Track day on a GPZ500?

[Gazza M]

I'm thinking of doing a track day next year at some point - my restriction runs out in May 2013 but I can't afford a 'bigger' bike so I'll still be with the GPZ

Has anyone done a track day on one? My thinking is that it may be a litle bit slow compared to the big boys, specially seeing as I've never done one before so will be waay at the back of the slow pack!

Mine's off the road at the moment, sitting in the garage at home because uni won't let me have it up. I need to do a bit of work on it anyways (clean brake calipers and carbs/airbox), so would it better to keep it stock-ish or add some braided lines or any other tweaks?

Also tyres - got a set of BT45s on at the moment, rear is a bit squared off from motorway riding so I'm thiking this may affect handling/make it feel a bit squiffy through the corners.

Thoughts?
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Past: '07 YBR125, '00 GPZ500S, '99 ZRX1100, '98 CBR600 track bike, '97 ZX9R
Present: '05 R6 track bike, 140 pit bike

[G]

Should be fine with just a service to start with.

Wouldn't worry too much about squared off tyres - might handle a little off, but that sort of 'feel' should be less of an issue on the track - and you'll be using the edges a lot more.

If you get in to, consider what else you might want to do or another bike - but no problem for a few trackdays.

[Gazza M]

cheers G. I've got a mate who wants to do the same on his SV650, although his is in a bit worse nick than mine as his rear brake isn't even connected :S

In terms of getting there - I can imagine it's gonna be fairly knackering doing one but I'd ride there/back home as I don't have a trailer or anything... shouldn't be too much of a problem?
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Past: '07 YBR125, '00 GPZ500S, '99 ZRX1100, '98 CBR600 track bike, '97 ZX9R
Present: '05 R6 track bike, 140 pit bike

[stinkwheel]

I reckon a GPZ500s would be an awesome trackday bike.

After all, people race SV650s and ER6s in proper race series and a fully thrashed GPZ500 will hump an SV. I've embarrased people on bikes that were much faster on paper while riding a GPZ500.

What lets them down badly is the brakes as standard. If you have a twin disc model, prepare to be surprised. If you have a single disc model, I cant recommend fitting a braided brake line and HH sintered pads highly enough. A harrison billet 6-pot of you're made of money but it would probably cost more than the bike these days.

You have a bike that lives in the high rev power-band and that's what makes a race bike. Keep the wire tight and you'll be winning.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[G]

[stinkwheel]

[Gazza M]

[G]

The SV suspension certainly isn't amazing as standard, but nor is the GPZ from what I've seen (I've got a lot more experience with SVs).

I don't have an explanation for your situation, but I suspect it wasn't related to the bikes specifically based on my experience.
Gearing could have a little to do with it, but I doubt it.

Gazza M - Yes the SV has a very flat feeling power delivery - but a reasonably competent rider would still know that you need to rev it and keep it in the right gear. While it feels flat, as with the vast majority of bikes it does need to be kept near the red line for best results.

Oh and I've lost a supposedly skilled police bike who was trying with me on a stock SV on twisty roads - without (either of us, I presume) using brakes - the police rider did get himself into a bit of a 'situation' early on. (Bikesafe, not being naughty.)

[garth]

All riders being equal, I'd bet on an SV will be quicker than a GPZ round a track.

Rear brake not being connected isn't a big deal, I've done track days with no rear brake before.

[G]

[stinkwheel]

Well.

There's about 5bhp in it.

Of course, an ER6 would be better than either. Especially if you run it with an inlet cam in place of the exhaust one.

In terms of the initial question, the fact we're having this discussion means the answer is yes, a GPZ500 would be fine on a trackday. In fact, it would be great fun.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

[Matt B]

Bike Magazine ran some "Reclaim Our Tracks" trackdays and as it's you first time, and you seem nervous, you may want to look at these.

Some people don't agree with the principle of it but it's your choice. The idea is ride it there and back so no specially prepped, trailered in bikes, tyre warmers etc. I think also there are more novice groups (may be wrong).

Thread here https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=2946727

or Club MSV do some Novice only days.

The GPZ will be fine, and fun. Probably easier to throw around than my ZX7R.
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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.

[stinkwheel]

If I was going to do one bit of prep, it would be to make some sort of slider, crash bung or bar to protect the water pump cover on the RHS.

If it goes down at even a moderate speed on the right hand side, that is the first bit to touch down, it WILL wear through, pish coolant all over the track and put an end to your day.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Red Devil]

I wouldn’t worry about the back brake for now personally unless it’s an easy fix, I rarely use it anyway (I do need to start using it more though). As G said the tyre should be fine, I was doing decent lap times around brands hatch with a squared off Pirelli super dragon or something like that as it came free with the spare wheels I bought.

When and where are you thinking about doing one?
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Gazza M]

[Red Devil]

[G]

[mikelcfc]

[Red Devil]

[Bomberman]

[UnspeedySam]

[Red Devil]

[UnspeedySam]

[Red Devil]

Fair enough about the weather but it definitely won't matter if isn't MSV
____________________
Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing