is underpowered - the level of stress would be similar to the 1300 anyway, given bhp/litre. The extra torque of the Hayabusa would certainly make it more useable on the road.
danny
>> Edited by dannylt on Monday 24th November 22:46
Just taken delivery of a Tracksport in Dubai with a 1300 fuel injected. Ride height is 10cm and it has managed speed bumps here admirably, one of which was with the police major on board at the registration department. He was well impressed!
Early days yet but I think the ability to drive on the road (there are some really good quiet roads here, and no speed cameras) plus track gives the car an edge. It really depends what you want to do with it, but so far (1 week) all I have is a stupid grin on my face.
By the way, the 1300 with FI and gear oil cooler was recommended by Radical as the best option for road and track use, requiring the least aintenance/refresh.
Early days yet but I think the ability to drive on the road (there are some really good quiet roads here, and no speed cameras) plus track gives the car an edge. It really depends what you want to do with it, but so far (1 week) all I have is a stupid grin on my face.
By the way, the 1300 with FI and gear oil cooler was recommended by Radical as the best option for road and track use, requiring the least aintenance/refresh.
Wooden boards? Complain to council?
They didn't do a "build yourself" option when I bought mine early this year. There was a rumour about self build for the SR4, but it wouldn't seem wise - first few owners are going to be guinea pigs of the first order!
>> Edited by dannylt on Friday 5th December 11:21
They didn't do a "build yourself" option when I bought mine early this year. There was a rumour about self build for the SR4, but it wouldn't seem wise - first few owners are going to be guinea pigs of the first order!
>> Edited by dannylt on Friday 5th December 11:21
I have seen the new SR4, (well the business part), and it looks excellent. It combines the best of its forebears (2002 Prosport and SR3), I would have no reservations about purchase and feel certain that it will be a quick reliable package.
Looking forward to seeing that striking bodywork finished and on track any time soon!
Alec
Looking forward to seeing that striking bodywork finished and on track any time soon!
Alec
[quote=davosr3]Just taken delivery of a Tracksport in Dubai with a 1300 fuel injected. Ride height is 10cm and it has managed speed bumps here admirably, one of which was with the police major on board at the registration department. He was well impressed!
Early days yet but I think the ability to drive on the road (there are some really good quiet roads here, and no speed cameras) plus track gives the car an edge. It really depends what you want to do with it, but so far (1 week) all I have is a stupid grin on my face.
By the way, the 1300 with FI and gear oil cooler was recommended by Radical as the best option for road and track use, requiring the least aintenance/refres
Just Joined and seen your post, bet you wont have such a stupid grin in July!!
I lived in Dubai for 11 Years (left in 2000) jebel Hafit should be fun in the SR3, used to go there all the time on a Honda Fireblade...even in July!
Early days yet but I think the ability to drive on the road (there are some really good quiet roads here, and no speed cameras) plus track gives the car an edge. It really depends what you want to do with it, but so far (1 week) all I have is a stupid grin on my face.
By the way, the 1300 with FI and gear oil cooler was recommended by Radical as the best option for road and track use, requiring the least aintenance/refres
Just Joined and seen your post, bet you wont have such a stupid grin in July!!
I lived in Dubai for 11 Years (left in 2000) jebel Hafit should be fun in the SR3, used to go there all the time on a Honda Fireblade...even in July!
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