South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi all, After a fantastic 4 days at Andulucia on the Fireblade i have come to the conclusion that i need to buy a track bike.
So what do i go for??

• Honda Fireblade 2011 on wards

• Honda CBR600RR

• Gen 3 BMW S1000RR

• ZX 10

• R1

What are your thoughts?

if you want to go the 600 route it can only be an R6, nimble/agile bike that'll keep up with and beat 90% of your fast group riders on UK tracks, a nicely specced and sorted R6 will carry huge corner speed, you can get on the throttle almost immediately without "to much" fear of highsiding,there are loads of them about so spares
and upgrades are easy to come by,if I was going thou which is obviously a completely different way of riding I'd go for an R1 2018 onwards, again the R1 geometry lends itself to corner speed but loses out a tad on top end,but where on UK tracks are you going to be full chat on a thou? I have just bought an R1 myself for next season but the R6 is staying firmly in the garage as well

If I was to trade out the zx10r it would only be a choice of two.

R6

OR

Big bang R1

Blade or ZX10

Cheers guys, i'm defo swaying towards a blade

R1 or RSV4 for the engine noise alone!

Jay wrote: ↑Oct 18th, '23, 08:59 Cheers guys, i'm defo swaying towards a blade

Don't see many on track nowadays ....there's a reason for that ...unless of course your going for the new all singing all dancing rrrrrrrrrrrr model

julesh wrote: ↑Oct 18th, '23, 15:05

Jay wrote: ↑Oct 18th, '23, 08:59 Cheers guys, i'm defo swaying towards a blade

Don't see many on track nowadays ....there's a reason for that ...unless of course your going for the new all singing all dancing rrrrrrrrrrrr model

There are more Ducatis on track, but I wouldn't recommend one.

Jay can't believe you're asking. Clearly the only way to go is a 96 Yamaha Thundercat.

But it you're looking for second best, a triumph 765 RS with clipons and fairing. Comes with top spec suspension and rider tech as standard.

Good point Phil.....

jay just buy another fiona,
enough decent parts out there and you know the bike.
cheap enough now for a spec'd one if wanted.

Ruffian wrote: ↑Oct 19th, '23, 09:44 jay just buy another fiona,
enough decent parts out there and you know the bike.
cheap enough now for a spec'd one if wanted.

Very true mate

Jay really glad that you posted this as have to say i am in a similar boat and really struggling with what I should be buying.
I have now fully bought my road bike (F900R) so its now mine and i love it but also it is never going to go on track.
I know that there is some inheritance that is coming in my direction in 6 to 12 months meaning I will be looking to buy a track bike at some point in 2024 (I assume this time next year)

Jay from following you at Portimao i would say your current riding style seems to suit a Thou and as you have had a few blades maybe just get an older track version might be an idea

you have seen me on ZX636 and have to say what you loose out on power wise you really gain in the corners as I find it easy to late brake and carry more corner speed but at only about 115bhp it will feel very different from the blade and will be honest i am now looking for more power

I have recently got to play on a Gixxer 750 (US import) and this might be an option but have to say i find it not comfortable to ride, the tank is the wrong shape and i struggle to lock into the tank mid corner.

I was then considering going for a thou (BMW S1000RR or R1) but got to be honest for my ability I just don't feel comfortable trying to power on out of corner exit with 200bhp trying to spit you at every opportunity.

What I am really looking for is something at about 140 / 150 bhp either a triple or a 4 pot (don't think i want a twin as engine braking from a twin might be a bit much for the track) would be better if it was a sports bike rather then a naked but if the right thing was found then maybe i just need to make it my own.

Would really be interested in what you go for and also the thoughts of the group as have quite a bit of time to consider this until the money is in the bank account to allow me to buy.

Few converted Triumph 765rs's kicking about from the NL race series, Gixxer 750,Ducati 959 ex tri options or just save that money,invest in improving yourself, Mike Edwards, Dean Ellison etc etc not much that'll beat a skilled,competent rider on a 600 on UK tracks