Track/Hack and rainy day bike?

[Torque05]

Right, ive just got a job (woohoo ) in Tesco so... instead of riding the Z everywhere in every kind of weather i got to thinking, maybe i need a smaller bike that i could use on rainy days and general getting for A to B stuff.

It got me thinking also, in the next year id really like to do a track day so then the question is would something like a ZX4R or a VFR400 be a suitable bike for this kind of thing? Im not too bothered about the riding position as there isnt too much traffic on the way to college or work.

I need something relatively sporty and under 2k thats relatively reliable and i can thrash around a track.

Also just so you know im on a restricted license so it will have to be restricted, because im a good boy .
____________________
~Sahf East Winnah~

~Yamaha Vmax 1996~

[fredsredhat]

[chris-red]

You can do it, but not everywhere lets you.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Gazdaman]

An nc30 isn't really an ideal rat/commuter thing.

For 1 they're quite expensive for what they are and the riding position and gearing doesn't really lend itself to town riding.

I'd be thinking of an older zx6r, can pick one up for well under £2k. Would do track beautifully and if it's an oldish non-perfect one, you won't care about thrashing it to Tesco every day.

I worked for Tesco for 3 years, not a bad company to work for.

Gaz

[Cillit-BANG]

I'd agree with Gaz, I'd be looking for an older 600, CBR6 would fit the bill perfectly.

[Torque05]

A 600 is really inviting although im not sure if it will push my premium up.

My friend works at the same store and one of the managers likes bikes so i think theyre the two main reasons i got the job. I was pretty impressed considering i turned up to the interview extremely hung over.

Will the 600's still be under 2k... bear in mind i want one in decent nick? I have a 250 at the moment but i want something a little faster for the track (also it wont start).

Ive heard Hottrax dont mind about the restricted license and my friend done a day at california motorcycle school on a restricted license, even got a go on an R6... lucky b*stard.
____________________
~Sahf East Winnah~

~Yamaha Vmax 1996~

[Gazdaman]

It's only really the MSV tracks that don't allow 33bhp licences. So Brands, cadwell, snetterton, and oulton.

If you're on a z750 I'd say a sports 600 would be a lesser risk and you'll just have the nominal charge to add it to your policy.

You can get a lovely 6r for £2k. Probably not so much with an R6. Could get an older CBR600 for that.

Gaz

[Torque05]

You would think that it wouldnt push it up but to try and get insured on a CBR600 when i was looking at them was at least £900 compared to the £500 im paying for the Z.

I think ill have to look into how much this will cost and decide on a four or a six. Cheers for the help so far.
____________________
~Sahf East Winnah~

~Yamaha Vmax 1996~

[steveh]

how about an old bandit? or old cbr, poss Streetfighter it?
____________________
Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[colin1]

you can get an rf600 for £500, or a thundercat for £1500

it depends if you want something more hack, or more track oriented

ppl take cb500s round tracks, and one of those wd be more hackish

multibike insurance policies are good as they are only slightly more than insuring one of the bikes
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[Gazdaman]

A CB500 would be a good hack, but not such a good track bike. Not bad though.

You can't really have both easily, they're slightly contraditing each other. A really good hack is not a really good track toy, and vice versa.

Hence, a squashy older 600 is a decent middle ground.

Thundercat isn't a bad shout.

Gaz

[bish777]

MZ 250
____________________
GSXR1100J

[G]

I would still go for decent suspension on a track bike if you can.
It won't be so comfortable commuting, but will be better on track. Of course most sports bikes have adjustable suspension, so you could easily work out a track setup and a commuting setup and change them as appropriate.

R6/GSXR/ZX6 can all be got for your budget if you look around, especially if you don't mind slightly tatty fairings, probably a bit under budget. When you say 'defcent nick' are you talking about cosmetics - usually for both commuting and track bikes people go for bikes that don't look so shiny on the basis they may not stay that way!

[Torque05]

When i say decent nick i mean no holes in the engine

This is why i started a thread on it as i couldnt decide what would be a suitable bike. If i get a sports 6 i could just change the handlebars for commuting to be honest. Its no big deal.

I just want to make the Z look very special, and therefore dont want to wreck it on a daily commute or on a trackday - it would innevitably happen.
____________________
~Sahf East Winnah~

~Yamaha Vmax 1996~

[phk6]

i think a cb500 would be good around a track, not on straights but they are very flickable,and i ride that alot faster round town then i do my sv (mainly coz they cant hear mecoming like they can on the sv lol)
____________________
Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil