This is my first real venture into the world of trackday tuition videos, if you'd like to see more of this type of stuff just let me know! Thanks for watching as always everyone!
Im a 53 year old man who is thinking of buying a bike i long for the 2 strokes of my youth (I had many lol AR 125 then Rd 350 lc then Tzr 125 then Rd 250 dx then onto old ones (Suzuki Gt 380 and a 750 ) )what would you advise me to get to ease back into riding again.
Absolutely, I’ve been riding trackdays for years now and never had instruction on circuit, I do however love a tuition video, you guys doing the videos have the time to really break stuff down and explain why what you’re telling us works. Also it’s nice hearing different techniques. Big thumbs up for more videos from me :)
The major draw back of a 600 on a track day, for the average rider, is overtaking slower riders on faster bikes. They slow you up in the corners, bugger off on the exits and you end up getting frustrated. Its often less hassle on a 1000, as you can make progress easier.
Exactly, I'm having a lot more fun since I went from 600 to 1000, for that reason, and also because having to control the throttle on corner exit (in order not to die) instead of always being full throttle is more enjoyable to me. And for the people saying that a 600 is more flickable, maybe but I never found handling to be an issue on my 1000...
For sure. Lower power bikes suck on track days due to the slow riders who show up on fast bikes and who are constantly in the way, and often who make erratic moves. Especially bad in the slow and intermediate groups. Liter bikes make dealing with them way safer and less frustrating.
I had this struggle on Mugello. I rode a 600RR and the others S1000RR's. Everytime i was able to get them in the last sector in chicanes. Heading onto the finish straight they flew by like rockets and i could start all over again :D
That's even a problem for me on a FZ07. There were a few people I could even catch up to that were on R1 bikes and stuff that I would get stuck behind constantly on curves because I couldn't pass them on straights.
I've just put a 750 top end on a 600 bottom end & it is unbelievably fast, quite a bit of work to dial it all in, but definitely worth it. I do believe the GSXR750 is one of the most underrated bikes on the planet, with just a little bit of work they can be as fast as a great many 1000's, they are still down on the power of some of the 1000's but they have less weight, so the power/weight is excellent.
I also really rate my GSXR750, still loads to learn with my track riding but I tend to be in the top half of inters. I still find it intimidating compared to most other bikes I've ridden though, definitely don't want anything faster.
@@ElMuelio Far too many people choose bikes that are too much for them, it's nice to hear someone that is honest with themselves about their riding. very few people's abilities are better than the bike they ride, just because they can afford it, doesn't mean they can ride it. I wish you safe rides & 1st place's.
I did so as a track marshall too. Person rode over the edge being saved by traction control all the time. Once tires started going, bike was wobling on corner exits more. I was expecting a crash, but end of the day saved rider's ass. At least in my opinion. Totally agree with 600s over 1000s for novices. When I took my zx10r on track for the first time and felt fairly intimidated by it as it was stupid powerful at every throttle input. Stupid fun too! Now I just kept my 10r for street only and got myself zx6r as a track beater...
Back in the days (from 2000 to 2004) I raced an R6 and was pretty fast (on a novice level) and had a lot of fun. My R6 had abround 123 HP on the wheel and I really squeezed it. In Most and in Brno (Czech Republic) I got the chance to test ride a Kawasaki ZX 10 with 175 HP (almost stock) and it scared the shit out of me. When the front didn't got up, the rear wheel slided and vise versa. None of my breaking points, shifts and gears fitted anymore. It was interesting but I was a lot slower than on my R6. So, I would say if you have the physique for a 600cc and want to have fun, just go for the 600. 1000 cc bikes on the track (were) real monsters. And please consider, we didnt have any electronics, ABS or anything besides a quickshifter and a flashing light that indicated when to kick in the next gear back in 2000.
Good comment. I agree with you regarding personal physique and a bike size. I remember having a 96 Kawasaki zx6r back in 2002. Im 5’11” and I looked good on that bike. My friend, who’s a bit shorter then me, also looked good, however my brother is 6’3” , tall dude and when he’d riding that thing, he’d look like he’s riding a moped/pocket bike. It just didn’t look right. Imagine an adult riding little kid’s bicycle lol. And even though by bike size, you guys mean - engine size/power, not the actual motorcycle dimensions, I think looks kinda matter too,
Good advice from a level headed talented rider. Being the 55 year old child that I am, I need a 1000cc to help hide the lack of talent, I did have a 750 and yes I did ride it faster than my 1000 I'd say, for the very reasons you have highlighted, but I was also a good bit younger. :-) Still doing trackdays, 20 years of them now, UK and Europe, still enjoy doing them at whatever speed, I do alright for an older git on my gsxr1000r. Keep them coming, and good luck in your coming season.
I love how throughout the video you make a statement which brings up a question or two.. and almost immediately you answer my unasked questions... well done
I love the feel of an R6. Had an 09 R1 which was a fat pig, loved the crossplane, power was easily managed but that thing wore me out on the track. Needed a lot of setup to take it further be more rideable. Right now I have a 2005 track prepped GSXR-1000 and it's amazing on the track. No electronic doodads to fake me into a better rider lol. If I was going into club racing, I'd want to be on an endurance team, which these days are trending towards the 400. Speaking of which, the Ninja 400 is probably one of the most perfect starter track bikes. It will teach you to manage momentum and corner speed.
I started on a 600 all through the ranks then got a smoking deal on a new r1 race bike and just love it . Learned my corner speed on a 600 and now have power works well . Though 600s are awesome bikes can’t go wrong with either .
"More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow." Same with bikes. No one honestly cares what bike you own, and why would you care? Get the fun one.
@@tmac77 iv got a L9 zxr400, 900 fireblade and a rsv mille - i have just as much fun on the zxr400 than the others, can ride it harder and faster and as you said much more nimble... one thing i will ask is, i really want to get to grips with how the bike wheelies/slides an what it feels like to have more control - is there anywhere you would recommend to go and get to grips with that?
@@s1dew1nd3r4 In the dirt. Dirt bikes slide and wheelie and everything else the same, but at much lower speeds and on a softer surface. All the great road-racers learned in the dirt. There is a reason for that. You crash 100 times in the dirt so you DON'T on pavement. You just dust off and laugh.
I love my R6. As a podium level club racer, there isn’t really any track day rider on a 1000 that I can’t pass on our local racetracks. A lot of riders have insanely beautiful and powerful liter bikes, but they cannot handle them at all. I think if more people started on the 600 they would get faster. I’ve told myself I don’t want to race the 1000’s until I know I’ve reached close the limit of my 600. I’m still about 2 seconds a lap off what the fastest 600 rider can do on our local tracks, so once I’ve reached that point I’m going to give racing 1000’s a try. Love your content Taylor!
Great vid and points. I was split between the 600 or 1000 decision and ended up going for that 3rd in-between option and got a KTM RC 8C. Couldn’t be happier :)
Great stuff. I absorb trackday vids like a sponge, so please do keep them coming. My (quite old) zx6 is so much fun. Having watched your video I can't see any reason to change it yet...
An excellent video for all the people who are thinking about taking up racing or going on track days, learn to walk before you can run, comes to mind. take care all of you and stay safe, the season is creaping up, all the best mate. 🏍️🏁🍾👍👍👍👍
Great video. Your last point about a 750 was great. I was so psyched (for about 20 seconds) when I saw the new r7. Then I learned it was a twin and they weren't actually bringing back the old r7. Bad move, Yamaha.
Great Vid! I think the key thing is, that you can focus more on line/cornering with the smaller 600 cc. So it feels more like a flow. But i get the excitement out of the corner with a 1000 cc. Like a rocket.
Great stuff Taylor got a chance to ride a gsxr 1000 on a Whitham track day and loved it. Jumped back on my gsxr 600 and all of a sudden it was a lot easier. Went quicker on my 600 ( with some help from you and Adam jenkinson) now looking for a 1000. This video is a great explanation on the differences of a 600 and a 1000. Keep them coming. Would like to see a video on body position on track 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks so much for this Taylor. I'm currently 61 years old and been riding bikes from about 11-12 years of age. Your comments about the 1000cc bikes I concur...big torque trying to overpower the rear tyre and just when think it's found grip it hooks up and wheelies.At the moment I ride a modified 2002 Yamaha R1 5PW and a 2004 BuellXB9R Firebolt. The only places I can really enjoy on the R1 is the Isle Of Man, Nurburgring and unrestricted roads abroad. I dont know if anyone reading has realised that in my opinion riding a 1000cc bike in the UK quickly you spend most of your time BRAKING to legal speeds...where's the fun in that. My younger friends are trying to get me to Knockhill for a session but I had really considering a less aggressive bike so I'm going to recommission my Ducati 748.Also fond fond memories of watching your dad scudding round Knockhill especially on the CMW35 & 36's, still got a ten pound note signed by him. Keep up the good work.🏍🏍
Love your channel......been a fan for a while......I have a 2006 Yamaha r1......just got a 2014 Yamaha r6 in August, and I have to say I have more fun on my 600 then my r1.......thanks and keep up the AWESOME WORK....lol.
Great to get some good information from an actual track racer. For my own point of view, “ if you can’t use the power you don’t need it “. Good video thanks. 👍
i learned from old people (ex racers) it doesnt matter what you have between the legs, as long you get everything out of it, I learned racing motorbikes on what most people will call scrapheaps, no power and way to heavy. later on when i had better material i had such an advantage when it came down to my skills, now i can step on almost any bike that i want and i will find my way and adapt very fast. also a 2 stroke back ground can help you out big time, almost any good 2 stroke rider i know can go fast on anything.
Subbed for the Prodigy poster. 600 is easier to wrangle around a track, and it will always be faster than I am capable of riding. So it's a 600 for me.
Nice one Taylor, in my own track experience i thought i had mastered the six hundred at RH race school until it launched me over the highside coming out of the Melbourne loop, the humiliation of the truck ride back was more painful than the bang on the bonce 😂😂👍
Brilliant mate, really insightful. I've been very much in the 600 camp, probably more because I'm only mid inters on an average track day. Feel much more like I can control it, how ever really interesting your point about turning the power down on a 1000 and build up, never thought of that and it's a really good idea. That said the 600 hurts just as much when crashing! When I get back to trackdays when I'm recovered from my crash last year ive been thinking about a 750 for precisely the reason you said, I'm pretty sick of being over taken on the straight, but do quite enjoy going round the outside of someone on a corner on a 1000 that can only go fast down a straight! Food for thought thank you.
Very much so, I've enjoyed all your videos, however I think this is my favourite one, thank you. Love the nod to Flinty in the background too, a man very much missed in both music and the paddock.
I bought my first 1000 this year a 2021 MT10 and before this I had a 07 Zx6r and before that a 02 r6. Had my first track day this year and can say for sure I would be faster on my 600, just felt sketchy holding speed smooth on my bike
I love my old ZXR750 , like myZX6R and don't need anything else at this stage in life. Good to be reassured that I am not missing anything I would want ,Thank you.
I hired a 600 for Cadwell Park (Having just written off my S1000r). I actually achieved a PB on a new bike i had never ridden before and faster than my own litre bike. Fully agree you can lord it over a 600 and really rev the nuts off it. The litre bikes demand more respect. If its a fun factor you are after 600 wins the day. If you want to learn your craft the 600 is the way to go - but i am not sure i will trade in my litre bike. (I run in the middle of the inters)
Another great video Taylor! I've always felt more comfortable on a 600, they just feel more naturally balanced (Or they suit my riding style?) Keep em coming :)
@@tmac77 yea, thanks. It was my first ever street bike as well - I have been riding the piss out of it and haven't looked back. A liter bike can be a good first bike in the right situation for the right guy. i.imgur.com/Kt4seE4.jpeg
I think a 600 for track days and if you are going racing as a professsion it's the 600 then 1000 route,but i have notice the lap times between superstock and superbike are note that far off of each other a some of the uk tracks. Good video Taylor can't not wait for the season to start ,all the best mate stay safe
I have two thoughts on this. One is about the Statement of a thousand as a big twist and go scooter… Stick it in Third and just go. One of the things I found going from my R6 to R1 is that because the R1 is so high in its gearing, if I don’t get down into the lower gears it always wants to run wide, whereas on the R6 it is more forgiving for on this The Second part is about Race/Ride Craft. On a trackday when you are on a 600 dicing with a thousand, you have to plan how to pass, and working out this puzzle teaches some great skills in planning and patience. I haven’t had my R1 on the track, but one of the things I have found as you pointed out, is how/when/where to apply the power is a whole other skillset, so you learn two different parts of your ridecraft being on the smaller or larger bike.
@Police Corruption Actually my statement regarding it being forgiving had nothing to do with Power, and everything to do with Gear ratio even at a mildly cracked throttle the behaviour I was describing is apparent. Not everything to do with learning to ride is to do with managing power.
@Police Corruption OK So you don’t understand, that is where the issue starts. Take your 600, get on a tight twisty road, put it in 5th gear so that it is lugging the engine, and ride… You will go wide even with the torque so low and almost no power available because of the low revs. This is one of the characteristics of a high gear ratio even at low revs. Note also that my original statement was saying you have to get down in the gears which makes more torque and power available to keep your line. So maybe there are things for you to learn about Bike dynamics.
It all makes sense Taylor. Personally never done a track day, unfortunately, Never had a 600 either, I went 125, 750 and 6 months later bought a brand new Thunderace, what a tool that was, great low down torque
Interesting subject... Indeed, its one I've always loved. I ride a bike that is the legend of all. The 1992 Zx-7. And my best friend rode a 1991 CBR600 F2. We had the best of times. Raced them everywhere. It was always the same. He coukd get off to a bestter start. About two bike lengths. Maybe about a hundred is where I'd catch him. And top speed was higher on the 750 at 164.5. Whike the 600 was about 158. I thought the 600 might have been a mire comfortable ride. Its handlebars were almost 4 inches higher. The 750 is the lowest front end I've ever done a pushup on.
Another cracking and informative vid, thanks for sharing 👍 I run a 98 zx9r, it's a solid old lump that takes everything you chuck at it.... including tarmac 🤦🏻 it's been fab to learn on (still a lot of learning to do!) But I've now started to track ready my 06 636 which I still use on the road. Both are amazing fun but I he old 9 does feel more reassuring and planted.......I'll leave the VFR1200 complete with panniers as a pure road bike.....for now 😳😂😂👍
My ideal track bike would be a sub 500 single or twin with wide, high bars, in a slow, novice group, surrounded by people who were less confident than me on bikes that were equally inappropriate! 😅
Brilliant again mate 👏 I've just switched from a 2002 f4i to a street triple 765 rs first trackday on it at donnigton next month can wait to see what the difference is loved the cbr served me well for last 3 years on a fair few trackdays.I ride a 2020 tuono v4 factory on the road and thought the street triple with more or less same riding position would be a cool track bike 👍👍👍keeps the vlogs coming mate really enjoy them
I love my 675, but I would like a few more horses and a quick shifter would make a massive difference. I don't get out on it enough to justify the upgrades right now.
