Opinions on a 92 kawi 600r as a track bike

R6JUNKIE · 12-29-2004, 03:00 PM

I think most of my problem at track days is that I'm afraid of banging up my 03 R6 on the track. so Im looking at a cheaper alternative. I found a cheap 600r $800 to $1000. in good shape. what is your opinions of it for track duty.

joberly · 12-29-2004, 03:35 PM

I use my 92 CBR for track days... perfect bike IMO. Parts are all over eBay and it's cheap. Can't go wrong.... you aren't 'racing', it's just track days

R6JUNKIE · 12-29-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joberly

I use my 92 CBR for track days... perfect bike IMO. Parts are all over eBay and it's cheap. Can't go wrong.... you aren't 'racing', it's just track days

yeah I've done 4 days now but want to do more. your cbr is the front forks and stuff adjustable (rebound)? I dont think the 92 kawis are. I'm not even sure if that makes a diffrance since I dont mess with that anyway. I was thinking about getting a ninja 250 to wiz around on the track, that was one ideal.

Murf99 · 12-30-2004, 11:54 AM

The of a cheap track bike is a great one.

I'd scrap the idea of the 600R. I owned one as my first bike... It's also my girlfriends current bike (we swap a lot), so I have a unique insight.

The steering geometry sucks, riding position sucks, suspension really sucks... blah blan blah.

I consider the 600R the last of the first generation sportbikes (see also '87 GSXR-750, Ninja GPZ 900 and Yamaha FZ-600)... principally because of the 16" wheels. You won't be able to buy proper tires, even radials. Bias ply tires SUCK - they move around and ... err... have little stability.

Get something with at 17" wheels with at least a 160 in the rear - otherwise you'll be "racing" around on what amount to sport touring tires.

I highly reccomend a CBR F2/F3 or a 91-95 ZX7 - I've owned both, they're both relatively cheap, and they both make stellar track bikes. Spend the extra $1000 - $1500 on one of these (especially on the ZX7) and you won't be sorry.

Cheers!

Todd

R6JUNKIE · 12-30-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf99

.

I highly reccomend a CBR F2/F3
Cheers!

Todd

thanks Todd, everyone has said the same as you. but i did get one guy that said to get a fzr600 and do a wheele swap. I'm still looking, but my area is not know for its sportbike comunity. the only ones I see for sale is 00' and up. I guess all the older ones dont survive the squids.

Murf99 · 12-31-2004, 10:10 AM

No problem. You might want to check the NESBA classifieds to broaden your search. Many of those bikes have already been track prepared, saving you some unrecoverable cost. F2/F3s are pretty common... and since they have a nice steel frame, they crash like tanks - almost invincible!

An FZR with a wheel swap would be another good alternative... FZRs tend to hold thier value less than a comperable year CBR...

VTEC_EATER · 12-31-2004, 06:21 PM

A wheel swap on a FZR isnt one of the easiest of things to do. Trust me, I own one. Supposedly a TZ250 rear wheel is a direct swap, but I think those run for $500+ on ebay, not to mention that they are very rare. You could try to find a FZR400RRSP wheel, but that is even harder to find than the TZ wheel. Not to mention that I think you will need to get the RRSP swingarm to go along with it.

The 18" rear on a FZR really isnt that bad. Yes, race compound tires arent as abundant as they are with the 17", but its not so scarse that you cant find anything.

R6JUNKIE · 01-01-2005, 09:09 AM

thank you for the info. the search contunes

javawhz · 01-02-2005, 11:55 AM

Get a F3... I used mine for a few years, great bike. I sold it for $1800 bucks! Look for similar deals...here are a few pics of mine

If you're in California a friend of mine is selling his F3 track bike, you can contact him on the CBR board at http://www.cbrworld.net

R6JUNKIE · 01-02-2005, 12:50 PM

I wished I was in the area but I'm on the eastcoast.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 01-02-2005, 03:06 PM

The whole wanting to go faster but on an older bike scenerio is a bit of a double edge sword. I agree with Murf99 in getting something that will use common race tires, that will pay for itself in your ability to buy 'take-offs' at the track from racers. Some of the fastest guys switch tires like mad and sell off the ones that they used for only 1-3 races. Those tires are great and will still have tons of life left in them for what you'll be using them for.

Definately get a bike that you can easily obtain parts and used bodywork for easily. I would seriously consider a bike with the compression and rebound adjusters and one that preferably has cartridge style forks. You may not adjust that stuff right now, but if you want to get going fast, and have a controllable bike, you'll appreciate that adjustability.

What kind of money are you looking to spend on a track only bike?

Jammin_Johnny · 01-02-2005, 05:36 PM

Just though I would weigh in here.

Two bikes come to mind that will offer a bit more suspension and should be obtainable in the price range you seek. The choices below are in alpha order only.

1) Honda CBR 600F2/3
2) Kawasaki ZX6R ('95 - '97)

Ride Safe! Ride Prepared!

R6JUNKIE · 01-02-2005, 06:53 PM

I'm looking around the $2k range. but would like to have a streetable bike since I will only get about 5 track days a year in.

R6JUNKIE · 01-04-2005, 01:17 AM

I found a track ready bike, no title, 3rd owner 96 zx6r, rear sets,muzzy pipe, race body work he wants $2000 for it. opinons on 96 zx6r? no title?

999Duc · 01-04-2005, 08:18 AM

The bike has No title because it was never registered and used only on the track but they DO have a MSO for it? That can be ok.
OR
No title because there is a story behind the bike ? Not Ok.

I would not buy a bike without a title or MSO.
But , like others have stated , you can find a nice CBR F2/F3 setup for the track for $2000 , it will probably have a salvage title but unless you plan on registering it for the street that shouldnt be a problem.
Plus the parts are available and cheap on ebay.
Chances are , if you break something at the track on a CBR, someone there will have the part to lend or sell you so you can finish the day.

I have owned a 600R ,and I would never take it on a track.
The F series CBR's are cheap these days and make good track only bikes.
Check the wera board classifieds.
www.wera.com

OR
Just buy a full set of track day plastic for your R6 , take out all the goodies
( headlights etc ) and ride that with less worry, by far the best track bike of all mentioned in my opinion and the cheapest alternative , until you wad it up.
Full set of plastics can be found for $400 on ebay.