This is my first year doing STT track days. I have a 2008 CBR 600RR and it has been beaten the crap out of. I have fallen 6 times this year on it. 3 times on the track and 3 times on the street. With each fall, I repaired most of the damages so I can ride it on the street and track. Also, I have logged about 21,000 miles this season on it and it is starting show signs of wear and tear. Since I have done about 18 track days along with many miles on the street with it this year, it has a bit of sentimental value for me, but I am willing to part with it. In order to get the bike back near to the condition it was before this year's riding season, it needs a lot of work, at least $2,000 worth. In addition, in order to turn it into a mediocre track bike, it needs another $3,000 worth of parts not including labor. My question is, what the heck should I do with it? :help: When I got into this hobby/sport, I didn't think it would be this rough, even considering how well this season has been for me. Any advice, opinions, ideas, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
in stock condition, it is much MORE than a "mediocre" track bike..... That's what thay puppy was built for. Slap some duct tape on it and ride the crap out of it!
smooth is fast ... work on your position and lines .. dont worry about going fast speed wise or dragging knee etc. get some good track day tires like q3 or pp3 and go have fun ... guys take stock bikes through A group and the cbr is a great bike
Tough call.....Ive always tracked bikes that are at least 5 years old and cheap...... My current bike is 10 years old, and id consider it at least mediocre. Id say your expense is directly proportional to the number of crashes..... Even in stock form, your 08 is at least a mediocre track tool....... It all boils down to your financial risk tolerance. You can have the most expensive bike in the world and still crash which will be that much more expensive to fix. I prefer $2000 specials, so when and/or if I yardsale it, im not out a whole shitload of cash.....
Right now is not the right time to sell the bike. Right now is the time to pick you up a good track bike for next year or parts for next year. At the end of the season, everyone sells everything. Starting next March, maybe as early as February, you will see the WTB on all the forums. Last, keep it and ride it if it is safe. You will see bikes worse than yours pass tech. The real question is how much welding have you done to the bike this year and what is out of alignment?
Finally someone who has crashed this year more than me. My track bike isn't too pretty anymore, but it runs as well as the day I bought it 1 year ago. What is the damage? Cosmetic? If you decide to go the race-prepped dedicated track bike route (what I did), then it is much cheaper to buy one used than to build it yourself from a street bike.
Thank you very much for the advice thus far. The damages are mostly cosmetic, and some damages due to lack of maintenance. I do have michellin power 3s on them.
I would keep riding it as it is! Realistically if you were to sell it, how much you think you can sell it for?
Were your crashes rider error or issues with the bike? As sammPD4075 said, I would work on correcting any mistakes you are making and focus on being smooth with your imputs, slow down your mind and hit your lines. This may mean more coaching, schools etc. I took my realtively stock R6 to A with only race bodywork & race tires (stock suspension). Your CBR is a GREAT platform and sooo easy to ride fast, I know cuz I have one It's a very rewarding and fun bike but like any 600it requires accurate and smooth responses and higher corner speeds (which I am sure you know). My CBR600RR is far from stock now but sportbikes nowadays come with great suspensions that can get you to A level, it's more the rider holding the bike back. of my many track bikes I have had over the years I have only had to "full" stock motor'd track bikes (all performance mods, full suspension, etc.) and that was my R6S (2011) and my CBR600RR this year. Upgraded suspension does make a difference and now I am spoiled but like I said stock suspension is pretty good! With all that said, I am not sure I would put the $$ into your bike as it is higher in mileage and seems to need quite a bit of work. Ride it as is and continue to improve yourself, sell it and buy a newere bike, or buy a newer bike and use it as a "B" bike.
Being optimistic, probably won't get more than $4,000 for it. The bike is mostly stock other than exhaust. All the track falls were my error. 2 of the 3 street were not my fault. One of them, I got hit by a car, another, I had a passenger and she grabbed me as she fell.
Uhh as she fell? Sounds to me like you need to stop what your doing step back look at all the reasons for your crashes. Everyone goes down but 6 in a year regardless of fault is too many unless you are making your living doing it. As for the bike I have an 08 good bike make it safe to ride it. I have 30k on my 03 600rr so just take care of maintenance and it will be fine! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
I agree with everyone that's saying work on your riding skills before upgrading your bike. If it were my bike, I'd basically let it go cosmetically as it will never be mint again, and focus on maintainance. keep it clean, straight, and everything with in spec mechanically. actually, i use maintainance as my excuse for mods...
Well I hate to be a little more harsh then most but when you really get down to crashes they are all your fault. I crashed twice this year once because I refused to be patient and once because of mechanical failure which I should have checked and double checked. Or if you put your bike in a place which leaves you no escape its still your fault. 600RR is more then enough to get you up to Advanced group on some decent street tires so its more then just slightly capable machine. It sucks if your a perfectionist like me, but very few of us run around with bikes in pristine condition. Those are the kind of repairs we save until winter so we can roll out something fresh in the spring :getdown:
Thank you all for your advice. I think I am just going to fix the cbr for basic street riding, and buy a track bike. The girl was drunk, I had a few drinks but I passed the sobriety test when the cops showed up. I don't know if she just let go, but when we were going, she was there one second and the next second, she was grabbing me off the bike. She's not injured on any part of her upper body, since she had my helmet, jacket and, gloves, but since she had a skirt on, she's got some pretty nasty road rash on her legs and has several broken bones on her feet. After STT days, I am very paranoid about safety, especially for my passengers so I gave her all the protection I was wearing at the time. For this year, I did achieve the bump to advanced group of STT, but there are some advanced that complain that I am too slow. It's partially due to my bike, since it is no longer in its top form. But I digress. Another inquiry I have is, why don't many track riders ride on the street? I mean, I know it's not as fun and the mundane seems almost unbearable, but the mundane is a part of life whether on a bike or car. I'd just rather be on a bike, that's why I have racked so many miles for this year. Thoughts, comments, concerns, ideas, from other fellow track riders would be appreciated. Thanx again.
The advanced group is not about lap times. It is about being smooth and predictable so that other riders can pass you regardless of speed. If you are getting complaints from fellow riders in A group then you need more coaching. Have you considered signing up for a Pro School day? Lots of 1-on-1 instruction, can do wonders for your technique! As far as track prep goes, a simple suspension refresh and some fiberglass should be enough for the ol' CBR. No need to get all crazy buying stuff. Assuming it is maintained properly your bike and tires are plenty for A group. My own experience with track vs. street had more to do with the fact that I enjoyed the track a lot more. When I hopped on my sportbike to ride on the street it just didn't make sense any more, since the bike really was developed for the track. My advice would be to track the CBR and pick up a used Kawasaki Versys (or similar "street" focused motorcycle) for use on the street. -Tom
Have you heard of riders that once they started doing trackdays that they became very apprehensive about riding on the street? I ride slower now and dont ride the curves on the street hard at all any more. I am constantly thinking of what could happen and that i dont have any run off as well as will the tires stick.
At the risk of being crude.... After the track, riding on the street is a lot like having sex only in the missionary position. I mean...its fun....but really you just spend the whole time thinking how much better the other way is.