Thank you for mentioning the part of "the only reason people ever feel the need to is getting annoyed getting passed on the straights"... yeah it´s annoying but I have my fun passing them in the infield again :) Loving my Daytona for that. IMHO you don´t need the latest incarnation of Johnny Rea´s bike to have fun on trackdays. You just find the people with similar lap times and race them. Then you completely forget about the faster and slower ones and have fun the whole day long :)
Best thing I ever did was stopped trying to do track days on my GSXR 750 and purchased a used crashed GS 500e for track day use. I had real caution with the 750, as the track we went to most, had a first gear bus stop type of turn. The 750's first gear was really snatchy and intimidating and I was always worrying about the gas hitting to hard, spinning up and tossing the bike there. Because of this concern it would also distract me as a braked and approached the turn. So, needless to say the turn was a total mess and I was constantly get passed there. The next season I really wanted to do more more track days and that meant more money. One guy who was a guest instructor raced a Kawa EX500, he was a several times regional champion and was crazy fast on that thing. During that next year a friend of mine crashed his GS 500e on the street. I purchased the bike and rebuilt her. I threw on a gsxr front end for adjustability and stopping power (which ended up being over kill) and also upgraded the rear shock; one other improvement was to get a slightly wider rear rim so I could fit more available/standard modern sport tires. I had less than $1K in to her. Within three track days I was doing lap times equal to my 750 and was having a blast. That lap time reflects the fact that my 750 had ~ 130 hp and my 500 had ~ 40 hp; yes I said 40! There's a saying, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than ride a fast bike slow. What I found was this: -the GS500 felt like a toy, it seemed light weight and was easy to flick about. -The hp was totally not intimidating and way more forgiving. -The GS500 was way cheaper to run, primarily because I wasn't chewing up tires. Racing wise, 750's were installing new tires every race weekend. I needed only two sets to get thru the season! They where spending a minimum of $300 - 400 just on tires every weekend! -Because my mind had this new found freedom I was actually able to concentrate more on technical skills of track riding. All the, be smooth on and off the gas, on and off the brakes stuff, Down shifting... -because there wasn't much power that meet minimal braking and maximum corner speed was needed to get a fast lap. This brings me to one of the biggest stumbling blocks for new track day riders imho, corner speed. Most street riding gives little clue to what a motorcycle can do when it comes to lean angles of the bike and corner speed. We've spent most all of our lives turning in either cars or bikes not "going to fast" around a corner, that's dangerous. So our brains and bodies are not acclimated, let alone conditioned, for pulling a full G around a corner and leaning a bike over may be 30 degrees. -The following year I decided to take a race licensing course, primarily to get more track time. I ended up improving my lap time by 20 sec. that year. I went from running in the back to running mid pack to actually winning a race, partially by attrition, but non the less, a wins a win. I was regularly beating Ex500's with 50 + hp and SV650's with 60+ hp. - My opinion on the easy of riding the 500 was that although it weighed almost the same as the 750, it had way less reciprocating mass. The tires and wheels where lighter and so was the engine internals. All that is quite a bit less in gyroscopic mass that has to be redirected when stopping and cornering. -Any who, my recommendation would be for new track day folks to get small bikes 300's SV650's, RS660's absolutely great for learning on and way less expensive. Ciao.
Once again brilliant a couple of questions if you could answer. 1, ear plugs for the road I have moulded one but notice track guys don't seem to use them why? 2. I competed in various motorsport of road events 2 and 4 I'm 56 I'd love to learn track riding just for track days am I to old and is it worth going to a school. Many thanks, Ian MaC.
1.I'm not fully sure but I'd probably say that it's maybe for safety reasons or something. 2. If it is something you would like to do don't let age stop you! We only live once and you are never too old to do something you would enjoy, go treat yourself man, good luck!
1. A lot of riders do wear them. The ones that don't like to hear their bike better. You can hear traction control working properly which inspires confidence which leads to speed.
I remember going from a GP100 as a learner in late 80's to a CX 500cc and was confused when I felt engine braking for the 1st time. I though there was something wrong. I had a go on a CBR1100 Blackbird and didn't like the weight. Didn't like slow.
Broke the bank and bought a 1000 cc bike.... 1 month on pit mode 6 months on half power and then the rest is history.... but I sometimes tend to think that on more technical track days the lightest bike is far better than the fastest one...
Yea, my dream bike is the gsxr 750 but the Honda cbr1000rr 2012 or the 2017 model looks good!! For now my ninja 400 is enough, I have fun riding that hard!!
I like the 600's because mentally I feel I am above them. Like I can ring it's neck and get the most out of it. And I can go all day on a 600. For mine the biggest difference is braking, hard braking. Backing a 600 in and dropping it over hard, I'm a lot more confident than on a litre bike.
It has been 10 years, but when I ran and worked the corners at the track in Seattle, the 600 had the fastest track times. I think this is for the reason you made Taylor...you can run it harder, with more confidence. The Seattle track is pretty short, so you can't really open up a 200hp 1000. V-twins, like Ducati's and my SV1000 did well because of the wider power band and engine breaking. Thanks for the vid...please keep them coming!
Oh...well .. I am now mostly in the upper half of the fastest group in all circuits I ride (even on the ones I ride for the first time) with my 600cc.. .but that sliding thing didn't even start with..except unintentionally :)
Had bikes for large chunk of my life. Grew up around bikes. Supposedly taken to my first race at three weeks old. Still own a Triumph Speed Triple T509. My biggest problem never had that much aptitude for riding them. Had all sorts from 200cc to GSXR1100L which was the best bike I ever owned and the one I found the easiest to ride and live with. To me it was like a comfy armchair it just fitted me. On the other hand I had a Kawasaki ZXR 750 that was permanently trying to kill me and destroy my wedding tackle every time I braked. Totally uncomfortable. The bike I always wanted and never got a GSXR 750. I have never done a track day as I have never felt good enough and didn't want to look an idiot. Admire people that can ride well and often wish I was one of them.
The Suzuki GSXR750 is a vastly underrated machine, but just the right combination of thrills and power for most sports bike riders and a reasonable track weapon to boot.
Very good timing. I am thinking of upgrading my 600 to a 750 or 1000 right now but to an "old school" 1000 with no electrics. I am thrashing the life out of the 600 which is great but a touch worrying for cost of expensive engine troubles that may follow. The lack of electrics on the new to me 1000 is frightening me a little, but the HP is lower than the 200bhp of modern bikes. Still 160 - 180 bhp though. A conundrum for sure.
Great video as always. 750 is definitely the answer but next to no one other than Suzuki makes them anymore. I have a GSX-R 750 and it is my third. I love them but not sure what's next as although they are available in some areas, I am not sure they sell them in the UK anymore which is a real shame. I have ridden most of the sports 600's and 1000's over the years and have always stuck with the 750 as it is the best of both worlds. Great on the road and more than capable on any track day.
The best example of this fun factor trackday situation was watching Graham Crosby and Wayne gardener thrash the old school superbikes !!!( 1980’s )moriwaki Kawasaki and the yoshimura Suzuki ) around donnington park.. they did a couple of laps on the pace of the 500 2 strokes but once the air cooled motors went off a bit and the tyres gave up, they spent the rest of the race sliding out of the corners, pulling tandem wheelies, stoppies the lot… now that’s a fun trackday, as opposed to chasing lap times that you may never reach… just enjoy the ride on whatever….. but mainly leave your pride in the car park, there’s usually gonna be someone faster….Typically an ex super bike race winner on an old shitter going round the outside and laughing…..!!!!….. p.S. maybe you should send Scotty out on a turbo busa just before he jumps on the moto 3 bike.. !!??
