Yes, but your learning curve will be drastically lower on a liter bike. You will spend more time concentrating on your right wrist, than on correctly getting through a corner. If this is your only bike, then you don’t have choice. However, if you have access to a smaller bike, I would use it. Have fun, and be careful.
Look into an SV650 - there are hundreds of threads across every motocycle trackday/racing forum and the SV consistently is the bike most recommended and for people from novice through expert...
IMHO the best ride for a first track day is a properly working motorcycle that you are used to with good (fresh) tires. This way you spend your time familiarizing yourself with what you are doing, and eliminate the addition of also learning a 'new' motorcycle. To limit the torque of the GSXR 1000 just keep it one gear higher than you think you would normally do. On a track like Pocono East, NJMP Thunderbolt or Lightning (use 4th on the straights when needed then back down to third at the end of the straights), put it in third and keep it there, just roll on and off the throttle.
Running your first day on a familiar motorcycle is not something I considered when I first responded to this post. Outstanding point, thanks for the input..
I understand, many or most people don't even consider it. Doing this also allows an understanding to directly transfer to street riding for a new track day rider. That is, they don't feel different because of the motorcyle. I feel the most important thing the first track day rider needs to understand is: SMOOTH. Constantly reminding themselves, "no sudden movements, no sudden movements..." The worst possible scenario is a 'new' motorcycle that isn't working properly and there are many new to this that run the OEM suggested tire pressures which are too high even for street use. Most street tires are best between 28-32 psi and the higher recommended pressures are actually only for fully loaded conditions and we sport bike types rarely have a fully loaded motorcycle. I amd posting this after just reading this: http://sttforum.com/sttforum/viewtopic.php?t=3905 and there is a lot to learn about getting everything out of yourself and your motorcycle; regardless, one does the best with they have.
Got to agree with Brian here. Think how many schools use 600's or SV650's. On top of that I can't think of a single school that uses 1000cc bikes. Cornerspeed is definitly one of the keys to going fast, any monkey can get on the straight and turn the throttle. Your not going to go faster because you have a bigger bike, you will go fast because you improve your skills. The 1000 might slow your development down because you will always be worried about wheel spin. If the key to going faster was to buy a 1000 then the advanced group would be all 1000's, which is not the case. Also be smooth on the controls as stated above. I've seen a couple of 1000cc street bikes (both R1's) get written off at the track this year in novice . Ride at your own pace and don't get racing your buddies. The last one was at Mid OH sept 29-30, cracked his frame clean thru :shock: . Anyway good luck. Steve
I agree with the above and don't "suggest" a 1000 for a novice. My comment is if that is what they already have it is likely better than borrowing an unknown motorcycle. Per the above listed incidents, all of those types of incidents are because of the rider, not the motorcycle (i.e. the rider being not smooth; the motorcycle only produces the power the rider asks of it). Too many people put ego first and that's part of why they're on a 1,000. I'm too fast or too good a rider to ride a 600!!! What do you think I am a sissy?:twisted: I have known some of these people personally and they crashed on anything they were on because they were unreachable. That is they had indefeatable ignorance. This was proven when after the crash they couldn't tell why they crashed. One guy in particular, after a high side, "It just spit me off." What did you do to cause this (knowing it was an abrupt application of too much throttle, spinning the rear and then chopping the throttle closed)? "Nothing, it just spit me off." (sarcasm) oh, so it just fired the ejection seat on you? followed by those within earshot laughing. The 600s today are faster than many 1,000s from about 10 years ago. The difference is that a 600, while making more HP than in the past, doesn't make much more torque than in the past. Its torque that accellerates. Also, note that is why I mentioned using a higher gear. This will limit the torque the rear tire sees and at least with the GSXR line the corning ability of the 600/750/1000 chassis are practically identical. Also, the no brake drill, when done properly, will get a student to "understand" carrying corner speed far better than just about anything else they can do. It seems to me that during the no brake drill, a good number of the students are using the brakes and hindering their learning. BTW to me, its all about corner speed. That's where all the fun is, going fast in the corners.
Well you might be a little down on power and top-end speed compared to say........ BEN SPIES!!!! Seriously, Remember that the throttle goes both ways and respect it and you'll do fine. Your goal is to be very delicate and soft handed with the throttle. Ok?
Very interesting and historic debate. I agree with both sides really, but I think it depends a lot on the rider. About a year ago I had to make choice between selling my R1 or my 750. Note in my signature that I chose to keep the 750. The power can sneak up and surprise you on the 1k's. I'm a responsible 32year old conservative fellow, but I had the back tire break loose on me at 130+mph a couple of times over the 3 years or so that I owned it (in third or fourth gear travelling in a straight line mind you) because the power sneaks up and cracks like a whip. Ultimately, I decided that I like the feeling of slamming through the gears with the throttle pegged more than I liked un-needed and hard to manage power...thus I chose the 750. On the 750 I can nail in full throttle in any gear above 1st and the front tire doesn't even try to come up. This makes going fast in the straights almost too easy! Someday's I miss the rush, that feeling that comes when you are certain that death is riding on the back and he won't quit moving around. Perhaps I will go back someday. I agree that shifting up to lower the torque is a great idea, but it is no substitue for keeping your raging speed muscle under control. You only have to have a lapse in judgement or loss in concentration for about a second before very bad things happen. Hell, if you sneeze in a corner and your hand twitches a little you could go down. My advice, carry on if you feel comfortable with your sled. But, respect...maybe even fear your bike the first few times you are out. Sign up in the slowest B group and cruise the track in 4th+ gear like you are sight seeing at a national park. Good luck
This brings up a question in my mind. I've been riding for many years but on Harley's. Recently I bought a BMW K1200R Sport and love it. I'm wanting to learn to ride it better, I signed up for Barber May 8 & 9. I'm not interested in racing, only better understanding of riding my sport bike. I'm an old (57) very conservative rider and am now beginning to wonder if this is the wrong bike to bring. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
You should definately bring it. A weekend in the novice group and you'll be intimate with that bike and be able to apply all of the skills learned to riding on the street. You'll be a better and safer rider for doing so! Then you'll be back on a smaller and lighter bike. :wink:
Thanks, that is what I'm thinking but with this talk about weight and a 1200, I'm thinking about a very clean 07 F800S I saw on the sales floor yesterday that was just traded in.
MJZ The BMW will be fine for a track day. If you want to understand your limits and the BMW better then you'll need to ride it. From what I hear the K1200R sport is a very capable motorcycle and you should enjoy yourself. One of my neighbors made his living selling, servicing and racing BMWs. He started with BMW after The War (WW II) and one of his son's still races them. Enjoy.
IIRC, a K1200R held the track record at VIR for a while, if not still... granted, that guy riding it had plenty of talent- it'll be a bit more work for you, but if that's the bike that you're used to riding, you won't know the difference. FWIW, my 1st track bike was a BMW R1100S & it served me well for over 50k miles... have fun, you'll enjoy yourself, I'm sure.
Truth be told, I've only had Harley's since 92 when I had to give up dirt bikes. A couple of months ago I did a demo ride on the K1200R Sport (first sport bike I've ever been on) and bought it on the spot, came home and put both Harley's on ebay. I had no idea what I was missing.
my buddy has a k1200r and he was giving me a run for my money on my 600rr i would walk him on the corners but he would pass me on the straight but i could not shake him