Track Bike Suggestions (600cc only please)

RisingPhoenix · 02-02-2010, 06:05 PM

I'm thinking about purchasing another 600cc bike for track use only. I already have the Honda 1000 which will eventually become a track bike, but I would like to continue learning and doing track days on a 600 and move up to the 1000 later. I have the Honda F4i, but I'd like to keep that one for other stuff so I don't want suggestions on how to make it a track bike. After purchasing the 600 track bike, I plan on adding track plastics and giving the bike the full Race Tech Suspension treatment. Most likely I will crash this track bike so I want a bike that can take a lot of abuse and punishment. Are some bike manufacturer parts cheaper and easier to come by than others? Do some bike makers have more track/performance parts than others?

Overall I just want to know what you would purchase as a track bike and why.

Edit for Freddy's question:
Bike Budget -
Up to 5K for initial purchase
(I think I can save some cash buying a street bike or lightly used track bike with some scratches on the plastic since they will be replaced by track plastics)

Another 5-7K to get the bike prepared for the track (track plastics/paint, race tech suspension, rearsets, power commander, tires, etc.)

Got2Go · 02-02-2010, 06:09 PM

Whats your budget for the bike ?

RisingPhoenix · 02-02-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2Go

Whats your budget for the bike ?

Up to 5K for initial purchase
(I think I can save some cash buying a street bike with some scratches on the plastic since they will be replaced by track plastics)

Another 5-7K to get the bike prepared for the track (track plastics/paint, race tech suspension, rearsets, power commander, tires, etc.)

ars0n750 · 02-02-2010, 06:22 PM

wow must be nice..= ]

Got2Go · 02-02-2010, 06:40 PM

Get a brand new 2009 zx-6r for about $7,700 out the door.
That bike already kicks ass in stock form.
Suspention, engine, tranny, brakes, ergos...all of it.
Maybe get track plastics and call it good.
Take another year and maybe add other things as you see fit.

RisingPhoenix · 02-02-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2Go

Get a brand new 2009 zx-6r for about $7,700 out the door.
That bike already kicks ass in stock form.
Suspention, engine, tranny, brakes, ergos...all of it.
Maybe get track plastics and call it good.
Take another year and maybe add other things as you see fit.

At first I really didn't like your idea, but its opened a new way of thinking for me. I didnt want to purchase a new bike because I think it would cause me to always have that thought of crashing a new bike in the back of my head. However, I could probably get a brand new bike really cheap and sell the original plastics for about the same price as it would take to get track plastics. I also didnt want to get a "seasoned" track bike with lots of mods so that I could add my own products to the bike to learn how each addition changes the bike.

Mustang · 02-02-2010, 08:24 PM

Check the WERA forum for used track bikes. You can find some realy nice bikes that have all the goodies already installed. Also check around for used street bikes. I have seen some nice deals on a few just surfing the web. here are a few

2008 Suzuki GSX-R 600 only 2590 mi. Street Ready only $5,700 - 13x Forums

2008 gsxr 600...awesome bike - 13x Forums

2006 yamaha r6 , 3200 miles , super clean!! - 13x Forums

2005 GSXR600 (street bike) - 13x Forums

2006 zx6rr - 13x Forums

FS: Mint 06' R6 - 13x Forums "NICE"

These are just a few

vegasvideo · 02-02-2010, 10:08 PM

All great ideas. Buying a bike that is already modified for the track is a great idea. You will still have to set it up for your weight and riding style, but it will make a good starting point.

shortstack08 · 02-02-2010, 10:11 PM

im selling my r6?!?!?! for 3k........... you could always go with a gixxer 750?!

vegasvideo · 02-02-2010, 11:23 PM

A not as well known but very good bike is the Daytona 675. Healthier mid range.

ars0n750 · 02-02-2010, 11:50 PM

for something you could tear the shit out of , that yammi r6 wouldnt be to bad of a deal in my op... =] half the price you would pay even with the money you want to invest.....

it sounds like you almost want to make your own personal lil track beast! but def costly i would think, but hey, if ya got it, id spend it!

vegasvideo · 02-03-2010, 12:09 AM

Kawasaki : Ninja : eBay Motors (item 130363724298 end time Feb-08-10 07:41:28 PST)

RisingPhoenix · 02-03-2010, 12:19 AM

The lower the price on the bike, the better. I will also be purchasing a truck and trailer which may or may not impact the budget of the bike. I just wanted some opinions.