I have two bikes, 675 Daytona if am trying to increase corner speed learning to be competitive, without rider aides, wanting to be at full chat for longer. My S1000RR for the rush on the straight, pulling power wheelies more madness, using slide control on the cornering, more effort more fun, and for reminding me to respect the bike, be careful and how much I don’t know.
great video guy.. everyone that wants to ride fast and grab turns with knee on the ground.. they should lern with nothing on the bike but tires the trottle, steering damper.. you will be a much skillful rider if you learn on a bike without all the tecnollgy of the late 2015 plus bikes.. Guys like Rossi have amazing skill bc of the bikes he came up on!!
Really great video and I totally agree. For road, I'd take 1000cc for low down power and flexibility, for track they are all fun in their own way. I've raced an RVF400 and that was incredible fun (with no power!)
Everything you said makes a lot of sense to me. I have been in love dirt bikes since I was a young kid of 6 or 7 and that is about what time I started riding. By the time I was 14 or 15 it was clear that I was better than average, not great but pretty good. I never raced or had a very new bike until I was 21 or 22 years old. I took third place my very first MX race. And probably never participated in more than 30 races my entire life. I was almost alway in the top ten in the junior class, but never got good enough to graduate to the intermediates, arm pump was always an issue for me. This was in the late 80's early 90's. But did do a lot of cross country, woods, dirt roads and desert riding that enjoyed very much. Having said all that, I didn't seriously start riding street until after the age of 50 and that is because I wasn't physically able to ride off road any longer. I never really planned on riding fast, I just enjoyed riding and thought that riding street would be better than not riding at all. So after riding for a couple years and accumulating over a half dozen streetbikes from touring, sport touring, adventure, cruiser, and sport bikes ( i currently own and ride 9 motorcycles) I love them all but..... surprisingly.......okay maybe not surprisingly.... found myself gravitating towards sport bikes and taking it pretty seriously, reading a lot and watching a lot videos and practicing a lot and in about 3 or four years, it was quite clear that I am better than average, not great but pretty good. A lot.....okay a few people have and are encouraging me to do track days. But I probably never will and here is why....first off money! I live on a fixed income and its all I can do now to buy tires and maintain the bikes I ride now. second is my physical condition, on a track you are either braking as quick and as hard you can or you are accelerating as fast as you can and that is more physically demanding than most people realize and I don't think I could do it for more than 10 minutes at a time. But I do wish I would have tried it 20 or 30 years ago.
I had a Honda cb 1300 And I found it the most easiest bike to ride Because of its engine configeration It was so forgiving and stable Thanks Taylor always interesting and informative
Listening to the first few minutes of this video and not new to track days but not having natural ability on a bike I have a lot more fun on my 600 and typing whilst listening I agree that on the 1000 I do ride it like an automatic
Informative vid, all bases covered. Look at road racing where you have guys competeing together on both sizes. 600's, well set-up and ridden beating 1000's no problem. Track riding is a bit different but for road riding, spinning it up and whellies will get you in bother never mind the fun! I had an NRS 250 and little experience and always remember a guy on an V-Max leaving me for dead on the bends coming back from Kirkistown when I didn't know the roads. Experience and knowledge folks!
I had a 750 for my 1st year of TD riding which was great but felt my l8 1000 gsxr was wasted on the road so have just put that into track form and the power difference is unreal and it wheelies everywhere! Still didn't stop your brother passing and make me look like I was going backwards at Donington 2 weeks ago when he was on a 600 🤣🤣
A good rider (well just a little above average) could ride a cbr400rr (4 cylinder) and show most people up on a 600 or 1000cc. Unless we're taking over 130mph on a straight. In the corner nothing will touch it.
@@jaromor8808 I've had idiots talk a lot of crap to me , they get embarrassed real quick on their ''real bikes''. It's always the ones talking crap or reving their engines in parking lots or making lots of noise that are slow. I'm not even that good on a bike but there's a lot of idiots and squids on big bikes that talk a lot of bs and it's not hard to make them look silly.
Well said. I have a ZX-6R and ZX-9R that both see track duty. I'm faster on the 6. Even though I'm a hard-core kawasaki fan, I bought a GSX-R750 for the street. Perfect cc. It won't get tracked for a few years, but I am looking forward to it!
Good work T,another gem🥳topic idea 💡 what about feeling on a bike ? How to push to feel tyres and suspension working in corners, what to look for !, ive done a few t days and can honestly say I have no clue how either of these feel ....just putting it out there
This is my first real venture into the world of trackday tuition videos, if you'd like to see more of this type of stuff just let me know! Thanks for watching as always everyone!
Im a 53 year old man who is thinking of buying a bike i long for the 2 strokes of my youth (I had many lol AR 125 then Rd 350 lc then Tzr 125 then Rd 250 dx then onto old ones (Suzuki Gt 380 and a 750 ) )what would you advise me to get to ease back into riding again.
Absolutely, I’ve been riding trackdays for years now and never had instruction on circuit, I do however love a tuition video, you guys doing the videos have the time to really break stuff down and explain why what you’re telling us works. Also it’s nice hearing different techniques. Big thumbs up for more videos from me :)
Absolutely mate! Great video!
Yes more track day videos would be great please. Either track technique or circuit guides of the UK circuits.
Yes, please do some more if you get chance.
Had both. Love the power of the 1000 but the 600 I had lots of fun! Making that zx6r engine screaming at 16k rpm is orgasmic!
😎
The major draw back of a 600 on a track day, for the average rider, is overtaking slower riders on faster bikes. They slow you up in the corners, bugger off on the exits and you end up getting frustrated. Its often less hassle on a 1000, as you can make progress easier.
True!
Exactly, I'm having a lot more fun since I went from 600 to 1000, for that reason, and also because having to control the throttle on corner exit (in order not to die) instead of always being full throttle is more enjoyable to me. And for the people saying that a 600 is more flickable, maybe but I never found handling to be an issue on my 1000...
For sure. Lower power bikes suck on track days due to the slow riders who show up on fast bikes and who are constantly in the way, and often who make erratic moves. Especially bad in the slow and intermediate groups. Liter bikes make dealing with them way safer and less frustrating.
I had this struggle on Mugello. I rode a 600RR and the others S1000RR's. Everytime i was able to get them in the last sector in chicanes. Heading onto the finish straight they flew by like rockets and i could start all over again :D
That's even a problem for me on a FZ07. There were a few people I could even catch up to that were on R1 bikes and stuff that I would get stuck behind constantly on curves because I couldn't pass them on straights.
The mighty GSXR 750 every time for me. Great advice for any one getting started.
I've just put a 750 top end on a 600 bottom end & it is unbelievably fast, quite a bit of work to dial it all in, but definitely worth it. I do believe the GSXR750 is one of the most underrated bikes on the planet, with just a little bit of work they can be as fast as a great many 1000's, they are still down on the power of some of the 1000's but they have less weight, so the power/weight is excellent.
I also really rate my GSXR750, still loads to learn with my track riding but I tend to be in the top half of inters. I still find it intimidating compared to most other bikes I've ridden though, definitely don't want anything faster.
@@ElMuelio Far too many people choose bikes that are too much for them, it's nice to hear someone that is honest with themselves about their riding. very few people's abilities are better than the bike they ride, just because they can afford it, doesn't mean they can ride it. I wish you safe rides & 1st place's.
Thanks Neil!
Just got mine so I can go faster than I would on the Tuono - 1000 sports would be too much for me I think...
4:28 "I've seen novices unknowingly ride bikes in the damp on dry tyres getting away with murder" - Comment of the year!
😂😂
I did so as a track marshall too. Person rode over the edge being saved by traction control all the time. Once tires started going, bike was wobling on corner exits more. I was expecting a crash, but end of the day saved rider's ass. At least in my opinion. Totally agree with 600s over 1000s for novices. When I took my zx10r on track for the first time and felt fairly intimidated by it as it was stupid powerful at every throttle input. Stupid fun too! Now I just kept my 10r for street only and got myself zx6r as a track beater...
Back in the days (from 2000 to 2004) I raced an R6 and was pretty fast (on a novice level) and had a lot of fun. My R6 had abround 123 HP on the wheel and I really squeezed it. In Most and in Brno (Czech Republic) I got the chance to test ride a Kawasaki ZX 10 with 175 HP (almost stock) and it scared the shit out of me. When the front didn't got up, the rear wheel slided and vise versa. None of my breaking points, shifts and gears fitted anymore. It was interesting but I was a lot slower than on my R6. So, I would say if you have the physique for a 600cc and want to have fun, just go for the 600. 1000 cc bikes on the track (were) real monsters. And please consider, we didnt have any electronics, ABS or anything besides a quickshifter and a flashing light that indicated when to kick in the next gear back in 2000.
Good comment. I agree with you regarding personal physique and a bike size. I remember having a 96 Kawasaki zx6r back in 2002. Im 5’11” and I looked good on that bike. My friend, who’s a bit shorter then me, also looked good, however my brother is 6’3” , tall dude and when he’d riding that thing, he’d look like he’s riding a moped/pocket bike. It just didn’t look right. Imagine an adult riding little kid’s bicycle lol.
And even though by bike size, you guys mean - engine size/power, not the actual motorcycle dimensions, I think looks kinda matter too,
I had a GSXR1100 then. Scary
Good advice from a level headed talented rider.
Being the 55 year old child that I am, I need a 1000cc to help hide the lack of talent, I did have a 750 and yes I did ride it faster than my 1000 I'd say, for the very reasons you have highlighted, but I was also a good bit younger. :-)
Still doing trackdays, 20 years of them now, UK and Europe, still enjoy doing them at whatever speed, I do alright for an older git on my gsxr1000r.
Keep them coming, and good luck in your coming season.
Thank you! I don’t think there’s such a thing as being too old to ride bikes, just ask my dad!
@@TheInfantry98 your point?
55 is still young, about the same age as my dad, I've recently bought an r1 and would love to get my dad out riding a bike with me.
I love how throughout the video you make a statement which brings up a question or two.. and almost immediately you answer my unasked questions... well done
I love the feel of an R6. Had an 09 R1 which was a fat pig, loved the crossplane, power was easily managed but that thing wore me out on the track. Needed a lot of setup to take it further be more rideable. Right now I have a 2005 track prepped GSXR-1000 and it's amazing on the track. No electronic doodads to fake me into a better rider lol. If I was going into club racing, I'd want to be on an endurance team, which these days are trending towards the 400. Speaking of which, the Ninja 400 is probably one of the most perfect starter track bikes. It will teach you to manage momentum and corner speed.
Yeah I got a 600 but I'd like to get a 400 to throw about...lighter the bike more the fun I find
I started on a 600 all through the ranks then got a smoking deal on a new r1 race bike and just love it . Learned my corner speed on a 600 and now have power works well . Though 600s are awesome bikes can’t go wrong with either .
"More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow." Same with bikes. No one honestly cares what bike you own, and why would you care? Get the fun one.
Exactly that!
@@tmac77 iv got a L9 zxr400, 900 fireblade and a rsv mille - i have just as much fun on the zxr400 than the others, can ride it harder and faster and as you said much more nimble... one thing i will ask is, i really want to get to grips with how the bike wheelies/slides an what it feels like to have more control - is there anywhere you would recommend to go and get to grips with that?
125cc vs 1250cc?
The most enjoyable bike I have had was a Moto Guzzi LeMans. Bugger all power but lots of performance which doesn't sound right but it is so.
@@s1dew1nd3r4 In the dirt. Dirt bikes slide and wheelie and everything else the same, but at much lower speeds and on a softer surface. All the great road-racers learned in the dirt. There is a reason for that. You crash 100 times in the dirt so you DON'T on pavement. You just dust off and laugh.
I love my R6. As a podium level club racer, there isn’t really any track day rider on a 1000 that I can’t pass on our local racetracks. A lot of riders have insanely beautiful and powerful liter bikes, but they cannot handle them at all.
I think if more people started on the 600 they would get faster. I’ve told myself I don’t want to race the 1000’s until I know I’ve reached close the limit of my 600. I’m still about 2 seconds a lap off what the fastest 600 rider can do on our local tracks, so once I’ve reached that point I’m going to give racing 1000’s a try.
Love your content Taylor!
That’s a great plan! Thanks Ryan
Great vid and points. I was split between the 600 or 1000 decision and ended up going for that 3rd in-between option and got a KTM RC 8C. Couldn’t be happier :)
So the answer seems to be:
Suzuki GSX-R 750
Yep 😎
I regret selling mine.
Long live the GSXR750!
@@tmac77 nnnnnnn.nnnnnbnnnn.nnnn
I concur x
Great stuff. I absorb trackday vids like a sponge, so please do keep them coming. My (quite old) zx6 is so much fun. Having watched your video I can't see any reason to change it yet...
I’ll try my best to get more out!
4:35 This is a very valid point. My S1000XR is easier to handle in the wet than my old Ninja 650 was with no ABS or TC.
An excellent video for all the people who are thinking about taking up racing or going on track days, learn to walk before you can run, comes to mind. take care all of you and stay safe, the season is creaping up, all the best mate. 🏍️🏁🍾👍👍👍👍
Thanks a lot Roy!
Great video. Your last point about a 750 was great. I was so psyched (for about 20 seconds) when I saw the new r7. Then I learned it was a twin and they weren't actually bringing back the old r7. Bad move, Yamaha.
Yeah, they were awesome!
I have a zxr400 and because we don’t have track here, I absolutely agree that you can ride lower cc a lot harder
Great Vid! I think the key thing is, that you can focus more on
line/cornering with the smaller 600 cc. So it feels more like a flow.
But i get the excitement out of the corner with a 1000 cc. Like a rocket.
Yep I fully agree 😁👍🏼
Great stuff Taylor got a chance to ride a gsxr 1000 on a Whitham track day and loved it. Jumped back on my gsxr 600 and all of a sudden it was a lot easier. Went quicker on my 600 ( with some help from you and Adam jenkinson) now looking for a 1000. This video is a great explanation on the differences of a 600 and a 1000. Keep them coming.
Would like to see a video on body position on track 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks so much for this Taylor. I'm currently 61 years old and been riding bikes from about 11-12 years of age. Your comments about the 1000cc bikes I concur...big torque trying to overpower the rear tyre and just when think it's found grip it hooks up and wheelies.At the moment I ride a modified 2002 Yamaha R1 5PW and a 2004 BuellXB9R Firebolt. The only places I can really enjoy on the R1 is the Isle Of Man, Nurburgring and unrestricted roads abroad. I dont know if anyone reading has realised that in my opinion riding a 1000cc bike in the UK quickly you spend most of your time BRAKING to legal speeds...where's the fun in that. My younger friends are trying to get me to Knockhill for a session but I had really considering a less aggressive bike so I'm going to recommission my Ducati 748.Also fond fond memories of watching your dad scudding round Knockhill especially on the CMW35 & 36's, still got a ten pound note signed by him. Keep up the good work.🏍🏍
Thanks so much!
Love your channel......been a fan for a while......I have a 2006 Yamaha r1......just got a 2014 Yamaha r6 in August, and I have to say I have more fun on my 600 then my r1.......thanks and keep up the AWESOME WORK....lol.
Thanks so much Marcos!
To me trust is more important than power I'm scared to use and I'm gonna push the limit earlier, but yeah once you can handle it I prefer power 😊
Great to get some good information from an actual track racer. For my own point of view, “ if you can’t use the power you don’t need it “. Good video thanks. 👍
i learned from old people (ex racers)
it doesnt matter what you have between the legs, as long you get everything out of it,
I learned racing motorbikes on what most people will call scrapheaps, no power and way to heavy.
later on when i had better material i had such an advantage when it came down to my skills, now i can step on almost any bike that i want and i will find my way and adapt very fast.
also a 2 stroke back ground can help you out big time, almost any good 2 stroke rider i know can go fast on anything.
