Track bike. Build it or buy it?
Discussion
Hello!
So I recently bought a 2016 ZX6R for Road and track riding. I’ve decided that I want a dedicated track bike and will be getting an 890 Duke R for the roads. I’m undecided whether to turn my ZX6R in to a track bike or buy a bike already done.
The bike I have now is very good condition, it’s a 2016 bike, 4000 miles, full service history. It’s got a few bits on it, Akrapovic slip on with mid pipe, MSS tune, HyperPro steering damper, GB racing engine covers and Evotech levers.
If I was to turn it in to a track bike I would do suspension, rear sets, fairings, quickshifter, brakes and a spare set of wheels to start with. Obviously this is quite costly. The other option is sell the bike for around £7000 and buy a track bike already done.
Any advice would be appreciated.
So I recently bought a 2016 ZX6R for Road and track riding. I’ve decided that I want a dedicated track bike and will be getting an 890 Duke R for the roads. I’m undecided whether to turn my ZX6R in to a track bike or buy a bike already done.
The bike I have now is very good condition, it’s a 2016 bike, 4000 miles, full service history. It’s got a few bits on it, Akrapovic slip on with mid pipe, MSS tune, HyperPro steering damper, GB racing engine covers and Evotech levers.
If I was to turn it in to a track bike I would do suspension, rear sets, fairings, quickshifter, brakes and a spare set of wheels to start with. Obviously this is quite costly. The other option is sell the bike for around £7000 and buy a track bike already done.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Edited by samjlevy on Wednesday 3rd August 21:05
I’m building...
Had my 2012 S1000RR for a couple of years now and have already done lots of the bits I’d want on a track bike anyway, just the bodywork to do really and now I have an old VFR for commuting/road duties so I’m going to bite the bullet.
There’s probably arguments with pros and cons for either approach but I think I’d rather just start with a bike I know.
Had my 2012 S1000RR for a couple of years now and have already done lots of the bits I’d want on a track bike anyway, just the bodywork to do really and now I have an old VFR for commuting/road duties so I’m going to bite the bullet.
There’s probably arguments with pros and cons for either approach but I think I’d rather just start with a bike I know.
As with all these kind of things, it depends entirely what you want out of it all.
For the kind of money it appears you're looking at spending you could buy a well sorted race bike which will have all the spec you're looking for plus much more in some cases.
I'd say it would pretty much always be better value to buy one that has already been build, and I'd personally try to get a proven race bike that done some racing over a track bike because (as much as this isn't promised) the quality seems to be far higher, more of a build unit of a bike, than a few add-ons fitted to a road bike.
On the flip side though, pre built bikes (especially race bikes) are usually scruffier and have seen some action (and crashes) and you cannot guarantee all work has been done to your own standards (sometimes things are done to get the bike back out racing then left).
Plus if you're handy with the spanners and enjoy a project, that's another level of enjoyment you get out of it.
Personally, with a full time job and young family I am limited on spare time and I just want to go fast on track, so I bought a 2005 ZX6R which seemed to have an extensive spec and proven race history. It was scruffy when I bought it so I did little bits like painting the fairing and it is just EPIC!
One of the quickest 600's on most trackdays and it only cost me £4000, though it isn't the most desirable thing out there.
For the kind of money it appears you're looking at spending you could buy a well sorted race bike which will have all the spec you're looking for plus much more in some cases.
I'd say it would pretty much always be better value to buy one that has already been build, and I'd personally try to get a proven race bike that done some racing over a track bike because (as much as this isn't promised) the quality seems to be far higher, more of a build unit of a bike, than a few add-ons fitted to a road bike.
On the flip side though, pre built bikes (especially race bikes) are usually scruffier and have seen some action (and crashes) and you cannot guarantee all work has been done to your own standards (sometimes things are done to get the bike back out racing then left).
Plus if you're handy with the spanners and enjoy a project, that's another level of enjoyment you get out of it.
Personally, with a full time job and young family I am limited on spare time and I just want to go fast on track, so I bought a 2005 ZX6R which seemed to have an extensive spec and proven race history. It was scruffy when I bought it so I did little bits like painting the fairing and it is just EPIC!
One of the quickest 600's on most trackdays and it only cost me £4000, though it isn't the most desirable thing out there.
Depends how fast you are ?
Unless you're already in the fast group then some decent brake pads, fresh brake fluid, track biased tyres and a service is all it needs to be a track bike. Get the suspension adjusted by one of the track day suspension chaps.
What you do after that is down to how hard you push it, like protection, cheap track fairings, removing lights etc.
If you're not in the fast group then tuition and practice is probably what you need, helped me a lot.
Unless you're already in the fast group then some decent brake pads, fresh brake fluid, track biased tyres and a service is all it needs to be a track bike. Get the suspension adjusted by one of the track day suspension chaps.
What you do after that is down to how hard you push it, like protection, cheap track fairings, removing lights etc.
If you're not in the fast group then tuition and practice is probably what you need, helped me a lot.
Depends on your budget and abilties
As I expect to drop my track bike I bought a bike that already had scuffed fairings
The other option is to remove yours and buy a chinese set - if you intend selling on in future
To start with a mint low mileage bike is silly IMO but I like VFM and to you £7k may be pennies - in which case crack on
As I expect to drop my track bike I bought a bike that already had scuffed fairings
The other option is to remove yours and buy a chinese set - if you intend selling on in future
To start with a mint low mileage bike is silly IMO but I like VFM and to you £7k may be pennies - in which case crack on
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