RisingPhoenix · 02-03-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ars0n750

for something you could tear the shit out of , that yammi r6 wouldnt be to bad of a deal in my op... =] half the price you would pay even with the money you want to invest.....

it sounds like you almost want to make your own personal lil track beast! but def costly i would think, but hey, if ya got it, id spend it!

I almost want to get a Ninja 250 or 500 and really tear the shit out of it. I'm scared to wreck a 600 due to the cost of crashing, but the 250's and 500's are great learning bikes and i've seen people crash those things over and over and they still run and keep their value. As funny as it sounds, i'd almost like to take a bike to the track, push it until I wreck it just so I'd know what its limits are on the bike as well as my own limits and go from there.

Got2Go · 02-03-2010, 12:39 AM

Based on the budget you posted, I stick with my opinion.
5k + 5k = 10k - 7.7k = 2.3k

that will give you a kick ass brand new zero mile bike, and you have enough money left over for track plastics, exhaust, fuel processor and misc parts for your first crash.

Dud I mention it would be a brand new bike? And a kick ass track one?

vegaseric · 02-03-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

Check the WERA forum for used track bikes. You can find some realy nice bikes that have all the goodies already installed. Also check around for used street bikes. I have seen some nice deals on a few just surfing the web. here are a few

(snipped the street bikes)

FS: Mint 06' R6 - 13x Forums "NICE"

These are just a few

This.

Buying a bike with all of the typical race/track mods will save you a ton of grip in the long run. The time and cost to install the mods on this bike, plus the spares you would receive would make this a perfect "ready-to-ride" track setup. This route would be my personal choice if I were looking for a track-only ride. Matter of fact... I would buy this exact bike contingent on a pre-purchase inspection. It is a SMOKIN' deal.

And FWIW, I've seen other deals like this on track/race bikes... this is definitely the time to buy.

vegasvideo · 02-03-2010, 03:48 PM

I think one of the keys here is not wanting something you are afraid of even scratching for a track day. The bike I posted is a little older but with modern ZX6 suspension and wheels. It's only $2500. That will give you some cash to spend on important stuff. Lots of examples like this around

Whitechapel · 02-03-2010, 09:09 PM

+1 to the 675, but I almost don't want you to buy one so I will be more unique when I buy mine haha. It's a great bike and used ones can be purchased for very affordable prices. Check out Triumph675.Net

Slejor · 02-03-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RisingPhoenix

I almost want to get a Ninja 250 or 500 and really tear the shit out of it. I'm scared to wreck a 600 due to the cost of crashing, but the 250's and 500's are great learning bikes and i've seen people crash those things over and over and they still run and keep their value. As funny as it sounds, i'd almost like to take a bike to the track, push it until I wreck it just so I'd know what its limits are on the bike as well as my own limits and go from there.

I have the EXACT same feeling about working a 250

R3K · 02-04-2010, 08:48 AM

You mentioned availability of aftermarket parts, IMO I think parts for the R6 and Gixxer 600 are probably a little more plentiful because of the popularity of the two bikes. And in the case of the gixxer, a bunch of the parts are interchangeable with the 750 and the 1000 so, theoretically, there are even MORE parts available. When I needed a couple parts for my 2000 Gix 750, I was able to use a part from a different model year 600, and a different model year 1000 to make it all good. Just something to consider.

buellrider · 02-04-2010, 09:54 AM

Brother in law has 250 kawi for 1700 (I think) with about 2000 miles on it.

terrasmak · 02-04-2010, 05:18 PM

Why build a new race bike unless your going to race it at a VERY competative level in the next year or two. Just buy a fully set up 1 to 2 year old racebike for 1/2 the cost.

Got2Go · 02-04-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrasmak

Why build a new race bike unless your going to race it at a VERY competative level in the next year or two. Just buy a fully set up 1 to 2 year old racebike for 1/2 the cost.

Why ?
If you have the money/budget, it is more fun to buy new, and mod yourself.

If I had his budget for a track bike, that's exactly what i would do...Hell Yeah!

terrasmak · 02-06-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2Go

Why ?
If you have the money/budget, it is more fun to buy new, and mod yourself.

If I had his budget for a track bike, that's exactly what i would do...Hell Yeah!

Or use the money you save to do a track day every weekend for a year.