Subbed for the Prodigy poster. 600 is easier to wrangle around a track, and it will always be faster than I am capable of riding. So it's a 600 for me.
Haha legends! Thank you
Nice one Taylor, in my own track experience i thought i had mastered the six hundred at RH race school until it launched me over the highside coming out of the Melbourne loop, the humiliation of the truck ride back was more painful than the bang on the bonce 😂😂👍
Just admit, for one mighty second as the tyre span up coming out of the corner, you felt like Rossi. And then it gripped..... 😂
@@OCCUPIEDNATION Hi Peter, i was on my bonce before i knew it, there was a connection with Rossi but i felt more like his Granny 😂😂👍
@@findus605 LMAO
Such an amazingly perfectly video well put together congratulations you have a long way to go!
Thank you!
Brilliant mate, really insightful. I've been very much in the 600 camp, probably more because I'm only mid inters on an average track day. Feel much more like I can control it, how ever really interesting your point about turning the power down on a 1000 and build up, never thought of that and it's a really good idea. That said the 600 hurts just as much when crashing! When I get back to trackdays when I'm recovered from my crash last year ive been thinking about a 750 for precisely the reason you said, I'm pretty sick of being over taken on the straight, but do quite enjoy going round the outside of someone on a corner on a 1000 that can only go fast down a straight! Food for thought thank you.
There's a lot of pros and cons to each isn't there!
Very much so, I've enjoyed all your videos, however I think this is my favourite one, thank you.
Love the nod to Flinty in the background too, a man very much missed in both music and the paddock.
I bought my first 1000 this year a 2021 MT10 and before this I had a 07 Zx6r and before that a 02 r6. Had my first track day this year and can say for sure I would be faster on my 600, just felt sketchy holding speed smooth on my bike
I love my old ZXR750 , like myZX6R and don't need anything else at this stage in life. Good to be reassured that I am not missing anything I would want ,Thank you.
Absolutely!
Horsepower is like pockets - you can never have enough of them. Unless you're being sensible!
😂😂
I hired a 600 for Cadwell Park (Having just written off my S1000r). I actually achieved a PB on a new bike i had never ridden before and faster than my own litre bike. Fully agree you can lord it over a 600 and really rev the nuts off it. The litre bikes demand more respect. If its a fun factor you are after 600 wins the day. If you want to learn your craft the 600 is the way to go - but i am not sure i will trade in my litre bike. (I run in the middle of the inters)
Yes they’re such fun bikes aren’t they!
Never done a track day and don’t have a bike at the moment but I really enjoyed the video. You have a great way of presenting information. Well done.
Thanks a lot!
Another great video Taylor! I've always felt more comfortable on a 600, they just feel more naturally balanced (Or they suit my riding style?)
Keep em coming :)
Once you find your fit it's hard to change that isn't it! Thank you
That's why I love my 2009 ZX-10R. Last gen of literbike with no aids (no TCS, ABS, Power modes, wheelie control, etc). ALL manual and ALL raw.
Proper bike 😎
@@tmac77 yea, thanks. It was my first ever street bike as well - I have been riding the piss out of it and haven't looked back. A liter bike can be a good first bike in the right situation for the right guy. i.imgur.com/Kt4seE4.jpeg
I think a 600 for track days and if you are going racing as a professsion it's the 600 then 1000 route,but i have notice the lap times between superstock and superbike are note that far off of each other a some of the uk tracks. Good video Taylor can't not wait for the season to start ,all the best mate stay safe
Thank you Ian!
I have two thoughts on this.
One is about the Statement of a thousand as a big twist and go scooter…
Stick it in Third and just go. One of the things I found going from my R6 to R1 is that because the R1 is so high in its gearing, if I don’t get down into the lower gears it always wants to run wide, whereas on the R6 it is more forgiving for on this
The Second part is about Race/Ride Craft. On a trackday when you are on a 600 dicing with a thousand, you have to plan how to pass, and working out this puzzle teaches some great skills in planning and patience. I haven’t had my R1 on the track, but one of the things I have found as you pointed out, is how/when/where to apply the power is a whole other skillset, so you learn two different parts of your ridecraft being on the smaller or larger bike.
@Police Corruption Actually my statement regarding it being forgiving had nothing to do with Power, and everything to do with Gear ratio even at a mildly cracked throttle the behaviour I was describing is apparent.
Not everything to do with learning to ride is to do with managing power.
@Police Corruption OK So you don’t understand, that is where the issue starts.
Take your 600, get on a tight twisty road, put it in 5th gear so that it is lugging the engine, and ride… You will go wide even with the torque so low and almost no power available because of the low revs.
This is one of the characteristics of a high gear ratio even at low revs.
Note also that my original statement was saying you have to get down in the gears which makes more torque and power available to keep your line. So maybe there are things for you to learn about Bike dynamics.
It all makes sense Taylor. Personally never done a track day, unfortunately, Never had a 600 either, I went 125, 750 and 6 months later bought a brand new Thunderace, what a tool that was, great low down torque
😎😁
Interesting subject...
Indeed, its one I've always loved.
I ride a bike that is the legend of all. The 1992 Zx-7.
And my best friend rode a 1991 CBR600 F2.
We had the best of times. Raced them everywhere. It was always the same. He coukd get off to a bestter start. About two bike lengths.
Maybe about a hundred is where I'd catch him.
And top speed was higher on the 750 at 164.5.
Whike the 600 was about 158.
I thought the 600 might have been a mire comfortable ride. Its handlebars were almost 4 inches higher.
The 750 is the lowest front end I've ever done a pushup on.
Another cracking and informative vid, thanks for sharing 👍 I run a 98 zx9r, it's a solid old lump that takes everything you chuck at it.... including tarmac 🤦🏻 it's been fab to learn on (still a lot of learning to do!) But I've now started to track ready my 06 636 which I still use on the road. Both are amazing fun but I he old 9 does feel more reassuring and planted.......I'll leave the VFR1200 complete with panniers as a pure road bike.....for now 😳😂😂👍
Haha😂
Some time ago I really enjoyed my VFR400 - and I never reached its limits. Let's not forget that even 600cc bikes have a LOT of power.
They do don't they!
Very good advice.... Remember that "Power is nothing without Control".... It almost killed me, but my Honda CB 750 F2 was so much fun.... :-)))
Very true!
when a racer says the word "fast"....it's just got so much more meaning. Cheers broski.
😂😂
My ideal track bike would be a sub 500 single or twin with wide, high bars, in a slow, novice group, surrounded by people who were less confident than me on bikes that were equally inappropriate! 😅
Haha😂
I just love the R6 and the fact once you get it over 11k rpm it just keeps on pulling and the sound is addictive
Very true!
Brilliant again mate 👏 I've just switched from a 2002 f4i to a street triple 765 rs first trackday on it at donnigton next month can wait to see what the difference is loved the cbr served me well for last 3 years on a fair few trackdays.I ride a 2020 tuono v4 factory on the road and thought the street triple with more or less same riding position would be a cool track bike 👍👍👍keeps the vlogs coming mate really enjoy them
That's exciting good luck! Thank you
Great video. And I love my middle-ground 750!
It's hard to beat them!
I love my 675, but I would like a few more horses and a quick shifter would make a massive difference. I don't get out on it enough to justify the upgrades right now.
I choose the 959 for the reasons you said at the end, halfway house between 600 and 1000.
Shame Suzuki stopped doing the 750, i'd have one tomorrow.
