considering new track bike...looking for input

[freezer16801]

I am considering buying a newer track bike. I have over 6k track miles on my present 03 R6.

I really like the idea of learning how to get fast on a bike that interests me. My problem is that with other priorities, I am only able to get to less than 10 track days per year, two of which are on the hyper.

So, I was thinking of an easy, out of box present edition R6 that anyone could be fast on.

I found this on ebay though... Ducati : Supersport | eBay

Does anyone have any insight if this bike would be as easy to ride fast as my present R6 or maybe even a newer R6?

I truly understand that rider skills are what makes you fast, not the bike. I also have seen friends that I've ridden with for years that are now faster than me because they have updated equipment. It is hard to deny 8 years of technology.

Any input on a reasonable track bike discussion is welcome.

[Ben710]

What are you after is the key question? Do you want fun and emotions, buy a twin. If you care for durability, buy japanese.

The RJ11 and RJ15 R6s are very very good, probably still the best 600 on the market. You can´t go wrong with any of the recent years ZX6R, CBR600, whatever... I hear the Suzuki is kind of a disappointing bike compared to the others(!). But they´re all quick.

From my experience, a shit bike will not necessarily make you a faster rider. You will have to pour a lot of money into an old bike to make it nearly as good as the modern bikes. Basically you´re running behind the factories´ development processes. Every tuning step you can do for an older bike has probably been incorporated into its successor.

If you don´t care for a Ducati as a track bike, go R6, CBR600 or Kawasaki 2005 upwards. There should be a lot of track bikes for sale now that the season is basically over.

[NikMusolino]

A truly supermoto'd CR450F would be haute.

[el tardo]

IMO i would pick a 2007 and up cbr600rr as its a bad ass bike and tons of parts so it makes it cheap to get.three of my friends race on those bikes and i must say they are fast as hell. the bike never has issues and runs great.with lots of these bikes on the road you can get them for cheap.ttx shock re-valved forks and new master and good tires and your at race spec for a good price. my one Friend has four of them and just got a salvaged one with a built motor as a second race bike.
I'm just going by what i see works

[freezer16801]

thanks guys, that is kind of what I was thinking. Ben, I am right with you. I've dropped way too much money into my 03 for it to be a few steps behind a newer bike.

[darkduc7]

i go by the philosophy of riding a slow, old bike fast, instead of a faster, newer bike slow. i race an sv650, love every minute of it. they have just enough power to make things fun, they are reliable, crash well, and easy to wrench on.

now, if youre doing trackdays, not racing, why do you care if your buddies have a few tenths on you a lap? you cant tell me theres that much of a difference in laptimes just because they have a newer bike, the rider makes a huge impact on that. i'd just keep the 03 r6 and get faster and beat their ass.

that ducati would have lots of character...but im not sure you'd want it as a track bike because of the maintenance.

[NYSport]

If you take the Hyper to two of your track days already, maybe spend the money on "tweaking" the engine and suspension. A dedicated track bike for maybe a hand-full of track days is an expensive proposition.

I made great progress with my Hyper by adding the following enhancements:

1. New handle bars, less flex than the oem.
2. Ohlins 25 mm fork kit, way better than oem
3. new rear spring, corrected for my weight
4. Dan Kyle throttle tube, better response than oem for sure
5. Ducshop stacks, better response than the oem airbox
6. Aluminum subframe, lighter than oem
7. Removed flapper valve and motor, lighter
8. Antigravity light weight battery, lighter

Next will be some engine work, nothing crazy but some balancing and porting. It's as quick through the turns as most track day bikes, slower on the straights but that's about it. And you said you wanted to be fast, well corners are the key and the hyper works really well there. And the big bonus is nothing feels better than all that torque!

Anyway just my thought.

[freezer16801]

Originally Posted by darkduc7

i go by the philosophy of riding a slow, old bike fast, instead of a faster, newer bike slow. i race an sv650, love every minute of it. they have just enough power to make things fun, they are reliable, crash well, and easy to wrench on.

now, if youre doing trackdays, not racing, why do you care if your buddies have a few tenths on you a lap? you cant tell me theres that much of a difference in laptimes just because they have a newer bike, the rider makes a huge impact on that. i'd just keep the 03 r6 and get faster and beat their ass.

that ducati would have lots of character...but im not sure you'd want it as a track bike because of the maintenance.

your theory works well if you have the time to devote towards multiple track dates. Basically, I am riding in a group with guys that have newer equipment and more days practice.

I am a bit misunderstood though. I am not necessarily buying a new track bike because a buddy of mine is faster than me now that he is on newer equipment. 85% of the people in my group are faster than me. I am looking for a new track bike because I have been riding this one for 5 years and close to close to 5k track miles. It doesn't make sense to get a bike older than mine, or one that I'd have to drop a pile of money to make as fast as my present bike.

[freezer16801]

Originally Posted by NYSport

If you take the Hyper to two of your track days already, maybe spend the money on "tweaking" the engine and suspension. A dedicated track bike for maybe a hand-full of track days is an expensive proposition.

I made great progress with my Hyper by adding the following enhancements:

1. New handle bars, less flex than the oem.
2. Ohlins 25 mm fork kit, way better than oem
3. new rear spring, corrected for my weight
4. Dan Kyle throttle tube, better response than oem for sure
5. Ducshop stacks, better response than the oem airbox
6. Aluminum subframe, lighter than oem
7. Removed flapper valve and motor, lighter
8. Antigravity light weight battery, lighter

Next will be some engine work, nothing crazy but some balancing and porting. It's as quick through the turns as most track day bikes, slower on the straights but that's about it. And you said you wanted to be fast, well corners are the key and the hyper works really well there. And the big bonus is nothing feels better than all that torque!

Anyway just my thought.

believe me, I love riding the hyper on the track. It would be a shame to ruin a bike that I paid over $14k for plus several thousand more in upgrades on the track. That is for a $4-5k track bike, in my opinion.