Need to make a decision

full-onbikes · 07-01-2009, 1:23 AM

Hey guys I am going to take my bike off the street (dont need a street bike anymore) but my problem is that I will be doing more track days to copensate. I have a 05 gsxr 750 for track only bike but have a Sp1 for street. I dont really know what bike to keep for track. I feel the 750 is faster, what do you think I would need to do to keep the Rc competitive with the rest of the pack if I keep it for track. I love the Rc but dont want to suffer on the track just to keep it. Let me know what you think.

Bigtoe · 07-01-2009, 11:21 AM

I you are dead serious about not riding the street anymore, sell the RC. It will be expensive to repair if you go down on the track. The GSXR750 is better suited for the track. Yes the RC is a racebike in street clothes, but would be expensive to repair.

KDA · 07-01-2009, 11:37 AM

I recently did a track day on my RC and rode quite a bit with a guy who had an '08 GSXR 750. We were basically dead even on the long straights. The RC is all I've done track days on, so I'm not qualified to compare other than what I've witnessed on the track. I don't think straight line speed is lacking on the RC vs. 750's. The 1000 in line 4's are another story. I've seen guys post on here about how newer 600's will outrun our RC's in a straight line. I have yet to come up on a 600 I could not pull on a long straight. I guess the 750 would be lighter and easier to turn, but I like my RC on the track. As far as expense to repair, I assume you would find some beat up track bodywork and tank and keep your good stuff? You should be able to find a beat up tank and track bodywork for a few hundred dollars. Unless your into how good it looks?? Mine looks like crap, but I'm not concerned with that. I guess if you do some really serious damage beyond bodywork, used parts for a gixxer are easier to come by. Good luck.

full-onbikes · 07-07-2009, 10:11 AM

thanks for the help guys. I will bring both bikes to the track on my next track day in August

(to long of a wait) and see from there. I know the RC can be a track beast as it was designed for that. Everytime I ride the RC it gives me a smile I love the bike but just dont know if it can compete with the new bikes.

nicknitro71 · 07-08-2009, 2:02 PM

Up to semi-pro level, I would not see how anyone could not be still very competitive on a nicely set-up RC, especially in slow and medium fast tracks. Plus you get to race with a smile as you noticed yourself. Keep it, race it!

nicknitro71 · 07-08-2009, 2:05 PM

Oh, you might want to think about an SP2. I had an SP1 for just one month in 2001. Now I got an 03 SP2; the difference as I remembered is incredible especially in the handing department there. Plus the swing-arm, the injectors, etc. What I'm saying is that the differences on the SP2 are very noticeable. The SP1 was a great bike but a nicely set-up SP2 is just perfect.

denzee · 07-08-2009, 2:15 PM

Gixxer 750 for sure. It's newer, will handle better because it's well developed and lighter. Performance and regular parts everywhere too! Cooler keeping up with liter bikes on a 750 rather than have 750's pass you on your SP1.

zerogara · 07-10-2009, 12:03 PM

You have to keep in mind that the SP1 was designed ten years ago to compete against 750s of the day and the 996, or for PROs to provide a platform to compete well.
If you are on track with a whole bunch of similar 750s and you are being passed by them it is not the bike. If you are passed by 750s who are 10 years ahead in development you can still blame the bike

If you have had enough track experience you know you have been passed by older 600s and have passed others with the latest 1000s and 1148s.
If I was to club race today I'd chose an 848 or a 600 according to budget and concentrate on riding skill improvement. I'd like to bet it is cheaper to run an RC51 than a brand new 600 as you save about $4-5K off the start for racing improvements.

Twincam · 07-10-2009, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denzee

Gixxer 750 for sure. It's newer, will handle better because it's well developed and lighter. Performance and regular parts everywhere too! Cooler keeping up with liter bikes on a 750 rather than have 750's pass you on your SP1.

I see far more GSXR750s than I do SP1/SP2s down here...

spina220 · 07-10-2009, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by full-onbikes

Hey guys I am going to take my bike off the street (dont need a street bike anymore) but my problem is that I will be doing more track days to copensate. I have a 05 gsxr 750 for track only bike but have a Sp1 for street. I dont really know what bike to keep for track. I feel the 750 is faster, what do you think I would need to do to keep the Rc competitive with the rest of the pack if I keep it for track. I love the Rc but dont want to suffer on the track just to keep it. Let me know what you think.

My 02 gsxr 750 race bike was the hands down best bike I ever had, it was easier to set up, easier to work on etc., and always felt planted, like it was on rails. Scratch the SP1........but I still loved all my Honda's fellas.

swiest152 · 07-10-2009, 5:54 PM

rode my sp1 on track for the first time earlier this week. Loved it.

also ridden 2007 gsxr750 and 1st gen sv650 ( like 340lbs ) with the best of everything, slipper, pvm's, flatslides, penske. on track

I liked the RC better then both the SV and gsxr. RC is a heavy bike yes but power was just to good to ignore. Just gotta do alil work to RC to make it better.

But at the same time, i think its obvioius the GSXR is a better track bike because everyone uses them. They are easier to ride because they are so good stock, good brakes, suspension and they are light with lots of power.

I personally liked the RC better because i did not mind the weight.