Entry Level Race Bike Suggestions

[Sortarican]

Thinking of getting a dedicated track bike.
Sub liter, probably 600 inline or 750 V, and around a model year < 2001 (for next years modern vintage if I get addicted).

Something that would work for IMI but still have enough get-up-and-go for a couple track days at PMP.

Initial cost and expected subsequent repair/replacement/upgrade parts cost are a priority.
(Since this puppy WILL be down a lot while getting up to speed.)

There's your topic racers....discuss:

[rybo]

If I was buying a racebike today I'd look for a 1999 R6. Get some seat time, lots of available parts, legal for Vintage in 09 (where it will essentially be a cup race as someone on a 99 R6 will win vintage that year)

If you don't like the R6 pick #2 for me would be an SV, for all of the same reasons except being competitive in vintage.

s

[konichd]

I would find a 01 Gixxer 600 since its fuel injected and less of a hastle IMHO. JOE!!!!!!!! on the board picked one up and put newer bodywork on it and it looks fantastic!

However I hear an 05 Kawi 636 makes a "killer" track bike?

[Devaclis]

[Sortarican]

I would find a 01 Gixxer 600 since its fuel injected and less of a hastle IMHO. JOE!!!!!!!! on the board picked one up and put newer bodywork on it and it looks fantastic!

However I hear an 05 Kawi 636 makes a "killer" track bike?

LOL, I bought the Truimph off Joe!!!!!.
Saw his Gixxer bone collection, he did a lot of good scrounging.
His place looked like a Suzuki version of Frankenstein's lab.

He had enough pieces to put together several.
Maybe I should PM him and see if wants to sell the leftovers.

[Sortarican]

Or better yet, lie about my age and run in the 'kiddie' class:
Attachment 3833

[Devaclis]

Jeff, before you get in over your head I have to tell you, I don't think you can handle a Hawk on the track. It's awesomeness is overwhelming

[rybo]

I agree, especially with the "variable rear geometry" feature you discovered last weekend, huh Dana?

[Sortarican]

Jeff, before you get in over your head I have to tell you, I don't think you can handle a Hawk on the track. It's awesomeness is overwhelming

Attachment 3834

[rybo]

I just gotta know, it it possible to threadjack your own thread?

[Mel]

Ok, so to avoid threadjacking (and since Honda sucks):
OK, if you are eyeing a Modern Vintage class, your bike must be (model year) 10 years old or older. Since the SRAD Suzukis are now MV legal, they are becoming quite popular. This one http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forum...ad.php?t=12395 is for sale on CSC and will be vintage legal next year. HOWEVER the modern vintage class (per MRA spec) is an expert class (meaning not something you can just start out in as a novice) however should that still be your interest, the SRAD's will still be quite competitive in Sportsman and Novice class as well.
If you are strictly staying modern vintage, that kinda knocks out the R6 (since those weren't available till 99 I think) but an R6 is gonna be probably your next cheapest and easiest bike on the track (also looking at availability of parts, etc.). There are a few people who race F series Hondas (or who have) but one downside of that, not Honda slamming, is that there are so few people who race them that if you have an incident at the track, you aren't just gonna be able to put a call out for a spare part (lever, rearset, whatever) that someone might have.
Also, the Trimuph is now halfway to being a race bike since you already need new plastics for it...why not set that up? Won't cost you much from this point (and we can always find ya another street bike). Downside of the Trimuph, just like the Hondas, is going to be more limited availability of parts since there are not many (or any?) people racing that same bike.
If you aren't looking at just modern vintage, and have a lil more to spend (say, another $1500) you could start finding something a lil newer. The Suzuki 600's became fuel injected and lost a lil weight starting in 01. And the SV 650's as you know can be picked up quite cheap, and also make excellent race bikes.

[Sortarican]

I agree, especially with the "variable rear geometry" feature you discovered last weekend, huh Dana?

I just gotta know, it it possible to threadjack your own thread?

Oh now we see Scott's true colors.
(So much for that "Saint of CSC" reputation.)
Attachment 3835

[Mel]

OK, more suggestions (or things to ponder)
If not going MV:
01 SV650 (ready to go) http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=3913

01 Gix 750 (though I personally would still say go for a 600): http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=3370

02 Gix 600 http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=3084

03 CBR 600rr http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=3724


If stuck on MV, here is a full set up (van and everything): http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=2563

[Sortarican]

Wow, thanks Mellorama for the leg work and advice.
(BTW, was that a shot about avoiding the Gixer 750? Like I can't ride a bike you've outgrown?)
I thought there were 2 levels of M/V, bummer that it's not.

The SV's are great, fun, bikes, but I think the others are a little more typical of the current styles used for racing.

And again, the Triumph is too pretty and too expensive on parts to learn track on.(Vance would go Lee Harvey on me if I totaled it too.)
Well, Dana could, he's good about riding smart and within his limits.
Me, I go down like fainting goat when I get a wild hair to push my limits.

$'s depend on if it's a group buy or a solo.
(In other words, it's up to Linda wether Dana can or can't.)

Any other novice trackers want to join in on a team n00bie race bike?

[Mel]

(BTW, was that a shot about avoiding the Gixer 750? Like I can't ride a bike you've outgrown?)
...snip.....
Me, I go down like fainting goat when I get a wild hair to push my limits.

see, those two comments right there directly contridict you
and I ride a 600 on the track...I personally have no need to anything bigger than a 600 on the track or on the streets (I only have the bigger bikes because I fell into the deals). I think a 600 is going to be a lil cheaper to get starting out, and is going to be a lil more forgiving when you get that wild hair. Also, when it comes to racing, I *believe* that in the MRA there is no 750 class, so the 750's are stuck in with the liter bikes.

[Bueller]

750's are heavyweights, but as a novice you would have to run open class, but a lot of 600's "ride up". You can run heavyweight endurance though.

[Sortarican]

....Also, when it comes to racing, I *believe* that in the MRA there is no 750 class, so the 750's are stuck in with the liter bikes.

I thought I heard that V-Twins were allowed extra displacement to compete with inlines in the 600 class?
Probably missheard.
In any case it will most likely never be a "race" bike, just a "track" bike if you follow my semantic distinction.

Thanks Mel, Joe, and others that PM'd too.
Always good to brain pick those who've already put the theories into practice.

[Spiderman]

My regarding engine configuration (v-twin vs. inline-4):

Get something that you've got experience with - if you're comfortable on an inline-4, get a 600 (or a 400 if you can find one, so you can work on corner speed). If you're used to v-twins, get a 650.

I got into sport-riding on an inline-4, and while getting accustomed to my first racebike (a 99 R6), I traded bikes with somebody so he could try my R6 out, so I ended up riding his Aprilia RSV Mille around the track. It made great power, but I kept banging into the rev limiter because I wasn't used to a v-twin. But maybe that's just me.

[Bueller]

Up to 750cc 2 cyl, 4 stroke, is legal in Novice GTU