Picking one for the next step

[oribaka]

Alright, I'm more than half way through my first season of racing 80 cc on the RS50, and although it is a good way of learning, I hate the fact that my 200 lbs really is a disadvantage in comparison to the 130 lbs kids out there when we're talking about a 15 bhp maximum just as the investments necessary to make the suspension suit me just really can't be justified. Not being the fastest guy yet I'm probably going to continue racing in the series for at least another year, but in the mean time I want something to do track days on and get to grips with things being a bit faster.

The logical choices when considering the classes in Danish racing is either 400 cc or 600 cc. However, there haven't been any new 400 cc's around for like ten years so I'm figuring parts must be getting expensive and hard to source. Therefore I've decided to just bite the lemon and go for a 600 cc bike.

It seems that 3-4 year old bikes come at a reasonable price these days, so what should I be looking at - what are the pro's and con's of buying either Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas or Kawas? I know that I might be starting a flame war here, but I really would just like a serious not on what'll be cheapest, easiest, which ones have flaws etc.

Thanks in advance,
Nick Bruun

[JapseyeOgri]

Oribaka,

how much excess are you carrying?? I'm 6'2" and about 4 years ago I was around the 98Kgs/215lbs mark. I've managed to get down to my current (this morning) 80.5Kgs/177lbs by doing some pretty intensive cycling.

Have you thought about getting into supermotard?? You should be able to pick up a CRF/YZF/KLX450 for a reasonable price and I reckon that'll be the best bang for your buck plus really good for honing various skills that'll come in handy for road racing.

Only 600cc sportsbikes I've ever ridden are a couple of '07 R6s. Really cramped and tiring to ride, although you'll be used to that kind of cramped position from riding your 50. Just a fast, if not faster, than my Mille though.

[oribaka]

The thing is that I'm around 6'3" and pretty fit. I recon I could get down to 180 lbs if I stepped up my cycling, which I'm going to do after the holidays are over, but still, that's quite a considerable amount of excess weight in comparison to a 15 bhp limit.

Regarding supermotard I've actually considered it, and I was wondering wether doing some motorcross as well will give me any usefull skills in terms of road racing? I'm currently rebuilding a KX125 with a mate who has a track in his "back yard" so to speak and will probably be doing a lot of riding there during the winter, but if it's worth it I might aswell just buy myself a new-ish 125 for the winter.

How does an R6 fit you except for being a bit cramped, both suspension wise and sort of size wise - does it leave a lot of room for moving around or what?

[JedB]

Do they have a lightweight Twin class??

Suzuki SV-650s are pretty common class over here and parts are easy to source. . .

600s seem like the meat grinder to get into straight from the 2-stroke...

Glad to see you got the bug

[oribaka]

Do they have a lightweight Twin class??

Suzuki SV-650s are pretty common class over here and parts are easy to source. . .

600s seem like the meat grinder to get into straight from the 2-stroke...

Glad to see you got the bug

They sadly do not have a lightweight twin class. What we do have though is what's called the Rookie I and Rookie II classes which are practically "everything is allowed" under 600 cc for Rookie I and between 600 and 1200 cc for Rookie II, so yea, I could go on a 650, but I somehow don't think it will be very competitive...

Just how much of a "beast" are these 600s anyway? It's hard to get much of an impression from any of the guys who used to race 80 cc's, 'cause the just shrug and tell you it's "a tiny bit faster but nothing much".

Damn yea I got the bug... bad as it is on my finances, I've honestly never found anything that could give me quite the smile as the first knee-down or front wheel slide of the first session... absolutely brilliant!

[JapseyeOgri]

How does an R6 fit you except for being a bit cramped, both suspension wise and sort of size wise - does it leave a lot of room for moving around or what?

Really felt like I was perched on top of the R6 and that my weight was making the C of G ridiculously high (the bike feels twitchy and the slightest fumble in braking and/or gear changing can produce a bit of a "moment"). I had to be very deliberate and precise when transferring weight from side to side in transitions. Having said that, during last years aborted attempt at the 4 hours, I was only about a half second off my best lap times for the Mille and there was definitely loads of room for improvement. Once above 9,000 it is pulling nicely with a frantic rush upwards of 13,000. '06/'07 R6s red line at 16,500 but shifting up at 14,500 still keeps you perfectly in the power (and the engine a little cooler) so there's definitely more than enough power there to have fun. 3rd gear roll-ons coming out of Degner2 has the front lifting easily, same with exiting the chicane between hairpin and Machan corner (200R). Brakes are phenomenal Knee-grip of death technique, learned on the NSR50, came in well handy Not absolutely sure but I think the 1st, of the 2, R6 I rode was on completely standard suspension and I experienced chatter, for the first time, going through anti bank curve so I'd think you'd need to spend some money on springs and upgrades to get it right for your weight. The 2nd R6 I tried belonged to Motomatsu san, who's close to my weight, and that definitely felt a bit sturdier and a little more confidence inspiring whilst chucking it around.

[duc slayer]

what kinda tracks are you running?? small, narrow, fast, long straights, short straights, variety??