Supersport built engine reliability? On my hunt for a new track bike, I've made several inquiries about bikes that have a supersport engine. I'm fairly new to track days, hoping to get I bump in spring, and I have a few newbie questions. What all is envolved on the engine mod? Is it reliable? Can it be tuned for pump gas? Lastly, is it complete unnecessary for a >10 track days a year rider?
First, unless you are going racing you really don't need a built motor, stock in most cases should be more reliable. Reliability is a hard question to answer as there are several approaches to supersport builds. A WERA legal supersport build is basically just raising the compression on the engine by either thinner head gaskets or having the head machined or a combination of both. Almost always paired with adjustable cam sprockets so cam timing can be set more precisely. With that said there are several levels of supersport builds primarily differentiated on how much compression is increased through the above. Some can run on pump fuel, others have been raised so much higher octane fuel is required, all depends on the builder and the way the customer requested the build. You can have a "mild" build that will last quite a long time, builds that are targeted to last a season or they can be built so tight that they need a "refresh" in 2 weekends. My advice, especially since you indicate you are currently in N and just now looking to go to I is to spend your money on a track bike with a stock motor that has been well taken care of. You will get far more out of spending the extra cost of a supersport engine on track time and instruction than the motor work ever has a chance of giving you. A bone stock motor can take you right up to the top of the A group with no issues at all.
Thanks, Dave! It seems that the bikes I'm finding with the suspension upgrades that I would like, also come with the built engine. Stock 600 motor is more than enough for me, I just didn't want to make an ignorant purchase and have to "refresh" the motor regularly. Again, thanks for the advice.
I have always gone for the stock motor bikes with built suspension and power add ons. They can be found but patience is key.. Both my last track bikes have been fully built from that aspect but with stock motors so I've been quite lucky. Keep an eye out man, you may be looking at taking a road trip. <-- This R6S was very loaded.. as is my current CBR600RR I will say that a stock suspended, stock motored 08 R6 took me to "A".
I ran as high as 4th in WERA on an 04 R6 with a bone stock motor and 35k miles, a slip-on, used ohlins shock, fork springs and braided brake lines....so it seems pretty ridiculous for a trackdayer, especially a novice, to have a built motor. WERA is banning all motor builds is SS starting in 2016 anyway. As is motoamerica this year. So if you ever have hopes of club racing especially dont buy one.
Just to clarify, WERA has said they will "most likely" go with the no machining rule in 2016 but older bikes with it already done would still be legal. So technically you could still have a motor built by putting in a thinner head gasket and the adjustable cam gears still getting some of the advantage of a SS build, you just couldn't go as crazy on compression. This would also only impact you if you ran SS classes, you could still build as you wish if you ran classes where it is legal anyway like the SB (Superbike) classes and Formula 1
I really hope not. they need to get some balls and say sealed motors only. I mean if slicks ruin the spirit of class.... they need to realize how attractive it would be to new racers if they dont have to have a tuner degree cams and all that to be competitive.
Yup same here, pulled a 4th in a WERA 750 expert race on a stock motor gsxr 750. To the original poster spend the money on tires, track time and suspension as needed. A superstock rebuild likely starts at around $3000. Run the stock motor til it blows and by another stocker.
Thanks guys. The bike I was looking at seemed to be a good deal, but I was hesitant of the the built motor. The search continues!
Lots of great bikes out there. I would expand your brand preference IMO. GSXR, ZX6R, D675, 600RR etc. I've had a few different brands, all great and capable. On my list next are ZX6R (09+) and D675(09+)
Similar to what Dave said, often it's just added compression and a valve job. You'd want to check and make sure you can run pump fuel, as some engines with higher compression require a higher octane fuel. I wouldn't let a SS built motor necessarily scare you. Other than that, I'd check maintenance of the previous owner, who did the work, etc. Like with any bike purchase.
I would be more concerned with who built the motor rather than having a "supersport build." A bad or inexperienced builder can be a real problem