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So, why not a 1000 for a track bike?

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jccity6

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Alright so I have been track riding for a couple seasons and now want a different (not necessarily bigger) bike than the 99 600 I have. So why would I not open my choices up to a 1000:dunno? Now, I know they are considered a "point and shoot" style bike versus a more agile 600 or even 750 but is it THAT much different? Looking at the weight of the modern era bikes they only differ by about 20 lbs. dry.
Let me hear from the ones that have had both and what you think. Even if it wasn't track riding. Good and bad
For reference for size/weight I am 6' around 190 and fit.
thanks
 
#2 ·
Yes, they feel completely different, and its not the physical weight difference between them that is the factor.....it's the motor. Trying to manage throttle inputs becomes a full time job.

It's not to say that it can't be fun. It is just track days, not a competition after all. You may enjoy yourself more on a 1000 than a 600, or you might not. Different people are different. But I can tell you that going from a 1000, to a 600, then back to a 1000 you ride the 2 very different on track.
 
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#3 ·
SPL170db said:
Yes, they feel completely different, and its not the physical weight difference between them that is the factor.....it's the motor. Trying to manage throttle inputs becomes a full time job.

It's not to say that it can't be fun. It is just track days, not a competition after all. You may enjoy yourself more on a 1000 than a 600, or you might not. Different people are different. But I can tell you that going from a 1000, to a 600, then back to a 1000 you ride the 2 very different on track.
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Since you have both,which do you prefer if you're just doing a track day with your buddy's for fun?
 
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#4 ·
Agreed with SPL. End of last year we practiced for our 24 hr race. We had our race bike (Standard street bike with filter and pipes) 2004 CBR 600 and I took my street k7 1000 with. On my K7 i managed a 2 min 15 seconds. Directly after I went out with the 600 and did a 2 min 12. On the straights the 1000 was WAY quicker, but my braking points on the 600 was WAY later. Along with the corner speed on the 600 which made up most of the time.

I felt more comfortable on the 600 around the track. was as if it knew what to do and I just managed it. My 1000 on the other hand, you have to be careful with all that power. as if it has a mind of its own...
 
#5 ·
I have ridden, raced, coached, and done track days on both a 170rwhp 1000 and a 112rwhp 600. The 1000 is boatloads of fun for just fucking around, and not trying to go out and set lap records for us mere mortals, not Superbike racers. The 600 is tons of fun as well though, as I really enjoy passing other riders on 1000's. Btw, I went faster on my 600 than I ever did on my 1000.

The two really don't require that much different of a riding style, just small adjustments to body positioning and throttle application coming off a corner. The biggest difference is braking. You can carry so much more speed into a corner on a 1000 than on a 600 you need to adjust your brake markers, and a lot of people can't get that right. They either brake way too early, and then are back on the throttle before they even start to turn, or they brake like they would on a 600 and overshoot the corner.

At the point I am at now, I would want 2 bikes. I would want a 1000 for track days to just go out and play around, and a 600 for racing.
 
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#6 ·
Anthony D said:
At the point I am at now, I would want 3 bikes. I would want a 1000 for street/track days to just go out and play around, and a 600 for racing&a turbo 1000 like OG has for hanging at Starbucks.
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Fixxed ;)
 
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#7 ·
True fucking story...

:biggrin
 
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#8 ·
Anthony D said:
....or they brake like they would on a 600 and overshoot the corner.
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That was my problem adapting to the 1000. Getting that bowling ball stopped at the e d of the straight. Lol
 
#11 ·
I think you should get the 1000 simply because you had the 600. Just get the different bike for the different experience. The liter bike on track days is a real handful and a challenge but, a fun one. You'll have to recalibrate your brain for the extra speed you are going to have hurling into the turns. If you really want to have fun, make sure to gear that 1000 for the track you ride. In most cases, these things are geared for 186 but, you can't hit redline in 6th. So, gear it down and you'll really get to see that 1000 eat. You'll learn lots of throttle control. Personally, I think that is too much fun to ride a liter bike at the track. It's addicting to unleash all that power coming out of the turns. I love it.
 
#12 ·
jccity6 said:
...Let me hear from the ones that have had both and what you think. Even if it wasn't track riding. Good and bad...
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I never tracked my 600 but I would never go back to one for street riding just because the 1000 has such effortless acceleration. It's made me lazy on the street after 10 years exclusively on liter bikes. I've only ridden 1000s on the track but I would have a 750 if I could choose any size track bike.
 
#15 ·
Nice find :thumbup

You cant beat getting a bike that is already setup and prepped; it saves an assload of money.

Have fun :)
 
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#16 ·
Re: Re: So, why not a 1000 for a track bike?

jccity6 said:
Well it doesnt matter now! I went and bought an 04 600 trackbike and couldnt be more stoked! Killer price and tons of track mods and a smokin engine. Chekitout:punk:punk
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Seems like I know that bike
 
#18 ·
Interesting thread. I had to sell my trackbike last summer ('03 ZX6R 636) and presently have the K6 and CBR1K in my garage. I'd love to have another 600 for track use (used late-model R6...until I can afford that re-released 2013 636!) but I have race glass, two banged-up tanks, another wheelset, Graves race fairing bracket and a bunch of track-oriented spares for the GSXR. On top of that the bike already has a shitload of goodies I've installed over the years: Ohlins, AK-20's, Attack rearsets, Brembo MC, custom-mapped Akra s/o, Scotts damper, etc. So for the time being why not strip off the street stuff and convert her for trackdays, until I can get another 600?

Granted the smaller Kawi taught me a lot. It will be interesting to see how I can apply the techniques learned to the literbike (flowing vs. point and shoot). :)
 
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#19 ·
There is nothing wrong with using a 1k for track days. If you have all of that stuff on your 1k and you are comfortable with it, go for it.

If I ever reach a point where I am only doing track days and im not racing, I will probably have a 1000, or a 750. They can be a handful if ridden hard/right, but they are a shit-ton of fun.

I agree that you can/will learn more on a 600 because you will be forced to use skill and techniques to go faster and pass people, other than relying on the power of the 1k on the straights. A 600 is also easier on tires and gives you much more room for error when getting on the gas.

But there is nothing "wrong" with having a 1k as a track bike per se.
 
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jccity6
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