Track Bike Choice

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b9009b

b9009b

Joined
Sep 27, 2014
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Some of you know I haven't been on the track in almost a decade and I have a deposit paid on the 1299s but i want something not expensive for a first back track back. I can get a leftover 2013 R1, 2014 ZX6 or a 2014 R6 for 10k otd. All new. Whats the thoughts of the track heavy/race guys. This is to get me back to racing not just track days.


Thanks

Mike
 
Just IMHO, but none of the above. I wouldn't buy a new bike for racing purposes when there are tons of already built ones out there for pennies on the dollar.
 
shakazulu12 said:
Just IMHO, but none of the above. I wouldn't buy a new bike for racing purposes when there are tons of already built ones out there for pennies on the dollar.
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Ive noticed that but im looking for something to do myself. Occupy my time. Being a disabled vet and cant work makes you go stir crazy.
 
I would track that 1299 in a heartbeat, in fact, the only reason why I'm getting one is to take it to the track. Semi-active suspension, downshifter and corner ABS plus one of the better TC units out there!

Now tell me one good reason to get an inferior bike to do what the 1299 will do best!
 
fireman1251 said:
Now tell me one good reason to get an inferior bike to do what the 1299 will do best!
Click to expand...

1. It wont cost an arm and a leg if i c4ash to repair.
2. Im not ready for the 1299 on the track
3. Th3 1299 will be the track bike after warranty goes away.
 
Pick up a used 899 or 1199. Not much more than the new bikes you mention. Does Jarel still have that barely scratched 899 for sale?
 
b9009b said:
Ive noticed that but im looking for something to do myself. Occupy my time. Being a disabled vet and cant work makes you go stir crazy.
Click to expand...

In that case, the R6. Most spares around, tons of setup knowledge etc. Kawi would be second, but check your local club rules as to whether it's allowed to race with the 600's or not. In most cases it is, but you never know until you check.

I'm just advising a 600 at first because they are better race bikes for 99 percent of us. However, that's also making some pretty big assumptions as to what your end goals may be etc. Really whatever get's you excited to be on the track is perfect. Only you know the right answer.
 
Definitely the r6, especially if you're going to race it, tons of spares on race day. The zx6r is nice and the only middleweight Japanese bike with traction control abs and power modes stock. Most replace it with a bazzaz anyway though.

For me I would prob get an 848 evo for the prices your looking at and run in multiple classes.
 
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R6


Or something with even less power (ask Jarel about his ninja 300)

The slower the bike the faster you get :D
 
TricoloreSF said:
Pick up a used 899 or 1199. Not much more than the new bikes you mention. Does Jarel still have that barely scratched 899 for sale?
Click to expand...

+1

If you go by this forum there will be a bunch of used 1199s available in the near future. I'd tell my dealer to look out for one for me and spend the money you save compared to a new 1299 on track prep/upgrades.
 
Especially if you're wanting something as a "comeback" rider that you can push hard and get full confidence on to go racing, I think you're smart to not take the new 1299S to be your race bike. Take it to a track day for sure, but I would have a separate dedicated race bike to "tinker with". Depending on what tracks you're going to ride, the micro bikes (300's) are a ton of fun but only on tight/short tracks. For most general use, I'd stick with a mid-sized bike. Of course I'm partial to Ducatis, so that would mean 848, 899 etc. We just got a super-nice 2010 848 track bike in on trade, it has all of the good racing parts on it, perfect condition, was just used for track days. I can ship it to you, no problem, PM me if you're interested. I can snap some pics and e-mail to you.

Or for something completely different, we also have a Yamaha 450 single road racing conversion bike, it only weighs 230 lbs! Way faster than the micro bikes, but slower than the 600's on a mid-sized track, on a short track it will destroy pretty much anything.
 
You own a 1199 or are planning to buy a 1299 and you want to buy a different/less capable/slower bike to track?