Very true!
Triumph 765 with a fairing thrown on it!?
Still in production the 750 just not sold here anymore.
I generally only like bikes 2000cc plus as I’m so good on track. 🤔
😂😂
🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣 U riding Jets and shyt 🛩
Thank you for mentioning the part of "the only reason people ever feel the need to is getting annoyed getting passed on the straights"... yeah it´s annoying but I have my fun passing them in the infield again :) Loving my Daytona for that.
IMHO you don´t need the latest incarnation of Johnny Rea´s bike to have fun on trackdays. You just find the people with similar lap times and race them. Then you completely forget about the faster and slower ones and have fun the whole day long :)
Well said 😁👍🏼😎
Thanks, great video. I only love to ride a bike that I can ring the neck of! So for me, it's a C90.
Thank you!
Best thing I ever did was stopped trying to do track days on my GSXR 750 and purchased a used crashed GS 500e for track day use. I had real caution with the 750, as the track we went to most, had a first gear bus stop type of turn. The 750's first gear was really snatchy and intimidating and I was always worrying about the gas hitting to hard, spinning up and tossing the bike there. Because of this concern it would also distract me as a braked and approached the turn. So, needless to say the turn was a total mess and I was constantly get passed there. The next season I really wanted to do more more track days and that meant more money. One guy who was a guest instructor raced a Kawa EX500, he was a several times regional champion and was crazy fast on that thing. During that next year a friend of mine crashed his GS 500e on the street. I purchased the bike and rebuilt her. I threw on a gsxr front end for adjustability and stopping power (which ended up being over kill) and also upgraded the rear shock; one other improvement was to get a slightly wider rear rim so I could fit more available/standard modern sport tires. I had less than $1K in to her. Within three track days I was doing lap times equal to my 750 and was having a blast. That lap time reflects the fact that my 750 had ~ 130 hp and my 500 had ~ 40 hp; yes I said 40!
There's a saying, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than ride a fast bike slow.
What I found was this:
-the GS500 felt like a toy, it seemed light weight and was easy to flick about.
-The hp was totally not intimidating and way more forgiving.
-The GS500 was way cheaper to run, primarily because I wasn't chewing up tires. Racing wise, 750's were installing new tires every race weekend. I needed only two sets to get thru the season! They where spending a minimum of $300 - 400 just on tires every weekend!
-Because my mind had this new found freedom I was actually able to concentrate more on technical skills of track riding. All the, be smooth on and off the gas, on and off the brakes stuff, Down shifting...
-because there wasn't much power that meet minimal braking and maximum corner speed was needed to get a fast lap. This brings me to one of the biggest stumbling blocks for new track day riders imho, corner speed. Most street riding gives little clue to what a motorcycle can do when it comes to lean angles of the bike and corner speed. We've spent most all of our lives turning in either cars or bikes not "going to fast" around a corner, that's dangerous. So our brains and bodies are not acclimated, let alone conditioned, for pulling a full G around a corner and leaning a bike over may be 30 degrees.
-The following year I decided to take a race licensing course, primarily to get more track time. I ended up improving my lap time by 20 sec. that year. I went from running in the back to running mid pack to actually winning a race, partially by attrition, but non the less, a wins a win. I was regularly beating Ex500's with 50 + hp and SV650's with 60+ hp.
- My opinion on the easy of riding the 500 was that although it weighed almost the same as the 750, it had way less reciprocating mass. The tires and wheels where lighter and so was the engine internals. All that is quite a bit less in gyroscopic mass that has to be redirected when stopping and cornering.
-Any who, my recommendation would be for new track day folks to get small bikes 300's SV650's, RS660's absolutely great for learning on and way less expensive. Ciao.
Great advice!
Been pondering these things quite a long time... very informative video. Thank you!
All great points. Solid video 👌
Once again brilliant a couple of questions if you could answer.
1, ear plugs for the road I have moulded one but notice track guys don't seem to use them why?
2. I competed in various motorsport of road events 2 and 4 I'm 56 I'd love to learn track riding just for track days am I to old and is it worth going to a school. Many thanks,
Ian MaC.
1.I'm not fully sure but I'd probably say that it's maybe for safety reasons or something. 2. If it is something you would like to do don't let age stop you! We only live once and you are never too old to do something you would enjoy, go treat yourself man, good luck!
1. A lot of riders do wear them. The ones that don't like to hear their bike better. You can hear traction control working properly which inspires confidence which leads to speed.
Great video!
New Riders: start with a ninja 300 or similar and master it before launching a 600cc. It's a journey!
The YT algorithm has chosen well!
Very interesting content
Thank you!
I remember going from a GP100 as a learner in late 80's to a CX 500cc and was confused when I felt engine braking for the 1st time. I though there was something wrong.
I had a go on a CBR1100 Blackbird and didn't like the weight. Didn't like slow.
Nice one Taylor quality vlog. I hope you're playing out on Tuesday so you can show me how to ride my 1000. I smashed my 600 up last week 😁🤦♂️
Thank you!
Thank you!
I did a track day a Donnington a few tears ago, the only rider to have a crash that day was the instructor in the expert class.
Broke the bank and bought a 1000 cc bike.... 1 month on pit mode 6 months on half power and then the rest is history.... but I sometimes tend to think that on more technical track days the lightest bike is far better than the fastest one...
i sold my 07 r1 and got a 2011 r6 for club racing i love the r6 those bikes are a bunch of fun
Absolutely!
Yea, my dream bike is the gsxr 750 but the Honda cbr1000rr 2012 or the 2017 model looks good!! For now my ninja 400 is enough, I have fun riding that hard!!
For the longest time I loved my 07 gsxr 750 on the track. Bit faster than the CBR 600 I had. The 750 made it easy to move into the 1000.
I like the 600's because mentally I feel I am above them. Like I can ring it's neck and get the most out of it. And I can go all day on a 600. For mine the biggest difference is braking, hard braking. Backing a 600 in and dropping it over hard, I'm a lot more confident than on a litre bike.
It has been 10 years, but when I ran and worked the corners at the track in Seattle, the 600 had the fastest track times. I think this is for the reason you made Taylor...you can run it harder, with more confidence. The Seattle track is pretty short, so you can't really open up a 200hp 1000. V-twins, like Ducati's and my SV1000 did well because of the wider power band and engine breaking.
Thanks for the vid...please keep them coming!
Thanks a lot Mark!
Oh...well .. I am now mostly in the upper half of the fastest group in all circuits I ride (even on the ones I ride for the first time) with my 600cc.. .but that sliding thing didn't even start with..except unintentionally :)
Great info. My takeaway is learning the tyres. Today’s rubber would need the track to explore the limits safely.
Very true, thanks Stuart!
This channel is underrated for me
Have a 2014 600 on the road and bought 1999 750 for first track bike for £800 and love it
Amazing!
Would love to know what you’re dad thinks of all the electronic help riders have today ps loved this video
I’ll ask on a future interview!
Had bikes for large chunk of my life. Grew up around bikes. Supposedly taken to my first race at three weeks old. Still own a Triumph Speed Triple T509. My biggest problem never had that much aptitude for riding them. Had all sorts from 200cc to GSXR1100L which was the best bike I ever owned and the one I found the easiest to ride and live with. To me it was like a comfy armchair it just fitted me. On the other hand I had a Kawasaki ZXR 750 that was permanently trying to kill me and destroy my wedding tackle every time I braked. Totally uncomfortable. The bike I always wanted and never got a GSXR 750. I have never done a track day as I have never felt good enough and didn't want to look an idiot. Admire people that can ride well and often wish I was one of them.
It's been a GSX-R 750 for me for the last 10 years but I'm going to 1000 start of next year.
Good luck!
