Budget bikes suitable for track days.

[conker]

I'm looking at getting a bike for track use, though the occasional road ride might be considered, so road legal would be an advantage but I have the use of a van.

Budget is low, around £1000, maybe stretch to £1300, is it possible to get some thing suitable and fun for this? I've done a couple of track days on my adventure bike but would like something to learn on.

I guess I'll be looking at something like a GSXR 600 SRAD or CBR 600, anything else I should be considering that I could get in budget?

[loply]

SV650.

Make awesome track bikes, cheap to modify, parts are dirt cheap, tires are cheap, and with a few basic tweaks they can go bloody fast.

Good fun leaving 600s (and even thous) for dead on a 70bhp bike.
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[monkeybiker]

I'd get an old cbr600f. Could probably pick a tatty one up for £500.

[Matt B]

[conker]

Something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CBR600F-1990-Jelly-Mould-Project-Runs-Good-All-Rounder-Track-Bike-or-Hack-/391213218581?hash=item5b161ffb15? Would that be a better shout than a GSXR 600 SRAD?

[Matt B]

Personally wouldn't want an old jelly mould for a track bike. As far as a CBR600F goes you want a 1999/2000 onwards - better chassis, more power, fully adjustable suspension, better brakes, real size tyres (important if you want to run scrubs).

Just remember you want to take a bike and push it harder round corners, go faster and stop quicker than on the road. £300 on a 25 year old bike isn't really the way to go. Spend a bit more and get something fit for purpose.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Slacker24seve...]

[Keir]

I don't think an sv650 is a bad call at all. It will teach you to ride faster to keep up not rely on power.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Slacker24seve...]

[conker]

I'd like an IL4, I'm keeping my eye on a few GSXRs and ZX6Rs. Are FZR600s worth a look?

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

CB500, can pick up ex racers for peanuts.
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[P.]

I was dicking on people with an SV650... They are quite capable and I'm a slow rider! You need to harden the front suspension, budget ways are there.

Tyres in decent sizes for scrubs, LOTS of parts as many SV race bikes exist.

If you just want to get into it, nothing wrong with an SV. I doubt you'll find it lacking on certain tracks, others you might want a ZX6R G model or CBR600F

[G]

SV650s can make for good racing.

Given the choice I'd have more power for a track bike - around 100hp is what I like best for fun on trackdays - you should only get left behind by bigger bikes on the longest straights.

Whatever you get, I'd get one that's already a setup track bike - much less hassle and then makes a lot more difference the original spec of the bike.

I'd stick with late 90s and later for easy availability of parts and tyre choices.

[conker]

Thanks fellas, there doesn't seem to be much choice about within budget at the moment, I might have to wait until winter is looming and increase the budget.

Constantly checking scumtree, ebay and various facebook groups.

[G]

4 on ebay right now 'Buy it Now' and more with bids.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=500&_udhi=1400&_nkw=track+bike&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

I reckon the J model ZX6R with V5 looks the best bet:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ZX6R-Track-Bike-/291533336526?hash=item43e0bdafce

[conker]

already watching those. Kent is a good 5 hours away though that one does look great.

[G]

Where are you based?

I'm in Kent (though a bit further up) and do get around the place in my van on occasion.

[conker]

I'm up near Barnsley, places in Kent will be 4 to 5 hours drive I'd guess.

I'll not be able to increase my 1k to 1.2k till payday this month. Tempted to put a bid on this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181825493312?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[.Bishbash.]

[conker]

Know of any for sale? Visor down review states "Little excitement to be found." and 58bhp am I missing something?

[P.]

I'd take an SV over a CB500.... because fuck me it's shit.

[.Bishbash.]

[conker]

I'm trying to remain open-minded as take notice of opinions from people with more experience than myself, but I'm thinking I don't want a CB500 for track days, I'm leaning towards a 600 IL4 around 100bhp sounds good.

[G]

[Matt B]

Maybe stretch your budget a bit, in the long run you could get your money back.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Kawaski%20ZX7R%202000/IMGP0089_zps8881d21f.jpg

I paid £1500 for that 7R - it had braided lines, newish chain and sprockets, Ohlins rear shock, single seat unit. Was a track bike so no MOT but with a V5 and all the removed bits in a box.

I got a cheap bike trailer and used it as a track bike. A year later I bolted all the bits back on, got it an MOT and sold it for £1500. Sold the trailer and made £20

I'm not saying get a ZX7R, they are a bit heavy and underpowered for the track but I liked it. Just that if you spend a bit more you can find something ready to go that you could break even on when you sell it.

Also found that bike on Gumtree, not ebay. Not the same amount of bikes on there but often better deals to be had.
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