Help with track bike
Discussion
Right it’s come to the time in my life where I feel the urge to not bin the road bike on track as I want to get faster and the thought of throwing my road bike down the road doesn’t appeal.
Budget will be 3.5k to 5k
Do I get a fireblade or do I go Gsxr750?
What would peeps on here do?, obviously I’d like the money to able to get a bike with all the riding aids but I’m not spending more than £5k
Budget will be 3.5k to 5k
Do I get a fireblade or do I go Gsxr750?
What would peeps on here do?, obviously I’d like the money to able to get a bike with all the riding aids but I’m not spending more than £5k
I had a 2006 ZX6R in full track trim, changed the front calipers, added a brembo MC and an exhaust and it was quite a lot of fun...crashed pretty well too.
Before this I also had a K5 GSXR 750 which was my road bike but I changed over the fairings for each trackday, utter faff. It was good on track though.
A quick look on Ebay will get you either of the above in track trim for under budget.
Before this I also had a K5 GSXR 750 which was my road bike but I changed over the fairings for each trackday, utter faff. It was good on track though.
A quick look on Ebay will get you either of the above in track trim for under budget.
Lindun said:
Why not buy the best bike you can for the money, rather than limiting yourself to just two bikes?
Not sure I know what you mean?, I like having a nice road bike, have had nakeds for a while which meet my criteria of general use, touring and the odd track day.I don’t want a shiny new track bike as I couldn’t afford to bin it n kno I wouldn’t push it as I’d be worried about cost.
I wouldn't rule out the 600s. They teach you a lot about corner speed and are huge fun. Not a huge difference in a 600 to a 1000 really, a well ridden 600 will run rings around an averagely ridden 1000. Look at either a ZX6 or R6, as these are by far the most popular 600s, followed by Triumph's 675, CBR 600 and GSXR600. You will subsequently pay more for a good ZX6/R6 though.
Andybow said:
Lindun said:
Why not buy the best bike you can for the money, rather than limiting yourself to just two bikes?
Not sure I know what you mean?, I like having a nice road bike, have had nakeds for a while which meet my criteria of general use, touring and the odd track day.I don’t want a shiny new track bike as I couldn’t afford to bin it n kno I wouldn’t push it as I’d be worried about cost.
You’re going to get lots of people suggesting their own bike and / or potentially fall into the trap of buying something because it’s pretty. Track bikes are generally a bit tatty. You want a bike that’s been well looked after mechanically, a set of fairings and a pretty paint job costs £600-800, whereas a new engine could destroy you financially.
Go and sit on a lot of bikes and decide which fits you best. For example I’ve got an S1000RR trackbike and I love it. I’ve got an R1 roadbike which is great on the road, but I really struggle with it on track, as it doesn’t suit my style of riding for someone reason. Lots love the ZX10R, but I absolutely can not fit on it, no matter what I do. That’s more important than anything else.
Lindun said:
I mean that you’ve suggested two bikes, but there might be a far better ZX6R out there for you fro example.
You’re going to get lots of people suggesting their own bike and / or potentially fall into the trap of buying something because it’s pretty. Track bikes are generally a bit tatty. You want a bike that’s been well looked after mechanically, a set of fairings and a pretty paint job costs £600-800, whereas a new engine could destroy you financially.
Go and sit on a lot of bikes and decide which fits you best. For example I’ve got an S1000RR trackbike and I love it. I’ve got an R1 roadbike which is great on the road, but I really struggle with it on track, as it doesn’t suit my style of riding for someone reason. Lots love the ZX10R, but I absolutely can not fit on it, no matter what I do. That’s more important than anything else.
Ah ok, got ya, You’re going to get lots of people suggesting their own bike and / or potentially fall into the trap of buying something because it’s pretty. Track bikes are generally a bit tatty. You want a bike that’s been well looked after mechanically, a set of fairings and a pretty paint job costs £600-800, whereas a new engine could destroy you financially.
Go and sit on a lot of bikes and decide which fits you best. For example I’ve got an S1000RR trackbike and I love it. I’ve got an R1 roadbike which is great on the road, but I really struggle with it on track, as it doesn’t suit my style of riding for someone reason. Lots love the ZX10R, but I absolutely can not fit on it, no matter what I do. That’s more important than anything else.
True I need to sit on a few, I’m a big unit so that’ll be why I first said fireblade as I had a 09 model years ago and that fitted ok, I know the Daytona is small. I sat on the new s1000rr and that felt really roomy for what it was, but I’d no way get one just for the odd trackday.
Are zx6r better for room?
Andybow said:
Ah ok, got ya,
True I need to sit on a few, I’m a big unit so that’ll be why I first said fireblade as I had a 09 model years ago and that fitted ok, I know the Daytona is small. I sat on the new s1000rr and that felt really roomy for what it was, but I’d no way get one just for the odd trackday.
Are zx6r better for room?
I’ve no idea if they are, it was just a model that I plucked out of thin air to try to make a point. The current Blade is tiny and really awkward to fit on IME, but you may find it different. True I need to sit on a few, I’m a big unit so that’ll be why I first said fireblade as I had a 09 model years ago and that fitted ok, I know the Daytona is small. I sat on the new s1000rr and that felt really roomy for what it was, but I’d no way get one just for the odd trackday.
Are zx6r better for room?
I'd definitely echo what people are saying about keeping an open mind and seeing what comes up/is available and going from there.
I'm 6 ft 4 and have no issues on my 2005 cbr600rr which I ended up with after putting up a wanted advert for a first track bike on a trackday forum. Ive just bought a 2014 gsxr 750 (same size as 600) to convert because I fancy a change after having had the cbr for a couple of years and the gsxr certainly feels like it fits me better. Zx6rs I also found to feel more roomy.
if it was me looking I'd keep an open mind, especially if youre looking for a first trackbike in the 600-750cc range and see what comes up. If theyre a popular bike theres usually a reason and you may aswell get something where spares/bolt on bits are cheap and common.
I'm 6 ft 4 and have no issues on my 2005 cbr600rr which I ended up with after putting up a wanted advert for a first track bike on a trackday forum. Ive just bought a 2014 gsxr 750 (same size as 600) to convert because I fancy a change after having had the cbr for a couple of years and the gsxr certainly feels like it fits me better. Zx6rs I also found to feel more roomy.
if it was me looking I'd keep an open mind, especially if youre looking for a first trackbike in the 600-750cc range and see what comes up. If theyre a popular bike theres usually a reason and you may aswell get something where spares/bolt on bits are cheap and common.
Biker's Nemesis said:
GSX-750
A mate has gone back to one after having all manner of bikes on track. Last one was a BMW S1000-RR.
Still lots of stuff avaliable for them too
What's up with you?? The answer should always be R1 (even if not included in list of options).A mate has gone back to one after having all manner of bikes on track. Last one was a BMW S1000-RR.
Still lots of stuff avaliable for them too
My 2005 R1 will be up for sale after this weekend (i.e. after I collect it from No Limits shipping chaps back from SlovakiaRing), fast bike, racey suspension & brakes, low miles, previous owner runs a current top level BSB team etc etc
Something like the 05 R1 that was mentioned above would be ideal as a first track bike for someone who has plenty of experience already of bigger bikes.
They handle well and have a good spread of power without the manic top end of the newer stuff more than enough for the robust older gentlemen like ourselves
They handle well and have a good spread of power without the manic top end of the newer stuff more than enough for the robust older gentlemen like ourselves
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