The Suzuki GSXR750 is a vastly underrated machine, but just the right combination of thrills and power for most sports bike riders and a reasonable track weapon to boot.
Can’t argue with that!
Very good timing. I am thinking of upgrading my 600 to a 750 or 1000 right now but to an "old school" 1000 with no electrics. I am thrashing the life out of the 600 which is great but a touch worrying for cost of expensive engine troubles that may follow. The lack of electrics on the new to me 1000 is frightening me a little, but the HP is lower than the 200bhp of modern bikes. Still 160 - 180 bhp though. A conundrum for sure.
Haha brilliant! Good luck!
Great video as always. 750 is definitely the answer but next to no one other than Suzuki makes them anymore. I have a GSX-R 750 and it is my third. I love them but not sure what's next as although they are available in some areas, I am not sure they sell them in the UK anymore which is a real shame. I have ridden most of the sports 600's and 1000's over the years and have always stuck with the 750 as it is the best of both worlds. Great on the road and more than capable on any track day.
Very true!
Very very well explained. Thanks for taking the time.
The best example of this fun factor trackday situation was watching Graham Crosby and Wayne gardener thrash the old school superbikes !!!( 1980’s )moriwaki Kawasaki and the yoshimura Suzuki ) around donnington park.. they did a couple of laps on the pace of the 500 2 strokes but once the air cooled motors went off a bit and the tyres gave up, they spent the rest of the race sliding out of the corners, pulling tandem wheelies, stoppies the lot… now that’s a fun trackday, as opposed to chasing lap times that you may never reach… just enjoy the ride on whatever….. but mainly leave your pride in the car park, there’s usually gonna be someone faster….Typically an ex super bike race winner on an old shitter going round the outside and laughing…..!!!!….. p.S. maybe you should send Scotty out on a turbo busa just before he jumps on the moto 3 bike.. !!??
I have two bikes, 675 Daytona if am trying to increase corner speed learning to be competitive, without rider aides, wanting to be at full chat for longer. My S1000RR for the rush on the straight, pulling power wheelies more madness, using slide control on the cornering, more effort more fun, and for reminding me to respect the bike, be careful and how much I don’t know.
I like your plan of works
Sounds like you’ve got it all!
great video guy.. everyone that wants to ride fast and grab turns with knee on the ground.. they should lern with nothing on the bike but tires the trottle, steering damper.. you will be a much skillful rider if you learn on a bike without all the tecnollgy of the late 2015 plus bikes.. Guys like Rossi have amazing skill bc of the bikes he came up on!!
Really great video and I totally agree. For road, I'd take 1000cc for low down power and flexibility, for track they are all fun in their own way. I've raced an RVF400 and that was incredible fun (with no power!)
Definitely true, they’re all fun in their own way!
Everything you said makes a lot of sense to me. I have been in love dirt bikes since I was a young kid of 6 or 7 and that is about what time I started riding. By the time I was 14 or 15 it was clear that I was better than average, not great but pretty good. I never raced or had a very new bike until I was 21 or 22 years old. I took third place my very first MX race. And probably never participated in more than 30 races my entire life. I was almost alway in the top ten in the junior class, but never got good enough to graduate to the intermediates, arm pump was always an issue for me. This was in the late 80's early 90's. But did do a lot of cross country, woods, dirt roads and desert riding that enjoyed very much.
Having said all that, I didn't seriously start riding street until after the age of 50 and that is because I wasn't physically able to ride off road any longer. I never really planned on riding fast, I just enjoyed riding and thought that riding street would be better than not riding at all. So after riding for a couple years and accumulating over a half dozen streetbikes from touring, sport touring, adventure, cruiser, and sport bikes ( i currently own and ride 9 motorcycles) I love them all but..... surprisingly.......okay maybe not surprisingly.... found myself gravitating towards sport bikes and taking it pretty seriously, reading a lot and watching a lot videos and practicing a lot and in about 3 or four years, it was quite clear that I am better than average, not great but pretty good.
A lot.....okay a few people have and are encouraging me to do track days. But I probably never will and here is why....first off money! I live on a fixed income and its all I can do now to buy tires and maintain the bikes I ride now. second is my physical condition, on a track you are either braking as quick and as hard you can or you are accelerating as fast as you can and that is more physically demanding than most people realize and I don't think I could do it for more than 10 minutes at a time. But I do wish I would have tried it 20 or 30 years ago.
I had a Honda cb 1300
And I found it the most easiest bike
to ride
Because of its engine configeration
It was so forgiving and stable
Thanks Taylor always interesting and informative
Thanks Alan!
I've had a gixxer 6 and I've had a Fireblade. The blade wins hands down.
Same except Honda 600RR. Blade is fun stuff. Love the 1000's.
Really good unbiased video. Thanks man 🍻
Great point of view advice Taylor. Totally agree and well put.
Thanks Peter!
600 with full brake and suspension setup. Also yes super mids are the best all around solutioin
Listening to the first few minutes of this video and not new to track days but not having natural ability on a bike I have a lot more fun on my 600 and typing whilst listening I agree that on the 1000 I do ride it like an automatic
Informative vid, all bases covered. Look at road racing where you have guys competeing together on both sizes. 600's, well set-up and ridden beating 1000's no problem. Track riding is a bit different but for road riding, spinning it up and whellies will get you in bother never mind the fun! I had an NRS 250 and little experience and always remember a guy on an V-Max leaving me for dead on the bends coming back from Kirkistown when I didn't know the roads. Experience and knowledge folks!
Thanks!
I had a 750 for my 1st year of TD riding which was great but felt my l8 1000 gsxr was wasted on the road so have just put that into track form and the power difference is unreal and it wheelies everywhere!
Still didn't stop your brother passing and make me look like I was going backwards at Donington 2 weeks ago when he was on a 600 🤣🤣
A good rider (well just a little above average) could ride a cbr400rr (4 cylinder) and show most people up on a 600 or 1000cc. Unless we're taking over 130mph on a straight. In the corner nothing will touch it.
I bet it does haha! He does that to me too😅
I have fun on my 250. 36 HP bike. I truly can’t imagine riding something with 200 HP but I want to someday
It's all about having fun 😁💪🏼
Too many Willy wavers on 1000’s at track days that have no idea how to ride 😂
It's quite funny when they get overtaken by a 250 after they run their mouth about how they have a ''real bike''.
No comment!
@@captainslav6528 i bet you never even witnessed anyone saying such b/s (save for some banter among friends)
@@jaromor8808 I've had idiots talk a lot of crap to me , they get embarrassed real quick on their ''real bikes''. It's always the ones talking crap or reving their engines in parking lots or making lots of noise that are slow. I'm not even that good on a bike but there's a lot of idiots and squids on big bikes that talk a lot of bs and it's not hard to make them look silly.
Well said. I have a ZX-6R and ZX-9R that both see track duty. I'm faster on the 6. Even though I'm a hard-core kawasaki fan, I bought a GSX-R750 for the street. Perfect cc. It won't get tracked for a few years, but I am looking forward to it!
If you find yourself full-throttle on the side of the tire, it's time to move up to a 1000. Most of us amateurs will honestly never do that.
Good work T,another gem🥳topic idea 💡 what about feeling on a bike ? How to push to feel tyres and suspension working in corners, what to look for !, ive done a few t days and can honestly say I have no clue how either of these feel ....just putting it out there
Great points, definitely something for me to do in the future! Thank you
Cheers Taylor,another great video.
Thanks Trevor
Yep, my Street Triple 765 is as much bike as I'll ever need, at my competence level
Glad to hear it!
Nice one Taylor. I'll always remember my first track day in the rain at Croft with your good self on my brand new 1000 😲 and still had a mega time 👍🏻
Haha I bet you did!