which new 600 as STD racer?

tnarinen · 11-26-2003, 10:31 AM

Which 600 would you pick? I may be bying a new 600 in the spring to be used as trackbike/STD600 racer (STD600 is a local race class for very near-stock 600s; no engine mods/PCIII allowed, slip-on only, standard suspension though oil can be changed, race plastics/gearing/DOT-tires/braided lines/steering dampers allowed). While I'm not fast enough (yet, hopefully improving) to know/make use of the differences yet, I'm leaning towards 2004 ZX6-RR. Why?
+ feather weight in stock trim
+ radial brakes (should be good with braided lines/good pads)
+ slipper clutch
+ adjustable swingarm pivot
- 2003 model was behind competition on power (may be sowhat fixed in 2004 model)
- harsh suspension in 2003 model (some fixes expected, DLC coating)

Competitors
Honda CBR 600 RR
+ it's a Honda
+ most powerful engine of 2003 models
+ best chassis (of 2003 models)
- ~12 kg overweight
- brakes weaker than 954 (my current ride)

Suzuki GSR-R 600 2004
+ featherweight
+ radial brakes (same as in ZX-6RR)
+ baby-brother of allmighty Gix 1000 K3, must be good (though no coating in forks; '04 ZX6-RR has DLC)
+ powerful engine expected

Any thoughs? Which one would you race in STD class (these are quite far from supersport bikes)?

ND4SPD · 11-26-2003, 10:37 AM

600RR hands down

luvtolean · 11-26-2003, 11:00 AM

Prolly the Gixxer. I wouldn't put too much stock in the DLC.

tigerblade · 11-26-2003, 11:02 AM

Though there has been a debate on this, in the real world the best current 600 to use as a platform for club racing is the R6. Here's the opinion of a current CCS/Formula USA racer and former AMA pro (started on same row with Polen, Ru$$ell, others back a few years ago):

Quote:

Well, yeah, the weight difference is an advantage, period, on its own.

What attracted me to the Yamaha was the fact that I know that the Yamaha's racing geometry can be attained within the production bike. It's pretty simple. Do, this with the shock clevis, do this to the fork tubes. It's just a good package.

Honda, on the other hand, is seeming to build bikes on how they look. Build it to look a certain way, but when you want to race it, the shock needs to be 16mm longer, the forks are barely long enough to work right....

The R6 Yamaha has probably three distinct forms, but they are all very related. The F4(i) and the RR don't seem to have much in common.

Oh, and Yamaha parts are way cheap.

That make any sense?

"Super" Dave Rosno
Team Visionsports - Visionsports Riding Schools
Racing & Helping Riders Since 1987

Check out http://www.team-visionsports.com

Granted, the '04 models may be a different story with the new Gixxer 6 coming.

Trackho · 11-26-2003, 1:09 PM

Why your in a hurry to catch a Sexually transmitted Disease???

tigerblade · 11-26-2003, 1:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 929Boomer
Why your in a hurry to catch a Sexually transmitted Disease???

That, or Short Term Disability...

tnarinen · 11-26-2003, 1:38 PM

I wasn't considering R6 as I'm quite tall (190 cm) and there seemed to be no way for me to fit into new R6 when I tried it in stock form. Ok, rearsets and clip-ons may change that somewhat. Gixxer would also be an option (shares Gix1000K3 parts, lot's of them available here). I'm just quite attracted to the idea of slipper clutch. As the tall also translater to somewhat heavy (for a 600 rider) I was thinking that the ZX-6RR springs might suit me (no changing them in standard class).

I think I'm quite safe from the other STDs since RC51 is not even in the list

And no hurry, I'm gonna use all winter to get one...

ccwilli3 · 11-26-2003, 2:56 PM

I'd say the Gix. It shares many parts with other gixxers, so spares should be readily available.

fl-929 · 11-26-2003, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccwilli3
It shares many parts with other gixxers, so spares should be readily available.

freq · 11-26-2003, 2:58 PM

Competitors
Honda CBR 600 RR
+ it's a Honda
+ most powerful engine of 2003 models
+ best chassis (of 2003 models)
- ~12 kg overweight
- brakes weaker than 954 (my current ride)

weak brakes? are kidding me?
~12 kg overweight? yes b
ut you are gonna put on a slip-on, right?

tigerblade · 11-26-2003, 3:05 PM

Like the others mentioned, you'll have an easier time locating a spare part at the track if you need one if you run a Gixxer or an R6.

Sinister Racing · 12-02-2003, 1:12 PM

While the R6 has a definate advantage because of its weight, it is a very high revving bike, which many have trouble riding because of the need to keep it so high in the RPM's. I was disappointed with the 600RR at first, but my teammate has one that makes 118 HP with an exhaust and PCIII, and a ton of dyno time. He has found it a very easy bike to ride because of the amount of power in the mid range.

DCEMotorsports · 12-02-2003, 1:47 PM

The R6 is the way to go. It is a proven platform with loads of race parts available. Easy to ride fast. Does not require any development unlike the Honda or Kawi. By far and away the "best bang for the buck" in club racing.