Am I the only one who doesn't undrstand the absurd mentality of owning a $30,000 track beast but riding some falling apart jap bike on the track? Are Ducati's truly good to only pose at 'bucks??

Now, I did in fact lay my 1199 down at the track, total damages that absolutely had to be replaced so I could ride the bike- zero dollars. Small crack in my carbon fiber lever and road rash all over the left side fairings. You can source these parts at a decent cost or look at track bodies. As long as you're not riding like an ....... completely out of your limit. You will be fine on 1199 or 1299 as your first track bike. Whatever bike I end up owning in the springtime weather if you my HP4 for 1299S I plan on tracking.


Just my $.02. Don't shoot me. In the end getting to go to the track no matter what bike is a hell of an experience.


It kills me to see so many people have these Ducati's that sit in the garage and never get to really experience the bikes ability's.
 
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I track two bikes (1199 and race sv) and enjoy the Sv more, just it
Doesn't want to kill me all the time.

Not fearing crashing it
Makes me faster, less power makes me focus more on clean lines and corner speed...

Just food for thought.

The wfo grim on the 1199 is priceless though...
 
i'd go for the 600s instead of the R1, dont matter of you just do track day, but if you want to get back on racing, the R1 might be a bit too much?(at least for me)

please also consider Triumph Daytona or street triple, they are right around your price point, and will be a bit more linear in power delivery, great handling also

and i would disagree with some of the comments here about Jap bike being "fall apart", they are anything but that, Italian bike are much more prone to "fall apart" than Jap bike, and that is a fact

i totally see where you come from when you want to track another bike other than the 1299, it is a beast on the track, and that's good and bad, i have so much fun with it, but it is difficult to learn to ride faster on it.
i myself picking up a smaller bike for the track too, still gonna bring the Pani to the track, but both bike will be there, one for fun, and one for learning how to ride better
 
I would go with the Daytona 675R. It has a very smooth power delivery, great handling characteristics (comes equipped with NIX30 forks and a TTX rear shock), emits a phenomenal note when on the pipe, and overall has more character than most of the middleweight Japanese offerings, which will help keep you occupied/interested until your 1299 arrives.
 
As others have mentioned I would start with a smaller displacement bike as it will help you familiarize yourself with track riding and ultimately make you a better rider as they are more confidence inspiring when cornering and just easier to maneuver.

A good deal of the time you see people on litre bikes blasting the straights and then not knowing how much corner speed they can carry and ultimately they end up being a lot slower as a result.

The Triumph 675R is a great bike it has a decent amount of power and it handles amazing the other bonus is they hold their value relatively well.

You can obviously start on the 199 or 1299 but it's a beast of a bike especially in the NE where you don't really get to exploit the power.

Good luck with your choice.
 
Thx for all the input fellas. This will be a back to tracking bike. I will track the 1299 but not at first. I need to get my lines back and riding on a track again before i trust myself to fling around the 1299. I do not have an 1199 if i did i would use that.

Jarel tracks would be new.jersey mp. Vir. Maybe road atlanta and maybe cota if i can afford the trip. I have to relearn alot of stuff. Ill be pming you about the bike you mentioned.


Ill reply directly when im on my comp not my phone.
 
first track bike?? R6

no brainer, R6 all the way.
Whats already been stated; lots of knowledge/spares out there and it's good looking when set up for track, which is half your speed ;-)
The bike will let your mind occupy different thoughts on the track like conner entry, braking markers and line. Always nerve racking at the track thinking about laying down a high $ bike.
just my .02
 
rule of thumb track what you can afford to replace. now even though you may be able to replace a brand new bike do you really want to. take a look there are plenty of used bikes with no miles out there.

i bought my 07 zx6r with 2000 miles on it for 4k. thats my track bike. do i want to crash it no but if i did its not going to make me miserable.
would i rather a 13 left over r1 or something like that sure but then you have to insure it and stuff like that.

the ninja cost me 4k plus an exhaust. no insurance no lights no problems.
 

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