I am very seriousley entertaining the idea of either purchasing a track bike, or purchising a new street bike and turning the GS into a track bike.
A few bikes I have been looking at are Mid 80's Yamaha FZR6, or maybe an older gsx-r.
I am a big guy (6'2", and about 230lbs) and am needing a bike that is going to work well with my skill level and size. Either way I really dont want to spend more than a couple grand, $3000 at the very steepest range but would blike something around $1500. (can I find anything that isnt gonna keep me in the pits working on the damn thing for that price??)
Now I have only been riding on the street since August, and putting on about 500 miles a week ever since.
I do plan on attending a race school before I attend my first track day, and am relatively confident in my ability not to kill my self.
Do you guys think a 600 is going to be a good choice or should I take all my friends advice and get a 750??
Also is there any good sites to look for used race bikes??
Thanks
Micah
I think a 600 will be more than sufficient. I've owned a CBR 600 F1 and ridden F3s and can tell you that the power difference versus a GS is substantial.
For between $2000 and $3000 you should be able to get a well maintained FZR 600 or CBR F2/F3. For a street bike, most everyone I've ever talked to recommends the CBR over the FZR if price isn't an issue. However in the real world, a FZR in decent shape might be the better buy since CBRs worth buying will likely be at the limit of your budget and many I've talked to tell me that the CBR is not $1000 better than the FZR. You should at least sit on the two since their riding positions are somewhate different.
Adam
Micah -
To answer the first part. If the GS no longer meets your street riding needs, then it would make a great first track bike with a few mods. If you are still happy with the GS on the street, I would consider buying a ready built race bike with few engine mods (to keep it reliable). Old CBRs and GSXRs are good. Don't forget about the SV-650. Look in Road Racing World or the WERA webpage for the lates race bikes for sale. It will ususally be cheaper to buy the bike ready built, than to buy on and prep it. As far as the 750 is concerned: the larger the displacement, the faster they eat tires and the more intimidating they will be to learn on. There are plenty of big guys racing small displacement bikes, and going fast to boot. Good luck.
Rich
I found a huge list of race bikes for sale on the AMA web site.
Looks like I can get a race ready R6 or FZR for about $2500.
I did find a few older FZR's for about $1700 though. Havent seen many CBR's for sale though.
After thinking about wether to get a 600 or 750, I think you are right about the 600. the 750 will probobly be a bit much, especially when you factor in how fast the 750 is going to go through tires.
The Gs has never really been the "ideal" street bike for me. It is a fantastic learner bike but, after about 6000 miles it is becoming more and more of a cramped riding position, and a little to underpowered for all those freeway miles. I also like to take my Fiance with me, and if I ever need to really get up and move the bike simpley dosent have enough power unless I drop it down about 3 gears. Top gear roll on?? Forget about it.
I seriously recommend finding a smaller displacement bike or using the GS for a track bike. Ignore your friends who are recommending a 750!!! They have no clue what they are talking about! I started racing on my GS & moved to a GSX-R600 in '98. I now race an R6. I still have the GS (it will race again one day if it's the last thing I ever do!). A 600 will be very difficult to go fast on initially, especially if you've not been riding one on the street for a while. A 750 is just plain nuts. My personal recommendation is a GS500 (cheap), an EX500 (still cheap), an FZR400 (not quite as cheap) or an SV650 (prolly over your limit).
The reason to go to a track day is to blast around scaring yourself silly & having fun with your friends without having to worry about cops, sand, dogs, etc. It's gonna be a lot easier to have fun on a bike you don't always have to worry about the throttle on. You spin out a 600 or 750 & get flung over the high side once cuz you gave it a couple degrees too much throttle & you're gonna wish you had stuck with a smaller bike. Regardless, do get something. You'll love it!! :thumb:
BTW, I'm 6'4" & the GS is acceptable on the track - & a 600 or 750 doesn't fit me all that much better. Don't let your size make your decision.
Hey Get a 1914 Indian side valve racer... That Michelle says it was the greatest race bike in history ... and you know she must be right cos she has some real big .... um um racing knowledge...
Cool.
Srinath.
Don't forget the WERA classifieds:
http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12
There is also a classified section at www.racemotorcycles.com (CCS bulletin board)
yamaha RZ350 is also a fast small bike...it's a 2 stoke 350 cc, very light and fast....
and like bob said, the frz400 is an awsome track bike but a little expensive....
looks awsome
(http://www.2wf.com/images/upload/002-fzr400-rw.jpg)
RZ350/400 is a fun race bike, but you'd better be comfortable with 2-smokes. Jet a 4-stroke wrong & it runs poorly, jet a 2-smoke wrong & you lunch the engine.
Here's a Fizzer 4:
http://www.amasuperbike.com/classifieds?wb=showAd&catToShow=j&adToShow=1989+FZR400+racebike+%28NorCal%29.1071591013546
BTW, I don't think FZR400s ever came with single sided swingarms, at least not in the US. Looks cool, though.
Bob has alot of valid points about staying away from a 600 or 750, especially with your limited riding experience. I put my TLR on the track once and it can be a handful. If you want a new bike get a street bike. The GS is a great track bike and parts are cheap (you will crash sooner or later). It may not be the fastest in the straights but all the fun is in the turns anyway. A GS in race trim goes for around $1000-$2000. A SV or 600 sell for $3000+. A smaller bike, like the GS, will also teach you how to be smooth to go fast.