Would you guys ride a FZR600 at the track?

VTEC_EATER · 01-09-2005, 12:52 PM

I guess since its winter Im doing a lot of thinking about what the next season will be like for me. Im looking into track days because I want to ride in a more controlled environment and be able to push myself without fear of being hit by oncoming traffic, or hiting any sort of tree or being torn up by a street sign (basically having runoff room).

Right now I have in my posession a 98 FZR600, pretty much set up for street riding. All ABS plastics (some tracks do not like this), glass headlights (um... I dont think any tracks like this), stock suspension, street tires (Bridgestone BT014), stock gearing (I dont have any problems with this). And Im not taking the new Gixxer to the track, so lets not talk about that bike.

Anyways, like I mentioned before, the bike is set up for the street. I figure the money I would need to spend on it to make it track ready (replace the front fairing with a race upper, probably would want better tires like BT090's) would probably be in the $500 range. $500 aint bad to get it ready for the track, however, then I have the suspension.

If anyone knows what a FZR suspension is like knows its just a step up from a stock EX500. Very soft. Lots of squat in the front, and a piss poor rear shock. Not to mention that there is no suspension adjustability other than preload on the rear. Thats it. Now, I guess for my first 2 or 3 track days, I would probably be okay, but would probably be feeling the limits of the suspension by that time. Suspension upgrades are pretty expensive. I figure new springs and emulators will run me in the $250-300 range if I do all the work myself. Then there is the shock. I could probably get a used twin clicker off ebay for $200-250, then it would need a rebuild and be set up for my weight. Thats probably another $150 at least. So we are looking at about $700 as the cheapest to upgrade the suspension. By this time I am up to $1200 to have a bare bones st up track bike.

And at this point, Im still stuck with an 18" rear wheel which has almost no tire selection. The bike also does not have any place to put frame sliders. In the case of a hard fall, the frame might get damaged or bent, so now the bike is pretty much toast.

Is it really worth the money ($1200) to have a bare bones track bike? Now, I know parts are a plenty with this bike. It was pretty much the same bike from 1990-1999 so if I do crash it, I can get the parts, but for some reason, they arent that cheap. Just a front fairing for the bike tends to go for $150 and thats not in good shape either. Track plastics arent easy to come by other than going through Airtech and their prices are outrageous. Aftermarket rearsets are almost nonexistant.

I know Im listing off all the bad things about the bike, but there are a lot of good things. First off, I already own the bike and it is in great mechanical order. It is very nimble and not very heavy, the powerband is nice and shouldnt get me into too much trouble coming out of the turns. It has the potential of being a good starter track bike.

I guess my question is, should I spend the money on something that could be an okay track bike, or should I sell the bike, then use that money to buy an already track prepped bike, like an R6, ZX6R (probably not the 636), or any other more modern 600 that has a 17" rear wheel, aftermarket support (track plastics and other track parts (steering damper, rearsets, frame sliders...) and adjustable suspension parts?

What do you guys think?

EA6BMECH · 01-11-2005, 04:42 AM

You had to bring up the "other bike"

didn't you. Please don't equate track riding with wrecking. Your other bike would be the best bet, other wise take the FZ out there with a set of tires and see what you might think it needs. Take off the curb feelers on the pegs and anything that doesn't need to be on it, tape it up and go. See how it handles, then see what you want to get. When you feel pretty good about riding it, take the "other bike" out there, ride easy and see what you decide then. I take my regular bike to the track all the time (ZRX) and ride the piss out of it. No wrecks "yet" and it's pushing 40K. I want a stab at the Advanced group also just to let you know.

VTEC_EATER · 01-11-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA6BMECH

You had to bring up the "other bike"

didn't you. Please don't equate track riding with wrecking. Your other bike would be the best bet, other wise take the FZ out there with a set of tires and see what you might think it needs. Take off the curb feelers on the pegs and anything that doesn't need to be on it, tape it up and go. See how it handles, then see what you want to get. When you feel pretty good about riding it, take the "other bike" out there, ride easy and see what you decide then. I take my regular bike to the track all the time (ZRX) and ride the piss out of it. No wrecks "yet" and it's pushing 40K. I want a stab at the Advanced group also just to let you know.

Well, Im not quite ready to take the "other bike" out on the track yet since I have only made one payment on it. Also, it proves to be a better street bike when lugging me and the girlfriend around. I would rather use a 600 for the track because I can keep it up high in the powerband.

Anyways, I know I could take the FZR out there, and I probably should use it for a little bit to see if I even like track days. Yeah, like Im not going to like them...

Ill have to ponder this more. ight now Im just perusing the NESBA and WERA boards looking at peoples track bikes to see whats out there.

EA6BMECH · 01-11-2005, 07:22 PM

How much are those BT90's?? I know Pirelli makes some good bias tires that will hold pretty well. About $190 a set for some Sport Demons. Go beat it up at the track and have fun. I think sometimes having a bike that is not quit up to speed learning on, will make you a better rider when you get your hands on something that handles well. After my bike for several track days, I jumped on a ZX10 for about 8 laps and could smoke myself even never really have ridden one of those bikes before. Jumping into advance with a bike like that or 600 would be no problem, it like loosing a 150 lbs and have great handling in one shot. I have a Ninja 250 also. No mods really cept for a stage 1. I run the piss out of it too. Allot of times I'd rather have the 250 at a top speed of 100 with the wind to my back than ride the ZRX. Just about don't need the brakes out there. Take care!!

VTEC_EATER · 01-11-2005, 08:33 PM

Yeah, I saw someone selling a RS50. I was like "Woo Hoo!!! Top speed of 60 mph! I'll never have to let off the gas!" But what would that teach me?

Anyways, I still have a few months to figure it out. I may use the FZR in the beginning and move to something else later. At least I already have the bike. So thats one step towards my goal of getting out to the track.

As for the BT090's... Let me check...........

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Well, the cheapest I saw them for was $260 + shipping. 110/150. I guess Metzler has some slicks out there that fit the 18" rear wheel, but I dont think I need slicks. Some DOT tires should do just fine. Im sure my BT014's would work for my first track day, but Im not sure how these tires handle the heat that you get from teh track. They might turn greasy and pretty slippery. I would rather just go with something that is made to be on the track and that I know has had good results.

Murf99 · 01-12-2005, 01:45 PM

Tom,

Sell the FZR, as it's still a very nice streetbike that will bring in some good dosh. Then, take your $2000 or whatever, and buy a Honda CBR F2/3 - already set up for the track... It will not be in as good of shape cosmetically, but will likely have race glass and built (replaced or revalved) suspension - saving you a ton.

Other good track bikes in the 2k range:
-1998,1999 GSX-R 600
-1999-2003 SV-650
-1995-1997 ZX6R
-1993-1995 ZX7

...in fact, since Lynda got her GSXR-750, my ZX7 might be looking for a home soon... suspension is built and everything!

Cheers - Todd

VTEC_EATER · 01-12-2005, 05:17 PM

She went out and got a Gixxer? So does that mean no more ride swap this spring?

Anyways, Todd, I know you and I have talked about this before and I feel just like you do. I think I have a bike that can get me some sort of money that I can use to put towards an already somethat set up track bike. Not full blown, but suspension and race plastics. Not to mention better tire selection.

Who kows what Ill do. Maybe a SV set up for the track would be a good idea. I know a lot of people use them and a lot of people sell them for a good price set up pretty much to the max (before diving into the engine). We will see. I still have plenty of time. Not to mention I need to get rid of the FZR before I look at any other bikes. If I have no luck selling the thing, which come spring shouldnt really be a problem, Ill probably use it just because I have it.

Im so confused...

Murf99 · 01-13-2005, 12:06 PM

Tom -

We can still ride swap to our heart's content, since Wonder Woman will probably not let me touch her bike, much less ride it! Just kidding. Maybe...

Seriously, though... if you want to give track riding a try and don't want to run the FZR, consider the ZX7 avalible for, err, "rental" - All I ask is a little money to cover tires, gas, oil... etc. - say $50. Consider it an option.

Don't get too confused about this track riding stuff - Gas, Brake, Lean... If I can do it, it must not be that difficult! You'll have a blast whatever bike you're on.

02-11-2005, 10:37 PM

Last year I rode a leopard skin SecaII with Nesba. Paid $1200 for it and sold it for the same. Learned alot on it too!!! It also had the18" bias tires a set of Dunlop GT 501's fit the bill nicely!!