Track bike conundrum….

[Tribal Chestnut]

Just wondering if anyone on here can sway me either way.

And before I start, these are the only two options, not interested in buying anything else at the moment.

I’ve a fairly well sorted L0 GSXR 750 for track, which is great, but I’m always finding myself pretty squashed up on it. I can tolerate the leg position, which I’ve literally just made worse, but just do not have enough room over the tank to truly ride it properly, same with my old ZX6 & ZX10.

I was going to sell my MT10 SP, but have been thinking (just this morning) of keeping it as a track bike. it’s much more spacious for a gangly old guy such as myself and has been great fun on the odd TD that I have used it for.

I’ll never be fast, so am inclined to go with the comfort option, which I’m sure would be even better with the ABS removed and maybe a decent MC & rearsets. I also like the idea of tracking something that isn’t a proper sports bike.

Anyone on here got any pearls of wisdom that might help me decide?

[andy tims]

I had a GSX-R track bike for years & sold it last year.

I do the odd day on my S1000R & it's fine. Nice not to have to faff about with trailers, warmers etc. just for the odd day each year.

[SteveKTMer]

I had a 2004 GSXR750 as a track bike years ago, it was quite roomy, but that was before manufacturers made bikes smaller to save weight.

Maybe fit some bar risers to yours to bring the bars up higher to give more room. You'll still be able to hang off and get your head low. I think Gilles used to sell some sort of adjustable bar riser mechanism.

[Sidecar Man]

So I use my S1000r for Trackday instructing. It's a great bike but also looked at Mt10. Just price difference swayed it. I can understand Master cylinder up grade But why remove ABS? Have you had it intruding when you're riding ??
Only ever had mine operate once and it saved me

[Tribal Chestnut]

Thanks guys.

SteveKTMer said:

I had a 2004 GSXR750 as a track bike years ago, it was quite roomy, but that was before manufacturers made bikes smaller to save weight.

Maybe fit some bar risers to yours to bring the bars up higher to give more room. You'll still be able to hang off and get your head low. I think Gilles used to sell some sort of adjustable bar riser mechanism.

I’ve got Renthal clip-ons fitted, which help, but some risers are a good shout, hadn’t considered them tbh.

Sidecar Man said:

So I use my S1000r for Trackday instructing. It's a great bike but also looked at Mt10. Just price difference swayed it. I can understand Master cylinder up grade But why remove ABS? Have you had it intruding when you're riding ??
Only ever had mine operate once and it saved me

Only a handful of times really has it bothered me - once at the end of the big straight at Bedford, another heading into Druids and again when trying to brake a little later for Goddard’s at Donington - got into a right pickle with that latter one in particular. But then it has saved me a few times on the road, though as it will be track-only I don’t need that benefit. Yamaha ABS is crap compared to BMW (I’ve a 2018 XR too, so same brakes as yours I expect).

That would have been you taking our siting laps on Monday then I think.

[Sidecar Man]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Only a handful of times really has it bothered me - once at the end of the big straight at Bedford, another heading into Druids and again when trying to brake a little later for Goddard’s at Donington - got into a right pickle with that latter one in particular. But then it has saved me a few times on the road, though as it will be track-only I don’t need that benefit. Yamaha ABS is crap compared to BMW (I’ve a 2018 XR too, so same brakes as yours I expect).

That would have been you taking our siting laps on Monday then I think.

You would be correct it was me doing them. See you there again sometime
The ABS on the BMW does seem good.