Here is my opinion. For most tracks a 600cc is more than enough. I've ridden both 600's and 1000's on the track. I say this because it's so easy to spin up the rear tire on certain turns with a liter bike without even knowing it until it's to late. A 600 is much more forgiving on this aspect. But, there are certain tracks like Road Atlanta where a liter bike can really stretch it's legs. I also can lean into turns much faster and sooner than I did on my R1. Then again you need to consider your size too. I'm pretty slim and the 600 fits me real good where as a heavier geared up rider may be more at home on a liter bike. Much of it depends if your racing or just enjoy doing track days for fun.

 

I absolutly agree on a 600 being more forgiving coming off turns. I've only been on tracks with a 1000 and will like to know the feeling of a 600, quiet honesly I believe I would feel much more comfortable on it not that i'm not comfortable at all. I feel sometimes like the R1 feels heavy in turns then again I have nothing to compare it to but can only imagine how much more comfortable i would feel on a let's say R6 or GSXR600 leaning more towards the GSXR since I came off previous GSXRs before I got the R1. I'm 5'8 179lbs and quiet honestly would feel much more comfortable on a 600. I'm currently on the market for a 600 I guess I should have done the search before ordering all the parts to put my R1 back together.

 

Like I say it's a tough call. I'm 5'10" about 160 and my R6 fits me much better than my '03 R1 did. I can just control it much better and not tire out as fast vs the liter bike. Of course, the newer liter bikes are much more refined and smaller than my '03 was, but the 600's have also been refined too. After spinning up the rear causing a highside on my R1 back in Jan of '06 it sorta put the fear of god in me. It also cost me three months off work and four surgeries. It was good timing since the new generation R6 was just coming out and I decided to put the R1 back together, sell it and get the new {at the time} R6. Well, it's been three years now since I've had the R6 and I don't miss the R1 at all. It all comes together for me on the R6. Again, this is just my opinion and experiences. Many riders will never give up a liter bike on the track and go down to a 600. The R6 is a shitty street bike, but it screams on the track if you push it like it wants to be pushed. I'd love to have the new '09 Kawi 600. Damn, it looks sweet and the new improvements I bet it's going to be hard to beat in Supersport this year. I've ridden both the GSXR 600 and 750 and they felt awesome. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the newer 600's out there for a awesome track weapon.

 

Agree with you Randy, also weight is not a issue with the r6, just ask Scott on his kawi, :lol

My first bike was a 01-r6 after few months I sold it because poor torque, after that, all my bikes has been r1's, until few weeks ago when I get 06 r6 from a Bill-vroom, and Im tell you that bike is spectacular, can wait to ride that bike in jennings, is so easy to manipulate and is not a comparatione with the older models (skinny, tall, balance for the track,short chassis and high powerband), as soon you find the power band you never going to need a r1 or biger bike for the track, the r1 has pleny torque but in the same time the size of the bike and the torque are no a easy to control, last year in jennings I was surprise how many members were riding 600 bikes, then I realize that no matter how much torque you have the more important thing in the track is the use of the momentum when you enter-take apex-exit faster with agility and no worries of sliping the rear tire, the r6 is the bike for that because is easy to control just keep it above 8000 rpm:crash

Now if you going to the drag , :nopity::rant:lol
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I really like riding a 600 on the racetrack. I especially like it when racing against liter bikes because it really forces you to make up the time in the braking zones and the cornering. The 600s pull hard if you get them geared right and in the sweet spot. The feeling of revving the piss out of the thing isn't so bad either :fact

 

I really like riding a 600 on the racetrack. I especially like it when racing against liter bikes because it really forces you to make up the time in the braking zones and the cornering. The 600s pull hard if you get them geared right and in the sweet spot. The feeling of revving the piss out of the thing isn't so bad either :fact

That is what happen to me last year,, :drunk::lol,

 

600s are cheaper to run on a track imho too. (Tyres, fuel, general wear and tear)

But I just love the torque of the 1000 way too much to give it up.

Edit.

Whilst a 1000cc is less forgiving, I reckon it requires more talent to ride a 600 fast. You need to corner properly and get your lines right because there is no brute torque.

But I am by no means a Skeeter, Skippy or any of the other racers on here.

 

Whilst a 1000cc is less forgiving, I reckon it requires more talent to ride a 600 fast. You need to corner properly and get your lines right because there is no brute torque.

You'd be surprised. Its actually opposite. Unless you're on a track w/ a very long straight section the average non-pro rider will lap faster on the 600. They are "easier" to ride. Easier to steer, brake and carry corner speed on.

I actually just switched to an 04R1 after 2+ years on an 05 636. The R1 steers a hair slower, but the biggest problem I'm having is adjusting to new braking points (they come up A LOT faster) and the engine braking. You can also get on the gas sooner on a 600. If you're not carrying speed thru the corner your lap times will never come down...no matter how much hp you have.

I told myself I'd give the R1 a full season before I decide but I may go back to a 600 next year.


-r.

 

How much would you base the choice between classes on weight? For instance, would you recommend people that are up to 180lbs on a 600 and those above 180lbs on a 1000?

 

Weight plays little in that decision, but I will say that most pro riders I have met are smaller guys and the tall ones are generally very thin. If you are spending millions to shave ounces off the bike's weight you may not be keen on the idea of hiring an overweight rider!

 

There are 2 ways of looking at it.
With a 600 you'll need to brake later and maintain higher cornering speed to keep up with a 1000cc. This is fun
But on a 1000cc machine you'll need to be accelerating harder and using 'all' of the power to keep ahead of a well ridden 600. This also is fun

Generally even on circuits even where you can use all the power of a 1000cc machine , the difference in laptimes compared to 600cc is only 1-2 seconds.
If you cannot use all the power then you will not be able to keep up with a 600 (assuming similar pilot skill levels).
Personally I like 1000cc's, but I'd race anything with an engine in it. :rock

 

So far, my trackdays have been at 2 different tracks.

Blackhawk Farms,
And

Road America.

People told me that i'd have my ass handed to me all day long at Blackhawk
By guys on 600's (This didn't happen at all)

Blackhawk is a rather small track for a 1,000. I couldn't get the R1 out of 4th
gear. (So, a 600 would be a good trade off)

Now, Road America...On a 600?? No Thanks.

I haven't had my R1 bite me yet, So i'm still liking the pucker factor it provides, But i will say that i'm keeping an eye out for a dedicated track bike,
Most certinly going to be a 600. That way i'll have both!!

 

Get an sv

I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. I had more fun on the sv than on any of the other bikes ive ridden.

That said, i was fastest on my 07 r6. Havent ridden the r1 on the track. Only liter bike i rode on the track was my old rc51, which was heavy and underpowered for a liter bike, but man did that thing pull hard off a corner.

 

O was actually looking at a couple of SV650s that looks pretty sweet. I sometimes feel like my R1 is just a bit too much for the track and I never really get the chance to stretch it's legs. I guess I've been on tracks more suitable for 600s (Pocono East, Beaverun) as stated I really want to get to know the feeling of riding a 600 on the track and i quiet honestly believe that I would benefit much more as far as enhancing my skills.

 

ludenna i would say get a 06 or above r6 or get a cbr 600 07 or above and yo uwill have a great track bike. you cant beat the power deliever smooth and track package ready to go

 

I'm thinking a GSXR600 prob a 04-05 I really want to go back to my old GSXR yrs nothing wrong with the R1 but I just want to try something new at the track..:thumbup

 

If youre going to get an r6, do yourself a favor and get an 08+. BIG diff between the 06/07 and the 08/09. Didnt believe it myself until i rode my buddy's 08 at jennings.

 

what's the huge difference?

 

me and a race buddy just bought a SV650,after riding one in a race last year. Most fun we ever had. I race my R1 and he races a R6......we had an absolute blast riding the SV650

 

no the problems were were 06/07 not the 08 and above. it wasnt the high revs it was bearing issues.

i would love the 08 or 09 but for a track bike the 06 isnt bad. im not a big fan of the GSXR because of the pig status they have but if you like it get it and just have fun hope to see you at NJMP soon

 

here are my dates..

NESBA

4/11/2009 NJMP-Thunderbolt
4/12/2009 NJMP-Thunderbolt
5/16/2009 NJMP-Lightning

Absolute

5/8-5/9 Lightning

:thumbup

 

The Honda's 600 is nice also

 

got them i am just waiting on tax return

 

cool where in NJ are you? if you want we can hit up the track together sick and tired of making Enterprise rich looking for a used pick up.

 

Cape May is where i am at. i will hit you up at the trackday there is no reason for me to spend the night or anything at the track im a 40 minute drive at most to the track

 

+1 on a 600. On most tracks I find myself fighting for traction by the end of the day, spinning the tire on the R1 where I wouldn't be with a 600. I plan to do most track riding this year on a 600. Hopefully it will help me learn more about riding track.

 

You got a 600? lol

 

I think the best trackbike is the one that gets you out on the track ... I started doing trackdays on a 1000 and I haven't had any issues with the learning curve or anything like that. Just run whatever you have or feel most comfortable riding.

 

You can't go wrong with a newer 600.

 

I went from an SV to a 675 for a track ho. The SV was a blast and the 675 was the closest thing I could think of but with quite a bit more top end (the no fun part of an SV). I love my R1 on the street but have no urge at all to take it to the track. Smaller bikes are just more fun to toss around and work to get the most out of them.
Then again, it's a personal thing but it was a blast hunting liters on a 650 v-twin last year on smaller tracks. Big tracks like Summit main are REALLY scary down the main straight on an SV with liters passing you with 40-50mph+ closing speeds.
Really looking forward to giving the Daytona a work out this season.