I recently sold my 08 Kawasaki Versys to purchase something more suitable for trackdays (I attended 4 on the Kawa and decided to switch as I was scraping the footpegs too often and man it doesn't feel good!). I've looked at and test rode Suzuki GSX-R 600 & 750, a CBR1000RR and even a Buell 1125R all of which have considerably more punch than the 65 horses on my Versys. Do you have any recommendation for my first track bike? ------------------- 1992 Model Yamaha RS-100T (sold); 2008 Kawasaki KLE650 Versys (sold)
r6 or cbr600 .. u dont need a 1000 ... ull learn more on a 600 and wont be able to ride the 600 to its limits for years if ever nor will i
They're all pretty good, buy what fits you and what you like. I would suggest finding something already setup for the track to save some coin.
Depending on how big you are will greatly affect what bike you need. I've had a few of my taller buddies on my 07 600RR and they get cramped up pretty fast;however, if you put them on a GSXR then they tend to feel a little bit more comfortable. Sit on a few and ride them around if possible, with all of your gear on, and see what best suits you.
I still have my 08 Versys and bought a GSX-R600 for the track. I never took the Versys to the track because it is my daily commuter and it really isn't fast enough. There are some great videos of a guy at Cadwell hauling ass on a Versys. Ergos don't matter as much at the track (from the standpoint of comfort) since you are only doing 20 minute sessions. You can find all kinds of good deals on track prepped 600s.
He'd save some money but he'd have nothing to ride on the street to get used to it. I bought a dedicated track bike but it's set up COMPLETELY different than my primary street bike, so I have nowhere to practice with that riding position.
I never ride my track bike on the street and I really didn't need much time to get used to it. Just get out on the track and ride it. A lot of track riders and racers don't ever ride anything on the street.
Before track days - Street riding felt like making out with a super model. After track days -Street riding feels like your making out with grandma with her dentures falling out.
After doing a few track days I definitely am less interested in hauling ass on the street. Now all I want to do is cruise when I'm on the street. I'd just like a little bit of time to get used to the feel of the bike before I take it out on the track.
+1 for an already setup track bike. Make sure you take any extra expenses into consideration. For example, suspension re-sprung for your weight, remapped for fuel pump, fresh set of tires, stands.
I ride an '08 Versys on the street and '06 GSX-R600 on the track. At 6'3" I'm mostly comfortable on both. Street time on a track bike is useless IMO, as you will NOT be riding it anywhere near the level of aggression on the street that you will on the track. It does not allow for a feeling of how the bike will actually behave at speed. +1,000,000 on buying a bike already setup for the track. In my case I basically paid for the parts on my gixxer and got the bike for free...
Also, part of my decision to buy the gixxer was parts availability. Between it and the R6 someone at the track WILL have the spare you need in the event of a get-off or break down. That said I seem to see more and more R6's at the track so definitely think about leaning towards that.
Unless you're going from something that makes twice the horsepower, super responsive throttle and a totally different riding position. My last bike before my CB599 was a Harley Dyna, which is like riding a very loud and pretty couch. If I hadn't ridden that thing on the street a ton before putting it on the track I probably would have hit the first run off because I didn't understand how to turn the damned thing. Granted OP has tracked his bike quite a few times already and understands it a good bit better, but having some time to get used to the throttle input and outcome, where the brakes get their first grab.
That is basically the way mine was. If I had purchased the track bits I probably would have spent 2/3 of what I paid for a race ready bike.
I added up the retail values of the parts on mine and it was literally 100% of what I paid for the bike. No-reserve eBay auction, the seller and I were both shocked at what I got it for. Also, are we like long-lost brothers from another mother or what???
Ok, I can see that. Probably most anyone doing their first Novice day would be fine, though. As you you pointed out the OP knows what to expect to a large degree. I can say firsthand that the Versys behaves much in the same way as a true 600 sport bike (responsive throttle, quick turn-in), albeit at about 2/3 the intensity. Big difference is the brakes on the Versys are total poop compared to the gixxer.
This is what you could have done on your Versys! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ivn5PeQz8 But as you mentioned, listen to him scrape the pegs!